Research · Large Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2021 Hyundai SonataRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 135 owner complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. Most complaints involve engine (34) and power train (25). The EPA rates it 27–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–32mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Nov 2025
Owner complaints
135
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 18, 2025NHTSA 25V796000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Power trainReported Oct 6, 2022NHTSA 22V746000

Visibility: windshield

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

VisibilityReported Dec 28, 2021NHTSA 21V00M000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

135 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine34
  2. Power train25
  3. Fuel/propulsion system21
  4. Electrical system18
  5. Fuel system, gasoline13
  6. Forward collision avoidance9
  7. Visibility/wiper8
  8. Structure4
  9. Air bags4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sonata model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199624
199752
199850
1999170
2000278
2001219
2002326
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,380
20121,559
20131,917
2014751
20151,156
2016728
2017769
2018375
2019162
2020183
2021135
202296
202388
202448
202517
20263
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

34 reports1 crash
“At approximately 130,000 miles, vehicle developed and internal coolant leak caused by a failed Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS) in the center muffler assembly, matching TSB 23-EM-009H - a known manufacturing defect documented by Hyundai. Coolant has been slowly leaking internally into the exhaust system. The authorized Hyundai dealership initially failed to diagnose the internal leak and told me there was no leak and wanted to send me home. After pushing back, the internal leak was confirmed. If not caught, this defect could result in engine overheating or complete engine failure without warning. Hyundai Motor America has denied goodwill coverage despite this being a documented manufacturing defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11746137

Power train

25 reports
“My 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line suffered a catastrophic, sudden total loss of drive power while operating at speed on a public roadway, creating an immediate crash hazard. The vehicle lost forward propulsion and the gear selector flashed a blinking 'R' when reverse was attempted. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, [XXX] Hyundai Southtowne, where their factory GDS tool pulled transmission code P283601 (Shift Fork 'B' Position Circuit). This matches the exact critical safety failure path targeted by Federal Safety Recall 236 (NHTSA Campaign 22V-746) for the 8-speed wet-DCT high-pressure electric oil pump circuit failure. The vehicle previously received the 2022 software patch, but the underlying physical hardware has now actively degraded. The dealership is attempting to deny the federal safety recall remedy based on the vehicle's high mileage. An active corporate consumer affairs investigation has been opened under Case #XXX.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Power trainODI 11767539

Fuel/propulsion system

21 reports1 crash
“DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY DEFECT & IMMEDIATE HAZARD:My 2021 Hyundai Sonata SEL is currently exhibiting the most severe, catastrophic symptoms of the fuel tank expansion defect covered under NHTSA Campaign 25V796000. The fuel tank has expanded so drastically that it physically warped the structural interior of the cabin, violently popping the rear passenger seat completely out of its assembly while the vehicle was in motion. Furthermore, there is a constant, heavy, raw gasoline odor inside and around the vehicle. The vehicle is a documented, active fire, explosion, and vapor inhalation hazard. It is currently physically located at Sterling Hyundai in Lafayette, LA.DESCRIPTION OF MANUFACTURER NON-COMPLIANCE & REFUSAL TO REMEDY:Hyundai Motor America and Sterling Hyundai are in direct violation of their legal obligation to provide a safe, accessible remedy or interim safety accommodations under federal recall guidelines. An Executive Case Manager from Hyundai Corporate has officially refused to provide a direct-billed rental vehicle or a dealer loaner.Initially, a third-party rental vehicle was provided. However, that vehicle was compromised in an accident and wrecked…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11766388
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (AM-S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonata
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start · Front-Wheel Drive
283832$1,950282
Sonata
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI · Front-Wheel Drive
273731$2,000293
Sonata
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
273730$2,100293
Sonata
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,300335
  • Sonata
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start
    28 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI
    27 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI
    27 city · 37 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.7%
Overall
— / 5
Hyundai Sonata N 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 15694Vehicle 15696
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Sonata questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Owners filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (34), power train (25), fuel/propulsion system (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Hyundai Sonata at 27–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Hyundai Sonata 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026