VehicleVerdict

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid electrical system problems

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 35 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

35

Electrical System complaints

19%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Sonata Hybrid electrical system complaints by model year35 complaints2011: 23 complaints2012: 25 complaints2013: 27 complaints2014: 11 complaints2015: 23 complaints2016: 35 complaints2017: 20 complaints2018: 2 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 6 complaints2021: 25 complaints2022: 11 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 4 complaints
Sonata Hybrid electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?

NHTSA has 35 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid electrical system — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 21V749000.

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.