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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 22, 2019
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL AT NIGHT TIME.
Steering, Jul 16, 2019
THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IN CITY DRIVING YOU HAVE TO TRY TO GET VEHICLE OFF HIGHWAY TURN CAR OFF AND IT WILL RESET
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 12, 2019
CAR WAS IN MOTION AT ABOUT 75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT JERKED REALLY HARD THEN LOST ALL POWER, MAKING IT A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION FOR NOT ONLY MY FAMILY BUT ALSO OTHER DRIVERS. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT ALL CRAZY AND IT HASN'T STARTED SINCE THAT HAPPENED, CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE STATING IT'S A RECALL ON THE ECM.
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.
Steering, Jun 18, 2019
MY STEERING IS MELTING
Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL ON THEIR OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Structure, May 24, 2019
PANORAMIC SUNROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BECAME UNBONDED FROM CAR BODY STOPPING THE SUNROOF FROM CLOSING PROPERLY AND POSSIBLY CAUSING THE GLASS SUNROOF TO DISLODGE AND CREATE A HAZARD TO SURROUNDING TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEEDS. HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HYUNDAI DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL AVAILABLE.
Seat belts, May 24, 2019
THE REAR SEAT BELTS LOCK UP AND HOLD THE OCCUPANTS TIGHT AGAINST THE SEATS. SO TIGHT IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO RELEASE THEM. COMPARED TO FRONT SEATS THE BELTS ARE FREE UNTIL A ABRUPT STOP
Seat belts, May 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. GOSHEN HYUNDAI (5744, 3220 ELKHART RD, GOSHEN, IN 46526, (574) 875-5106) WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND HAD NOT ISSUED ANY SEAT BELT RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
Structure, Apr 19, 2019
PAINT HAS STARTED FLAKING OFF OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM BUT CANNOT HELP BECAUSE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDS WARRANTY COVERAGE, THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD.
Seat belts, Apr 16, 2019
MY SON GOT TRAPPED IN THE REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SEATBELT WHILE IN PARKING AND IT GOT SO TIGHT AS IT WAS RETRACTING BACK. WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE AND SAW HIM PULLING IT HARD. THE MOMENT WE SAW HIM CRYING I HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IMMEDIATELY AS IT BECAME SO TIGHT AROUND HIS TUMMY.
Service brakes, Apr 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE SEIZED 3 TIMES BEFORE THE INCIDENT ON 4-8-19 WERE THOSE TIMES IT CORRECTED ITSELF BUT THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE DRAGGED ONTO THE STREET AS THE OTHER THREE TIRES SPUN OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TRANSITTOWNE HYUNDAI (7420 TRANSIT RD, WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221, (716) 634-3000) TO BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE TEST COULD NOT READ THE CODES. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW REAR BRAKE CALIPER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,020. *BF.*JB
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.
Air bags, Apr 2, 2019
AIRBAG SENOR CAME ON. NONE OF THE CONTROLS WORK ON MY STEERING WHEEL.
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2019
MY CAR WAS BROKEN INTO ON 3/3/2019, NOT ONLY DID MY ALARM NOT GO OFF WHEN THE WINDOW WAS SMASHED WHEN I SET MY ALARM ON THE CAR AND OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE THE CAR DID NOT GO OFF. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT THIS IS A HAZARD ESPECIALLY ON A NEWER MODEL VEHICLE. THE POLICE OFFICER EVEN TESTED OUT THE ALARM WHILE THEY WERE HERE AND IT DID NOT GO OFF. I DONT UNDERSTAND AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE FIX.
Service brakes, Feb 21, 2019
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT BRAKING ISSUE WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL GIVES RESISTANCE AND WON'T FULLY ENGAGE UNTIL I LET MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND PRESS AGAIN. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 5 MONTHS NOW, I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER BRAKE SHOP, NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AN ISSUE. ALSO NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2019
ENGINE DYING WHILE IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY, IT HAS ALSO HAPPEN 01/28/2019
Service brakes, Feb 10, 2019
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON A FOUR-LANE ROAD GOING 40-45 MPH, NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME, WHEN SUDDENLY THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING, STOPPING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND ABRUPTLY, ENOUGH SO IT THREW ARTICLES ON MY FRONT SEAT INTO THE FLOORBOARD. ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGED AT THE SAME TIME SHAKING THE CAR TO A STOP. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME AND THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON AN INTERSTATE GOING 70 MPH! TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY, THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AFTER READING THAT OTHER 2016 SONATAS HAD DONE THE SAME THING, I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT WANT IT ANY LONGER. THEY REFERRED ME TO HYUNDAI CORPORATE WHO DENIED MY CLAIM BECAUSE TESTING CAME UP WITH NO DEFECT, AND I ASSUME IS GOING TO PUT IT RIGHT BACK OUT ON THE STREETS!! I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TRADE IT IN AND GET ANOTHER HYUNDAI, SINCE I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING IT OUTRIGHT TO SOMEONE ELSE KNOWING THIS HAD HAPPENED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CORPORATE FOR ALLOWING THIS VEHICLE TO REMAIN ON THE ROADS WHEN THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT LIKE THIS IN THE 2016S.
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.
Steering, Jan 21, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED FAILED DURING COLD WEATHER. STEERING WHEEL LOCK WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN TRYING TO TURN KEY, EVEN THOUGH I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO TURN KEY. WORRIED WHEEL LOCK COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, I SEE THIS CAR HAD OTHER RECALLS WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED INFO FROM HYUNDAI ABOUT, I AM SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE BOUGHT FROM HYUNDAI DEALER IN NORTHHAMPTON, MA.
Exterior lighting, Jan 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHEN THE DRIVER SWITCHED TO THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.