Model year record

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 199 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V749000

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Component
Exterior lighting: turn signal
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
469,377
Reported to NHTSA
2021-09-24
Owners notified
2021-11-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V619000

Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: latch
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
348,158
Reported to NHTSA
2021-08-06
Owners notified
2021-12-04

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V746000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
128,948
Reported to NHTSA
2020-12-01
Owners notified
2021-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V726000

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Component
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
62,811
Reported to NHTSA
2016-10-11
Owners notified
2016-11-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V232000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
33
Reported to NHTSA
2016-04-21
Owners notified
2016-06-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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 for this recall is 144.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine7778,000 mi
Electrical system3766,000 mi
Unknown or other2017,500 mi
Power train1530,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system852,136 mi
Exterior lighting79,000 mi
Service brakes732,000 mi
Vehicle speed control48,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly4103,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2104,000 mi
Hybrid propulsion system2147,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection2
Steering213,000 mi
Structure: body230,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery161,236 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)12,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1120,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance132,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking117,000 mi
Seat belts1
Service brakes, air1130,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock1114,897 mi
Visibility1130,000 mi

The 2015 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2017 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.