2016 Hyundai Sonata brake problems
55 of the 883 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 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 brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 55 reports a crash · 4 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 12 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 3
Half of the 32 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 8,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
883 complaints in all about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 3 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 “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Hyundai Sonata brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The "Stop Car, Check Brakes" message was displayed. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the warning message "Stop Car, Check Brake" illuminated and the brake pedal felt rigid when depressed. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle.
Driving to airport in car. Just pulled in to freeway after stopping at store 45 mins into drive. My 3016 Sonata hybrid limited started making a knocking sound. My boyfriend who is a mechanic recognized it immediatly. Then suddenly engine made loud noise and parts and oil flew all over behind US from underneath car.
After the car has sat idle for several hours when I depress the brake pedal to start the car I get a whoooomp sound. I took the car to the dealer and was told that after the car sits idle for awhile the air goes out of the breaking system and therefore it makes this sound at start up.
II own a 2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid with 34,000 miles. I have had no problems with the car until the incident that occurred on aug 5, 2018 while driving on three lane highway 99 north of modesto. At about 70mph the dashboard lite up with brake system warnings. At the same time, the engine shut down.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- PE16010 Electronic Parking Brakeopened Sep 3, 2016 · closed Feb 22, 2017
- 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 app…
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
Source: the same files- engine problems 560 complaints
- electrical problems 138 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 76 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 55 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (6% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 NHTSA investigation is 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 brakes on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 9 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do brake problems show up on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 34,000 miles; half of them between 8,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.