2016 Hyundai Sonata
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 550 of 880 complaints (63%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 1,194 in 2015 to 880 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,700–2,600 | 1,700–2,600 | 1,500–2,600 | 1,500–2,600 | 1,500–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–37 | 24–37 | 24–41 | 24–42 | 26–42 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–35 / 31–38 | 21–35 / 30–38 | 21–39 / 30–42 | 21–39 / 30–45 | 23–40 / 32–46 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 242–361 | 242–365 | 221–365 | 221–365 | 212–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 771 | 1,194 | 880 | 874 | 380 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 32 | 38 | 23 | 29 | 18 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 41 | 50 | 31 | 15 | 13 | |
| Injuries reported | 38 | 37 | 20 | 12 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
9 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
Engine: 550 of 880 NHTSA complaints (63%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA rates it 24–41 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
EPA estimates $1,500–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 38 mpg | 41 mpg | 40 mpg | $1,550 | 225 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 39 mpg (high) | 42 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | $1,500 (low) | 221 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 22 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 347 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 365 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 307 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 35 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 28 mpg | 36 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 286 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars | 38 mpg | 41 mpg | 40 mpg | $1,550 | 101 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 550 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 76 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 49 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 136 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 62 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 35 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 31 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 47 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 40 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 60 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 116 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (9)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · Campaign 21V749000 · Sep 27, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH · Campaign 21V619000 · Aug 9, 2021
Defect: Hyundai 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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers 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.
ENGINE · Campaign 20V746000 · Dec 2, 2020
Defect: Hyundai 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.
Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai 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.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 18V166000 · Mar 13, 2018
Defect: Hyundai 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.
Consequence: If 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.
Remedy: Hyundai 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.
PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT · Campaign 17V359000 · Jun 6, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 16V726000 · Oct 11, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 16V615000 · Aug 24, 2016
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 16V232000 · Apr 21, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 15V678000 · Oct 20, 2015
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.