2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 11%of 133 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 11% of the 133 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,300 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I received a safety recall (198) from Hyundai in dec about a potentially dangerous problem with the connecting rod bearings on my car, yet they still do not have a remedy or an estimated time for a remedy. This is too long.”
NHTSA complaint #11402576, filed 2021-03, 70,000 miles“Mileage was about 16,500. On the freeway going about 70 MPH, car shut down with alarm information and into a controlled glide, not allowing acceleration. After almost being run into I was able to move to the right shoulder and per directions, shut off motor. Was able to restart. Went three miles to my destination and car was towed to dealer. They did not know the problem, and after two days I got the car returned. They said they had to call the manufacturer to find the defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #11091598, filed 2018-05, 16,500 miles“This vehicle is a hybrid with 30,000 miles on it and no previous issues. While driving, it lost all acceleration and an hev warning light illuminated indicating that I must immediately shut down the engine. This happened at a fairly busy intersection and I was able to drift slowly to the side of a road to call a tow. After being repaired by the dealer, this same issue happened again. After being fixed by the dealer again, this process repeated itself a couple more times and the car is currently at the dealer after needing to be towed for a fourth time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11397364, filed 2021-02, 30,600 miles“The automatic transmission on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid went out on the car oct 31, 2019. My wife was driving the car, when she lost drivability of the car. The car would not go, she was able to park it on a side street. She restarted the car but would not go into gear, the engine was running. The car was towed to the closest dealership, when scanned, indicating of a transmission problem. The car has been at the dealership since oct 31, 2019 with no eta of when a new transmission will be available to repair the car. At this point I can not sale the car because it needs a transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289249, filed 2019-12, 42,000 miles“2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid ignition issue the engine is rattling while idling and under acceleration and the check engine light is coming on. Believe it is an issue with either spark plugs or ignition coil. Service dept said both components looked free of damage upon inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #11378282, filed 2020-12, 84,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253275Apr 9, 2024This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on…
- 10190049Mar 30, 2021The Powertrain warranty coverage for certain engine repairs and/or replacement where the engine damage, defect, or failure is related to connecting rod bearing wear, has been…
- 10176194May 21, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10174799Apr 9, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10172227Feb 20, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10170899Jan 2, 2020This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10170511Dec 17, 2019If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each…
- 10165455Aug 12, 2019If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine? light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid…
- 10163279Jun 4, 2019This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 11% |
| 2023 | 3 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 11% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2019 | 2 | 40% |
| 2018 | 1 | 11% |
| 2017 | 10 | 12% |
| 2016 | 14 | 11% |
| 2015 | 7 | 13% |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% |
| 2013 | 14 | 13% |
| 2012 | 31 | 20% |
| 2011 | 10 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
73 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology