2016 Hyundai Sonata Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Hyundai Sonata carries a complaint index of 75 and ranks 6th worst of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 65% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 79,150 miles, backed by 6 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Sonata years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 725
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 28
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 1
Top 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines have seized or caught fire while driving on the highway, in some cases with cylinder damage penetrating the engine block.
- Rear brakes have locked up unexpectedly at highway speed without warning lights, in one case igniting a fire at the wheel.
- The automatic emergency braking system has engaged for no reason at moderate speed, leading to a rear-end collision.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in a head-on collision, and in another incident deployed with excessive powder causing burns.
- Owners report hesitation, jerking, and failure to accelerate at low speeds along with a burning odor and ticking noise.
- Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or deceleration surges when releasing the brake pedal.
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?
- Compared with other Sonata model years, 2016 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 75 and sits at rank 6 out of 21 years, with an Avoid verdict driven mainly by engine complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
- Engine issues make up 65% of complaints for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 79,150 miles. Owners describe stalling, seizing, and fires.
- Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have engine recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Sonata, covering the electrical system, brakes, visibility/wipers, and airbags, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Sonata compare to other model years?
- The 2016 Sonata's complaint index of 75 is lower than 2011 (100) and 2013 (95), but still worse than most other years, placing it 6th worst out of 21 model years tracked.
- What is Sonata fuel economy for 2016?
- The EPA rates the 2016 Sonata at 28 mpg combined (25 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.