10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 17
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,300 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #135

Mar 152021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated, and no oil leakage was detected. The contact stated that her husband checked the oil level and discovered that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The contact also stated that the independent mechanic changed all the spark plugs due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a 3-step process which the first step was an oil change. The contact was informed to bring the vehicle back after 1,000 miles however, at 200 miles the oil level was below the normal level. The contact stated that her husband checked the oil level and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer was awaiting approval from the manufacturer for another oil change and to apply a sealant to the oil pan which was the second step. The contact stated that step three was to replace the engine. The contact stated that the manufacturer denied the second step. The manufacturer was not contacted by the vehicle owner. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The manufacturer was contacted by the owner and they stated there was no recourse and sent a survey via email.

- Waukegan, IL, USA

problem #134

Sep 242021

Sonata

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on an incline, the vehicle lost power and slowed down. The check engine warning light was flashing. There was an abnormal knocking noise detected. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the anti-knocking device was installed in the vehicle. The contact was informed about the main bearing wear and engine replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #133

Oct 092021

Sonata

  • miles
Driving at approximately 75 mph smoke started pouring out of engine bay dash lights came on to check HEV system and all of a sudden vehicle became difficult to control more smoke then screeching and a message to turn off engine now appeared fought with steering wheel to get to shoulder and slow to a stop upon opening the hood belt to cam shaft pulley had snapped

- Denison, TX, USA

problem #132

Aug 192019

Sonata

  • miles
The engine keeps stalling and the engine light is flashing. The engine burns oil every 1,000 miles and the oil light will illuminate and go away. The dealership has said they fixed the issue but the issue keeps arising with no resolution. This issues is known for all Hyundai's and they are not doing anything about it. My car has stalled out on highways and I don't feel comfortable driving it out of the state.

- Bristow, VA, USA

problem #131

Sep 052019

Sonata

  • miles
Car lost power and went into limp mode, it was pretty dangerous. The car is burning a large amount of oil and is making the spark plugs dirty. I have brought the car for about 6 oil consumption tests and Hyundai does nothing to fix it. Engine oil light has come on twice, and even the dealership said that it should not be burning so much oil.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #130

Sep 012021

Sonata

  • miles
Engine developed spontaneous loud knock and check engine light illuminated while driving at approximately 60mph. Could not continue driving and had to pull over on the side of a busy highway. Had to walk down the side of the busy highway to a safe area. Had vehicle towed to an independent repair shop, vehicle diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure due to failure of internal engine components. Repair shop stated this was a known problem with this particular vehicle and engine and manufacturer should be financially responsible for repairs.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #129

Jul 072021

Sonata

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his son-in-law was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The manufacturer informed the contact that a software update had not been performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Longview, WA, USA

problem #128

Nov 012018

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The oil warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that he had to top off the oil level every 3 weeks with 5 quarts of oil. The contact also stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to stall as the check engine light illuminated the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The following day the contact drove the vehicle to a dealer. The contact had the spark plugs replaced by the dealer however, the failure recurred within a year of the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #127

Aug 182021

Sonata

  • miles
Oil light began to turn on when making turns or braking. Took vehicle to location of last oil change, despite only being 2600 miles after the previous oil change and was informed "there was no oil" despite no evidence of any leak. At that rate, I'd be burning a quart of oil every 500 miles. I see there are recalls for this issue on multiple Hyundais including the Sonata, but different years than my 2016 Sonata Sport, and it includes the possibility of an engine fire.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #126

Aug 242021

Sonata

  • miles
I accelerated my vehicle onto the busy highway after waiting at the stop sign for passing traffic to clear enough. Getting up to efficient speed for the highway, at ~3000rpms, the oil and engine warning lamps flashed and the car jerked while the rpms abruptly dropped below 1500, slowing the car down. Assuming that a sensor initiated -??limp mode-?? I carefully drove ~100ft with the emergency flashers on to get to a safe place to pull over, preventing the possibility of an accident on the busy highway. I popped the hood, there was an odor similar to something being burned. Temperature gauge did not indicate engine running hot. Checked the oil- it was almost empty. This vehicle was last serviced with ~70,000 miles in May at Hyundai-??s service department at the dealership.

- Dadeville, AL, USA

problem #125

Aug 132021

Sonata

  • miles
The engine fails before 100,000 miles. Got an error code of P1326 (Wiring inspection/installation and engine replacement and error code P2600. The car suddenly dropped in MPH. Car is sluggish to accelerate and very difficult to go up hill. Little to no power on acceleration. Problem was identified at an independent service center, after inspection, taken to local dealer. Flashing check engine light came on once issue occurred. The engines in the Hyundai Sonatas are poor at best. Multiple people have needed their engines replaced in a very short time.

- Monona, WI, USA

problem #124

Mar 262021

Sonata

  • miles
Lots of noise and car started smoking and stopped working while I was on the highway

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #123

Jul 092021

Sonata

  • miles
engine is the component with the issue. The car is at the dealership and has been for the past almost 6 weeks. car started "stuttering" or "stalling" while my son and I were in the car. My son has special needs. Luckily, it happened on our street and I was able to get back to my home. dealership has identified the problem: The car was 3 quarts low on oil and the oil had been leaking into the spark plugs. The car only has around 32500 miles on it. Hyundai has requested an oil consumption test. This requires me to drive it 1000 miles and have oil checked. They want me to do this 3 times! I will not feel safe doing that, knowing that oil is leaking into the spark plug assembly. I transport my special needs son and another young man who is severely autistic. I cannot take the chance of the car stalling while out driving possibly causing an accident. I barely put 50 miles on my car during a week. It will take me forever to do the oil consumption test. They know oil is leaking into the spark plugs. car started having issues (while in reverse) a week before the check engine light came on. No other warning lamps or messages appeared. Blue Link was contacted. They said the error code indicated a Powertrain problem. I had to have the car towed.

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #122

Jul 222021

Sonata

  • miles
Fuel Pump Control Module replaced before 50,000 mi. - 58,539 mi. got my 2016 Hyundai Sonata Sport for ECM Update. Told dealership I heard ticking/clicking noise coming from engine; said oil was low and suggested oil change & low key battery was causing issues. Oil consumption was more and more 1qt every 2,000 mi, then 1qt every 1,000 mi. 1/29/21 at 90,340 mi, on the turnpike (70 MPH), car check engine light came on, car started vibrating VERY bad, pulled over & LIMP mode had activated. Hyundai dealership was 5 miles away, - found cylinder 2 had a misfire(s) - one of 2 exhaust valves burned a hole through; valve seat - damaged. Cylinder head and exhaust valves, spark plugs were replaced, & oil change. Engine light came on a couple days later car did not go to LIMP MODE. 2/12/21 at 93,466 mi, took the car to Hyundai for service again, Exhaust CAM Phaser failing, Replaced CVVT & Timing Chain Tensioner & RTV silicone. 4/21/21-103,821 mi. went for an oil change & oil consumption test, went back after less than 1,000 mi, Hyundai dealership stated that the car was.73 qts low and normal, I checked before the service, oil was closer to the "E" than "F". Dealership unreliable; did not complete test. Adding oil about 2 qts every 1,000 mi. Car was also idling weird NO warning lights. 7/22/21, catastrophic break down while driving on the Turnpike (70 MPH), car died, after all lights and gauges shot up. NO warning lights before issue. Lost power steering, coasted at 70 mph to 0 mph (in 30 seconds), barley to side of the road, late night needed a tow. Battery & Alternator fried because of this - replaced next day. Car starts now; wont get past 2,000 RPM & stalls out after 5 mins of running in "P"- NO warning lights, Engine rocks before shut off. NO warning lights on after restarting. Called HYUNDAI Corp. case sent to supervisor, no help getting the car to dealership, no rental, told not to expect a call before 8/3/21. All oil services completed at or before suggested intervals.

- Austintown, OH, USA

problem #121

Jul 262021

Sonata

  • miles
The intake manifold control runner motor has had to be replaced in my car multiple times. Twice from may 2021 to July 2021. The check engine light would come on and would reduce car performance drastically. Code scanner gave the p200a performance bank 1.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #120

Apr 172020

Sonata

  • miles
From April of 2020 to July of 2021. I have had 3 sets of 3 oil consumption tests for my car at 3 different Hyundai dealerships. I have spent $400-500 dollars on oil changes, oil filter cleaning, and fixing an oil peg that was broke. Which was not brought to my attention right away even though I was going to dealer ships almost every month this year. I just finished the final oil consumption test here in Conroe, Texas. Even though from the latest oil consumption tests, I have burnt.50-1 full quart of oil. They still have denied me an engine replacement. My oil changes does not last 5k miles but barely 1k. The oil is always black, it never is honey gold for long. Because Hyundai is not giving me a new engine to resolve this issue despite all these tests and there being a lawsuit on this make /model. I now have to pay for an oil change every month rather than the average of 2 times a year. I do feel treated unfairly and not heard by Hyundai. It does not feel right to not have this fixed. I understand it is out of warranty. Can I please open an investigation on this matter ? Thank you

- Conroe , TX, USA

problem #119

May 312021

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #118

Apr 242021

Sonata

  • miles
I received Hyundai's Recall notice for Recall Campaign 198 regarding premature connecting rod bearings. I scheduled a service appointment at First Hyundai at 270 E Washington St, North Attleborough, MA 02760. (508) 699-4700 for April 29th, 2021. My car's engine started making noises on April 24th, 2021. I stopped the vehicle and had it towed to First Hyundai (listed above). The dealership took more than 7 days to inspect the vehicle and diagnosed it as connecting rod failure requiring a new engine. I contacted Hyundai customer service to arrange for "alternate transportation". Hyundai assigned me a case manager on 5/18/2021, but despite multiple phone calls and messages, I was not able to actually speak to my case manager until 5/25/2021. Hyundai refused to authorize alternate transportation prior to this, and when I spoke to my case manager she would only authorize reimbursements up to $30 per day for a Hyundai rental vehicle and $20 per day for a non-Hyundai vehicle. I have been unable to secure alternate transportation from Hyundai, as there are no rental vehicles available at the prices Hyundai is willing to reimburse me for. It has now been more than 60 days, and my dealer has notified me that there will be further delays, even though they have received all of the necessary parts to repair my vehicle. I have kept extensive notes of the more than 25 phone calls I have made to both Hyundai and the First Hyundai dealership regarding this issue. At this point, I need assistance forcing Hyundai to honor the recall agreement they made.

- Manville, RI, USA

problem #117

Jun 042021

Sonata

  • miles
The 2016 MY Sonata has been driven all across the state due to business. During a recent trip of a couple hundred miles, upon returning home, the vehicle shuddered and failed the next day. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer, and was to be diagnosed. It took longer than expected, and upon calling back to determine the issue, they said the "engine was gone." They reached out to Hyundai corporate and were told the same thing. There were no other signs or symptoms, and the vehicle operated normally during the long trip home.

- Ocoee, FL, USA

problem #116

May 152021

Sonata

  • miles
The engine begins to shake and makes a dieseling sound, the check engine light comes on, and we lose power to car. As we remove our foot from the gas, the light goes out and the engine stops. Sometimes it comes back on again and we have to pull to the side of the road and turn the car off. After that the check engine light goes away. When the light comes on, power to the engine is immediately cut and reduces as you press the accelerator pedal.

- Menifee, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »