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, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 25, 2017
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE CAR STARTED SPITTING AND DID NOT WANT TO GO. THEN WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. I CUT THE CAR OF AND WAITED IN TRAFFIC WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR , THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DROVE LIKE IT HAD NO ENERGY. I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY NEW JOB FOR THE FIRST DAY.
Engine, Mar 25, 2017
EVERY TIME I RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER SITTING AT A LONG RED LIGHT THE CAR SHAKES AND SHUDDERS, SOMETIMES REALLY HARD, AND SOUNDS LIKE IT'S CHOKING FOR A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE I AM ABLE TO ACCELERATE. IT SOUNDS AND FEELS AND ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS GOING TO STALL BUT IT HAS NOT YET. THE EFFECT DOES *NOT* HAPPEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR THE VENT ARE BEING USED; ONLY WHEN THOSE ARE OFF. IT VARIES FROM MILD TO REALLY STRONG. IT TOOK MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO DETERMINE THAT IT IS NORMAL NOT JUST FOR MY CAR BUT FOR ALL 2016 SONATAS. IT IS A FEATURE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AT LONG STOPS THEN RE-ENGAGES IN DRIVE WHEN THE FOOT IS LIFTED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PURPOSE IS SAID TO REDUCE ENGINE LOAD. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN IS BECAUSE WHEN A DRIVER REMOVES THEIR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND THE CAR'S BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF, IT IS A SIGNAL TO THE CAR BEHIND THEM THAT THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO. BUT THE WAIT TIME REQUIRED FOR THE SHAKING AND SPUTTERING TO STOP BEFORE THE GAS PEDAL WILL WORK RESULTS IN 'MIXED MESSAGES' TO THE DRIVER BEHIND, THINKING THAT YOU ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD BUT YOU'RE NOT REALLY READY YET, AND MAY RESULT IN A REAR-END COLLISION. *DETAILED TIME LINE ATTACHED *OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM CORPORATE ATTACHED.
Engine, Jan 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/30/17*LJ
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 15, 2016
ECM ISSUES. CAR HAD ECM PROBLEM AND LOST POWER. WENT INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY REPAIRED IT. DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT HOME FROM THE DEALER AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID AGAIN IT WAS REPAIRED. CAR HAD 10,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. LESS THAN 3,000 MILES LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN - CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND "FIXED" IT WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE. NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT - CONSIDERING LEMON LAW? THREE PROBLEMS IN 6 MONTHS ON A BRAND NEW CAR, AND SAME PROBLEM EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Engine, Nov 23, 2016
MY WIFE HELEN DRIVES TO WORK 35 MILES EACH WAY DAILY, SHE STARTED HEARING A RATTLING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE NOISE PERSISTED FOR A FEW DAYS AND WAS OBSERVED DURING HER COMMUTE TO WORK TWICE. HUSBAND TEST DROVE CAR AS WELL AND COMFIRMED A RATTLING NOISE. CAR TOWED TO PREMIER HYNDAUI 3480 NAGLEE ROAD, TRACY , CALIFORNIA,95304. SEVICE TECHNITIAN COMFIRMED IN WRITING VEHICLE HAS A NON REPAIRABLE ENGINE, METAL EXTRACTS WERE FOUND INSIDE THE OIL PAN AND THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ENGINE IS NO GOOD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Engine, Aug 3, 2016
DRIVING INTO A TRAFFIC CIRCLE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED THEN LURCHED FORWARD MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE. AGAIN, ALMOST T-BONED. THE ENGINE LIGHT THEN LIT AND BLUELINK POSTED A MESSAGE ON SCREEN THAT CAR HAS AN ENGINE ISSUE AND TO CALL DEALER. BLUELINK ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOOK 7 HOURS TO GET TOW TRUCK TO ME, DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE LOANER CAR UNTIL THEY RECEIVED MINE - LOST A DAY'S WORK AND CAR LAID UP 5 DAYS. EXACTLY ONE WEEK AFTER EMERGENCY BRAKE SELF ENGAGED AND SEIZED WHEELS WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 25, 2016
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH AT 10PM ON A THE INTERSTATE, I HEARD A POUND "THUNK" AND THOUGHT I HAD A TIRE ISSUE, SO BEGAN TO STEER TOWARD THE EMERGENCY LANE. I QUICKLY REALIZED I HAD NO POWER TO ACCELERATE, NO POWER STEERING AND THE DASH WAS BLACKED OUT...CAR WAS DEAD. ONLY EVER THING WORKING WAS RADIO, EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND DOME LIGHT. DOOR LOCKS DID NOT EVEN WORK. CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND CAR WAS TOWED. I HAVE NO FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAR'S DISPOSITION AS IT WAS A RENTAL. IT WAS TERRIFYING AND COULD HAVE ENDED CATASTROPHICALLY IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE REASON I AM FILING THIS REPORT IS TO INSURE IT WILL BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY. I DID REPORT IT TO HYUNDAI .