repaired · 2023 Q3
Electrical system: software
Risk. A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
2016 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 730 owner complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the engine. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-749 the manufacturer reports only 53% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 1, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Hyundai Sonata has problems
730 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
453Engine20 crash/fire/injury
89Electrical system10 crash/fire/injury
59Power train1 crash/fire/injury
42Service brakes
38Exterior lighting
34Steering
33Fuel/propulsion system
31Structure
30Vehicle speed control
10322 other systems12 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 453 | 20 |
| Electrical system | 89 | 10 |
| Power train | 59 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 42 | 7 |
| Exterior lighting | 38 | 3 |
| Steering | 34 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 33 | 2 |
| Structure | 31 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 30 | 6 |
| 22 other systems | 103 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Parking brake: indicator light
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2018 Q1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Air bags
Risk. 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.
Show 2 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q3
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
83kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 129 engine complaints. 62% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 35% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
21under 30k miles80under 100k miles49100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
31 owners mentioned a cost$1,600median
Middle half: $670 – $5,500
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other Sonata year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sonata median. How we score
11162922263662349491242762053201992021651,0476964254603453,3801,5591,9217501,157730769375162183135988848173
'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2016 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings
2016 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.5% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Electrical overstressLed to recall 20V-024
- Engine FiresLed to recall 23V-877
- Electronic Parking BrakeNo recall
In owners' words
What Sonata owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding severe vehicle instability, structural safety risks, and dealership workmanship negligence following a federal safety recall engine replacement. My vehicle received a new engine block under a federal campaign at a local dealership. Immediately upon…
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving 55 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact's two minor grandchildren were inside the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The…
While driving on the freeway, the check engine light started flashing and the gas pedal became useless. This put the driver and the passenger of the car in massive danger as they could no longer accelerate on the freeway. Luckily, they were able to get off the freeway without causing an accident.…
Own a 2016 Sonata?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.