10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,411 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #94

Jun 272024

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle suddenly shuts down while driving. This has happened several times and has cost lengthy repairs and towing fees but still keeps doing the same thing. After it shuts down once the car is reset it will work again for a little while and do the same thing over again.

- Alice, TX, USA

problem #93

Apr 152024

Sonata

  • miles
While driving (speed doesn-??t matter, highway or city streets) the check hybrid system turn off engine message/code comes on. When u turn off the car and wait for a period of time the it-??s not there anymore but the check engine light stays on and the car drive normal until the code comes back up. When the message comes up the engine loses power and and the car just slows down until the car is turned off. This is a safety hazard when you-??re driving on a freeway and especially a freeway with no shoulder to pull over on or going through a read light with no speed. The car just does it periodically and when u take it to the dealership they say they can-??t duplicate the problem. When all u do is hook a computer up and look for a code when the problem arises while driving you-??re never going to find the issue. No the dealer hasn-??t reproduced the problem because they didn-??t drive the car just leaving it to sit up and checking codes doesn-??t bring the problem to light. They wasn-??t any warning signal or codes before this but not code p2600 and code p0401 are coming up. Spending $2000 for a part that will can-??t be ordered anywhere but from the dealership and the problem still exist is not being logical. So many online reviews have the same problem and not one person has found out the problem from changing the electric water pump to transmission to the engine the warning sign still come back after some time. Me not being the 1st owner and the car out of warranty due to mileage is just robbing folks blinds with no solution.

- Fort Worth , TX, USA

problem #92

Mar 312024

Sonata

  • miles
For a year the radio would not work or play at times or you heard audio but absolutely no visual screen as far as the channel your on etc. Also, the same screen for backup camera the dealer told me on phone, on the face of radio there is a tiny pin hole use a pen depress it and it will reboot the system I did and it worked. However, as time went on it started to happen more frequently now the radio or screen completely do not work including back up camera. Finally, today officially had fuse checked which is good. There is absolutely no back up camera period or radio or screen display of any kind. I have done research it seems to be common on this vehicle but now a major safety issue and not covered under warranty and extremely expensive for a car with only 50 thousand miles ridiculous

- East Rockaway, NY, USA

problem #91

Feb 042024

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the car completely cut off i could not use my brakes my horn or steering wheel

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #90

Feb 062024

Sonata

  • 128,980 miles
On February 6, around 3:46am, parked my vehicle on the driveway I noticed a smell like smoke, I looked at my dashboard but nothing was on, no warnings, so I entered my house a few minutes later Possibly 4 I heard a noise look outside from my window an noticed my car was on fire, immediately called 911 car garage door also cut on fire and the vehicle next to it. I m requesting an investigation Police report 24-031575, my vehicle was towed by insurance company Start Casualty claim # 2024-90001577.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #89

Jan 192024

Sonata

  • miles
The hood open sensor is displaying that the hood is open when it's been closed and is latched.

- Lima, OH, USA

problem #88

Jan 202024

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My check Hybrid system light comes on and then my car stops allowing me to drive, the gas stops working ! This happened 3 times on the highway very dangerous

- Manassas , VA, USA

problem #87

Oct 192023

Sonata

  • miles
Hev warning turn off engine sign while driving on the interstate my car lost power and the car behind me had to suddenly move over this is very unsafe while driving down the interstate

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #86

Oct 192023

Sonata

  • miles
HEV WARNING TURN OFF ENGINE CAR STARTED SHAKING while driving on the interstate gas pedal went to the floor car started making a loud noise from the engine I put car in park and it would not move for 45 minutes at a stop sign

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #85

Oct 192023

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V749000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

problem #84

Oct 172023

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am having electrical issues with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata plus the other recalls. It started as issues with the lights on the driver side. I have replaced several bulbs and the entire light even and still have issues with the lights working properly. Now the issue is the battery, alternator or the starter. The starter had to be replaced as I was advised by Hyundai dealership when my engine had to be replaced, per recall. I had to purchase a starter, that was three times the amount at the dealership because the one that is manufactured in the auto stores is not correct, so it should not be the starter as it is only 1 to 2 years old. I have had the alternator replaced as well as 2 batteries and I-??m still having issues. It cut off completely while driving on more than 1 occasion. There was no warning, no power steering, gear lock, no lights & no power so I could not move and almost had a major accident. It is definitely a safety hazard even after the repairs, it has happened again! My vehicle is currently not working because the new battery will not hold a charge and they both have been replaced. I-??ve been having other electronic type issues with this vehicle. My information center has not worked for the past 8 months or so! I reported this to Hyundai and they agreed that it could be a part of a previous recall, and advised me to go to the dealership to have it repaired. The dealership refuses because they don-??t have required information to show it as a Current recall and want to charge me half the price of a new car to repair. I am not the only one experience this as my research has led me to several other Hyundai owners experiencing the same issues. It is not fair that they cannot be corrected as these are things that are none of consumer fault & should have been high demands to proper repair or recall being a major safety issue as it can cause a horrific accident! Shame on Hyundai for putting their Hyundai customers at risk & through so much chaos!

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #83

Oct 122023

Sonata

  • miles
My husband (Scott) was driving the car on Florida highway 408 eastbound approaching the exit 21 on 10/12/2023 around 8 am. Scott heard something pop suddenly and saw fire shooting out from both sides of the car in the rearview mirrors. Upon noticing the fire, he tried to slow down to pull over the car, but brakes failed (went to the floor). A police officer on the road happened to see the fire so he drove next to my husband's car and Scott yelled at officer that he had no brakes. The officer went ahead of Scott to help Scott's car slow down. When approaching uphill slopes by the exit, Scott was finally able to use the emergency brakes to come to a complete stop. The fire engine came right away and put out the fire which took over 20 minutes. My husband is handicapped and him walking away from such car catastrophic fire unharmed was near miracle. Two weeks before the fire, I happened to take the car in for checkup at Greenway Hyundai Orlando and the 2.5 hour inspection found nothing wrong with my car. I wanted my car checked because my car stalled briefly pulling out of a parking space a few days earlier.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #82

Oct 122023

Sonata

  • miles
As I was driving on the highway at 65MPH, a sudden warning appeared on the dashboard that read, "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM/TURN OFF ENGINE". Immediately after that, I noticed that my vehicle started behaving erratically, making it difficult to control. I stepped on the gas pedal expecting the car to pick up speed and move forward. Despite the pressure I applied, the car failed to accelerate, leaving me stuck in my current position. After nearly causing a severe accident on a busy interstate, I was able to safely pull my car over to the side of the road. After conducting extensive research, I discovered that the issue I am facing with my hybrid vehicle is actually quite common among Hyundai Sonata Hybrids. It's surprising to note that despite this problem's prevalence, no recall or common solution has been provided to address it. I am highly concerned that Hyundai has not taken any action to address this issue. I request an immediate resolution as I could have been severely injured or lost my life today!

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #81

Aug 202023

Sonata

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, other drivers started beeping the horn and shouting that the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed flames under the front end of the vehicle, near the engine location. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished independently. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to her son-in-law's repair shop, where it remained. There was no police report filed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a repair fee would be charged for the engine replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #80

Sep 172023

Sonata

  • miles
Car stalled check engine light came on took to auto zone said a engine problem

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #79

Feb 272020

Sonata

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously stolen, and she related the failure to Hyundai Campaign Number: 993. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly to approximately 45 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated while driving into the driveway and coming into a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that she quickly depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle hit the barbecue grill, and the barbecue grill struck the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while at the ATM, and the vehicle nearly crashed into another vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and engaging the turn signal, the turn signal unintendedly activated in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where she was informed that unknown repairs needed to be completed on the vehicle. The mechanic referred her to the dealer for the repairs. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back by the auto finance company. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #78

Apr 102023

Sonata

  • miles
01/26/22 Brought 2016 Hyundai Sonata to Fremont Hyundai (Fremont CA) for "Smart Junction Box" recall. 08/12/22 Brought vehicle to Fremont Hyundai for intermittent turn signal recall. 04/10/23 Brought vehicle to Stevens Creek Hyundai for "A 993 HYIMMOA0 -Sonata (LF) S/W UPD & DECAL (23-01-014H-3) RECALL DEFAULT 31599 WH." Told the service dept the vehicle was still having turn signal issues. Refused to correct instead told us to need to bring back to Fremont Hynudai otherwise wanted to charge us $250 to correct it. We felt Steven Creek Hyundai should have corrected this instead of sending us back to Fremont CA.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #77

Jun 272023

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
The problem appeared on December 2020 in the middle of a Hwy 50 East in Washington DC. It was scary and dangerous. First it showed some malfunction sign on the screen and right way slowed down to 40 then 20 then zero. I push the gas pedal but didn't work. I have no idea what to do. I call Hyundai college park dealership agent explained what happened. She [XXX] told me to tow the car and suggested one of their partners tow truck driver. However when I turn off the car and turned on again it worked. The engine started to run. I begun to drive. After some time I took the car to the dealer and told me the car have safety recall. The repaired it and told me it will be ok. But in reality, it didn't. This happened again and again and again. Till this moment the engine continues to stalled in the middle of HWY. I got no solution from the dealership. When ever I visited they give me different issues that I need to fix. One time they said it is fuel pump and another day they said coolant pipe needs to get fixed. I am so tired of keep going to the dealer services. I put my life and my precious kids life at risk all the time while I am driving this car. It is frustration because I got no one to help me and understand why this issue is persistent. I don't want to end up being injured or got killed by an incident that caused by this problem. How awful it can be if a collision happens in the HWY. Driving this car every day with my kids are frightening and hard to imagine what could happen to us. So I am requesting an investigation on this car with the case number I got from the headquarters. Here is my case number [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #76

Apr 232023

Sonata

  • miles
Knock Sensor, ECM, Engine stalling and loss of connection. Resulting in flashing engine light. Low acceleration. Power reduced to 40 and below Engine misfire.

- Georegtown, SC, USA

problem #75

Nov 152022

Sonata

  • miles
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. This issue appears randomly many times in the last two years while driving. Car was at dealer shop multiple times with no repair, was told we don't see active error message or they can't re-create the error. however scan show P261F error. Open Ticket with Hyundai #21018148 while car at the dealers for weeks at the time. each time told check engine got back on but not the message they are looking for.

- Irvine, CA, USA

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