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
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WERNER HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 252 CAPITAL CIR SW, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 575-1000) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Engine, Jun 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL AND OIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LIBERTY HYUNDAI (305 ROUTE 17 NORTH, MAHWAH, NJ 07430, 877-449-7781) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Engine, Apr 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEBB HYUNDAI HIGHLAND (9236 SOUTH INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, HIGHLAND, IN 46322, (219) 923-2277) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN PIECE OF THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Engine, Mar 22, 2019
CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED 3 SEPARATE TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. IT IS UNSAFE, AND NO ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHTS HAVE EVER COME ON. THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE MOTOR ISSUES NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF HYUNDAI'S WARRANTY. HYUNDAI HAS NEVER FOUND A CLEAR SOLUTION AND CONTINUES TO "GUESS" AT FIXES AS ISSUE DOESN'T ALWAYS REPLICATE ITSELF DURING SERVICE. EVENT HAS HAPPENED 3 DIFFERENT DATES
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 21, 2019
I WENT INTO THE DEALER TO GET AN OIL CHANGE ON 3/14/2019. THE DEALER CHOSE TO DO A FACTORY RECALL 50HYZ. SOON AS I LEFT THE DEALER MY CAR STARTED STALLING ON 495 NORTH TOWARDS TYSON CORNER IN VIRGINIA, JERKING AND LOST DRIVETRAIN POWER. I COULD GET TO 60MPH AND THE CAR WOULDN'T RESPOND AFTER THAT. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE SOFTWARE UPDATED BRICKED MY SONATA. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WILL ORDER THE PART AND WILL COME IN 3/21/2019 WHICH IS TODAY. ONLY TO GET A CALL SAYING THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER INTO MAY. MY QUESTION IS WHY ISN'T HOLDING HYUNDAI ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS? MY CAR ISN'T THE FIRST ONE TO GET THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE SO IF HYUNDAI KNOWS THIS SOFTWARE IS GOING TO BRINK PEOPLES CAR HOW IN THE HELL ARE THEY ALLOWED TO KEEP DOING THIS RECALL WHEN THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE?
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 6, 2019
ENGINE IS MAKING WEIRD RATTLING SOUND ON ACCELERATION AND BURNING OIL TOO MUCH. PRIOR TO 3000 MILES OIL CHANGE, CHECKED DIP STICK AND INDICATED NO OIL. LOW OIL ON DASHBOARD DID NOT CAME ON. BELIEVED THAT THE ENGINE CONSUMPTION IS OUT OF LIMIT. ROUGH IDLE AND ACCELERATION HESITATION WAS NOTICE.
Engine, Feb 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL. EVERY 2000 MILES, A QUART OF OIL HAD TO BE ADDED TO THE ENGINE. JENKINS HYUNDAI OF OCALA (352-815-2533, LOCATED AT 1602 COLLEGE RD SW, OCALA, FL 34471) REFUSED TO FINANCE THE REPAIRS AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND A CASE WORKER WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK IN A FEW DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Engine, Jan 11, 2019
SQUEALING NOISE CAME FROM ENGINE OFF/ON . THEN BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THEN BATTERY WARNING SYSTEM DISPLAYED ON SCREEN. BY TIME I GOT TO MY MECHANIC THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. MY MECHANIC FOUND SERPENTINE BELT TO BE RIPPED AND A METAL TENSIONER RIPPED APART.
Steering, Engine, Dec 17, 2018
VEHICLE EXHIBITS STICKY STEERING AND ENGINE HAS STALLED 3 TIMES. STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AS IT STICKS SEVERELY WHEN TRYING TO STEER OR MANEUVER THE VEHICLE ON ANY LOCAL ROAD OR HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAS STALLED 3X ALREADY WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN BRAKE IS RELEASED MOVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 13, 2018
VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE OR ACTS AS IF IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF AND JUST RECENTLY I GOT IN VEHICLE STARTED IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE STARTING IT FINALLY IT STARTED UP I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO READ THE CODE. THEY ADVISED ME THE CODE P200A IS VERY COMMON AMONG HYUNDAI AND IT MOST LIKE IS THE VCMA THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VCMA FAILING AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED. MY WARRANTY IS UP ON MY VEHICLE AND I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE GIVEN THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE HARM TO DRIVER OR OTHERS WHILE DRIVING THAT VEHICLE. ALSO WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE FAILS TO DO SO THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PETAL.
Engine, Dec 8, 2018
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION POSSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEM
Engine, Dec 2, 2018, fire
I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD BOOM AND MY CAR STALLED. I RESTARTED MY CAR AND IT WAS DRIVEN HOME. CAR DEALER MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN EXHAUST BACKFIRE AND BLAMED IT ON USING CHEAP ARCO GAS. I HAVE HAD ONE MORE STALL ON THE FREEWAY AROUND LAST APRIL.
Engine, Nov 21, 2018
GOT AN ENGINE LIGHT AT 37K MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP INITIALLY TOLD WAS VCM MOTOR, REPLACED, LEFT DEALER AND LIGHT CAME BACK ON, TOLD THEY FORGOT TO UPDATE SOFTWARE AFTER REPLACING VCM MOTOR, LEFT DEALER AND LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WENT BACK TO DEALER FOR THIRD TIME AND AFTER THEY CALLED HYUNDAI ENGINEERING THE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS SOMEHOW WEDGED INTO THE ENGINE. WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AS SHOULD BE. THIS SOMEWHAT HELPED MY ACCELERATION ISSUES BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUES BECAUSE IF ANYTHING FROM THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD BROKE OFF IN ENGINE IT WOULD CAUSE THE RODS TO BEND AND COULD CAUSE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND CATCH ON FIRE.
Power train, Engine, Oct 16, 2018
AFTER A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE STALLED OUT. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART AND ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT IT STARTED AND AS I ACCELERATED IT STATED TO BUCK AS THE TRANSMISSION MADE SOUNDS WHILE THE GEARS WERE STRUGGLED TO CHANGE. AS I GAVE IT MORE GAS THEY SLOWLY RECOVERED OVER THE NEXT MILE. TOOK IT IN FOR A CHECK TO HYUNDAI ON 8/29/18. CHECKED OUT OK WITH NO REASON.
Engine, Sep 14, 2018
IT INITIALLY STARTED AROUND A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I WAS DRIVING AND MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THINKING IT WAS NOT TOPPED OFF CORRECTLY SINCE THE LAST OIL CHANGE 2,700 MILES PRIOR TO THE LIGHT TURNING ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS "THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK." PERFORMED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE MOST RECENT REPORT SHOWED THAT MY "OIL WAS 3 QUARTS LOW". THE DEALER ADVISED ME TO TRADE THE CAR IN SINCE I DO NOT HAVE THE WARRANTY ON MY CAR ANYMORE TO FIX IT. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR LAST APRIL. I HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR WITH IT'S RECOMMENDED SERVICES AND USE FULL SYNTHETIC OIL. I DRIVE A LOT OF HIGHWAY MILES, BUT I TAKE CARE OF MY CAR SINCE IT IS AN INVESTMENT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FINANCE ANOTHER CAR. THANK YOU.
Engine, Jul 23, 2018, fire
ON MY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING. I WAS INITIALLY DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, BUT HAD JUST TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE SMOKE BEGAN TO GET WORSE AND WAS COMING INTO THE CABIN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AS SOON AS I COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR, THE CAR COMPLETELY ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. HYUNDAI WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE OF THE FIRE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE RPM TACHOMETER INCREASED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Engine, Mar 12, 2018
THIS CAR CUT OFF AT A STOP LIGHT WITH NO WARNING AT ALL ,THERE IS ALWAYS HESITATION AND DOES NOT WANT TO PICK UP SPEED. MAY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHATS WRONG AND HAS HAD AN FUEL INJECTION REPLACE , GAS TREATMENT CLEANING , AND A SENOR REPLACE . I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND FAMILY EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE MY DEFECTED CAR THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY. I HAVE DROVE THE CAR WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHNICIAN AND THEY FELT WHAT I WAS FEELING AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUE .THE HESITATION OCCUR ON THE CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY.
Structure, Engine, Jan 18, 2018
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITE SIN REGARDS TO BROKEN VEHICLE FRAME. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ROOF FRAME BROKE TWICE IN FOUR PLACES. *JS
Steering, Engine, Dec 4, 2017
MY CARS ENGINE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT FIXED THE ISSUE FOR THE TIME BEING. THE SECOND ISSUE IS MY STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED WHILE I'VE BEEN DRIVING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE CAR.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 27, 2017
WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE MY CAR IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT IS NORMAL. PREVIOUSLY IT WAS LITTLE BUT NOW DAYS IT IS MAKING LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN WE DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND TRY TO CHANGE THE GEAR FROM P TO D THE GEAR ROD IS MAKING SAME CLICKING NOISE. WHEN READ FORUMS I HEARD THAT IT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE SOLENOID BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO DO BECAUSE HE HAS TO DO IT FOR FREE. WHEN ASKED THE DEALER HE SAID THAT IT DOES NOT COME UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THE NOISE IS REALLY LOUD AND NO ONE IS HELPING ME OUT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Aug 24, 2017
HARD SHIFTS WHEN IN SPORT MODE AND WHEN IT DOESN'T DO A HARD SHIFT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND POWER STEERING TO NOT FICTION CAUSE A POSSIBLE CRASH HAVE TO STOP AND PUT IN PARK TO RESTART ENGINE
Engine, Jun 20, 2017
WHILE DRIVING, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I GOT AN ALERT THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ASAP BUT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL MY APPOINTMENT IN 4 DAYS. LATER ON THAT DAY, I WAS I FULLY STOPPED IAT A FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT, THEN ATTEMPTED TO CROSS OVER A LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR MOVED BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 12 MPH - ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND COAST UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY EXPEDITED MY APPOINTMENT BUT CLAIMED THERE ARE NO ACTIVE RECALLS. HOWEVER THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THERE IS A "CAMPAIGN" AND THAT HE REPLACED THE PART. THEIR WEBSITE SAYS THIS: SONATA 2.4L ECM UPDATE & VCM (16-01-064) I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THIS ECM ISSUE AND I THINK THAT HYUNDAI IS PUTTING PEOPLE IN DANGER BY DOWNPLAYING THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL - NOT A "CAMPAIGN" AND THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY CAR OWNERS TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED ASAP. IT COULD BE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.
Electrical system, Engine, May 20, 2017
WE WERE DRIVING ALONG AT 70 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED AND ELECTRICAL GAUGES ALL TURNED OFF FOR 15 SECONDS, MEANING ALL GAUGES WENT TO THE LEFT LIKE WHEN YOU TURN YOUR CAR OFF. DEALER SAID THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY SAID TO LET THEM KNOW IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN????????????? . I TOLD THEM THAT HOW COULD WE LET THEM KNOW IF WE ARE BOTH DEAD.
Engine, May 18, 2017
CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING - HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES - VERY DANGEROUS. HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOR 40 DAYS NOW AND NOT BEEN FIXED.