HyundaiSonata2021Overview/hyundai/sonata/2021/base/

2021 Hyundai Sonata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Sonata.

For researchers tracing the 2021 Hyundai Sonata, the maintenance baseline is a 4.7-quart engine oil capacity filled with 5W-30, 5W-40, or 10W-30 viscosity grades. Reliability data from the 1990–2026 model run shows this year generated 119 owner complaints and four recalls, with the largest single complaint area logged as "Unknown Or Other." Those figures sit far below the 2011 peak of 3,368 complaints, marking the 2021 Sonata as one of the quieter entries in the nameplate's recorded history.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque80.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 263312J000. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLWOEM · verified
Tire size205/65R16 95HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter263312J000 alt 2151323001
Fuel filter31112L1000
Spark plug1887509085
Front wiper blades99H09AKA26H alt 98360G8000
Serpentine belt252122S150 alt 252122T000
Cabin air filterKLC79AC001

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3366 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sonata of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.0–8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.00 sec — 2021 N Line
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021N Line 2.5L Turbo I-45.00 sec13.60 sec290 hpFWD
2021N Line 2.5L Turbo I-45.20 sec13.80 sec290 hpFWD
2021N Line 2.5L Turbo I-45.30 sec13.90 sec290 hpFWD
20211.6T SEL Plus 1.6L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.00 sec180 hpFWD
2021Hybrid Limited 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh8.10 sec16.10 sec192 hpFWD
2020Limited 1.6T 1.6L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.60 sec180 hpFWD
2020Limited 1.6T 1.6L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.70 sec180 hpFWD
2020Hybrid Limited 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.62-kWh7.60 sec15.80 sec192 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.8 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.3 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.8 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4 · DOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4 · DOT 4

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsMS721
Cylinder Head InstructionsMS721
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Turbo: 640; Not Turbo: 630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Turbo: 660; Not Turbo: 630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)700 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.26-1.37 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil Capacity4.05-4.73 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum290.1 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum5077.7 psi
RPM69.6-72.5 @ Idle rpm
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum580.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum2,900 psi
RPM68.0-74.0 @ Idle rpm
Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumTurbo: 284.0; Not Turbo: 3,626.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumTurbo: 4,978.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 72.0-; Rear: 58.0-
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .315

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts43–69 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
185.0-89.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 68-72°85–89 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
149.0-52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 98-102°49–52 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
187.0-94.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 78-82°87–94 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miIntercooler (inspect)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 20,000 miIntercooler (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 48,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 67,500 miDrive Belt (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata recorded 119 complaints, 4 recalls, 1 investigation and 88 TSBs, which is notably lower than the peak years of the generation—such as 2011 with 3,368 complaints and 14 recalls—and continues the downward trend observed after 2015. Compared with the preceding year, 2020, complaints fell from 168 to 119 while recalls and investigations remained unchanged at 4 and 1, respectively, and TSBs decreased from 99 to 88. The following year, 2022, shows further improvement with complaints dropping to 88, recalls to 3 and investigations to 0, indicating that 2021 sits just before the latest low‑point in the complaint arc. Overall, the data reflect a generation‑wide reduction in reported issues after the early‑2010s surge, positioning the 2021 model in the lower‑complaint segment of that trend. Consequently, the 2021 Sonata represents a reasonably good year to buy used, given its comparatively low complaint and recall counts relative to the vehicle’s history.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
88
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
119
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 119 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other20
Power Train13
Engine10
Electrical System9
Fuel System, Gasoline7
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System5
Electrical System,Engine4
Fuel/Propulsion System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V524000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 09/07/2021

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. 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…

21V00M000Visibility:WindshieldReported 28/12/2021

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 88 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
26-AT-005H TSB2026-06-04Power TrainThis bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software…
26-EE-003H TSB2026-04-17Electrical SystemSome vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
26-AT-001H TSB2026-03-03Power TrainSome Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonata. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Sonata take?

4.7 qt of 5W-30 is preferred. 5W-40 may be used if 5W-30 is unavailable. Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30; Temperatures above 5°F: 15W-40; Temperatures above 20°F: 20W-50, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Sonata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.