2021 HYUNDAI SONATA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. This model year has 113 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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Worst 2021 Hyundai Sonata Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Transmission / Drivetrain
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 31 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 29 | 3 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 113 most recent complaints
The Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS) has failed for the second time on this vehicle. The first failure occurred at approximately 35,000 miles and was repaired under Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 23-EM-009H, which Hyundai issued to address this exact defect across 2020-202…
• I experienced trouble with my splash guard being damaged from hanging and scraping the ground about a month after purchasing the vehicle. Also, my hood paint started chipping after a recent cold front experienced in my state earlier this year. Yes it is available for inspectio…
I was notified of a recall on my from vehicle by Hyundai via email some time in March of 2026. The message said mentioned my vehicle may have a defective/worn purge control check valve that would cause the fuel tank to deform. Potentially leading to a release of fuel over time, …
The internal core of the Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS), part of the center muffler/front pipe assembly (#28600-L5210), suffered a catastrophic failure. This allowed approximately 9 gallons of engine coolant to leak directly into the hot exhaust stream. Safety Risk: This fai…
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was unrepairable, and th…
Hyundai technical service bulletin 23-EM-009H (EHRS COOLANT LEAK) - AKA a faulty heat exchange that causes the coolant to leak into the exhaust and burn away. Resulting in a very hard to diagnose coolant disappearance. This should be a recall. They have literally already acknowle…
P0471 code before 55k miles even after repair is made
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the fuel …
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exc…
On i believe 1/14/26, my check engine light came on. Scheduled appt.for 1/16/26 for diagnostic. Several things were wrong. I decided to come back due to not having the money at the time. Over the wked, I remembered a recall notice i received around November that I asked about in …
The EHRS coolant system failed and had a leak causing the coolant to be excessively burned off as thick white smoke. This caused me to not be able to see anything behind me and forced others to stop or slow down dramatically to avoid colliding with me. I had my engine overheat an…
Vehicle suddenly lost heat in 30 degree weather. No warnings, check engine light, or temperature gauge indicators came on. Lucky made it to a parts store and found out I was extremely low on coolant. Bought coolant and put it in. Made it back to the house and was immediately low…
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off without warning. There was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle with an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was …
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle …
Will be driving the car and suddenly hear a beep. Then the dashboard will flash with the ABS light engine light tire pressure light check Blindspot sensors, forward collision sensors. once all the lights appear on the dashboard, I can no longer accelerate. i’ve cleaned the throt…
I took my car to the dealer on [XXX] with concerns about the strong gas smell that I have been smelling. The Hyundai dealership kept my car for 3 days and stated they could not smell the gas after driving the vehicle themselves. They did repair a cracked cylinder head however the…
Component or system involved and availability for inspection: The issue involves the transmission / drivetrain system. When I entered my VIN on Hyundai’s official dealership website, a safety recall related to the transmission appeared. I took a screenshot of this recall. When I …
I was driving my 2021 Hyundai Sonata at approximately 3:00 AM when the vehicle suddenly began shaking and vibrating. While stopped at a traffic light, the check engine light illuminated, and the engine was shaking severely. I immediately pulled over and shut off the engine. Afte…
Engine makes rattling and knocking noises. Transmission hesitates and jerks Suspension front struts and rear shocks are bad. Possible the isolators. Having horrible back pain when riding in car. Starter intermittently doesn't work Lane keep assistance goes over small bump in r…
Please see Attachment To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally notify you under the Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (Virginia Lemon Law, Va. Code §§ 59.1-207.9 to 59.1-207.16) that my 2021 Hyundai Sonata, has a nonconformity that substantially impairs it…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata.
Recalls for 2021 Hyundai Sonata
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2021 Hyundai Sonata — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2021 Hyundai Sonata has 113 NHTSA owner complaints, 7 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (31 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?▾
#1: Engine Problems (31 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (29 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (20 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?▾
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata has 7 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 113 total NHTSA complaints. 12 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?▾
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The largest issue: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Sonata?▾
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Sonata reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2021 Hyundai Sonata
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.