VehicleVerdict

2016 Hyundai Sonata electrical system problems

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has 96 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

96

Electrical System complaints

10%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

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.

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 96 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata electrical system — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata electrical system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 15V678000, 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.