Car check · problems, recalls, fuel cost, price

Hyundai Sonata 2021 in Ghana

What US owners report going wrong with the Hyundai Sonata 2021, its safety recalls and crash stars, what fuel costs you a month in cedis, whether it can still be imported, and what it sells for in Ghana.

Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0
AIMHO'S REBELLION 8490s, CC BY-SA 4.0
Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0
AIMHO'S REBELLION 8490s, CC BY-SA 4.0
SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photos of the same model and year, not of the car you are buying. Ask the seller for photos of that car, with the VIN and the odometer in shot.

At a glance

US safety recalls 4
Owner complaints …
Crash rating ★★★★★ US government, out of 5
Fuel a month GH₵1,880 40 km a day
Import into Ghana Allowed about 5 years old

Can it come into Ghana?

A 2021 car is about 5 years old, under the 15-year limit. It can be imported until about 2035.

Every used vehicle needs a pre-shipment inspection and a Certificate of Conformity from a GSA-approved body in the country it ships from.
Not allowed at all: flood- or fire-damaged cars, cars with chassis damage, and cars assembled from parts, according to published guides to the rules.
Import duty: 10% of the customs value for a petrol, 1,001 to 3,000 cc car (GRA's vehicle duty table). VAT, NHIL, GETFund and the ECOWAS, AU, EXIM and special import levies come on top, plus an age penalty on older cars.
The customs value is GRA's own figure (the car's price when new, minus up to 50% for age, plus freight and insurance), not what you paid. Only the ICUMS assessment gives the final amount, so never pay a "clearing agent" a figure you cannot see on the official assessment.
Buying a car already in Ghana? Ask the DVLA to confirm through ICUMS that duty was paid before you pay.

Age is worked out from the model year; the rule uses the date of manufacture, which can be a few months earlier. Source: GSA public notice of 14 August 2026, as reported by Citi Newsroom.

Safety recalls

Faults the maker agreed to fix for free in the US. A car shipped to Ghana usually never got the repair, so these are worth asking about.

Fuel system, gasoline 21V524000 · 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.

The risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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.
Visibility 21V00M000 · 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 a crash.

The risk: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: 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.
Power train 22V746000 · 06/10/2022

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.

The risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline 25V796000 · 18/11/2025

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.

The risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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.

Recalls for this model and year. Not every car of the model is affected: check the exact car with its VIN.

What owners say goes wrong

Problems real owners reported to the US government (NHTSA). A high count on a popular car is normal; look at which part comes up most.

Getting owner reports from the US database… this one takes a few seconds.

Crash test ratings

2021 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD · US government 5-star ratings

Overall	★★★★★
Front crash	★★★★☆
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★ 10% risk in a single-vehicle crash

Front crash test · NHTSA
Side crash test · NHTSA
Side pole test · NHTSA

What it costs to run in Ghana

US EPA fuel figures for the Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI, at this window's Ghana pump price.

Fuel at 40 km a day

GH₵1,880 a month

Town driving10.2 L/100 km
Mixed driving8.7 L/100 km
Litres a month122
Petrol price (1 Nov 2026)GH₵15.39/L

Uses the NPA price floor; pump prices are at or a little above it. Accra traffic and air conditioning use more than the US test, so treat this as the least you will spend.

What a Hyundai Sonata 2021 sells for in Ghana

Live listings on Jiji right now.

Asking Jiji…

Found a Hyundai Sonata 2021 to buy?

Check that exact car: the VIN shows whether the ad tells the truth, and which recalls apply to it.

Questions people ask

Does the Hyundai Sonata 2021 have recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 US safety recalls for the Hyundai Sonata 2021. Cars imported to Ghana rarely had the free US repair done, so ask for proof or have a dealer check.

How much fuel does a Hyundai Sonata 2021 use in Ghana?

About 10.2 litres per 100 km in town (US EPA figure). At 40 km a day that is about 122 litres a month, roughly GH₵1,880 at the 1 Nov 2026 petrol price.

Can a Hyundai Sonata 2021 still be imported into Ghana?

Yes for now: Ghana bars used vehicles 15 years and older from 1 October 2026, so a 2021 car can be imported until about 2035. It needs a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity.

Sources: US NHTSA and EPA public data, Ghana NPA fuel prices, Ghana Standards Authority import notice (14 August 2026). Figures are for US-market versions of this model.