2016 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 723 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 19 involved a crash and 28 involved a fire. 19 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, turn signalSep 24, 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
Campaign 21V749000 on NHTSA.gov
Parking brake, indicator lightJun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.
Campaign 17V359000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, sun/moon roof assemblyOct 11, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option. Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.
If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.
Campaign 16V726000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsAug 24, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a driver-side frontal air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck from injury in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.
Campaign 16V615000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalApr 21, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Campaign 16V232000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelOct 20, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction. In the event of an ABS malfunction, the Brake System warning light will illuminate, but the ABS warning light will not illuminate. Since the vehicles have ABS malfunction lights that do not illuminate, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 134.
Campaign 15V678000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
457 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 2, 2021
WHILE DRIVING CAR LOSES POWER, FOOT IS ON THE GAS CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THEN JERKS. CAR IS IN REVERSE AND IT STILL MOVES FORWARD
Engine, Feb 26, 2021
I NOTICED A RECALL FOR PREMATURE ENGINE DAMAGE FOR SOME HYUNDAI MODELS. I HAVE A 2016 SONATA THAT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME WARNING SIGNS. ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISES FROM THE ENGINE AND THE OIL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AFTER ADDING OIL WITHIN A FEW WEEKS. I'VE ALSO NOTICED A BURNING SMELL FROM TIME TO TIME. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. BEFORE THE KNOCKING NOISE BEGAN I WOULD NOTICE HESITATION IN ACCELERATION EVERY NOW AND THEN BUT IT WASN'T CONSTANT. THE KNOCKING NOISE IS DURING DRIVING AND EVEN MORE SO WHEN TURNING. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR MAINTENANCE WHEN NEEDED BUT THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND I AM UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY. ON THE RECALL LIST IS THE 2016 SONATA HYBRID BUT WITH MY SONATA BEING OF THE SAME YEAR I AM SURE IT SHOULD ALSO BE ON THE RECALL LIST SINCE THE ISSUES ARE IDENTICAL.
Engine, Feb 25, 2021
ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. SYMPTOMS PERFECTLY MATCH THOSE DETAILED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746. HYUNDAI HAD PREVIOUSLY INFORMED ME TO "WAIT" UNTIL THEY WERE READY TO PERFORM THE RECALL. NOW THAT THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, THEY ARE INFORMED ME THAT "I'M ON MY OWN".
Engine, Feb 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. VISION HYUNDAI OF CANANDAIGUA (2440 ROCHESTER ROAD, RTE 332, CANANDAIGUA, NY 14424) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 15, 2021
I GOT THE OIL CHANGED ON MY 2016 SONATA. THE MECHANIC THAT CHANGED MY OIL TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS LOW ON OIL WHEN HE CHANGED THE OIL. A WEEK LATER I CHECKED THE OIL TO MAKE SURE THE OIL LEVEL WAS GOOD STILL. I HAD TO ADD THREE QUARTS OF OIL TO THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT WEEK MY WIFE COMPLAINED ABOUT A WEIRD SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. I CHECKED THE OIL AGAIN AND THE ENGINE OIL WAS LOW AGAIN. I ADDED THREE QUARTS OF OIL ONCE AGAIN. THE SONATA IS DRIVEN IN THE CITY WITH ALOT OF STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. NOT ONE TIME DID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON TO WARN US OF LOW OIL. ADDITIONALLY, WE NEVER OBSERVED ANY OIL SPOTS IN THE DRIVEWAY FROM LEAKING OIL. NOW WE CONTINUE TO SMELL THE WEIRD ODOR AND I HAVE TO ADD OIL TO THE CAR EVERY WEEK. NO VISUAL OIL LEAK IS SEEN AND THE DRIVEWAY DOES NOT SHOW SIGNS OF A LEAK.
Engine, Feb 13, 2021
WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR I SEE YELLOW LIGHT IN DASHBOARD I CHECK THAT IN HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID YOUR CAR HAS PROBLEMS IN CVVT OR P0011
Engine, Feb 11, 2021
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN A WARNING SHOWED UP ON MY VEHICLE. THE WARNING MESSAGE SAID: CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, TURN OFF ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AWAY AND ANOTHER LIKE SHAPED IN A TRIANGLE FORM WITH HEV WRITTEN INSIDE OF IT CAME ON AS WELL. I PULLED ASIDE AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND CALL HYUNDAI. I WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE A REMEDY FOR THE ENGINE RECALL YET, AND THEY ASKED ME FOR $9444 TO FIX THE PROBLEM IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE RECALL ON THE ENGINE.
Engine, Feb 5, 2021
VCM MOTOR KNOCK SENSOR P126 ERROR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 1, 2021
ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE FROM ENGINE, VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ENTERING A DRIVEWAY, WE BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN THE ISSUE FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND THE DEALER COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, STATED IT WAS THE BATTERY WE REPLACED IT, STILL SAME ISSUE, NOW THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE A TRACTOR DUE TO THE ROD BEARINGS
Engine, Jan 28, 2021
ENGINE OIL IS NOT LEAKING BUT MY CAR KEEPS NEEDING OIL AND THE LIGHT THAT SHOULD BE NOTIFYING ME THAT CAR NEEDS OIL IS NOT NOTIFYING ME. I GOT OIL CHANGED JANUARY 11 CHECKED CAR IN A WEEK I HAD NO OIL AT ALL, CHECKED TODAY NO OIL AGAIN, WHAT DO I DO, THIS IS NOT COOL AT ALL I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE.
Power train, Engine, Jan 26, 2021
AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES MY 2016 SONATA LIMITED 2.4L STARTED NEEDING OIL ADDED BETWEEN REGULAR OIL CHANGES (ALL MILEAGE AND MAINTENANCE BY ONE DRIVER). THE VEHICLE IS NOW 85,000 MILES AND I AM ADDING 2 QTS. THERE ARE NO LEAKS FROM THE ENGINE SO IT MUST BE BURNING THROUGH THE EXHAUST, WHICH CAN'T BE GOOD FOR THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND ANY FUTURE SMOG CHECK - OR THE ENVIRONMENT. THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THE OIL IS LOW. THIS COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES ENGINE KNOCKING AND HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 30MPH. THIS HAS BEEN A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, WHICH IS ALMOST ALL OF MY DRIVING.
Engine, Jan 11, 2021
MILEAGE APPROX 68,000 WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES, THE ENGINE MADE LOUD CLANKING SOUNDS UPON STARTUP. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE DIAGNOSIS WAS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS WEARING PREMATURELY DESPITE SUFFICIENT OIL IN RESERVOIR. CAR HAS BEEN AT VAN NUYS, CA HUNDYAI DEALER SINCE EARLY NOVEMBER 2020. IN EARLY DECEMBER, HUNDYAI POSTED A RECALL 198 WHICH SPECIFIED CONNECTING ROD BEARING WEARING PREMATURELY ON THEIR "SAFETY RECALLS AND SERVICE CAMPAIGNS" WEBSITE PAGE. HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER REFERENCES NO RECALLS. MEANWHILE, THE LONG BLOCK ENGINE IN MY MODEL IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE OR MANUFACTURED. A SHORT BLOCK WOULD HAVE TO BE ADAPTED. HUNDYAI OFFERED A 75% OF REPAIR "GOOD WILL" PAYMENT, BUT THAT WAS BEFORE THEIR ADMISSION OF PROBLEMS WITH THE CONNECTING RODS. I NOTICE ON YOUR SITE THAT OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR TWELVE WEEKS WITH NO END IN SIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CHARGE ME AT LEAST $1600 AS MY 25% OF THE REPAIR. HUNDYAI SHOULD PAY 100% AND REIMBURSE ME MY CAR RENTAL EXPENSES. I STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE CAR WILL BE REPAIRED. IT IS SITTING AT THE DEALER.
Engine, Dec 5, 2020
I READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL ACCORDING TO REUTERS FRI DEC 4TH ON 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDS....MY VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING WHEN I START GOING 60-65 MPH...IT IS FINE TILL IT HITS THIS SPEED....I DID HAVE NEW TIRES PLACED AND I TOOK IT BACK FOR THEM TO REBALANCE AND THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS FIXED BUT CAR AND STEERING WHEEL STILL SHAKE AT 60+ MPH....NOT SURE WHAT PROBLEM IS BUT AM REPORTING IT BASED ON THE RECALL OF THE 2016 HYBRID MODELS...THE SHAKING IS NOT NORMAL...IT HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT...THANK YOU
Engine, Dec 4, 2020
MY CAR STARTED KNOCKING AS I DROVE AND KNOWING AN OIL CHANGE WAS NEEDED SOON, I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS BARELY ANY OIL LEFT. PERFORMED THE OIL CHANGE AND ON THE DRIVE HOME ON THE HIGHWAY MY WAS STILL KNOCKING THEN LOST POWER AS I DROVE. MY CAR WAS INCREDIBLY LOUD, JERKING AS IT DROVE, AND WOULDN'T PASS 30 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK HOME THOUGH. NEXT DAY HAD THE SAME GUYS CHECK THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. THEY ALSO ATTEMPTED ANOTHER OIL CHANGE BUT THEY SAID THE DAMAGE WAS DONE AND MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. INSURANCE AND THE PEOPLE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM COULD NOT HELP STATING IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I'VE ONLY H0AD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR THOUGH.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 1, 2020
DURING LONG DISTANCE DRIVING ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED FOR GAS THE HEV WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR WILL NOT RE-START FOR 15 -30 MINUTES. ONCE RESTARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPEND 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TWO THE THOUGHT WAS A LONG DISTANCE DRIVE IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER. THIS LAST TIME IT WAS FALL/WINTER SO THE HYPOTHSIS OF SUMMER HEAT WAS THROWN OUT THE WINDOW. THE MOST RECENT TIME THE GAS MILEAGE WENT DOWN DRASTICALLY AND THE VOLTAGE FOR THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM WAS ACTING ERRATICALLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR 2 DAYS BUT THE CAR WAS ONLY DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER QUICKLY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY "OPEN RECALL". THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN ANY LONG DISTANCES SINCE. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS "MAIN RELAY/POWER RELAY/CABLE (20-01-003H) CAUSED BY T4M. POWER RELAY MODULE MELTED AT RELAY" INSTALLED 37583-A8000-QQH: RELAY-HIGH VOLTAGE MAIN, 37514-G0000-QQH: RELAY ASSY-POWER, REPLACED POWER RELAY ASSY MODULE PER CAMPAIGN "WARRANTY" HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS OTHERS....HOPE THIS IS TRULY THE FIX AS IT IS AN "OPEN RECALL" THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL". GLAD THIS DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE.
Engine, Nov 27, 2020
I CHECK THE ENGINE OIL EVERY FEW WEEKS. BUT IF I RIDE THE CAR ABOUT 2,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OIL IS ALMOST REDUCED TO THE BOTTOM.
Engine, Nov 11, 2020
MY COIL PACKS KEEP GOING OUT. I JUST CHANGED THEM IN AUGUST NOW HERE IT IS NOVEMBER AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND MY CAR IS JERKING. MY CAR IS BURNING THROUGH OIL LIKE CRAZY. I CAN GET MY OIL CHANGED AND IN ABOUT 500 MILES THE OIL CHANGE LIGHT IS BACK ON. I DO NOT HAVE AN OIL LEAK SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE MY OIL IS GOING.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 10, 2020
CAR RUNS OUT OF OIL WELL BEFORE 2000 MILES/2 MONTHS. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR IS SLUGGISH THE ENGINE IS TICKING AND FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO SEIZE, NO MATTER IF THE CAR IS MOVING 5MPH OR 70 MPH.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 10, 2020
WHEN ACCELERATING THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE AFTER I GOT THE UPDATE AND NEW WIRING HARNESS FROM THE CAMPAIGN. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR, I ACCELERATE SLOWLY BECAUSE I GET NERVOUS IT WILL BLOW UP. I TOOK THIS CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY QUOTED ME OVER 500 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR AND IT MIGHT NOT EVEN FIX IT.
Engine, Nov 9, 2020
I AM STARTING TO HAVE ISSUES WITH MY CAR BURNING OIL WITH NO LEAKS. I HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN A MONTH (1,000) MILES AND MY CAR LITERALLY HAD NO OIL. I ONLY HAVE 60,000 MILE ON THE CAR. THE ENGINE AT TIMES HAS SHOOK WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ONE BUT I HAD TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT STOPPED. IT ONLY HAPPENS ON OCCASION BUT NOW I'M BURNING AND AFTER READING THESE COMMENTS I SEE IT IS AN OVERALL ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE CARS. A RECALL SHOULD BE PUT IN EFFECT AS IT'S THE SAME ISSUE.
Engine, Nov 9, 2020
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IT DOESN'T ACCELERATE IT ALSO GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS CONSUMING OIL RAPIDLY . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP & THEY TOLD ME IT'S THE ENGINE
Engine, Oct 3, 2020
WHEN I GO UPHILL IT SHAKES. WHEN I'M DRIVING IT WILL CUT OUT. WE HAVE REPLACES PLUGS 2X IN 6 MONTHS A SENSOR. IT BURNS THROUGH A QUART OF OIL EVERY 400 MILES.
Engine, Sep 21, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAR AND ENGINE START TO SHAKE. THE SHAKING IMPACTS THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVABILITY OF THE CAR. THE CAR LOSES ANY ACCELERATION POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE ISSUE USUALLY LASTS 1-2 MINUTES. AFTERWARDS, THE SHAKING SLOWS DOWN AND STOPS, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS OFF. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 5 MONTHS LATER WE ARE THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING.
Engine, Sep 18, 2020
I PURCHASED MY 2016 SONATA USED FROM HERTZ. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE I WAS HEARING RATTLING SPORADICALLY FROM THE ENGINE AND CONSUMING OIL. AT THE PRESENT TIME I ADD 1 QUART FOR AFTER 400 MILES OF DRIVING. IF I PUT IN HIGH TEXT GAS THE RATTLING DOESN'T HAPPEN AS OFTEN BUT THIS ENGINE DOESN'T REQUIRE HIGH TEST GAS. REGARDLESS I'M STILL CONSUMING MUCH TO MUCH OIL. I READ THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD ENGINES SEIZING AND SOME DAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL DANGER AND I FEEL ITS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY HYUNDAI.
Engine, Sep 8, 2020
MY 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA ENGINE SEIZED WHEN OIL CONSUMPTION RAPIDLY INCREASED BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. IT HAPPENED JUST BEFORE EXITING THE FREEWAY.