Representative model. Photo: EurovisionNim, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 9
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 884
Latest campaign: Sep 24, 2021

Recall summary by component9

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	2	Aug 24, 2016	16V615000 16V232000
Exterior lighting	1	Sep 24, 2021	21V749000
Latches/locks/linkages	1	Aug 6, 2021	21V619000
Engine	1	Dec 1, 2020	20V746000
Hybrid propulsion system	1	Mar 12, 2018	18V166000
Parking brake	1	Jun 5, 2017	17V359000
Visibility	1	Oct 11, 2016	16V726000
Electrical system	1	Oct 20, 2015	15V678000

Safety recalls9

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 24, 2021Latest campaign


Sep 24, 202121V749000	Exterior lighting: turn signal A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V749000 What's wrong 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. Risk A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash. 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. Filed under Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 21V749000 · Sep 24, 2021
Aug 6, 202121V619000	Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid latch A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V619000 What's wrong 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." Risk A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. 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. Filed under Sonata Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 21V619000 · Aug 6, 2021
Dec 1, 202020V746000	Engine A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V746000 What's wrong 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. Risk A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. 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 (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198. Filed under Sonata Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 20V746000 · Dec 1, 2020
Mar 12, 201818V166000	Hybrid propulsion system If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V166000 What's wrong Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently. Risk If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175. Filed under Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 18V166000 · Mar 12, 2018
Jun 5, 201717V359000	Parking brake: indicator light If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged,… DetailsHide details for campaign 17V359000 What's wrong Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch. Risk If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164. Filed under Sonata Campaign NHTSA 17V359000 · Jun 5, 2017
Oct 11, 201616V726000	Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V726000 What's wrong 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. Risk If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. 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 this recall is 152. Filed under Sonata, Sonata Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 16V726000 · Oct 11, 2016

Merged from NHTSA model names: Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Hyundai recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2016 Hyundai Sonata? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component884

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

884Complaints filed

23Involving a crash

31Involving a fire

20Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	541	61	1	20	0
Electrical system	136	15	5	7	3
Unknown or other	114	13	7	8	8
Power train	76	9	1	1	0
Service brakes	56	6	4	4	4
Exterior lighting	45	5	0	3	0
Fuel/propulsion system	42	5	1	1	0
Steering	35	4	3	0	3
Vehicle speed control	34	4	6	1	5
Structure	33	4	2	0	2
Air bags	21	2	9	0	9
Engine and engine cooling	19	2	0	1	0
Visibility	11	1	1	0	0
Forward collision avoidance	10	1	0	0	0
Seat belts	10	1	0	0	0

18 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-In.

Latest reports

Service brakes
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and decelerated. The check engine warning light and the battery warning light were illuminated.”
Filed 10/07/2026 · ODI 11769587
Engine
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving 55 MPH, the engine seized.”
Filed 10/06/2026 · ODI 11769408
Engine
“While driving on the freeway, the check engine light started flashing and the gas pedal became useless.”
Filed 10/04/2026 · ODI 11768862

Other Hyundai Sonata model years

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Other Hyundai models

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2016 Hyundai Sonata recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?

NHTSA lists 9 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The most recent, 21V749000 (reported September 24, 2021), concerns exterior lighting. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 2 campaigns. Others: exterior lighting (1), latches/locks/linkages (1), engine (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 541 complaints out of 884 filed with NHTSA (61%). Across all complaints, owners reported 23 crashs and 31 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Hyundai Sonata?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Hyundai recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Hyundai dealer.

Check a specific Hyundai by VIN

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Recall summary by component9

Safety recalls9

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid latch

Engine

Hybrid propulsion system

Parking brake: indicator light

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly