2016 Hyundai Sonata Recalls, Problems & MPG

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 885 owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The EPA rates it 24 to 41 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.

Recalls
8
Owner complaints
885
Crashes / fires reported
23 / 31
EPA combined
24–41 MPG

2016 Hyundai Sonata recalls

  • Exterior LightingSep 24, 2021 · NHTSA 21V749000+

    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.

    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.

  • Latches/Locks/LinkagesAug 6, 2021 · NHTSA 21V619000+

    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.

    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."

  • EngineDec 1, 2020 · NHTSA 20V746000+

    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.

    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.

  • Parking BrakeJun 5, 2017 · NHTSA 17V359000+

    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.

    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.

  • VisibilityOct 11, 2016 · NHTSA 16V726000+

    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.

    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.

  • Air BagsAug 24, 2016 · NHTSA 16V615000+

    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.

    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."

  • Air BagsApr 21, 2016 · NHTSA 16V232000+

    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.

    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.

  • Electrical SystemOct 20, 2015 · NHTSA 15V678000+

    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.

    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."

Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.

Most reported 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems

Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.

  • Engine541
  • Electrical System136
  • Unknown or Other114
  • Power Train76
  • Service Brakes56
  • Exterior Lighting45
  • Fuel/Propulsion System42
  • Steering35

2016 Hyundai Sonata gas mileage

EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).

VersionEngineCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sonata Hybrid SE2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM6)394241$1,550
Sonata Hybrid2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM6)384140$1,600
Sonata Plug-in Hybrid2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM6)384140$1,600
Sonata1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM7)283631$2,050
Sonata2.4 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)253629$2,200
Sonata Sport Limited2.4 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)253528$2,300
Sonata2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)223126$2,450
Sonata Limited2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)213024$2,700

Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.

Questions

Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, most recently for the exterior lighting (Sep 24, 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Owners filed 885 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are engine (541), electrical system (136), unknown or other (114).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Hyundai Sonata at 24 to 41 MPG combined (best version: 39 city / 42 highway).

Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.