Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Hyundai Genesis problems

Owners filed 103 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Genesis with NHTSA between Dec 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (30).

Complaints
103
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system30
  2. Engine27
  3. Exterior lighting12
  4. Power train10
  5. Steering8
  6. Fuel/propulsion system6
  7. Structure6
  8. Service brakes5
  9. Air bags4
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  11. Vehicle speed control3
  12. Latches/locks/linkages2
  13. Seats2
  14. Engine and engine cooling2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20151
20162
201717
20186
20194
202011
20219
20227
20238
202419
20255
202614

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

30 reports3 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a nearby parking lot, upon returning, there was heavy black smoke coming from under the front passenger’s side seat. Upon further inspection, the contact burned his right hand while attempting to check for the source of the fire. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer while the black smoke was present, where it was diagnosed with a possible wiring harness failure and the vehicle remained with the dealer for further investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the method of how the smoke was extinguished was unknown. No medical attention was sought. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that as per the insurance provider, it was unknown if the vehicle was a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11746437

Engine

27 reports2 fires
“Oil pressure switch in engine fails to accurately read oil pressure due to a lack of voltage, needing replacement. Causes driver to be unable to read proper oil pressure, leading to a possibility of fire through extreme overheating and friction-induced mechanical failure if the oil pressure is too low and unable to be read. The part has not been inspected by the manufacturer in any capacity, but it is a known issue with the Hyundai 3.8L V6 GDI engine. The oil pressure lamp will display at low RPMs and when at idle. A known fix it replacement of the sensor.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2026EngineODI 11732788

Exterior lighting

12 reports
“When headlights are in auto mode, use of the turn signal can result in the headlights flickering or shutting off completely. This is not the result of hitting the light mode switch but rather an electrical short occurring in the stalk. The problem is particularly dangerous at night when signaling for an upcoming turn and loss of all vehicle lighting occurs. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer. The component has not been inspected by officials. Initial occurrence was winter of 2022 with increasing frequency since then.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11615723

Power train

10 reports
“My 2016 Hyundai Genesis started flashing a code stating “Check PSB” only a week after buying the car. PSB means Pre-active Seat Belt. The seat belts somehow interlink with the fuel pump. My car has a faulty fuel pump module, causing the PSB warning to flash, even when the vehicle is in motion. It also causes a loud humming coming from the rear of my car, as I accelerate. I’ve done research, and it says MANY owners of the same vehicle report the faulty fuel pump module as the culprit, causing the Check PSB. As well as many owners online stating their vehicle has done the same as mine. There is active recalls on the newer years for this issue, such as the 2023. When the same issue is reported multiple times on the 2016s too, there should be a recall. This is a common issue, & quite frankly a dangerous one. If the fuel pump module is miscommunicating with the seat belts, that could cause them to not react in a collision. I have my vehicle scheduled to be serviced in a few days.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2026Power train, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11727749

Steering

8 reports
“The steering rack malfunctions or fails. When driving at high speeds, the steering wheel gets stuck after being turned. It does not return to center and has to be yanked or forced back to center. There are hundreds of people that have mentioned this online about this Genesis model. This is a major safety issue, as jerking the wheel back to center can cause an accident, and if the wheel gets really stuck, it could cause a major accident. The issue has been confirmed by numerous reports and columns online. For my specific car, an independent service center confirmed the issue after test-driving the car. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer. There are no dash warnings, lights, or codes that indicate the issue. Hyundai should be paying to fix this safety issue. People are driving these cars who can't afford to get it fixed, which is putting others in danger as well.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2026SteeringODI 11747998

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“My 2016 Genesis coupe will spontaneously, randomly accelerate, full throttle. I can't stop it until I throw it into neutral. There doesn't seem to be any common factor for it to happen. More often it was on the start up but sometimes as I was driving in traffic. The incidents are usually far apart. I have nearly wrecked too many times, so I parked it for good until I find the solution. I won't sell it and cause another person to possibly wreck or injure others. The local Hyundai dealership kept it for two months and test drove it but the problem didn't reoccur. They said nothing showed on the diagnostic (that past history on the diagnostic may have been erased) and they found no incident reports on this. So now I don't have transportation as my old truck is in the shop with transmission issues. Prob from over use. I can't afford to buy a new car until I can sell this one. Anyone know anything? The different occurrence is thorough out 2023 until parked approx April 2024”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11620078
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.