2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (56) · Power Train (13) · Service Brakes (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
86 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Electrical System:software 2021-09-24 · campaign 21V749000 · 469,377 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:trunk Lid:latch 2021-08-06 · campaign 21V619000 · 348,158 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
Engine 2020-12-01 · campaign 20V746000 · 128,948 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2016-10-11 · campaign 16V726000 · 62,811 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2016-04-21 · campaign 16V232000 · 33 vehicles
Defect: 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
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. 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.
Service bulletins (132)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Air Bags 2025-12-19 · TRW Settlement DCS · Other
a class action settlement regarding the trw airbag was recently decided. based on the class action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. please see attached for details. impacted vehicles are also noted below. for further information regarding settlement benefits and contacts, ple
Air Bags 2025-12-19 · TRW Summary Notice · Other
a class action settlement regarding the trw airbag was recently decided. based on the class action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. impacted vehicles are also noted below. for further information regarding settlement benefits and contacts, please review the corresponding dea
Showing the 6 most recent of 132 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-07 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 88,385 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle went into limp mode and decelerated. the check engine warning light and the battery warning light were illuminated. the failure was a recurring failure. the vehicle was towed to the first dealer, and the contact was informed that an oil change was need…”
2026-09-07 · Power Train“vehicle impact:while driving, the vehicle suddenly displayed a "check hybrid system" warning on the dashboard and suffered a complete, sudden loss of propulsion while on the road. the vehicle dropped power completely and would not restart, creating an immediate, severe safety hazard to myself and surrounding traffic.diagnostic & component confirmat…”
2026-07-17 · Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection“egr needs to be replaced as this is a major engine issue …”
2025-11-22 · Unknown Or Other“vehicle experiences intermittent dtc c222908 (integrated brake actuator internal circuit malfunction). warning lights (brake, abs, esc, hybrid system) illuminate intermittently, brake pedal feel changes, and regenerative braking fails. dealer confirmed stored code but refused repair stating "no current issue". this is a known failure in 2015-2019 h…”
2025-10-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the car will randomly lose acceleration and jerk forward. it will make a beeping noise while the hev system warning flashes on the dash. it also says to turn off engine. while the warning is flashing and engine light is on it goes into a limp mode and you have limited acceleration. it has almost caused multiple wrecks when i go to acceleration from…”
2025-08-13 · Engine · 140,600 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at 20 mph, the message "shut down" was displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. the contact was able to pull over to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, …”
2025-05-06 · Engine · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into limp mode with several unknown warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not …”
2025-05-02 · Electrical System · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. the contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, and the message "warning - do not attempt to restart" was displayed. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was towed to…”
2025-02-24 · Engine · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. the contact was able to exit the highway; however, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. the vehicle wa…”
2024-09-17 · Power Train“while on the highway vehicle started shaking violently, flashing engine light then service hybrid system along with every light on the dash! car still running poorly, stiff steering very hard to slow down to get to safety! by the time i was able to pull over the engine was knocking and a burning smell was coming from the engine compartment. i poppe…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.