2021 Hyundai SONATA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Hyundai SONATA has 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: the contact owns a 2021 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission fluid leaking from the engine. the mechanic informed the contact that the transmission fluid leakage was flammable..

10 crash reports 24 injuries

167

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

33 complaints

20%

• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission fluid leaking from the engine. The mechanic informed the contact that the transmission fluid leakage was flammable.
• Since we purchased this brand new vehicle, we have had in the dealership service department at a minimum of 5 times for same issue. The vehicle accelerates while stopped at a light so we have to put it in neutral to keep it from accelerating. Once we take out of Neutral and release the break, the ve
• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also heard a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over on the side of the roa

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission fluid leaking from the engine. The mechanic informed the contact that the transmission fluid leakage was flammable.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

30 complaints

18%

• SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE WIRELESS APPLE CAR PLAY. REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR NOT IT LOSES CONNECTIVITY. WHILE DRIVING THIS CAUSE YOU TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD AS MESSAGES APPEAR ON THEIR INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. CALLS ARE DROPPED, NAVIGATION STOPS SO WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING AT
• Excessive wind noise is coming from the driver side window when speeds are over 55mph+. A lot of other owners on the forums are experiencing the same problem.
• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after driving out of the garage and parking in the driveway with the engine idling and remote smart parking assist feature activated, 6 minutes later the vehicle suddenly began to slowly roll forward into the garage area making contact

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE WIRELESS APPLE CAR PLAY. REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR NOT IT LOSES CONNECTIVITY. WHILE DRIVING THIS CAUSE YOU TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD AS MESSAGES APPEAR ON THEIR INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. CALLS ARE DROPPED, NAVIGATION STOPS SO WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING AT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

25 complaints

15%

• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, he smelled an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could duplicate the failure. The
• Oct 12: Engine stalled exiting I95 in Kittery Maine. Engine light flashed but did not stay on. Was able to get to safe place but car would not go more than 15mph. Hampton Huyndai reported mis-fire but stated it cleared on its own. Oct 17th: Engine stalled on highway ramp to I495, nearly causing m
• My car barely has 11,000 miles and just the other day it had about 20miles left of gas but as I was driving on the road it started to feel and seem like it was about to die on me, Also the front Wipers are not well restrained with the vehicle you can tell by the way it moves when Wipers are on....A

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, he smelled an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could duplicate the failure. The ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

21 complaints

13%

• My transmission went bad on my new car. Didn’t have my car for 4 month August 12 2021
• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormally loud sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that they were await
• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train); however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle would delay while starting.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“My transmission went bad on my new car. Didn’t have my car for 4 month August 12 2021”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

16 complaints

10%

• My vehicle is trending in theft, car was leased to me from Napelton in Lansing IL sept 2022. The first attempt of theft/break in UIC area Dec 10, second attempt in west Chicago area Jan 29. Both times I just cried and shut down. With having to contact the police awaiting the report process in middl
• After 9 months of ownership, on at least five (5) instances, the car has the following things happen at the same time: 1) all warning lights on the dashboard activate, 2) the battery discharge warning light activates, a loss of power steering, no speedometer, no cameras (rear or front), no AC, and a
• So for the past year and half my cars left turn signal has been working intermittently. It just stops working and then it starts again. I have taken it to the dealer many times they changed out signal assembly i have taken many videos show proof. I am told at the dealer if you dont bring it in wh

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“My vehicle is trending in theft, car was leased to me from Napelton in Lansing IL sept 2022. The first attempt of theft/break in UIC area Dec 10, second attempt in west Chicago area Jan 29. Both times I just cried and shut down. With having to contact the police awaiting the report process in middl”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 167 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission fluid leaking from the engine. The mechanic informed the contact that the transmission fluid leakage was flammable.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE WIRELESS APPLE CAR PLAY. REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR NOT IT LOSES CONNECTIVITY. WHILE DRIVING THIS CAUSE YOU TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD AS MESSAGES APPEAR ON THEIR INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. CALLS ARE DROPPED, NAVIGATION STOPS SO WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING AT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, he smelled an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could duplicate the failure. The
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: My transmission went bad on my new car. Didn’t have my car for 4 month August 12 2021
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)