2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 7%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 7% of the 55 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving, engine alerted that it was overheating. Pulled over and coolant was very low, so I refilled it and then while driving to my family's garage to use the lift, saw white exhaust smoke. Took it to an independent mechanic, and in the ~10 mile trip there, over a quart of coolant had been burned off. He was able to reproduce the issue. No issues with the engine operation, it runs well and efficient, no check engine light. Mechanic found that a coolant line runs to the middle of the exhaust system and that this seems to be the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11558373, filed 2023-12“My 2021 Sonata Hybrid Limited has been in the shop for over 3 months. At least 4 times while driving on city streets, I'd receive an error stating problem with hybrid system please turn off vehicle. Car would go into limp mode giving me just enough power to pull off to the side of the road (if possible), then completely shutdown. Fix action is to hit jumpstart button to get the power back to the vehicle in order to power it on again. After those issues battery constantly died and I had to use the physical key to open the door and hit the jumpstart button to get power. …”
NHTSA complaint #11549899, filed 2023-10“When I arrived in the parking lot and selected the R (reverse), the vehicle stayed in the D (Drive) although that it was moving backwards and was able to park it. The shift selector was stuck in DRIVE (Drive) leaving the vehicle on but not operational. After several attempts to allow the vehicle to cool and the battery to reset, (30 minutes_ later), the car started and took the vehicle to be serviced. The vehicle technician said they had a difficult time diagnosing the vehicle because it was giving different codes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11518107, filed 2023-04Related service bulletins
- 11012043Dec 18, 2024This bulletin provides the procedure for updating the automatic transmission TCU (Transmission Control Unit) software to improve shift quality, judder and hesitation when…
- 10247605Dec 15, 2023Certain 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…
- 10247604Dec 15, 2023This 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…
- 10245580Nov 10, 2023This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation.
- 10241883Aug 25, 2023This 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…
- 10241796Aug 1, 2023This 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…
- 10218649Aug 17, 2022If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the Service Procedure and replace the valve body…
- 10207809Jan 21, 2022This 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…
- 10200075Jul 13, 2021This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose the push button shifter operation.
- 10199101Jun 14, 2021If you are servicing an 8-speed front-wheel-drive vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 11% |
| 2023 | 3 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 11% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2019 | 2 | 40% |
| 2018 | 1 | 11% |
| 2017 | 10 | 12% |
| 2016 | 14 | 11% |
| 2015 | 7 | 13% |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% |
| 2013 | 14 | 13% |
| 2012 | 31 | 20% |
| 2011 | 10 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
25 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology