The Lemon Index
20152nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: engine
27 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Toyota Avalon 312016 Chevrolet Impala 452016 Nissan Maxima 56
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2016 Hyundai Genesis
- Headlights15 complaintsmostly at 20,000–60,000 miles (32,000–97,000 km)
- Starter9 complaints
Specific parts named in the 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Hyundai Genesis (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,200 and 18,000 miles (5,100–30,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V664000 (seats), 24V107000 (electrical) and 21V160000 (brakes) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into hyundai and kia abs module fires. Has this car had that problem?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Hyundai sent dealers 83 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “If you are servicing a vehicle with a ?Check Engine light?”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hyundai's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 27 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 18K miles (5K to 30K km) on the car (22 of all 27 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Automatic headlights randomly shut off and back on when driving without operation of the headlight switch
2016 Hyundai Genesis owner · NHTSA complaint 11206274
More owner reports
The engine makes a very loud noise and the car vibrates when the ac is on. The dealer has yet to resolve the issue after 6 weeks
NHTSA complaint 11047951
Drivers side window would only go down or up about 1 inch at a time no matter if you press and hold the button up or down, or press and release. Dealer could not get this to repeat and it is still not repaired.
NHTSA complaint 10992501
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 83 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If you are servicing a vehicle with a ?Check Engine light?
- When servicing a vehicle with a ?Check Engine light?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Seats · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The front power seat motors may overheat due to a stuck power seat control switch, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Brakes · recall issued 2021
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit.
Show all 4 recalls
- Parking brake · recall issued 2017
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Hyundai Genesis recall, all years · All Hyundai recalls
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Genesis 2 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Hyundai Genesis 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Hyundai Genesis 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Hyundai Genesis year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-genesis/?y=2016" title="Hyundai Genesis reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/hyundai-genesis/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Hyundai Genesis reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Hyundai Genesis reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). The Hyundai Genesis year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Genesis problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (33%), electrical (26%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Genesis have?
4 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Genesis get?
18 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Hyundai Genesis safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Genesis problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,200 and 18,000 miles (5,100–30,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Genesis have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Hyundai Genesis cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Hyundai Genesis have?
3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Hyundai Genesis year than the 2016?
Not nearby: the 2016 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Hyundai Genesis years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works