2016 Hyundai Sonata Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 89about this part
- Share
- 12%of 728 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,200miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 89 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 12% of the 728 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,200 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car was leaking oil I reported to Hyundai and service repair shop had to take it back 3 times due to them neglecting to listen to me oil got into other parts and I had to get 7 things fix also after having back for 1 day the brakes and electric is not working properly engine also fails to accelerate correctly”
NHTSA complaint #11513892, filed 2023-03, 107,525 miles“We were driving along at 70 MPH and suddenly the engine stalled and electrical gauges all turned off for 15 seconds, meaning all gauges went to the left like when you turn your car off. Dealer said that they found nothing wrong. They said to let them know if it happens again????????????? . I told them that how could we let them know if we are both dead.”
NHTSA complaint #10990755, filed 2017-05, 3,900 miles“I was driving the car and the car started spitting and did not want to go. Then white smoke came out of the tail pipe. I cut the car of and waited in traffic with my baby in the car , then turned the car back on. The engine light came on and the car drove like it had no energy. I was on my way to my new job for the first day.”
NHTSA complaint #10980354, filed 2017-04, 190,843 miles“My alarm horn dont work, my overhead light does not shut off properly , doors dont lock back shows opned when closed. Water in back door latch froze and cracked my casing. This all happemed at the same time. Drained my battery and they replaced a box in door. Now battery dies again and it is doing it again. A constant problem since last year. It is not dependable for me due to disabled and senior citzen.”
NHTSA complaint #11164572, filed 2019-01, 17,000 miles“On september 1,2019 my car wouldnt start. I purchased a battery and a it turned over. On september 8th I drove to get a oil change and tune up which seemed abnormal when I got home. There was a ticking noise. I wasnt sure what was causing the ticking noise so I didnt drive the car. On september 9th I got into car and started it when I noticed a knocking noise, the noise accelerated once I pressed on gas pedal so I didnt want to drive it. My check engine light is rapidly blinking.”
NHTSA complaint #11254488, filed 2019-09, 97 milesRelated recalls
- 21V749000Sep 24, 2021Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 2015–2017, Sonata Plug-In Hybrid 2016–2017, Sonata Hybrid 2016–2017
- 15V678000Oct 20, 2015Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 2015–2016
Related service bulletins
- 11033700May 21, 2026Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air…
- 11033699May 21, 2026Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin…
- 11033705May 19, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start…
- 11033701May 19, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start…
- 11031400Apr 18, 2026Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing…
- 11026704Dec 19, 2025In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at…
- 11027035Dec 15, 2025Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly…
- 11027034Dec 15, 2025In addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB 24-01-009H-1), a zinc reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade is being made…
- 11027033Dec 15, 2025This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.
- 11018575May 8, 2025Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 19 | 40% |
| 2023 | 12 | 14% |
| 2022 | 17 | 18% |
| 2021 | 18 | 13% |
| 2020 | 40 | 22% |
| 2019 | 12 | 7% |
| 2018 | 60 | 16% |
| 2017 | 65 | 8% |
| 2016 | 89 | 12% |
| 2015 | 167 | 14% |
| 2014 | 135 | 18% |
| 2013 | 261 | 14% |
| 2012 | 235 | 15% |
| 2011 | 444 | 13% |
| 2010 | 16 | 5% |
| 2009 | 61 | 13% |
| 2008 | 32 | 8% |
| 2007 | 51 | 7% |
| 2006 | 86 | 8% |
| 2005 | 19 | 12% |
| 2004 | 17 | 8% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 23 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 37 | 13% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% |
| 1993 | 7 | 27% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
| 1991 | 5 | 17% |
| 1990 | 3 | 19% |
| 1989 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
452 complaintsOther or unknown
92 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
59 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsExterior lighting
38 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsSteering
33 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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