Problems · by component

2016 Hyundai Sonata exterior lighting problems

38 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata cite exterior lighting, 5% of all 728 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
38
5% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the exterior lighting

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V749000 ( EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11665395
“When I lift the switch to turn on the right turn signal, the high beam headlights flash on and off. It switches from auto to on then back to auto. I'm not moving the switch front to back, only up and down.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11568335
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V749000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11550796
“I am having electrical issues with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata plus the other recalls. It started as issues with the lights on the driver side. I have replaced several bulbs and the entire light even and still have issues with the lights working properly. Now the issue is the battery, alternator or the starter. The starter had to be replaced as I was advised by Hyundai dealership when my engine had to be replaced, per recall. I had to purchase a starter, that was three times the amount at the dealership because the one that is manufactured in the auto stores is not correct, so it should not be the starter as it is only 1 to 2 years old. I have had the alternator replaced as well as 2 batteries and I’m still having issues. It cut off completely while driving on more than 1 occasion. There was no warning, no power steering, gear lock, no lights & no power so I could not move and almost had a major accident. It is definitely a safety hazard even after the repairs, it has happened again! My vehicle is currently not working because the new battery will not hold a charge and they both have been replaced. I’ve been having other electronic type issues with this vehicle. My…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11550326
“The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously stolen, and she related the failure to Hyundai Campaign Number: 993. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly to approximately 45 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated while driving into the driveway and coming into a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that she quickly depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle hit the barbecue grill, and the barbecue grill struck the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while at the ATM, and the vehicle nearly crashed into another vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and engaging the turn signal, the turn signal unintendedly activated in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where she was informed that unknown repairs needed to be completed on the vehicle. The mechanic referred her to the dealer for the repairs. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed controlODI 11534877

Showing 6 of 38 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Sep 24, 2021NHTSA 21V749000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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