Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Hyundai Sonata problems

Owners filed 728 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata with NHTSA between Jan 2016 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is engine (451).

Complaints
728
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
28
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine451
  2. Electrical system88
  3. Power train59
  4. Service brakes42
  5. Exterior lighting38
  6. Steering34
  7. Fuel/propulsion system33
  8. Structure31
  9. Vehicle speed control30
  10. Air bags21
  11. Engine and engine cooling17
  12. Seat belts9
  13. Forward collision avoidance7
  14. Visibility7

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
201625
201723
201822
201951
202050
202185
2022111
2023152
202463
202592
202654

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

Engine

451 reports1 crash19 fires
“I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding severe vehicle instability, structural safety risks, and dealership workmanship negligence following a federal safety recall engine replacement. My vehicle received a new engine block under a federal campaign at a local dealership. Immediately upon picking up the vehicle, the front suspension developed a severe, heavy mechanical knocking and bumping noise over road surfaces under 20 mph, making the vehicle structurally unstable and hazardous to drive. To perform this engine swap, technicians were physically required to drop the front subframe framework and disconnect the lower suspension linkages and steering column components. The dealership is actively trying to deflect safety accountability for an assembly error. They issued a new estimate attempting to charge me over $3,200 to replace the entire front strut and rear shock assembly, claiming it is a 'pre-existing wear-and-tear' issue due to mileage. However, I hold the dealership's official Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection report from when the car was first dropped off for the engine failure three weeks prior. In that mandatory baseline safety report, their own…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Steering, Suspension, EngineODI 11774547

Electrical system

88 reports4 crashes6 fires1 related recall
“Backup vision system failed. Couldn't see vision because screen was blank. Radio didn't work either. Went to dealership with the problem they said it was not covered by the warranty. Paid to have it fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Electrical systemODI 11764913

Power train

59 reports1 fire
“Went from 65 and dropped down to 40 going up grades on the freeway. Started shaking, check engine light went on and electric battery disappeared from dash. Got to top of grade, went back to normal. Problem repeated on next grades. Car had just left dealership lot an hour prior where it was safety inspected and they said all was fine. Took back to dealership for inspection and they said that there were no codes showing for what happened and all was well with the vehicle, when obviously it was not.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11741506

Service brakes

42 reports3 crashes4 fires
“I contact the Hyundai dealer about my 2016 Hyundai sonata. for all I know those vehicles have recalls with engine failure/stalling due to premature rod bearing wear, fire risks from malfunctioning electric oil pumps. My car is having those exact problems with the abs lights being on and is also have problems with the VVT sprocket. And the oil I called Hyundai and they said my vehicle only has a recall with the JUNCTION BOX. But my car is unable to go over 60. And is unsafe to drive and the recalls with that type of model car is the same recalls I am having and soon as I've bought the car and had it for some time i am starting to have those problems so I would like to know what’s going on because it is unsafe and I can’t even drive my vehicle I also have a blinking check engine light. I’ve wanted to report this now incase risk of a fire because I’ve did my research and realize these cars that have these type of problems are known for catching on fire.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, EngineODI 11725141

Exterior lighting

38 reports3 fires1 related recall
“I was driving at night and my passenger headlights went out. About 2 years prior the same thing happened but it was the driver side headlight that went out. It was $1100 to get the driver side replaced and now here i am having to pay the same amount to replace the passenger side headlights. It was not a simple replacing the bulb. Something inside went broke causing the dealership to have to install a whole new headlight set.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11741649

Steering

34 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and making a turn into a parking lot, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact was able to push the vehicle to a parking space with assistance. The vehicle was then pushed on to a tow truck and was towed to a Cadillac dealer but was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to Goose Auto Repair, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front driver's side wheel hub had fractured, causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2025Steering, WheelsODI 11677001
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.