Eighth generation (DN8)
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
The most reported problem on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is dead battery, with 22 complaints.
- 55owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 1involved a crash
- 35,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 18, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 55 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 145 for 2021 sedans on this site. Of the 9 Sonata Hybrid model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- The 2021 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 9 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2020 draws 2 and the 2022 4.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Dead battery has 22 complaints and hybrid system has 22, out of 55 in all. Too few of the dead battery reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 1 of the 55 complaints (2%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 1 report mentions a crash and 2 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 4 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2024 at 22 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 10. So far in 2026, 6 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: battery dies or the car will not start, 22 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
55 complaints is 3.5 times fewer than the median 2021 model on this site and 2.6 times fewer than the median 2021 sedan. Among the 4 Sonata Hybrid model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Hyundai filed 48 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. 5 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Battery dies or the car will not start 3 bulletins · 22 complaints
Certain Hyundai vehicles may exhibit a warning light with Diagnostic Trouble Code (“DTC”) P1BB20 due to a battery over voltage condition.
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).
1 more on this problem
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 P1BB200 and enter ...
Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 2 bulletins · 22 complaints
Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines may illuminate a warning lamp for DTC P218100 (Cooling System Performance) related to the Integrated Thermal-Management Module (ITM).
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.
Complaints filed by year
22 complaints came in 2024. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA files recalls for the Sonata Hybrid under the Sonata, so this is every recall for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. Some may cover engines or trims the Sonata Hybrid does not have; the VIN check settles it.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Risk and remedy
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Risk and remedy
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
Dead battery, with 22 of the 55 complaints.
At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems start?
Of the 10 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 12,000 miles and half by about 35,000.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than both the 2020 and the 2022: 9 a year against 2 and 4.
How many 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
1 of them (2%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for dead battery on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
No recall on file for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is on the same system as dead battery. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.