2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Software (electrical system) and turn signal (exterior lighting)
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…
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.
-
Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
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…
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
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.
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…
-
Sun/moon roof assembly (visibility)
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…
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…
-
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…
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…
132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 67,748 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 31 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Vehicle Impact:While driving, the vehicle suddenly displayed a "Check Hybrid System" warning on the dashboard and suffered a complete, sudden loss of propulsion while on the road. The vehicle dropped”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 7, 2026 · Power train
“EGR needs to be replaced as this is a major engine issue”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 17, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata (Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Hybrid SE, Sonata Limited, Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 24–41 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 21–39 / 30–42 |
| Fuel | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity |
| EPA class | Large Cars, Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6/2/2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM6); Automatic (AM7); Automatic (S6) |
Compare Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 6 | 96 |
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 6 | 154 |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 4 | 108 |
| 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 3 | 27 |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 4 | 54 |
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 5 | 132 |
| 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 3 | 80 |
| 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 1 | 9 |
| 2019 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 5 |
| 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 1 | 16 |
| 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 55 |
| 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 19 |
| 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 15 |
| 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 9 |
| 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 11 |
| 2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 1 | 3 |
Checking a specific 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
How do I know if my 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Hyundai dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 16V232000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Hyundai models
- Sonata16,085 complaints
- Elantra8,715 complaints
- Santa FE7,663 complaints
- Tucson6,287 complaints
- Palisade2,447 complaints
- Accent2,032 complaints
- Ioniq 51,339 complaints
- Veloster1,292 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.