3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,886 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 Plug-in Hybrid engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid:

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

2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #13

Apr 122023

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving approximately 65 MPH, the -??Check Hybrid System - Turn Off Engine-?? message was displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle decelerated and went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but the failure could not be duplicated; however, the contact stated that he provided diagnostic test data to the technician that displayed error codes however, the failure could not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

- Ortonville, MI, USA

problem #12

Oct 102022

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH or faster in Hybrid Mode, the vehicle stalled. The HEV error warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and disengaged the HEV Mode for the vehicle to restart and function as intended. The failure occurred three times. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer however, the mechanics were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- Newtown, PA, USA

problem #11

May 222019

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 44,363 miles
Hev enginie erorr

- Chisinau, CA, USA

problem #10

Aug 202018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 8,550 miles

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

Hybrid system warning light came on several times. Now it is not operable. Car was checked by local Hyundai dealer service 3 days ago. They did not have parts at the time of service, they did not perform the recall service. I was able to drive it back home safely, but when I tried to start the car again 3 days later in the evening, it gave warnings. Car is not operable.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #9

Jun 042018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 25,000 miles
I was going about 70 mph in full electric mode and the car removed all power from my gas pedal, there was lots of dinging sounds and the dash said "check hybrid system, turn your car off". luckily I was already to the far right so I could just pull tot he shoulder and stop the car, the breaks and steering were still working. Towed to the dealership, hoping the March 2018 recall is the fix. I had to call aaa, all blue link capabilities stopped working as well. 2016 plugin with about 25,000 miles.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #8

May 102018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 25,650 miles
This is 4th time the "check hybrid system" light came on in last 7,000 miles of driving. Hyundai claimed to have fixed the problem three times so far but it keeps happening and since they are unable to repair it under warranty, they must buy the car back. One out of the four times, the car completely died on the road putting lives on the line. A complaint was filed earlier (ref: Hyundai case #111109600, NHTSA complain #11080680) but no actions were taken by either Hyundai or nahtsa. This car is unsafe to be on the road and can not be fixed after three tries within a year.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #7

Apr 092018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 38,175 miles

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

My car completely lost power while I was driving on the freeway. The dash read "hybrid system failure". it shut off while I was driving in the carpool lane. There was no warning, just shut right off. I was able to coast over to the shoulder to safety until aaa came to tow me away. The car would not start back up. It turned on but couldn't start the car.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 072018

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 41,100 miles
On 1/7/2018 we were driving our 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid with approximately 41,100 miles in it to los angeles, ca with my 82 year old father on oxygen from san jose which is about 370 miles away on highway I5 with the speed limit of 70 mph. When we experienced engine problem. While exiting to our destination on highway 118 de soto exit, the engine had slowed down in the middle of the intersection and barely turned to the side of the road for safely.we were unable to start the car and dashboard had indicated to check hev. Several attempts were made to start the car, to no success. Lights will come on dashboard, still able to connect to bluelink to call for roadside assistance but there was a long wait before a customer service answered until the engine completely died and stalled. We were stranded with an 82 year old man who has respiratory illness and we have finally called an uber to his home before oxygen runs out. Road assistance finally came after 2 hours of waiting and the car was finally towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer in woodland hills 20539 ventura blvd woodland hills.the car is being serviced and has no update yet. I called Hyundai usa customer service at 1-855 671 3059 this am 1/8/2018 and claimed there has been no report of recall to this sort of problem and has therefore gave me a reference case #10911352.

- Marcel Court, CA, USA

problem #5

Dec 302017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 26,200 miles
While driving the car at 68 mph in hov lane, hybrid system alert light up and the engine completely lost power and shut down. Very dangerous situation and lucky able to direct the car to right side and stop and wait for towing. This happen during traffic was slightly jam so able to drive to the right side when other cars are slowing down in regular lane. Cannot imagine if there is no traffic jam, high potential to get into accident and life threatening situation. With the dealer for five days and they cannot pinpoint the exact problem and keep on saying is slight problem. How can this be slight problem when the engine completely shut down?? need to have major recall for public safety. There are similar problems from other owners that have discussion about this same issue on the internet. I hope this will be address and recall before someone get into major injury or lost of life.

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 152017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 11,700 miles
Car in motion on highway in the mountains lost power and had to be towed to a dealer who indicated they had seen similar problems. Engine repairs needed and will take at least 2 weeks when they identify problem. Car has 11,700 miles on it. I was able to safely pull off road so no injuries or accident.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 082017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 21,000 miles

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

Vehicle was in motion when the phev warning illuminated and the gasoline engine shut off. The vehicle lost all propulsion. It refused to engage the gasoline or electric motor to move out of a dangerous situation. The vehicle was towed to the Hyundai dealer where it was diagnosed as a failed hybrid battery.

- Kyle, TX, USA

problem #2

Sep 252017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 9,500 miles
Over the past two months, I have had the yellow engine light come on. Even though there were no issues related to performance noted, I took vehicle to my garage to diagnose. The diagnosis did not find any issue, but mechanic proceeded to check the gas cover cap. Lo and behold, both times, removing the cap and replacing seemed to correct the issue and the yellow engine light went off. Quite annoying as don't want to have to keep checking if light comes on incorrectly and not address if there was indeed a problem to correct.

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jun 262017

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

  • 32,284 miles
My sonata phev had hybrid system failed not once, but twice within a span of 1.5 months. It's been hardly 1.5 years since I had bought this car. In both cases the check hybrid system warning comes up and engine looses total power. The 1st time it happened, it was in the middle of a busy 405 freeway and was left all of a sudden with no power on the engine. Extremely dangerous and life threatening problem to face with. With whatever power was left, was able to coast to the ramp on the right. Stopping anywhere in 405 freeway is absolutely dangerous, even on the shoulder (many people including cops has been rear ended). The 2nd time it happened it was on a 3 lane local parkway still dangerous as I am left with no power to control the car. The car had to be towed to the dealership in both cases.the dealership took 1 month to fix the car the 1st time. They ended up replacing the power relay assembly which had to be shipped from South Korea. It ran for close to 1.5 months and again the same problem with the check hybrid system warning and it's back at the dealership. The dealership says that the power relay has gone again and Hyundai now wants to see if replacing the hybrid battery will fix it. As of today after 18 days the car is still in the service centre.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?