YearToAvoid

2016 Hyundai Azera Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2016 Hyundai Azera has a complaint index of 33, ranking 9th worst out of 13 model years, and carries a Good verdict. It has 15 complaints, 1 recall, and its top problem area is the engine.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
33/100
#9 of 13 Azera years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
15
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22.5
19.5 city / 28 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2016 Hyundai Azera problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine4 (27%)
  2. Airbags3 (20%)
  3. Steering3 (20%)
  4. Electrical System2 (13%)
  5. Other2 (13%)
  6. Brakes1 (7%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (7%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Steering sometimes locks or sticks during highway driving, requiring extra force to break free and causing the vehicle to swerve.
  • Airbag warning lights come on unexpectedly, with dealers finding the airbag module needs replacement and airbags inoperative in the meantime.
  • The engine has overheated at highway speed, with one case traced to a head gasket leak after 109,000 miles.
  • The panoramic sunroof reportedly shattered while driving on the interstate, scattering glass without loss of vehicle control.
  • The gear shift lever has locked in park during freezing temperatures, preventing selection of reverse, neutral, or drive.
  • A moonroof sunshade failed to retract after opening, blocking rear visibility through the mirror.
2016 Hyundai Azera complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2017Mar 2021Oct 2021May 2022Aug 2022Nov 2025Jul 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2017 to Jul 2026; peak Aug 2021 (2).

2016 Hyundai Azera recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V619000Aug 6, 2021Structure & Body348,158 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

    Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.

2016 Hyundai Azera fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19.5 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
22.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,875
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Azera years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution5048123
2015Caution259122.5
2016Good3315122.5
2017Best1712122.5

All Hyundai Azera years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Azera reliable?
Among Azera model years, 2016 ranks 9th worst out of 13 with a complaint index of 33 and a Good verdict, meaning it performs better than most other Azera years.
What problems does the 2016 Hyundai Azera have?
NHTSA complaints for this year center on the engine, airbags, and steering, with owners reporting steering that sticks or locks, airbag module failures, and one engine overheating case linked to a head gasket leak.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Azera have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 Azera covering a trunk latch that may become damaged and prevent the trunk from opening.
What is the median mileage for complaints on the 2016 Azera?
The median mileage at failure across complaints for the 2016 Azera is 34,196.5 miles, though the engine problem area had a higher median of 54,950 miles.
How does the 2016 Azera compare to other years like 2017?
The 2017 Azera has a lower complaint index of 17 and a Best verdict, compared to the 2016 model's complaint index of 33 and Good verdict.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.