A low-complaint late Sonata
The 2021 Sonata has a complaint rate well below the average. A few owners report gear selector faults and hybrid 12V battery drain.
Updated November 2026 · based on 190 owner complaints and 4 recalls
204 55% below the Sonata average
4 free to fix at a dealer
Every Sonata year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2021 Sonata
Top problems and what they cost
Gear selector fault
The car stays in drive when reverse is selected on rare cars.
Fix: Covered by recall 22V746
Transmission and drivetrain
Hybrid 12V battery drain
The 12V battery dies randomly on hybrids.
Fix: Battery $150 to $250
Electrical
Recalls
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2021 Hyundai Sonata
- Confirm recalls 21V524, 22V746 and 25V796 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2021 Sonata has 4 recalls on record, listed below.
- Test reverse and drive engage correctly.Backup cameras are required safety equipment on newer cars. A camera that flickers or does not come on was the subject of several recalls.
Questions
Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
A low-complaint late Sonata. The 2021 Sonata has a complaint rate well below the average. A few owners report gear selector faults and hybrid 12V battery drain.
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata have?
4 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Sonata problems?
Gear selector fault; Hybrid 12V battery drain.
Crash rating shown for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.