2016 Hyundai Genesis Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Hyundai Genesis has 96 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 44, and 3 recalls, earning a Caution verdict capped due to a park-outside fire recall. It ranks 6th worst out of 10 model years, better than 2009, 2012, and 2015 but worse than 2010 and 2014.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 44/100
- #6 of 10 Genesis years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 96
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 2 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2016 Hyundai Genesis problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System36 (38%)
- Engine31 (32%)
- Other13 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (10%)
- Brakes9 (9%)
- Structure & Body9 (9%)
- Steering8 (8%)
- Fuel System6 (6%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report unintended acceleration or vehicle movement, including one case where the vehicle moved on its own while parked and crashed into a house.
- Owners describe sudden loss of engine power at freeway speed, with the car stalling and RPM dropping to zero without warning lights.
- Several complaints describe fires starting under or near the front passenger seat, including one that self-extinguished and one that produced heavy black smoke.
- Headlights in auto mode reportedly turn on and off erratically while driving, which one owner said confused another driver on the road.
- One owner reported hydroplaning at 50-55 mph and crashing into a median, with only the driver-side airbag deploying and injuries requiring hospital transport.
- A brake complaint described the vehicle failing to stop despite hard braking and an inoperative collision-avoidance system, resulting in a crash.
2016 Hyundai Genesis recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V107000Feb 13, 2024Electrical System90,907 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:starter assembly:solenoid
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis, 2017-2019 Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a remedy relay kit in the engine junction box, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 254(H) and 018G(G).
- NHTSA 21V160000Mar 10, 2021Brakes94,646 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short circuit inside the ABS module could cause an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2021. Owners can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 201 and 006G.
- NHTSA 17V359000Jun 5, 2017Brakes161,074 vehicles
Parking brake:indicator light
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.
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 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.
2016 Hyundai Genesis fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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 Genesis years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Hyundai Genesis reliable?
- NHTSA lists 96 complaints for the 2016 Genesis with a complaint index of 44, ranking it 6th worst among 10 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, partly because of a park-outside recall for electrical system water intrusion.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Genesis?
- Electrical system issues make up 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 45,300 miles, followed by engine problems at 32% of complaints, which tend to occur earlier at a median of 16,500 miles.
- Does the 2016 Hyundai Genesis have a recall?
- Yes, it has 3 recalls: an electrical system starter solenoid recall with a park-outside advisory, an ABS module short-circuit recall also requiring parking outside, and a parking brake warning light recall.
- How does the 2016 Genesis compare to other years?
- The 2016 model, with a complaint index of 44, is safer than 2009 (100), 2015 (89), and 2012 (78), all rated Avoid, but ranks worse than 2010 (33, Good) and 2014 (22, Best).