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.
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.
Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2019
HI, THE SONATA LIM THE LIGHT ISSUE IS NOT ONLY TERRIBLE, BUT I FEEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WE BROUGHT IN THE CAR THIS WEEK FOR THIS ISSUE AND WITH THE SERVICE TEAM, DETERMINED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE LIMITED'S ONLY. THE NON-LIMITED VERSION, IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY, ALTHOUGH IT LOOKS THE SAME, THE ENTIRE BULB IS ENCASED IN THE METAL/ALUMINUM. WHEN LOOKING AT THE SONATA LIMITED ONE, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE TOP EDGE OF THAT SAME HOUSING IS CUT OFF. THE DEALER ORDERED ANOTHER LIGHT ASSEMBLY AS THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LIMITED IN THEIR LOT, AND HE JUST CALLED TO TELL ME IT LOOKS IDENTICAL. I WILL HAPPILY JOIN ANY MOVEMENT TO GET THIS RECTIFIED.ITED
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
MY ALARM HORN DONT WORK, MY OVERHEAD LIGHT DOES NOT SHUT OFF PROPERLY , DOORS DONT LOCK BACK SHOWS OPNED WHEN CLOSED. WATER IN BACK DOOR LATCH FROZE AND CRACKED MY CASING. THIS ALL HAPPEMED AT THE SAME TIME. DRAINED MY BATTERY AND THEY REPLACED A BOX IN DOOR. NOW BATTERY DIES AGAIN AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. A CONSTANT PROBLEM SINCE LAST YEAR. IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE FOR ME DUE TO DISABLED AND SENIOR CITZEN.
Suspension, Dec 21, 2018
LOUD NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION
Power train, Dec 20, 2018
WHEN I DRIVE MY SONATA, SOMETIMES THE GEARS DO NO SWITCH. I CAN DRIVE ON A FLAT OR INCLINED SURFACE AND IT WILL ACT UP. WE'VE TAKEN OUR CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. BUT WHEN THE CAR IS CONNECTED OR THE SERVICEMAN DRIVES THE CAR, THE CAR WILL SWITCH GEARS AND NOTHING IS FOUND ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. WE CURRENTLY DRIVING A FEW STATES OVER AND OUR CAR IS NOT SWITCHING GEARS AT TIMES, AFFECTING THE GAS MILEAGE. MY HUSBAND AND I WILL DECELERATE UNTIL GEARS SWITCH AND THEN ACCELERATE AGAIN.
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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A GUNSHOT SOUND THEN GLASS STARTED FALLING. MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. HYUNDAI IS TRYING ALL THEY COULD TO NOT COVER THE ISSUE
Visibility/wiper, Oct 21, 2018
THE OPERABLE PORTION OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE MORNING WITH THE SUNROOF AND SHADE CLOSED. ABOUT 30% OF THE GLASS FAILED LEAVING A HOLE. THE REMAINING PORTION IS FILLED WITH FINE CRACKS. THE SUNROOF APPEARS BOWED UPWARDS NOW.
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.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 22, 2018
LOSS OF ACCELERATION BETWEEN 3-4 RPM.. HARD ACCELERATION..LOSS OF ACCELERATION BEFORE SHIFTING BETWEEN 60-70MP.. THEN SLOWLY ACCELERATES. MAJOR PROBLEM IF ON HIGHWAY WHERE YOU MUST SPEED UP BUT CAR NOT QUICKLY SHIFTING GEARS AND IS RUNNING TOO SLOW.
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.
Structure, May 15, 2018
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF STATING THAT THE WIND DEFLECTOR CAN DETACH AND CAUSE THE GLASS PANEL TO FALL OFF. I HAVE HAD THIS RECALL FIXED 3 TIMES ALREADY AND IT JUST HAPPENED FOR A 4TH TIME. ALL 4 TIMES IT HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE WIND DEFLECTOR BEFORE IF KNOCKED THE GLASS PANEL OFF AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND HYUNDAI'S LACK OF ABILITY TO FIX IT, I DO NOT BELIEVE MY CAR IS SAFE NOR DO I FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. HAVING THIS HAPPEN FOR THE FOURTH TIME IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Steering, Apr 11, 2018
I GOT THE CAR INSPECTED AND BALANCE, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL CAN'T BE UPRIGHT, IS ALWAYS TO THE LEFT SIDE AND NOBODY CAN FIX IT YET.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 11, 2018
THE MIRROR PASSENGER SIDE, JUST BRAKE BY ITSELF... LIKE EXPLOTED. IT CAME OUT OF THE PROTECTOR, HIT THE GLASS AND BROKE IN PIECES, WITHOUT EVEN TOUCH IT.
Tires, Apr 9, 2018
THESE TIRES WERE PURCHAED ON A NEW VEHICLE (FACTORY TIRES) AND HAVE BEEN ROTATED REGULARLY, DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE. THE TREAD LIFE/WEAR ON THE TIRE IS PREMATURE. THE VEHICLE HAS A 60,000 MILE WARRANTLY ACCORDING TO KUMHO'S WEBSITE. I WAS INFORMED DURING MY LAST TIRE ROTATION THAT THIS WOULD BE LAST BEFORE NEEDING NEW TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS 37,900 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD THIS INFORMATION ON 4/2/18. THE TIRE WEAR/LIFE ON THESE TIRES IS EVIDENTLY PREMATURE AND I AM REQUESTING REPLACMENT TIRES OR A PRO-RATED REFUND/CREDIT.
Steering, Mar 27, 2018
THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE WHILE IN DRIVE MODE ON 3/24/18, 3/27/18. ON 3/27/18 WHILE ON I495 HIGHWAY GOING 35-40 MPH THE STEERING WILL SUDDENLY LOCKED. A TRACTOR TRAILER HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THAT IT IS AN EPS FAILURE .
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.
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2018
TAKATA RECALL WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO LANE CHANGE OR ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND I PULL MY INDICATOR DOWN TO INDICATE THAT I'M GOING LEFT INSTEAD OF SHOWING LEFT IT INDICATES RIGHT TURN AND
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