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: fuel/propulsion system
33 reports, newest first. Show all
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, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2020
2016 SONATA WITH 103,000 MILE. INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. REGULAR FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED. THE ENGINE BURNS OUT OIL WELL BEFORE OIL CHANGE IS DUE. OIL LAMP FLICKERS. MECHANIC STATES OILS IS BURNING UP AND RELEASED THROUGH EXHAUST THEREFORE NO LEAKS DETECTED. 2ND ISSUE: P2122 CHECK ENGINE CODE. DIAGNOSTICS REVEALS PEDAL ACCELERATION SENSOR FAULTY. PART WAS $202. NOT SURE IF THIS IS MISDIAGNOSED AND RELATED TO SLUGGISH ENGINE DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 4, 2020
AFTER A PERIOD OF DRIVING, WHICH IS RANDOM AT BEST, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR AND THE VEHICLE WILL START TO SHUDDER AND LOSE ITS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND HAPPENS BOTH ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS, AS WELL AS ON CITY STREETS IN LOW SPEEDS. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THIS TO STOP IS TRY AND GET TO A SAFE SPACE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FREEWAY TRAFFIC AND IN MOUNTAIN PASSES AS YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON 7 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS AT RANDOM TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 27, 2020
VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO START FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING FOR 60 MINUTES IN ANY WEATHER CONDITION FROM VERY COLD TO HOT. "CHECK HEV SYSTEM" WARNING COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND WILL NOT START. HAPPENS AFTER A QUICK STOP WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 8, 2019
I LIVE IN STAMFORD CT 06902 I WENT IN A TRIP WITH MY KIDS TO VIRGINIA BEACH LAST SUMMER 2019 THEN I STOPPED A REST STOP FOR BATHROOM WHEN I CAME BACK TO TURN ON THE CAR THE CAR WAS WITH NO POWER IT CAME ON MY PANEL TELLING ME THE HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE I WAITED 1/2 HOUR AND WORK AGAIN .A WEEK AGO HAPPEN ME THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN I AM WORRIED BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN WHILE I DRIVING I CAN'T RELY ON THIS VEHICLE
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.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2017
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE. A CLICK NOISE IS ALWAYS COMING WHEN WE HIT THE BRAKE TILL THE END. ALWAYS HAPPENING OBSERVING FROM PAST 2 MONTHS. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN WE HIT THE BRAKE AND AND HOLD THE SHIFT KNOB IT IS MAKING TICK TICK NOISE. ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN I SHOWED TO THE MECHANIC THEY ARE SAYING IT IS NORMAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DO IT FOR FREE OF CHARGE. HYUNDAI GIVES WARRANTY BUT THE DEALERS NEGLECT TO DO. I AM GETTING A MILEAGE OF AVERAGE 10 MILES IF I EVEN MAINTAIN A SPEED OF 45-50 MPH. IF I PUT 14 GALLONS OF GAS I GET HARDLY 225 MILES AND I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND I CHANGE THE OIL BEFORE THE SERVICE INTERVAL.