About average for the Sonata
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sonata year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 80,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sonata years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 730 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (463, 63% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the transmission and drivetrain. That ranks 6th of 13 Sonata years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 6 recalls.
12 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
Get recall alerts for your 2016 Sonata
Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.
Add it to My GarageStart a free car search
Tell us what you want in a 2016 Sonata and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.
Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Hyundai Sonata before you buy.
Engine and cooling
463 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while getting an oil change, the contact was informed that the oil pan was empty. The contact could not recall seeing leaks or making changes to the oil change routine. An independent mechanic informed the contact of an engine recall regarding excessive oil consumption. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving 55 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact's two minor grandchildren were inside the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 60,436 miles
Electrical system
90 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 82,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Backup vision system failed. Couldn't see vision because screen was blank. Radio didn't work either. Went to dealership with the problem they said it was not covered by the warranty. Paid to have it fixed.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Tengo este sonata ya 3 años a solo un mes de haberlo comprado empezó con los problemas de check hybrid system todo el tiempo el mecánico no sabe que pasa con eso además siempre cuando se enciende esa luz no se puede manejar el carro y le dice que tengo que apagarloOwner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
59 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Subject: Excessive Engine Oil Consumption, 2016 Hyundai Sonata I am reporting an ongoing and excessive engine oil consumption issue with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata that I believe may represent a safety defect or other significant reliability concern. The engine is burning oil at a rate far beyond normal expectations (requiring frequent…Owner complaint, filed 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Automatic transmission failed two times. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle stalled in the middle of the road while driving which put me and my family in a very dangerous situation Has the problem been…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
52 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the parking brake light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS control module was faulty and needed be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 149,000 miles
While driving on the highway, there was a sudden beep sound followed by the ABS light, the brake lights turning on, and the traction control light turning on. The vehicle keeps moving and the breaks are not working, and the brake pedal is too tight to press. To avoid a collision on the highway, I used the emergency brake to stop the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Lights, wipers and visibility
49 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (5).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
When I lift the switch to turn on the right turn signal, the high beam headlights flash on and off. It switches from auto to on then back to auto. I'm not moving the switch front to back, only up and down.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Body, doors and structure
35 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (30).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2016 Hyundai Sonata (pearl white) paint is peeling in many parts of my car. I went to Delray Hyundai where I purchased it in 2019. In August of 2023 I showed a supervisor and she set up an appointment for me to bring in the car for pictures. After Delray Hyundai took pictures I waited and waited to hear from them. I went to the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The paint on my 2016 Hyundai continues to peel. I have gone to get the vehicle repainted to no avail. The roof paint came off again and even bigger than the original peel. This is absolutely ridiculous, I see my extract same car on the road with the extract same problems. Not to mention the oil consumption. Across the board these…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
34 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The fuel pump where the fuel line connects to it is cracked and squirting fuel all over that area. Some time ago I started smelling fuel when getting close to the vehicle or when opening windows. Took it to a shop to have it checked out and the technician couldn’t find the problem, since there is no check engine light on or any type of…Owner complaint, filed 2025
I live in stamford ct 06902 I went in a trip with my kids to virginia beach last summer 2019 then I stopped a rest stop for bathroom when I came back to turn on the car the car was with no power it came on my panel telling me the hybrid system failure I waited 1/2 hour and work again .a week ago happen me the same issue again I am…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 40 miles
Steering
34 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Steering sticks and releases under pressure at 60/65+ mph on interstate. Very difficult to keep vehicle in lane consistently. Constantly correcting both right & left to maintain straight line is extremely fatiguing especially on long trips. Safe driving at highway speeds is compromised and presents safety concerns for occupants as well…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Intermittent loss of steering with my Hyundai Sonata 2016 since April 2024. Vehicle randomly loses power steering while turning and 2 warning lights appear (power steering light (eps)and traction control). This has put me and my passengers at risk several times- almost crashing into other cars and objects. I went to the mechanics two…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Cruise control and acceleration
30 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was released, the vehicle sped up, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated the failure occurred after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata. While driving various low speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. Upon attempting to accelerate rapidly, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decreased in speed. The vehicle was taken to shortline hyundai in aurora, colorado where the vcm was updated. The [VIN] was made aware of…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 7,965 miles
Air bags
21 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
On September 25, 2023, I was involved in a motor vehicle collision while driving my Hyundai Sonata 2016, during which the front driver-side airbag failed to deploy despite the impact being significant enough to cause injury. This non-deployment represents a malfunction of the airbag system, including its sensors and deployment…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Seats and seat belts
13 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the driver's seat belt became inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to properly retract or properly restrain the contact while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat belt…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 66,800 miles
I am writing to report a safety issue with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The trunk is stuck closed and I am unable to open it using the key fob or the button on the trunk itself. Additionally, the button to fold down the rear seats is located inside the trunk, which makes it impossible to access the trunk from the rear seats. I have also tried…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Driver assist systems
11 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking system engaged abruptly while there was no other vehicle or object near the vehicle, which nearly caused another vehicle to rear-end the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 111,000 miles
I was driving as normal and twice about 3 min apart from each other my car went into emergency braking and stopped sudden. No red lights no warnings nothing. Also periodically my car dashboard lights will come on while driving filtering through all the hazard checks. Sometimes it stays on and sometimes it don't. Eventually dash goes back…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Suspension
5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving the car and heard a clunk, when I made a turn the rear wheel sounded weird, when I got out of the car the wheel looked closer to the car and was shifted outwards some.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata. While driving approximately 50 MPH, a rattling noise emerged from the driver side wheel. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle was safe to drive. The failure could not be duplicated. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred approximately four times. The vehicle had to be towed to the…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 18,400 miles
Wheels and tires
5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata equipped with GT Radial tire, Tire Line: Champiro Touring, Tire Size: 205/65/R16, DOT Number: Y9BCCRHX. The contact stated when she approached the vehicle in the morning, the front driver’s side tire was flat. The contact stated she called roadside assistance who replaced the tire with the spear…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 125,000 miles
These tires were purchaed on a new vehicle (factory tires) and have been rotated regularly, documentation available. The tread life/wear on the tire is premature. The vehicle has a 60,000 mile warrantly according to kumho's website. I was informed during my last tire rotation that this would be last before needing new tires. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2018
Hybrid and EV system
1 complaintLoss of power, warning messages and battery problems on hybrid or electric versions.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask for a hybrid battery health report from a dealer or hybrid shop.
- Watch for warning messages at startup and on the test drive, and confirm the car switches between gas and electric smoothly.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 149,000 miles
Hyundai Sonata complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata | About average | 6 |
| 2016 Toyota Camry | One of the better years | 2 |
| 2016 Honda Accord | About average | 4 |
| 2016 Kia Optima | About average | 5 |
2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls
Lights Turn signal
- Risk
- A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Parking brake Indicator light
- 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.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Windows, mirrors and wipers Sun / moon roof assembly
- Risk
- If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Air bags
- Risk
- An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Instrument cluster / panel
- Risk
- If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2016 Hyundai Sonata questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata are the engine and cooling (463 complaints), the electrical system (90 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (59 complaints).
Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata a good year to buy?
About average for the Sonata. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sonata year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 80,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sonata years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The most recent, from Sep 2021, covers the turn signal. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 80,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 82,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Hyundai Sonata years should I avoid?
The Sonata years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012 and 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model