VehicleVerdict

2016 Hyundai Sonata brakes problems

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has 48 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 5% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

48

Brakes complaints

5%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Sonata brakes complaints by model year175 complaints1990: 2 complaints1991: 3 complaints1992: 5 complaints1993: 2 complaints1995: 11 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 6 complaints2000: 12 complaints2001: 26 complaints2002: 26 complaints2003: 17 complaints2004: 16 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 88 complaints2007: 105 complaints2008: 55 complaints2009: 100 complaints2010: 30 complaints2011: 175 complaints2012: 159 complaints2013: 148 complaints2014: 60 complaints2015: 79 complaints2016: 48 complaints2017: 22 complaints2018: 17 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 3 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 5 complaints
Sonata brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?

NHTSA has 48 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata brakes — 5% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 17V359000.

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.