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Hyundai Sonata 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls issued for the Hyundai Sonata 2016 and 725 complaints filed by owners. It has 181% more complaints than the average Hyundai Sonata from 2016–2025 (258 per year).

These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.

Own or buying a Hyundai Sonata 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.

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Where do I find the VIN?
1 2 3
  1. Dashboard, driver side: visible from outside through the windshield.
  2. Sticker on the driver's door frame.
  3. Paperwork: title, registration and insurance card.

Recalls issued for the Hyundai Sonata 2016

Exterior lighting
NHTSA campaign 21V749000 · 2021-09-24

What happens

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.

Consequence

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 21V749000

Parking brake
NHTSA campaign 17V359000 · 2017-06-05

What happens

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.

Consequence

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 17V359000

Visibility (glass and mirrors)
NHTSA campaign 16V726000 · 2016-10-11

What happens

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.

Consequence

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 16V726000

Air bags
NHTSA campaign 16V615000 · 2016-08-24

What happens

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."

Consequence

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 16V615000

Air bags
NHTSA campaign 16V232000 · 2016-04-21

What happens

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.

Consequence

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 16V232000

Electrical system
NHTSA campaign 15V678000 · 2015-10-20

What happens

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."

Consequence

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 15V678000

Complaints from other owners

725 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.

19 with a crash · 28 with a fire · 19 injuries · 1 deaths

Most reported problems on the Hyundai Sonata 2016

Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.

What to check before buying a Hyundai Sonata 2016

Safety rating (NCAP)

OverallFrontalSideRollover
2016 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Hyundai Sonata recalls by year

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Hyundai Sonata 2016 have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls issued for the Hyundai Sonata 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.

What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Sonata 2016?

In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (450 of 725 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.

Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.

Last updated: October 12, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).