2016 Hyundai Sonata: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2016 / hyundai / sonata
known issues7 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-09)
complaints723 on file (2016-01-15 → 2026-09-17)
recalls6
investigations4
fars101 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Excessive engine oil consumption between oil changesENGINE51 complaints2023-12 → 2026-07sonata-2016-excessive-oil-consumption
  • 11670446 Engine consumes excessive amount of oil, approximately 5 quarts every 1,000 miles. No leaks found when taken for inspection
  • 11582015 I am writing to report a concerning issue with my Hyundai Sonata 2016 regarding excessive oil consumption. Every 1000 miles, the vehicle requires approximately 1.5 quarts of oil, if not more. This rapid depletion of oil presents a significant safety risk for driving the car
  • 11627651 The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that 30 quarts of oil had been added to the vehicle in the past four months. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle started shuddering
Drivability change after Service Campaign 9C2 ECU updatePOWER TRAIN, ENGINE3 complaints2026-05 → 2026-06sonata-2016-9c2-drivability
  • 11738811 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
  • 11737818 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
  • 11743836 After the emissions 9c2 recall car hesitant when changing an Hyundai has knowledgement of the problem but don’t have a fix
Paint peeling from roof and body panelsSTRUCTURE6 complaints2024-07 → 2025-05sonata-2016-paint-peeling
  • 11617899 My 2016 Hyundai Sonata (pearl white) paint is peeling in many parts of my car
  • 11608463 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
  • 11630053 White paint peeling off above windshield
Engine seizure with loss of motive power while drivingENGINE62 complaints2023-12 → 2026-04sonata-2016-engine-seizure-power-loss
  • 11728397 The vehicle became unsafe when it stopped operating in traffic, creating a potential hazard to myself and others due to the sudden loss of power and inability to move the vehicle
  • 11675238 Rod bearing failed at highway speeds, loss of power and flashing check engine light only after engine failure. This could have caused an accident putting myself and others at risk of bodily damage had I not been able to pull off of the freeway
  • 11660734 While accelerating from a red light, the engine suddenly lost power and the car stalled in the left turn lane in the middle of traffic. We had to have the vehicle towed to a repair shop, where I was informed that the engine had seized or locked up
P1326 knock sensor limp mode with reduced powerENGINE26 complaints2024-02 → 2026-07sonata-2016-p1326-limp-mode
  • 11717243 While driving in normal traffic, the engine experienced a sudden and significant loss of power and went into a reduced-power “limp” mode
  • 11616254 Engine in limp mode, CEL activated with code p1326. Knock sensor detection system activated, oil leaking. Car won't Rev past 1700 RPM
  • 11643345 Car Lost Power going up a hill. Generating codes P1326, P0455 and P0302
Hybrid system shutdown warning and power lossENGINE, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM9 complaints2024-04 → 2026-06sonata-2016-hybrid-system-shutdown
  • 11744248 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
  • 11662896 While driving my 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SE (89,000 miles), a “Check Hybrid System” warning appeared on the dashboard, followed by a sudden loss of power. Shortly after, the engine began knocking loudly
  • 11685412 Pushed acceleration at traffic light to cross and turn into neighborhood, car started beeping frantically, 'check hev system' flashed on dash as well as 'turn off engine' while car decelerated to 1-3 mph
Intermittent loss of power steering assistSTEERING5 complaints2024-04 → 2025-07sonata-2016-power-steering-loss
  • 11607163 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)
  • 11662564 Steering sticks and releases under pressure at 60/65+ mph on interstate. Very difficult to keep vehicle in lane consistently
  • 11671554 Power steering fails intermittently

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
7232016-01-152026-09-171928ENGINE:448; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:90; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:88; POWER TRAIN:59; SERVICE BRAKES:46

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
16V72600011/10/2016VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLYHyundai 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.If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.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.
17V35900005/06/2017PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHTHyundai 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.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.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.
16V61500024/08/2016AIR BAGSHyundai 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."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.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.
16V23200021/04/2016AIR BAGS:FRONTALHyundai 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.An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.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.
15V67800020/10/2015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELHyundai 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."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.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.
21V74900024/09/2021EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNALHyundai 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.A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
DP22003closedLoss of Motive PowerENGINE2022-09-122023-12-12·The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain
EA19001closedElectrical overstressAIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE2019-04-192024-09-1920V024The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount
EA21003closedEngine FiresENGINE2021-12-222024-02-0523V877On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine
PE16010closedElectronic Parking BrakeSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS2016-09-032017-02-22·The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on September 3, 2016 based on four reports alleging the rear brakes locked or applied while driving without brake pedal application. One of the reports alleged a fire in the right rear wheel area.The vehicles subject to the investigation are equipped with an optional Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). In this system, an electric motor applies the parking brake by moving the rear brake pads (pads) against the brake rotors (rotors) when activated by the EPB control switch. The EPB is released by the control switch or by selecting a drive

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-2024101legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2016 Hyundai Sonata vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/hyundai/sonata
@misc{wrenchpro_2016_hyundai_sonata_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2016 Hyundai Sonata},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/hyundai/sonata}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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