Every 2016 Hyundai Sonata recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 21V749000
Sep 24, 2021Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V749000 →Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA 21V619000
Jun 8, 2021Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V619000 →Engine · NHTSA 20V746000
Jan 12, 2020Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V746000 →Parking Brake · NHTSA 17V359000
May 6, 2017Parking Brake:Indicator Light
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V359000 →Visibility · NHTSA 16V726000
Nov 10, 2016Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V726000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V615000
Aug 24, 2016Air Bags
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V615000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V232000
Apr 21, 2016Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V232000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 15V678000
Oct 20, 2015Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
- Problem
- 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, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 15V678000 →
2016 Hyundai Sonata complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 885 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, reporting 23 crashes, 31 fires, 20 injuries, 1 deaths. Hyundai has issued at least 228 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine542
- Electrical System138
- Unknown Or Other115
- Power Train76
- Service Brakes49
- Exterior Lighting45
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (134)
- Equipment (104)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (96)
- Power Train (52)
- Engine (48)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (35)
Read Hyundai Sonata owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 885 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“I began braking and the brakes locked up. Braking to the floor and the car would not stop resulting in a car crash”
2016 HYUNDAI SONATAFeb 10, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11717092
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving approximately 65 MPH, the "Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine" message was displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated.”
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRIDJun 27, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11529173
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel became firm while navigating a turn, and the vehicle crashed into a tree. There were no warning lights illuminated.”
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDFeb 28, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11509548
Crash
“I was involved in a low-speed collision at a residential intersection after stopping at a stop sign and beginning to proceed. Going under 5 mph, I braked immediately, but contact occurred. Despite relatively minor front-end damage, the driver steering wheel airbag and driver knee airbag deployed.”
2016 HYUNDAI SONATAJan 23, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11713027
“While driving the car getting error message on dashboard "Check Hybrid System Turn Off Engine", The Gas engine turn off and switch to continue on electric till able to pull on the side of the road. Turn Off engine, wait a min. Start car again and working fine.”
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRIDMar 30, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11514685
Check your Sonata by VIN
Not every 2016 Hyundai Sonata is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Hyundai dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →