2016 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems
138 of the 883 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 149 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database5 of the 138 reports a crash · 7 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 13 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 12 · 2021: 18 · 2022: 21 · 2023: 25 · 2024: 9 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 8
Half of the 57 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 39,000 and 105,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
883 complaints in all about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 8 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Hyundai Sonata electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
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.
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).
After filling tank for long road trips the car does not start and the check HEV hybrid system light comes on
I stopped for gas and when I attempted to start car an alert came across my screen saying car has a HEV issue and check engine light. I would have to wait for 15 to 20 minutes for my car to start again. I was assuming it was bad gas but mechanic confirmed that it wasn't a bad gas issue.
On 5/11 my wife was driving when she heard a clicking sound. She was not far from the dealership and decided to drive the car in to get looked at. As she got close to the dealership the vehicle started to smoke. She pulled over to a safe location where she could get out and as she was pulling over the vehicle started to flame.
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 15V678000 ModerateOct 20, 2015 · 64,744 vehicles
- 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."
NHTSA investigation
- DP22005 Pedestrian alert soundsopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
- 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 ele…
149 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 26-01-013H-2 DN Service campaignMay 21, 2026
- Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P1326 P0705 P200A P0706 P0707 P0708 P2600 P0605
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
Source: the same files- engine problems 560 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 76 complaints
- brake problems 55 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 138 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (16% of everything owners filed about it), and 149 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 15V678000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 66,000 miles; half of them between 39,000 and 105,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.