2016 Hyundai Sonata problems, complaints & recalls

2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls (6)

• Recall 21V749000Sep 24, 2021469,377 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

  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.

  Risk: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 17V359000Jun 5, 2017161,074 vehicles
  PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

  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.

  Risk: 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 16V726000Oct 11, 201662,811 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

  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.

  Risk: If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 16V615000Aug 24, 20161,031 vehicles
  AIR BAGS

  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."

  Risk: 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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 16V232000Apr 21, 201633 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

  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.

  Risk: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 15V678000Oct 20, 201564,744 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  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."

  Risk: 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.

  Remedy: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023

  Loss of Motive Power

  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…

• EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024led to recall 23V877

  Engine Fires

  On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine …

• EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024led to recall 20V024

  Electrical overstress

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…

• PE16010Opened Sep 3, 2016Closed Feb 22, 2017

  Electronic Parking Brake

  The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on September 3, 2016 based on four reports alleging the rear brakes locked or applied while driving without brake pedal application. One of the reports alleged a fire in the right rear wheel area.The vehicles subject to the investigation are equipped with an optional Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). In this system, an electric motor applies the parking brake by moving the rear brake pads (pads) against the brake rotors (rotors) when activated by the EPB control switch. The EPB is released by the control switch or by selecting a drive…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2016 Hyundai Sonata complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 6, 202660,436 miMITowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving 55 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact's two minor grandchildren were inside the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted,…

   NHTSA complaint #11769408 · source
2. Filed Oct 4, 2026UTEngine

   While driving on the freeway, the check engine light started flashing and the gas pedal became useless. This put the driver and the passenger of the car in massive danger as they could no longer accelerate on the freeway. Luckily, they were able to get off the freeway without causing an accident. Upon reading the code at an auto shop, they discovered that it was P1326 or a knock sensor issue. This malfunction caused the car to go into limp mode and put the passengers in…

   NHTSA complaint #11768862 · source
3. Filed Sep 17, 2026NHElectrical System

   Backup vision system failed. Couldn't see vision because screen was blank. Radio didn't work either. Went to dealership with the problem they said it was not covered by the warranty. Paid to have it fixed.

   NHTSA complaint #11764913 · source
4. Filed Sep 15, 2026INEngine

   I am concerned that the engine may seize or stall without warning while driving, creating a risk of crash, injury, or death. The Theta II engine defect is known to cause engine seizure, stalling, and fire. Hyundai has denied warranty coverage based on mileage and second-owner status — both of which are explicitly prohibited as denial grounds under the Settlement — leaving me driving an unsafe vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint #11764572 · source
5. Filed Sep 15, 2026TXEngine

   The vehicle experienced a Theta II engine failure at under 57,830 miles while driving on northbound [XXX] near the [XXX] Parkway U-turn in [XXX]. The engine made a loud noise and lost power. I was able to coast to the far right side of the U-turn under the bridge. I called HERO (Austin's emergency roadside assistance). They responded, determined it was not a battery issue, and pushed the vehicle to the Southern Leisure Spa parking lot on the southbound side of the road. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11764424 · source
6. Filed Sep 3, 2026TXEngine

   The car died while going 70 on a highway with no warning signs. The car completely shut off and will not turn over or move at all.

   NHTSA complaint #11761997 · source
7. Filed Aug 25, 2026WAEngine

   Component & Inspection: Vehicle engine suffered connecting rod bearing failure and entered restricted P1326 "Limp Home Mode" (max 2,000 RPM). The vehicle is grounded and available for inspection at Bud Clary Hyundai in [XXX].Safety Risk: Sudden, unexpected loss of power occurred while driving, placing me and other drivers at immediate risk on public roads due to the vehicle's inability to maintain normal traffic speed or safely accelerate.Dealer & Corporate Confirmation:…

   NHTSA complaint #11759428 · source
8. Filed Aug 11, 2026PAEngine

   My Sonata 2016 suddenly lit up the Check Engine icon, which was blinking. It is available for inspection request, as it's in the shop right now. Added 2 qts of oil just to be safe. Was hoping the light would go away in the morning. It didn't. The car was sputtering and jerking while I was attempting to get where I was going, so I drove a little slower so it wouldn't stall out, which would have caused someone behind me to crash into me if it stopped suddenly. My mechanic said…

   NHTSA complaint #11756308 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology