Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Fuel system recall
A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software. All repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 286. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 19, 2025.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Transmission recall
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Body & glass recall
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Fuel system recall
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 207.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
75
Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 5 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
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
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764277 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
18
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
The Left blinker switch keeps going in and out, working about 50% of the time. Both the light and the blinker sound do not turn on. When getting it checked out at an auto repair shop, the maintenance tech said this was more and more common for 2021 sonatas and it was not due to anything I did. It was a multifunction switch problem.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11755451 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
6
Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 3 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the brakes independently activated. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11747445 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
2
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
Engine makes rattling and knocking noises. Transmission hesitates and jerks Suspension front struts and rear shocks are bad. Possible the isolators. Having horrible back pain when riding in car. Starter intermittently doesn't work Lane keep assistance goes over small bump in road will make car drive in opposite lane into on coming traffic. Took car to Tameron hyundai in Birmingham on the 29th of December 2025. Told them everything thats going on with the car. They did nothing about any of the issues. Car has 55,000 miles on it as that is when all problems have incurred. 60000 mile Warranty expires in February of this year.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11709919 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
5
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 7 mention an injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11706868 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
17
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
1. Component Failed: Panoramic Sunroof Glass Assembly (Structure / Visibility / Glass). Details: While traveling at highway speed on the freeway, the panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously exploded outward without warning or impact from any foreign object. Inspection: I have not had the vehicle repaired yet so it is currently available. I also took a picture of it. 2. Safety Risk: The sudden, loud explosion (sounding like a gunshot) at freeway speeds caused immediate driver distraction and severe disorientation. Shattered tempered glass was mostly restricted from the cabin by the curtain barrier but some rained down into the passenger cabin. Most blew backward onto the highway, posing a major hazard to occupants as well as trailing motorists. Furthermore, this is a recurring defect in our household: my wife experienced an identical spontaneous sunroof explosion on her 2024 Hyundai Palisade, demonstrating a pattern of hazardous glass failures across multiple late-model Hyundai vehicles. 3. Reproduced or confirmed: I have not had it inspected by anyone. I am awaiting quotes for repairs. I have taken a picture of the vehicle that has not been driven since the incident. 4. Inspection: No one else has inspected it. I have a picture and can take more as needed. Hoping to not have to drive it until I take it to a shop for repairs. It has been reported to a dealership, but they did not seem too concerned or interested in helping. They insisted that they would not give a repair quote until I drove it the 20 miles for them to inspect. 5. Any Warning: No warning. There were no warning lights, abnormal noises, visible cracks, or previous symptoms prior to the sudden explosion. The failure occurred completely spontaneously under normal highway driving conditions.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11753241 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
8
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
I took my car to dealer to repair recall. Dealer told me if it failed they would keep car and report stolen if I tried to take it. They failed it. I didn't trust them based on their report it stolen statement. I had the police get my car back. I took it to another dealer where it passed recall easily. I believe they wanted my car for a customer, and tried to get away with this ruse.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11739443 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2021 has 131 complaints on file, fewer than the 2020 (178) and more than the 2022 (92). Of the 16 model years of the Hyundai Sonata we cover, the 2011 has the most (3,376). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.