2016 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 Sonata years
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 65% of its 725 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 79,150 miles across six recalls.
- Complaints
- 725
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 19 / 28
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 35 hwy
Top 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine472 (65%)
- Electrical System115 (16%)
- Other92 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain59 (8%)
- Brakes52 (7%)
- Structure & Body38 (5%)
- Fuel System35 (5%)
- Steering33 (5%)
- Airbags21 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (1%)
What owners report
- Engine catches fire or smokes heavily while driving, sometimes with no cause identified by the manufacturer.
- Engine seizes or stalls suddenly on the highway, in one case with a piston breaking through the engine block and damaging the transmission.
- Rear brakes lock up unexpectedly at highway speed without the driver pressing the pedal, sometimes overheating and catching fire.
- Automatic emergency braking activates for no reason at moderate speed, triggering a collision from behind.
- Airbags fail to deploy in a frontal collision, or deploy with excessive powder that causes skin irritation.
- Vehicle hesitates, jerks, or fails to accelerate at low speed, accompanied by a burning smell and ticking noise.
2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V749000Sep 24, 2021Electrical System469,377 vehicles
Electrical system:software
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 16V726000Oct 11, 2016Visibility & Wipers62,811 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option. Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.
Risk: If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.
2016 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 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 Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Sonata has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst of 16 model years, placing it in the Caution category relative to other Sonata years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
- Engine issues account for 65% of the 725 complaints filed, with a median mileage at failure of 79,150 miles, making it the top problem area.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 Sonata, covering the electrical system, brakes, visibility/wipers, and airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Which Hyundai Sonata years are worse than 2016?
- NHTSA data shows 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 all carry higher Complaint Index scores (100, 87, 93, and 80 respectively) and Avoid verdicts, making them worse than 2016.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
- EPA rates the 2016 Sonata at 28 mpg combined (25 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.