2021-2023 Hyundai Sonata Fuel Recall (25V796)
Hyundai Motor America · 85,043 vehicles · Reported November 17, 2025
Hyundai Motor America is recalling 85,043 2021-2023 Hyundai 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. A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V796 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V796000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 286 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | November 17, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Motor America |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Hyundai Sonata |
| Units affected | 85,043 |
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| Safety risk | A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Hyundai Sonata in recall 25V796?
A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Sonata with recall 25V796?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Sonata shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the fuel system, gasoline, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V796?
Recall 25V796 covers 85,043 vehicles: 2021-2023 Hyundai Sonata.
NHTSA lists 85,043 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Hyundai | Sonata |
What is the fix for the Sonata fuel recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve.
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.
When was recall 25V796 announced?
Hyundai Motor America reported recall 25V796 to NHTSA on November 17, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 17, 2025 | Hyundai Motor America filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V796000. |
| March 13, 2026 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 10 months ago. If your Sonata was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Sonata is part of recall 25V796?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V796 is open on your Sonata, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 25V796000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Sonata owners do about recall 25V796?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V796000 applies to your Sonata.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Hyundai dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any fuel system, gasoline symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Sonata owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 106 of them about the fuel system.
Since recall 25V796 was reported on November 17, 2025, owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 9 of them (18%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the fuel system and were received on or after November 17, 2025, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related fuel system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 314 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 106 of them involve the fuel system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Hyundai Sonata: 134 complaints in total, 34 about the fuel system
- 2022 Hyundai Sonata: 93 complaints in total, 28 about the fuel system
- 2023 Hyundai Sonata: 87 complaints in total, 44 about the fuel system
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking lot, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and started shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence.
2021 Hyundai Sonata owner, RI, NHTSA complaint 11645969, filed March 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally.
2021 Hyundai Sonata owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11716213, filed February 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off without warning. There was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle with an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel.
2021 Hyundai Sonata owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11716730, filed February 9, 2026
Can recall 25V796 make my Sonata a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Fuel pump and fuel line defects can cause the 2021-2023 Hyundai Sonata to stall without warning. If it happens again after the recall repair, document it and return to the dealer.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Sonata been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Hyundai Sonata recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 25V796
Did the recall 25V796 fix work?
Since recall 25V796 was reported on November 17, 2025, owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 9 of them (18%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 25V796000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Sonata is part of recall 25V796000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 25V796000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Hyundai. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.