Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system25
- Engine21
- Unknown or other7
- Fuel/propulsion system5
- Power train4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Forward collision avoidance3
- Visibility/wiper1
- Tires1
- Structure1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 9.7 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 5.0 L/100 km (about 47 mpg US), CO₂ 117 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata Hybrid · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 5.3 | 4.6 | 5.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Hyundai told its dealers about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11012043 | This bulletin provides the procedure for updating the automatic transmission TCU (Transmission Control Unit) software to improve shift quality, judder and hesitation when accelerating. |
| 11006111 | Some vehicles equipped with the AVN 5th Gen Wide system may exhibit a condition where the radio app crashes frequently when entering radio mode and/or displays a message that reads Uneven Road Ahead, Drive carefully on the cluster along with a warning sound. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to update the AVN software to resolve this condition. |
| 11006056 | Certain Elantra hybrid (CN7 HEV), Sonata hybrid (DN8 HEV), and Tucson hybrid (NX4 HEV) vehicles may exhibit a warning light due to DTC Code P1BB20 (12V Lithium Battery Cell Voltage High). Follow the procedure in TSB 24-01-054H (or latest version) to perform the update the Battery management System (BMS) software. |
| 11006055 | This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software for the Battery Management System (BMS) on certain Elantra Hybrid (CN7 HEV), Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV), and Tucson Hybrid (NX4 HEV) vehicles that may exhibit a warning light with DTC P1BB20. |
| 10251285 | This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, which could lead to poor wiping performance and/or possible scratching of the windshield glass. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to properly remove the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all new wiper blades. |
| 10249699 | Some vehicles equipped with the AVN 5th Gen Wide system may exhibit a condition where the radio app crashes frequently when entering radio mode and/or displays a message that reads Uneven Road Ahead, Drive carefully on the cluster along with a warning sound. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to update the AVN software to resolve this condition. |
| 10249698 | This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) and Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC) software to help improve coolant flow to the Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS). |
| 10247605 | Certain 2020-2023MY Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles may exhibit coolant leakage, engine overheating, and white smoke from the exhaust due to an internal leak at the Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS) portion of the center muffler assembly. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to repair this condition after confirming EHRS is leaking internally. |
| 10247604 | This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) and Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC) software to help improve coolant flow to the Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS). |
| 10247189 | This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services. |
| 10245580 | This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation. |
| 10241883 | This bulletin provides information related to the Engine Control Module (ECM) software update and coolant replacement for 2020-2023MY Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles to improve the coolant filling mode by discharging air bubbles. |
| 10241796 | This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation. If you are servicing a vehicle with any symptoms listed below or DTCs (listed on Page 2) , follow the Service Procedure on Page 3. SYMPTOMS: Shifter System Malfunction displayed in the cluster Wont shift into or out of gear or wont shift out of Park Incorrect gear display in cluster and/or wont start |
| 10240087 | This Service Information bulletin provides information on how to update the Apple Carplay software from Hyundais Navigation Updates page. The current version of Google Maps has 10 times the data transmission compared to the previous version. As a countermeasure, an update with a frame skip logic has been added to resolve the data congestion with Google Maps. |
| 10235566 | Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint. |
| 10230904 | This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation. |
| 10218649 | If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a Check Engine light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the Service Procedure and replace the valve body internal harness and the input/output speed sensor. |
| 10217258 | Effective June 2, 2008, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 (FMVSS 110) established a threshold for correcting load carrying capacity information indicated on tire placards when vehicle weight has been increased before retail sale. This limit is the lesser of 1.5% of GVWR or 100 pounds. If the total added weight exceeds the lesser of the limit, a label must be added to the driver-side B-pillar within 25mm (1 inch) of the original tire placard. |
| 10217251 | Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement. |
| 10215602 | If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a Check Engine light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the Service Procedure and replace the related solenoid and harness. |
| 10215599 | Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing. |
| 10211680 | Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing. |
| 10211678 | Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing. |
| 10210201 | If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a Check Engine light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the Service Procedure and replace the harness with an integrated oil temperature sensor. |
| 10207809 | This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose the push button shifter operation. If you are servicing a vehicle with any symptoms or DTC listed below, follow the Service Procedure, Page 2. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DP22005 · Electrical system:propulsion systemopened 27 Jan 2023 · closed 7 Aug 2023
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation