2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

20152017
Complaints
183
Crashes
5
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#171 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:82,877 mi
Fires:1
#233 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:62,365 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#313 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:40,767 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Engine Problems
71
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
82,877
Electrical Faults
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
62,365
Transmission / Drivetrain
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
40,767
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,400
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,034
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
32,423
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Hybrid Propulsion System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,009,327 vehicles.

21V749000Electrical System:software · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
~469,377 affected

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.

21V619000Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch
~348,158 affected

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."

20V746000Engine
~128,948 affected

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.

16V726000Sunroof/Moonroof
~62,811 affected

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.

16V232000Air Bags:frontal
~33 affected

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.

Other Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Years

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 183 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 71 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (71 complaints, avg 82,877 mi); Electrical Faults (33 complaints, avg 62,365 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (13 complaints, avg 40,767 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 67,980 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid include 5 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 1 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,009,327 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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