2016 Hyundai Sonata problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 881 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, filed between 2016-01-15 and 2026-09-17. The most common problem areas are the engine (538, 61%), electrical system (135, 15%) and power train (76, 9%). Owners reported 23 crashes, 31 fires, 20 injuries and 1 death in these complaints. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2016 Hyundai Sonata complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 538 | 61% | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 135 | 15% | 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Unknown or other | 114 | 13% | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Power train | 76 | 9% | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 49 | 6% | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 45 | 5% | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 42 | 5% | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 35 | 4% | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 34 | 4% | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Structure | 33 | 4% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 21 | 2% | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 19 | 2% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 11 | 1% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 10 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 10 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 538 complaints
- 538 complaints of 881 (61%) name the engine.
- 62 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash and 20 fires in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata; the recall, campaign 20V746000, says: “The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.”
Electrical system: 135 complaints
- 135 complaints of 881 (15%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 62 of them also name the engine; owners reported 5 crashes, 7 fires and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata; the recall, campaign 15V678000, says: “The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction.”
Power train: 76 complaints
- 76 complaints of 881 (9%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 49 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash and 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata covers this system.
Service brakes: 49 complaints
- 49 complaints of 881 (6%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 12 of them also name the engine; owners reported 3 crashes, 4 fires and 4 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata covers this system.
Exterior lighting: 45 complaints
- 45 complaints of 881 (5%) name the exterior lighting — headlights, tail and brake lights and turn signals.
- 15 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 3 fires in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata; the recall, campaign 21V749000, says: “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…”
Fuel/propulsion system: 42 complaints
- 42 complaints of 881 (5%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 34 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash and 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 33 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 40 |
| 2019 | 67 |
| 2020 | 63 |
| 2021 | 116 |
| 2022 | 138 |
| 2023 | 167 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 98 |
| 2026 | 51 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names SONATA, SONATA HYBRID, SONATA PLUG-IN, model year 2016. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata's most common problem areas are the engine (538 of 881 complaints), electrical system (135 of 881 complaints) and power train (76 of 881 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA has 881 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, including 23 reported crashes and 31 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata's problems?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata; 3 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.