Hyundai · Sonata · 2016
2016 Hyundai Sonata
6
Recalls
706
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has 6 recalls and 706 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (311 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 311 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2016 Hyundai Sonata reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Hyundai Sonata currently shows 6 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 706 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (311), unknown or other (37), steering (24).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Hyundai Sonata
- Recalls
- 6
- Complaints
- 706
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 21V749000September 24, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 17V359000June 05, 2017
PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT
Hyundai 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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V726000October 11, 2016
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Hyundai 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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V615000August 24, 2016
AIR BAGS
Hyundai 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."
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V232000April 21, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Hyundai 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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 15V678000October 20, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
706 totalENGINE
Apr 15, 2026
While driving my car with no warning light or any type of sound just cut off engine while driving. I was on busy highway going slightly uphill and was almost rear ended causing car behind me to swerve to avoid hitting me swerving to other lane and almost colliding into another ca...
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ENGINE
Apr 13, 2026
Our Car is 2016 with 97000 miles with engine failure. Previous driving noticed the Engine will slow down suddenly at times. Preston Hyundai Dealer says bad engine cylinder $6000 is a fire hazzard and needs new engine. I see Hyundai sold 199000 2016 Sonatas and replaced 129000 ba...
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ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
*Engine failure-needs a new engine *The car turned off while I was driving it on the freeway, I managed to steer the car to the shoulder, almost caused an extremely dangerous accident due to traffic and speed limit. *Took it to a Hyundai dealership in Irving, TX 3x about 3 yea...
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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 27, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor inside the vehicle, with an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 25, 2026
I have a car covered by the Theta II Settlement. Engine, fuel system. Metal shavings found in oil and oil is diluted with fuel and oil if overfilled 1 inch above full mark on dipstick upon pickup from dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection at my residence; however, i...
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ENGINE
Mar 17, 2026
Car burning oil and engine started knocking no warning lights ever came on prior to knocking noise. Brought to mechanic and engine has failed. Vehicle has less that 130,000 miles on it.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Mar 14, 2026
code P1326 unable to accelerate, drive past 1st gear and knocking noise in engine area engine could stall out or lock up if problem is not fixed 3/14/2026- started engine light blinking warning light also code p1326 has had recalls for this particular car brand
ENGINE
Mar 13, 2026
Engine siezed
ENGINE
Mar 10, 2026
i took my car in for an oil change and the tech wouldn’t even take my money because he said the car was a safety issue and it needed to be taken to a hyundai dealership ASAP as he has seen the engine fail or blow up on this model before. on the way to the dealer the engine comple...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 9, 2026
This complaint is NOT related to the existing recall associated with this vehicle. The vehicle is experiencing a serious loss of power and acceleration issue. The car is unable to accelerate past approximately 60 mph. When pressing the accelerator fully, the vehicle does not resp...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 706 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Hyundai models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Hyundai Sonata Years
2017 Hyundai SonataCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r743c2015 Hyundai SonataCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.9r1,105c2018 Hyundai SonataCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.1r353c2014 Hyundai SonataCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.7r735c2019 Hyundai SonataCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.146c2013 Hyundai SonataCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.9r1,875c
More 2016 Hyundai Models
2016 Hyundai TucsonAnother 2016 Hyundai option for same-year comparison.5r1,595c2016 Hyundai ElantraAnother 2016 Hyundai option for same-year comparison.1r280c2016 Hyundai Santa FeAnother 2016 Hyundai option for same-year comparison.3r232c2016 Hyundai VelosterAnother 2016 Hyundai option for same-year comparison.1r215c2016 Hyundai AccentAnother 2016 Hyundai option for same-year comparison.99c2016 Hyundai AzeraAnother 2016 Hyundai option for same-year comparison.1r13c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has 6 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has received 706 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata are engine (311 reports), unknown or other (37 reports), steering (24 reports).
Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 6 recalls on record for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.