VehicleVerdict

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 183 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.2 times the median Sonata Hybrid year — the 2016 model ranks #2 of 16 Sonata Hybrid years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 40% of all reports (74 of 183), far ahead of electrical system at 35. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

183

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Sonata Hybrid years?

Sonata Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted216 complaints2011: 144 complaints2012: 216 complaints2013: 169 complaints2014: 40 complaints2015: 83 complaints2016: 183 complaints2017: 123 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 21 complaints2021: 69 complaints2022: 30 complaints2023: 23 complaints2024: 12 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Sonata Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sonata Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine7440%
Electrical System3519%
Other1910%
Transmission137%
Brakes95%
Fuel System95%
Lighting74%
Visibility & Wipers53%
Speed Control42%
Driver Assistance32%
Steering21%
Body & Structure21%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V749000Electrical SystemSeptember 24, 2021 · 469,377 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V619000Latches & LocksAugust 6, 2021 · 348,158 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Consequence

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.

20V746000EngineDecember 1, 2020 · 128,948 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

Consequence

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.

16V726000Visibility & WipersOctober 11, 2016 · 62,811 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V232000AirbagsApril 21, 2016 · 33 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 55 mph smoke was suddenly present coming from under the hood before the engine failed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 15, 2021 · fire

“ON 5/11 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE HEARD A CLICKING SOUND. SHE WAS NOT FAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN TO GET LOOKED AT. AS SHE GOT CLOSE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. SHE PULLED OVER TO A SAFE LOCATION WHERE SHE COULD GET OUT AND AS SHE WAS PULLING OVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 11, 2019 · fire

“INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER "SPUTTER" AT ANY SPEED WITH SOLID MIL. RELEASING THE THROTTLE CLEARS THE CONDITION AND THE MIL GOES OUT. VEHICLE DRIVES NORMALLY WITH NO WARNING INDICATORS UNTIL NEXT OCCURRENCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, BEGAN HAPPENING A FEW WEEKS AFTER ENGINE LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 10, 2019

“The parking mechanism in the transmission failed. The car was parked in my garage . The lever was in the "Park" position when the car drove backwards out of my garage and crashed into the fence. It continued driving into the street and into the neighbors yard. Two people were out walking and saw it…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 27, 2021 · crash

“THERE IS NOISE POOOOK SOUND WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT COME FROM THE BREAKING SYSTEM. MY CAR HAS ONLY 13467 MILES ON IT.THIS SOUND COMES ONCE WHEN I PRESS BRAKE PEDAL. I HEAR THE NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BETWEEN 10- 40 MILE PER HOUR SPEED. TOOK IT TO SACRAMENTO HYUNDAI FOUND THE DEFECT STILL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 25, 2017

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 183 complaints put the 2016 model at #2 of 16 Sonata Hybrid years. It is one of the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Sonata Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (74 complaints), electrical system (35 complaints), other (19 complaints).

Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid are 2012, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2017, 2015, 2021, 2014. The cleanest record among Sonata Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.