2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (12) · Hybrid Propulsion System (3) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Hybrid Propulsion System 2018-03-12 · campaign 18V166000 · 2,840 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Risk: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.
Service bulletins (82)
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
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h-2 (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Showing the 6 most recent of 82 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-06-27 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 65,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid. the contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving approximately 65 mph, the “check hybrid system - turn off engine” message was displayed. the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact then stated that the vehicle decelerated and went into limp mode. the vehicle was to…”
2023-03-30 · Power Train“while driving the car getting error message on dashboard "check hybrid system turn off engine", the gas engine turn off and switch to continue on electric till able to pull on the side of the road. turn off engine, wait a min. start car again and working fine. this issue appears randomly many times in the last two years while driving. car was at d…”
2023-01-06 · Engine“while driving the hybrid system warning light comes on and says to check hybrid system, vehicle goes into limp mode will not accelerate over 25 mph and codes need to be cleared before vehicle van be driven. this has caused me to almost have several accidents. the vehicle slows down and gives no warning prior to this occurring. it has started happe…”
2022-10-20 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 66,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid. the contact stated while driving 70 mph or faster in hybrid mode, the vehicle stalled. the hev error warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. the check engine warning light was also illuminated. the contact turned off the vehicle and disengaged the hev mode for the vehicle to restar…”
2022-08-11 · Electrical System“my 2016 plug in hybrid sonata repeatedly inidcates that there is "high system temperature switching to hybrid mode." this first happened on my first long trip in the car in 10/21 and has happened repeatedly since. this happens at all temperatures, including moderate temperatures (mid 70s). it seems to happen randomly, such as when battery has se…”
2022-07-06 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid. the contact stated while the vehicle was approaching a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. the contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was not drivable. the contact stated he manually pushed the vehicle to the side of the roadway. the contact went back with his trailer an…”
2022-04-18 · Engine“in january of 2022, my vehicle experienced a complete power loss while driving to work, leaving the car coasting down the road. a check hybrid system warning came up on the dashboard, along with several other warning lights, including check engine. luckily, i was able to pull over without an accident occurring. once stopped, the vehicle did restar…”
2022-03-02 · Unknown Or Other“this is a plug-in hybrid. charging light on the dash blinks red indicating there is an issue (per manual). also blinks while driving. should be green. still charges. taken to two hyundai dealerships. computer produces no codes. dealership does not know how to proceed. safety concern is it’s unknown if battery is dangerous to charge? is it dangerous…”
2020-12-21 · Engine · 18,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was pushed off the roadway with assistance from a bystander. the vehicle was towed to tustin hyundai (16 auto center drive, tustin, ca 92782, (714) 6…”
2018-11-20 · Unknown Or Other · 32,235 mi“the plug of the electrical charger for the battery of my plug -in car overheated and burned the surge protector that it was plugged into.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.