Problems · by component

2021 Hyundai Sonata power train problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata cite power train, 19% of all 135 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
25
19% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“Transmission replaced twice and all of them continue to fail. Several Hyundai service centers are unable to determine the cause and are only able to update/relearn and replace whenever they are able to replicate the issue. The issue is that at a cold start, the car makes a popping sound, jerks and shakes. The car hesitates to accelerate. You can hear the noise of acceleration but RPM does not go past 3 and MPH doesn't go past 30mph. I'm unable to upload docs because of the upload limit. If there's another way to send docs, please let me know”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Power trainODI 11764277
“The vehicle has experienced repeated transmission and Electronic Oil Pump (EOP) failures resulting in loss of propulsion, loss of acceleration, and transmission-related malfunctions. The vehicle currently has approximately 69,000 miles. On September 3, 2022, the vehicle lost propulsion while traveling approximately 31 MPH in traffic and would not respond normally to accelerator input. This created a dangerous situation and increased the risk of a collision. On the same date, while backing out of a parking space, the vehicle displayed a "Shifter System Malfunction" warning message and unexpectedly stopped while in reverse. The vehicle had to be powered off before it would operate again. Following these incidents, the vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership and the transmission was replaced in September 2022. Despite the transmission replacement, the vehicle continued experiencing issues involving the same system. The Electronic Oil Pump (EOP) was replaced in 2023 and again in 2024 due to recurring transmission-related concerns and diagnostic codes. In 2026, the check engine light returned and the vehicle was again diagnosed with a transmission-related failure.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2026Power trainODI 11741226
“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 again. No visible leaking. Oil was completely fine (1 gallon of coolant would have have left some kind indicator). Realized it was more than likely the ehrs. If this happened during the summer, my engine could have blown due to a poor design causing a major accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11718194
“I own a 2021 Hyundai Sonata 1.6T, which has an open NHTSA safety recall (25V796000) related to fuel tank pressurization and fire risk. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership due to a check engine light, reduced performance, and DTC P14EE, which aligns with the recall condition. The dealership refused to treat the concern as recall-related unless I paid a diagnostic fee and later attempted to reclassify the issue as a customer-pay fuel pump repair. During this visit, the dealership replaced a fuel system sensor without my authorization, which I did not approve or consent to. The dealership has not provided documented test results explaining how the recall condition was ruled out and has not documented recall inspection on the repair order. I expressed that I do not feel safe driving the vehicle due to the fuel system recall and drivability issues. The dealership also refused to provide alternate transportation. I am concerned the recall is not being handled in compliance with NHTSA requirements and that unauthorized repairs were performed while attempting to shift a recall-related condition to the customer. I am requesting review of recall…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2025Power train, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11707864
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and lost power. The vehicle was coasted over to the right side of the road, turned off, restarted, and returned to normal functionality. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the diagnosis was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2025Power trainODI 11695902

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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

Other 2021 Sonata problem areas