The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Sonata · 2016

2016 Hyundai Sonata. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index87100 = average car
Complaints178NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold199,408U.S. model year
Per 100K sold89complaints
Year rank#6 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM7)FWD28 / 36 / 31Regular$2,000
2.0L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AM6)FWD38 / 41 / 40Regular$1,550
2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybridAuto (AM6)FWD38 / 41 / 40Regular$1,550
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD22 / 31 / 26Regular$2,400
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD25 / 36 / 29Regular$2,150

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,600 and 99,200 miles. Median 60,500, from 358 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine75,50040,200–105,400184
Electrical54,00025,800–103,00064
Transmission & drivetrain56,00029,300–72,50029
Brakes29,0004,400–51,50029
Lights50,5009,200–92,20024

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine37%
Electrical20%
Brakes13%
Transmission & drivetrain10%
Lights8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
886233113166

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 8

  • 21V749000 Sep 2021 Exterior Lighting / Turn Signal

    Defect. 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.

  • 21V619000 Aug 2021 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Trunk Lid / Latch

    Defect. 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.

  • 20V746000 Dec 2020 Engine

    Defect. 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

  • 17V359000 Jun 2017 Parking Brake / Indicator Light

    Defect. 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.

  • 16V726000 Oct 2016 Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Defect. 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.

  • 16V615000 Aug 2016 Air Bags

    Defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk. A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.

  • 16V232000 Apr 2016 Air Bags / Frontal

    Defect. 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.

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

    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.

  • 15V678000 Oct 2015 Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 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. In the event of an ABS malfunction, the Brake System warning light will illuminate, but the ABS warning light will not illuminate. Since the vehicles have ABS malfunction lights that do not illuminate, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135,

    Risk. If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 134.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023
ClosedEngine fires20212024
ClosedElectrical overstress20192024
ClosedElectronic parking brake20162017

Manufacturer communications 283

Hyundai filed 283 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • "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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2015–2019 Hyundai Sonata, 14.7M views.

TopicVideosViews
Gauges, lights & wiring4516K
Infotainment, battery & electrical4364K
Windows, doors & mirrors2360K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors2186K
Spark plugs & ignition coils2179K
Oil changes & service1134K
Brakes & ABS1125K
Cooling system177K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2013127336203,648Steering
201464152216,936Engine
2015138292213,303Engine
201687178199,408Engine
2017123200131,803Engine
2018107123105,118Engine
2019444287,466Lights

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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