VehicleVerdict

2016 Hyundai Sonata problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 991 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.8 times the median Sonata year — the 2016 model ranks #7 of 41 Sonata years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 35 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 46% of all reports (459 of 991), far ahead of electrical system at 96. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

991

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

37

Crash-involved

42

Fires reported

35

Injuries

3

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Sonata years?

See all Sonata years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine45946%
Electrical System9610%
Other929%
Transmission596%
Brakes485%
Lighting394%
Fuel System343%
Steering333%
Body & Structure313%
Speed Control303%
Airbags212%
Visibility & Wipers121%
Driver Assistance121%
Seat Belts91%
Tires & Wheels51%
Seats40%
Latches & Locks40%
Suspension30%

Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

6 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.

17V359000BrakesJune 5, 2017 · 161,074 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

16V615000AirbagsAugust 24, 2016 · 1,031 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

15V678000Electrical SystemOctober 20, 2015 · 64,744 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 5, 2018 · fire

I recently totalled my car due to "following to closely" which I didn't have GAP insurance. Truth is I signaled to go right lane when The car in front thought inwas going left due to faulty recall problem and we both went right, I lost control and hit a rail and damaged car unfortunately

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 21, 2021 · crash

I recently totalled my car due to "following to closely" which I didn't have GAP insurance. Truth is I signaled to go right lane when The car in front thought inwas going left due to faulty recall problem and we both went right, I lost control and hit a rail and damaged car unfortunately

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 21, 2021 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED, AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ABNORNAL BURNING ODOR AND A TICKING NOISE WAS DETECTED. FURTHERMORE, THE MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 13, 2019 · fire

REAR BRAKES FAILED TO PROPERLY FUNCTION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FORWARD MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT OPERATOR PRESSING ON BRAKE PETAL. BOTH REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL GOT RED HOT CAUSING PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WAS ACTIVATE. THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 26, 2016 · fire

2016 Hyundai Sonata — common questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 991 complaints put the 2016 model at #7 of 41 Sonata years. It is one of the Sonata years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Sonata problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (459 complaints), electrical system (96 complaints), other (92 complaints).

Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2018, 2010, 2002, 2000. The cleanest record among Sonata years belongs to 1988.

How safe is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata 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.