The 2016 Hyundai Sonata is associated with 850 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 8 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 362 reports (43% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2L 4-Cyl hybrid, 2L 4-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 1.6l 4-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, and 2l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 24 to 41 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 99 MPGe (40 MPG on gasoline) with up to 27 miles of electric driving range.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 850 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 8 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (362 / 43%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 23 crash / 31 fire / 13 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 24–41 MPG (8 variants • PHEV up to 99 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Sonata Hybrid SE Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 39 MPG | 42 MPG | 41 MPG | — | $1,500 / yr |
| Sonata Hybrid Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 38 MPG | 41 MPG | 40 MPG | — | $1,550 / yr |
| Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 99 MPGe (38 MPG) | 98 MPGe (41 MPG) | 99 MPGe (40 MPG) | 27 mi EV (600 mi total) | $1,550 / yr |
| Sonata | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM7) | 28 MPG | 36 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Sonata | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 MPG | 36 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Sonata Sport Limited | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 MPG | 35 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Sonata | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Sonata Limited | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 21 MPG | 30 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2016 Hyundai Sonata provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 27 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.5% |
| Hybrid 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.5% |
| Plug-in Hybrid 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Hyundai Sonata models.
View complete 2016 Hyundai Sonata crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems & component breakdown (115 categories) →
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Defect Summary: 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.
Free 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.
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Defect Summary: 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."
Free 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.
Affected Component: ENGINE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free 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.
View all 2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls & campaign history (8 campaigns) →