2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 53 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (40% of complaints); the 2020 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days
0
recalls
53
owner complaints
0
fire reports
28,274
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo fire reportsNo recall campaignsWeak spot: electrical system (40%)Problems reported early (median 28,274 mi)
Common problems
Computed from 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)40% · 20 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)38% · 19 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)6% · 3 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance (automatic emergency braking, sensors)6% · 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)4% · 2 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)2% · 1 complaint
“The vehicle's 12-volt electrical system repeatedly loses power within about 1 hour of sitting. The car becomes completely unresponsive (cannot unlock or start) and requires use of the built-in 12V battery reset button to restore power. This occurs frequently and makes the vehicle unreliable and potentially unsafe, as the car may become inoperable without warning. This appears to be an electrical system defect or parasitic power drain. The issue has been ongoing.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
“Every day the car is dead, have to take the manual key out pop door cover off unlock car manually push the 12v reset button and hold fob to start/stop button for car to work again. Happens daily.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2025
“Owned car since 09/2024 with 64K miles. Battery system (12V/hybrid system) has shut down and died 47 times since 04/2025 - no shut downs before then. Car with ~69K miles at that time. Dealer had car six weeks (05/17 to 07/05/2025) and it died "a number" of times and report that Hyundai claims this is "what the car is supposed to do." Since 07/05 it has died 12 times just sitting in my driveway or the lot at work. This is NOT normal. Internet blogs show DOZENS of other Hyundai hybrid owners reporting the exact same issue. Car now with 75K miles and under warranty. Dealer will not replace battery system.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Overheated engine alarm came on while I was on the freeway on a rainy day. Vehicle was towed to Hyundai dealership in which service technician found that the part preventing water from leaking into the muffler was broken. Hyundai dealership has ordered replacement part but it is on backorder. The broken part that needed replacement has been on backorder for close to a month and there is not an ETA of when the part will be received. Prior to the overheated engine alarm going off, cold air was blowing out of the vents even when the heat option was selected.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2025
“Coolant system leaks in to the engine or exhaust system, which is evident in white smoke exhaust and coolant level dropping. In my situation, I required an entire container of coolant to perform a daily commute, and the reservoir was empty by the time I made it to the dealership. Car is rendered undrivable due lack of coolant and engine overheating. My car was in the dealership repair facility for 6 weeks awaiting parts on back order due to nationwide shortage. A technical service bulletin has been issued for this manufacturer defect (23-EM-009H). Cost of repairs was roughly $2,300.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2025
“the car randomly goes into dead or limp mode and unable to start. need to jump start it to come alive. No codes shown once its jumstarted. it has happened at random on several occasions.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2024
“On three separate occasions, while going very fast (60-78 mph), the automatic emergency braking system turns on. The warning lights flash and there is some type of warning noise. I don't even know if it starts to break because it scares me so much, I just press the gas. It turns off within a couple of seconds, but that is not the point. If I didn't react so fast, I am unsure of what could actually happen.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Nov 2024
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that the key fob was inoperable and after using the key to manually open the door. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start while pressing the START/STOP button. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was advised that when the failure occurred, to start the vehicle, the battery reset button should be pressed before pressing the START/STOP button. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2024
“Randomly the car will get a message when driving starting " Check Hybrid system. Turn engine Off" and the car isn't able to accelerate when this happens. When you cut the engine off the car is unable to start again until it is jumped. I've confirmed the battery isn't the issue however something with the vehicle is wrong. There are many accounts of people online dealing with the same issue.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2024
“Driving on the freeway when we got a notice on the dash that we needed to pull over and the vehicle shut down due to a fuse,/battery issue.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Sonata Hybrid years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Sonata Hybrid by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
NHTSA has 53 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The most complained-about area is electrical system (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 28,274 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.