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
723 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Structure, Jan 12, 2021
PAINT COMING OFF THE TOP OF THE CAR AND I HAVE TO CHANGE MY FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT EVERY MONTH IT GOES OUT
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.
Steering, Dec 31, 2020
AT STOP SIGN TO TURN LEFT, STARTED AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. FELT LIKE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER CARS AROUND, I PUT GEAR IN REVERSE TO BACK UP BEFORE HITTING DITCH ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD. I TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED AND WHEEL WORKED. STOPPED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY TO TURN AT LIGHT, HAPPENED AGAIN. MANAGE TO GET CAR TO POHANKA HYUNDAI SVC DEPT.. NEXT DAY, WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR. CAR DROVE OK FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN HAPPENED AGAIN, TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. WAITED UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS TO CALL POHANKA BUT DECIDED TO RESEARCH RECALLS ON THIS MODEL. DEC 30TH, STOPPED TO TURN LEFT ONTO STREET, STEERING LOCKED UP, ALMOST WENT IN DITCH CROSSING OVER 2 LANES. CUT OFF ENGINE WITH KEY, RESTARTED CAR, BACKED UP AND MANAGED TO GET OFF ROAD TO KEEP FROM BEING HIT BY ONCOMING VEHICLES. RESEARCHED TO FIND MANY COMPLAINTS WITH STEERING SINCE 2017! THIS IS DANGEROUS AND WANT HYUNDAI ACCOUNTABLE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND IF IT CAN BE FIXED OR IF CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Structure, Dec 28, 2020
PAINT ON TOP OF CAR COMING OFF.*DT
Structure, Dec 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ANTENNA COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PART ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE THEN CALLED LEE HYUNDAI (1960 SKIBO RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314) WHERE AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPLACEMENT WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 29, 2020, crash
MY RIGHT HIGH BEAM STOPPED WORKING, I HAVE TO ADD OIL TO MY CAR EVERY 3 DAYS. BURNS MORE GAS GOING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. GOING AROUND A FAST HIGHWAY CURB, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN THE SPEED OF MY CAR AND WOULD NOT STOP DROPPING DOWN TO 45 MPH IN A 70MPH PACKED HIGHWAY. AWFUL EXPERIENCE. CALLED IN THE PROBLEM TO HYUNDAI AND THEY DIDN'T SHOW ANY CARE. I HAD AN ACCIDENT HAPPEN AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COULD BE A RESULT TO THE ACCIDENTS. THE CASE HAS BEEN CLOSED AND NOTHING BUT A PAPER FROM A LAWYER ABOUT GETTING $1000 FOR MY CAR BEING AT HIGH RISK. I HAVE THE CASE NUMBER AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN NEARLY A YEAR.
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.
Steering, Nov 11, 2020
DRIVING ALONG AT STREET OR HIGHWAY SPEEDS STEERING BECOMES STICKY. WONDERING ABOUT POWER STEERING PUMP OR STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE ADVISE.
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
Structure, Oct 26, 2020
MY DOOR HANDLES KEEP BREAKING. THE END CAPS OF THE DOOR HANDLES BREAK EASILY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED IT. OF COURSE THE DEALER REPLACED IT BECAUSE I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THE WARRANTY IS OUT THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DOOR BROKE. DEALER SAID 187.50 TO FIX IT. I CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE AND WAS JUST BLOWN OFF TELLING ME I WAS OUT OF MY WARRANTY. CUSTOMER SERVICE WASN'T EVEN NICE ABOUT IT.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2020
I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE PAINT. I HAD A HUGE CHIP IN THE PAINT AND THE BODY SHOP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY PAINT. SO NOW FOR THE 3RD TIME, I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE PAINT FIXED ON THE TOP OF MY CAR. TINY CHIPS IN THE PAINT HAVE VERY QUICKLY TURNED IN TO MUCH LARGER AREAS. NOTHING HIT OR DAMAGED THE AREA ANY OF THE TIMES TO MY KNOWLEDGE. THE FIRST TIME WAS FEBRUARY 2019, TOUCH UP IN MARCH 2020, AND NOW OCTOBER 2020.
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.
Steering, Sep 9, 2020
I HAD A POWER STEERING FAIL. WHILE DRIVING I LOST MY POWER STEERING, POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, AND DUE I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME POWER STEERING..
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.
Engine, Sep 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, AND THE OIL LEVEL AND BATTERY VOLTAGE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS FRIEND'S RESIDENCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,404.
Engine, Aug 18, 2020
MY VEHICLE ENGINE IS STALLING YET MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST AND IT SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST BECAUSE MY ENGINE IS COUGHING AND I WOULD LIKE THE ISSUE RESOLVED BEFORE IT SHUTS DOWN ON ME.