2016 Hyundai Sonata lighting problems

Related recalls

• 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 2, 2026SCLighting

   I was driving at night and my passenger headlights went out. About 2 years prior the same thing happened but it was the driver side headlight that went out. It was $1100 to get the driver side replaced and now here i am having to pay the same amount to replace the passenger side headlights. It was not a simple replacing the bulb. Something inside went broke causing the dealership to have to install a whole new headlight set.

   NHTSA complaint #11741649 · source
2. Filed Jun 6, 2025CAElectrical SystemLighting

   The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V749000 ( EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

   NHTSA complaint #11665395 · source
3. Filed Jan 28, 2024OHLighting

   When I lift the switch to turn on the right turn signal, the high beam headlights flash on and off. It switches from auto to on then back to auto. I'm not moving the switch front to back, only up and down.

   NHTSA complaint #11568335 · source
4. Filed Oct 19, 2023CAElectrical SystemLighting

   The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V749000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…

   NHTSA complaint #11550796 · source
5. Filed Oct 17, 2023MSElectrical SystemLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

   I am having electrical issues with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata plus the other recalls. It started as issues with the lights on the driver side. I have replaced several bulbs and the entire light even and still have issues with the lights working properly. Now the issue is the battery, alternator or the starter. The starter had to be replaced as I was advised by Hyundai dealership when my engine had to be replaced, per recall. I had to purchase a starter, that was three times the…

   NHTSA complaint #11550326 · source
6. Filed Jul 27, 202353,000 miFLElectrical SystemLightingAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously stolen, and she related the failure to Hyundai Campaign Number: 993. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly to approximately 45 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated while driving into the driveway and coming into a…

   NHTSA complaint #11534877 · source
7. Filed Jul 24, 2023CALighting

   The headlight setting changes on its own, it will change when using the blinker or it'll just change on its own. By change I mean the headlights turn off. Even if it's set to auto, they still go completely off. My bulbs don't need to be replaced. It's been happening for a few months now. I can't recall a specific date

   NHTSA complaint #11533968 · source
8. Filed Jun 2, 2023GABrakesLighting

   Upon entering the roadway, both of my brake taillights went out on my vehicle. The left, driver side bulb had been replaced within the last year, however, both brake lights stopped working at the same time. This happened in front of an officer who then pulled me over.

   NHTSA complaint #11524970 · source
9. Filed Apr 6, 2023CAEngineLightingOther / Unknown

   Hello, I have reached out to Modesto Hyundai and consumer affairs since May of 2022. I have been shunned and told nothing is wrong. The message below was sent last year in May. I was turned away because I could not afford the diagnostic even though it was covered under a past warranty recall. I had to complain. A few months later I came up with the money and was told I was given the wrong information the first time. They kept the car for a week,, drove only 30 miles and said…

   NHTSA complaint #11515713 · source
10. Filed Apr 5, 2023MDLighting

    Since the previous recall associated with the turn signal sometimes signaling in the wrong direction, I have noticed for months that when driving at night when the turn signal is on in either direction the lights function will start moving from on to auto to off causing the lights to turn off when signaling. This is very dangerous especially at night.

    NHTSA complaint #11515578 · source
11. Filed Jan 6, 2023NJLighting

    While driving at night, when I engage my turn signal to make a turn and my headlights go off. The headlights stay off until I play with the turn signal leaver moving it up, down, forward, and backward until the headlights come back on. I see this as a major safety issue. Driving a night without headlights impairs my ability to see and for other vehicles to see me. A search on the internet displays many websites discussing this issue for my year, make and model of car. Local…

    NHTSA complaint #11500514 · source
12. Filed Nov 17, 2022FLLightingSeats & Seat Belts

    The first is the drivers side headlight not properly projecting light. The light projected a shadow across the center of the light preventing proper illumination in front of my vehicle. This is causing a safety issue. Brought car to dealer who confirmed that the left headlight was deformed preventing proper projection of the light. This deformity was not covered nor are there any recalls even though numerous people reported the same issue. Am working on privately replacing…

    NHTSA complaint #11494043 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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