2016 Hyundai Sonata

2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls (6)

• 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.

  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.

• 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.

  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.

• AIR BAGS

  Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a driver-side frontal air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck from injury in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.

• AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

  Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction. In the event of an ABS malfunction, the Brake System warning light will illuminate, but the ABS warning light will not illuminate. Since the vehicles have ABS malfunction lights that do not illuminate, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 134.

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

  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.

  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.

2016 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2016 Hyundai Sonata owner complaints (15)

• ENGINE,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

  The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off with the message "HEV System Failure" displayed. The driver safely pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. A towing truck arrived on the scene and reset the diagnostic codes before towing the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The dealer retrieved several diagnostic trouble codes; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was test-driven but the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  After the emissions 9c2 recall car hesitant when changing an Hyundai has knowledgement of the problem but don’t have a fix

• POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  Went from 65 and dropped down to 40 going up grades on the freeway. Started shaking, check engine light went on and electric battery disappeared from dash. Got to top of grade, went back to normal. Problem repeated on next grades. Car had just left dealership lot an hour prior where it was safety inspected and they said all was fine. Took back to dealership for inspection and they said that there were no codes showing for what happened and all was well with the vehicle, when obviously it was not.

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I was driving at night and my passenger headlights went out. About 2 years prior the same thing happened but it was the driver side headlight that went out. It was $1100 to get the driver side replaced and now here i am having to pay the same amount to replace the passenger side headlights. It was not a simple replacing the bulb. Something inside went broke causing the dealership to have to install a whole new headlight set.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Car just stated making g noise went into lp.mode now saying k ock sensor

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  The following mandatory software update was performed on my vehicle: ECU SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THETA II EMISSIONS IMPROVEMENT (SERVICE CAMPAIGN 9C2). After this update my vehicle drivetrain is quite erratic. In particular when the engine is cold it appears to jerk even when in Parking gear position. When cold the drivetrain experiences erratic gear shifts. This provides little confidence when driving and could result in safety issues when merging into traffic. Once the engine has reached its normal operating temperature it still makes occasional gear shift that are jerky and probably not good for the transmission. This vehicle had a very smooth transmission prior to the ECU software update, now I am hesitant when I need to merge into traffic, since I am not sure it will select the correct gear when accelerating. I have reported this to the dealership and Hyundai corporate service center and both indicate that when the engine is cold that the drivetrain can act strange, but once it is up to temperature it should be smooth. I have looked on the web and noticed multiple Hyundai owners with similar engines reporting the same issue after this software update. Hyundai may have satisfied the EPA requirements with this software, but they may have a created a safety issue for the vehicle operator and their passengers.

• ENGINE

  After completion of Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2, my 2016 Hyundai Sonata SE is very difficult to drive at low RPMs. Cold start its sluggish and jerks and driving uphill feels like transmission slipping but is not. An additional update to the ECM needs to be conducted ASAP.

• POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  My 2016 Hyundai Sonata is experiencing severe oil consumption due to a known Hyundai engine defect. The engine burns oil rapidly and loses more than a quart between oil changes. This creates a safety hazard because the engine can stall, seize, or fail while driving. The Hyundai dealership did NOT perform the official Hyundai oil-consumption test. They only checked the dipstick, noted the oil was low, and submitted a request for a paid combustion cleaning. Hyundai declined to pay for the cleaning, and the dealership is refusing to perform the required oil-consumption test unless I pay $750.00. Hyundai Corporate also refused to authorize the test, stating the vehicle is out of warranty, even though this is a known engine defect affecting many Hyundai vehicles. Without the official test, Hyundai will not review the engine defect or consider a goodwill engine replacement. This is a safety issue because the engine can fail without warning. The dealership and Hyundai are refusing to perform the required diagnostic test unless I pay $750, and refusing to review the defect without that test.

• AIR BAGS

  Dear Hyundai Customer Care, I am writing to report a safety concern with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The dashboard has developed significant cracking near the passenger-side airbag, which raises concerns about proper airbag deployment in the event of an accident. This level of deterioration seems premature and not consistent with normal wear and tear. I would like to know if there are any recalls, service bulletins, or assistance programs related to this issue, and what steps I should take for this issue as it is a safety concern for myself and passengers. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. This has had an ongoing issue for awhile.

• VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  This vehicle has a major engine flaw; Hyundai USA KNOWS about it, and STILL will not issue a recall for EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. First episode: October 2023 at 86,371 miles. Dealership replaced leaking valve cover gasket and changed woefully-soiled spark plugs. Still under manufacturer warranty, but I paid the balance. Second episode: FOUR MONTHS LATER (Feb. 2024; 89,078 miles), another limp mode and Check Engine lamp. The spark plugs are soiled again with oil, so the dealership changes the spark plugs again, instead of addressing the underlying issue - Excessive oil consumption. Still under warranty, yet I pay the bill...AGAIN. Episode Three: October 04, 2024. Hyundai Sonata goes into limp mode again with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT illuminating – cylinder 1 was misfiring. All spark plugs fouled again; all spark plugs replaced. Valve cover gasket was leaking, so that was replaced as well. Yup, I paid for the repairs out-of-pocket. Episode Four: May 02, 2025. Vehicle goes into limp mode again, with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT turning on. Another spark plug fouled up, so it was replaced. Ignition coil replaced as well. Episode Five: June 19, 2025. Limp mode and Check Engine Lamp illuminates yet again, so Hyundai of North Charleston (SC) initiates an oil consumption test. "...[3.5 quarts of] oil consumption is excessive...", yet Hyundai denies everything. Hyundai is actually admitting to an underlying issue but offers ZERO assistance.

• ENGINE

  Our Car is 2016 with 97000 miles with engine failure. Previous driving noticed the Engine will slow down suddenly at times. Preston Hyundai Dealer says bad engine cylinder $6000 is a fire hazzard and needs new engine. I see Hyundai sold 199000 2016 Sonatas and replaced 129000 bad engines. They gave a 120000 mile warranty to the 2016 cars. Hyundai said my car in not on the recall list so they will not pay for an engine. The dealer said the engine rods look okay. An engine should last longer than 97000 miles! Please help! [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] My INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• ENGINE

  While driving my car with no warning light or any type of sound just cut off engine while driving. I was on busy highway going slightly uphill and was almost rear ended causing car behind me to swerve to avoid hitting me swerving to other lane and almost colliding into another car. I was able to get to middle divider almost but back end of my car sticking out in #2 lane. I was stuck in car for about 10 minutes then got across Street to sidewalk. There was no warning, no smoke etc prior to engine cutting off. Everything still works lights, a/c, radio etc . Engine tries to turn over but then slowly dies out like a battery issue however I have a 2 year old battery and when I charge it or try to jump start it it doesn't start also everything else powers on. I have had it stall 2 times before on L.A. freeway in which I somehow was able to cross over 4 lanes coasting to side of freeway. And at that time was sideswipped by another vehicle to front of car and car kept going and I really didn't have time to think about that while just trying to maneuver safely to side of freeway. The 1 and 2nd time it stalled it did restart after about 10 min. But this 3rd time it hasn't started again. The most recent incident was4/15/26. Another issue is the massive amounts of oil it consumes. I put in 2 quarts a week . But there is never oil leaking on driveway or anywhere its parked so where is oil going. I've had it checked several times and they said that these cars burn through oil and I also told Hyundai dealer about both issue and nothing was ever done. My s Check engine came on and I took in to shop and picked it up after paying alot of money and light was off but about a week later on. Took it back and pick up and lights off running good another couple thousand again. And on and off just randomly and auto mechanic shop said I would need to take to hyundai dealer to see whats happening. Called and told them never heard back. I have more pic of repairs but couldn't load more

• ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I am writing about my concerns on a 2016 Hyundai Sonata SE that I purchased for my daughter in October 2023. After purchasing I took it to my local Hyundai dealer to have it checked out. It was one of the cars that came with a lifetime warranty for the rods DO TO A DEFECT.On January 2024 my daughter was driving on the freeway when all of a sudden it just stopped accelerating and when checked it was a Knock sensor detection system. The dealer took it in and inspected and said it was a defective sensor and replaced it.This made me uncomfortable as I felt the sensor did its job and it was just a matter of time before the rod blew through.During the next few months it became very apparent that the car was going through unbelievable amounts of oil.It had a ticking so we replaced all the spark plugs and noticed oil saturating the plugs and realized a leak in the valve cover gasket which was also replaced.We thought this might be the cause but no oil was on the ground and nowhere on the engine.I just thought it was burning oil but no indicator lights were going off. The car could have no oil and it would not let us know. She's lucky to drive 300 miles a month.She has complained of a strong gas oder and we replaced 2 gas caps and went back to the Hyundai dealer.They told us there's a problem with the fuel filter and pump.If we pay $273 of inspections it might cover it if it's a failing part, and when I did the oil change the car was very low on oil despite the fact that we check it monthly and put 3 quarts of oil in the car.Her car is consuming 3-4 quarts of oil per every 250 miles.This could cause her engine to fail and possibly throw a rod which given the fact she has already taken out one Knock sensor it is just waiting to happen.So as oil disappears every few hundred miles without a warning the engine locks up and if a rod punches through onto the exhaust this can cause it to stall and potentially catch on fire especially when it wreaks of gas from the fuel filter.

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I have a car covered by the Theta II Settlement. Engine, fuel system. Metal shavings found in oil and oil is diluted with fuel and oil if overfilled 1 inch above full mark on dipstick upon pickup from dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection at my residence; however, it is currently grounded as a known safety hazard. The vehicle is exhibiting symptoms of imminent engine failure (audible knocking, P0011 code, and oil dilution). Despite being shown evidence of this(photo and video of oil overfill and watery viscosity) , the manufacturer instructed me to continue operating the vehicle, placing myself, and other drivers at risk of a high-speed collision or vehicle fire. The symptoms (P0011 code and engine noise) were confirmed by an independent mechanic on March 25th 2026. However, during the official Bearing Clearance Test (BCT), the dealership intentionally overfilled the engine oil by 3 quarts (documented via photograph) to muffle mechanical noise and artificially pass the diagnostic and issued a pass on all inspections despite the oil hazard. Hyundai Corporate Case Manager Nikulmar Dhabi has admitted on record that the dealer was out of compliance by "being outside the standard notification time" yet they refuse to provide a safety-compliant remedy. Warning Symptoms & Appearance: Symptoms first appeared months ago when I repeatedly got a P0011 code, however On march 24th 2026 I received an engine light with a P0011 and the car going into limp mode while i drove. Warning signs included a persistent Check Engine Light (P0011) and audible metallic knocking. Upon checking the oil myself after the dealer "inspected" it, I discovered the oil was 3 quarts over the "Full" line, which is a deceptive practice used to mask rod bearing failure.

• ENGINE

  I am submitting this complaint regarding Hyundai Motor America’s denial of my request for engine replacement assistance. I own a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with approximately 106,000 miles. The vehicle experienced sudden engine failure while driving which put my daughter, in danger and is now inoperable. I still have a remaining loan balance, and the cost to replace the engine is significant. I am the second owner of this vehicle. Prior to my ownership, it was a government vehicle. Hyundai requested maintenance records from before I purchased the vehicle; however, I do not have access to those records, as they were not provided at the time of purchase. Since owning the vehicle, I have maintained it responsibly and submitted all available maintenance records from my period of ownership outside of work issued directly to the state. My request for assistance was denied based on a determination of “exceptional maintenance neglect.” I respectfully dispute/ disputed this conclusion. I do not believe the engine failure was due to neglect, and I was not provided with clear documentation or evidence supporting this determination.