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2016 Hyundai Sonata

Plug-in hybridHybridGas
Large Cars
8 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical9
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA880
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA41 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas large car with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sonata Hybrid SE, is EPA-rated at 41 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 880 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Sonata Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 50 kW IPMSM384140 (59 MPGe blended)27 mi electric342.7 h$1,550
Sonata Hybrid SEHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion394241———$1,500
Sonata HybridHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 270V Li-Ion384140———$1,550
SonataGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo283631———$2,000
SonataGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253629———$2,150
Sonata Sport LimitedGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253528———$2,250
SonataGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223126———$2,400
Sonata LimitedGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo213024———$2,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36998, 36101, 36100, 36479, 36477, 36478, 36475, 36476.

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The 2016 Hyundai Sonata is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (9)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Exterior Lighting

210
469,377 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V749000reported Sep 24, 2021Hyundai Motor America
●moderate

Latches/Locks/Linkages

208
348,158 vehiclesHybrid only
ProblemHyundai 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."RiskA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V619000reported Aug 6, 2021Hyundai Motor America
!critical

Engine

198
128,948 vehiclesHybrid only
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V746000reported Dec 1, 2020Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Hybrid Propulsion System

175
2,840 vehiclesPlug-in hybrid only
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskIf 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.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V166000reported Mar 12, 2018Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Parking Brake

164
161,074 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskIf 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.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V359000reported Jun 5, 2017Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Visibility

152
62,811 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskIf the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V726000reported Oct 11, 2016Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Air Bags

148
1,031 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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."RiskA frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V615000reported Aug 24, 2016Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Air Bags

144
33 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskAn air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V232000reported Apr 21, 2016Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Electrical System

134
64,744 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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."RiskIf 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.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V678000reported Oct 20, 2015Hyundai Motor America

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

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 complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003

Engine — Engine Fires closed

On 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 replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software mo

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · closed Feb 5, 2024 · action EA21003

Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module — Electrical overstress closed

The 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 mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · action EA19001

Service Brakes — Electronic Parking Brake closed

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 gear with the transmission shifter when the ignition is on.If the EPB has not been used within 1000

Opened Sep 3, 2016 · closed Feb 22, 2017 · action PE16010

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
880complaints filed

23 involved a crash · 31 a fire · 20 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 33 · 2017: 38 · 2018: 40 · 2019: 67 · 2020: 63 · 2021: 116 · 2022: 138 · 2023: 167 · 2024: 72 · 2025: 98 · 2026: 48

Most-cited components

Engine538
Electrical System137
Unspecified115
Power Train76
Service Brakes49
Exterior Lighting45

What owners describe

“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 Engineâ€� message was displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle decelerated and went …”Jun 27, 2023 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“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 year…”Mar 30, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“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 oc…”Jan 6, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Sonata model years

A

2027 Hyundai Sonata

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Hyundai Sonata

1 recalls · 5 complaints

A

2025 Hyundai Sonata

0 recalls · 27 complaints

A

2024 Hyundai Sonata

1 recalls · 54 complaints

C

2023 Hyundai Sonata

2 recalls · 100 complaints

D

2022 Hyundai Sonata

3 recalls · 110 complaints

F

2021 Hyundai Sonata

4 recalls · 183 complaints

C

2020 Hyundai Sonata

4 recalls · 194 complaints

A

2019 Hyundai Sonata

0 recalls · 169 complaints

B

2018 Hyundai Sonata

2 recalls · 380 complaints

D

2017 Hyundai Sonata

5 recalls · 874 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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