The Lemon Index2016 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata is about average by owner complaints: 178 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 87, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 24 to 41 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata, 14.7M views. The 2016 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring516K views
Hyundai Sonata (2015-2019): Low Beam Headlight Bulbs Replacement.Morozov Automotive · 251K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical364K views
How to Start A 2015 - 2018 Hyundai Sonata With Dead Remote Key Fob Battery "Key Not Detected"PYR Automotive · 150K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors360K views
2011-2015 Hyundai Sonata lock actuator, door handle, window replacementRust Belt Auto · 223K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors186K views
How to Replace Intake Manifold Runner Control Motor 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 109K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Spark plugs & ignition coils179K views
How to Replace Spark Plug 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 117K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service134K views
Oil Change 2015-2019 Hyundai Sonata. DIY.JONAH VLOGS & DIY · 134K views - Brakes & ABS125K views
How to Replace Front Brakes 2015-2019 Hyundai SonataTRQ · 125K views - Cooling system77K views
2015 to 2019 Hyundai Sonata thermostat location and replacement. 1-2TS Mobile Mechanic · 77K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Hyundai Sonata Sedan 7th Generation 2015-201A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 407K views
Hyundai sonata 2018 headlights problems fixLoi Journey · 95K views
2017 Hyundai Sonata Dangerous steering issue / problems steering shaft locked up. Recall?vidsharing10101 · 61K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 886 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Sonata year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 29K to 99K miles on the car (358 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 40K–105K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 25K–103K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 29K–72K miles
Recalls 8
- lights 2021
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 intend…
- latches/locks/linkages 2021
The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
- engine 2020
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Show all 8 recalls
- parking brake 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.
- visibility 2016
Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles have a driver-side frontal air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck from injury in the event of a crash.
- airbags 2016
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.
- electrical 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 283 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- "this bulletin provides a logic update and inspection for cel (check engine light) on with dtc…
- Slight leak from the oil feed
- Certain sonata vehicles equipped with the 1.6l turbo engine have a manual alternator belt…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
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 Sonata 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Passenger power window will not lock out. Only the back window lock. My dog hit the window button and the window opened and the dog almost jumped out on the highway.
2016 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 10885492
More owner reports
On more than one occasion I have almost had a collision because the other driver was coming into my lane and I honked my horn, but it isn't loud enough to be heard. Apparently this has been an issue with the Sonata since 2011.
NHTSA complaint 11011908
Car stalls while driving - has happened multiple times - very dangerous. Has been at dealer for 40 days now and not been fixed.
NHTSA complaint 10986284
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 87; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (37%), electrical (20%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
8 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata get?
24 to 41 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata 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 Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,600 and 99,200 miles. The middle report was at 60,500 miles, from 358 complaints.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works