2016 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 452about this part
- Share
- 62%of 728 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 452 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 62% of the 728 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 19 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I changed out every cylinder, axel, within 6 months and now on March 22, 2023, they said I needed a new engine. P0300, P0303 MISFIRE. They said the car misfired. I thought that's why they changed all the cylinders. WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? My car has been parked in the garage. Why do I have to fix a problem that was just fixed? Still confused”
NHTSA complaint #11567391, filed 2024-01, 195,533 miles“My car is under an oil consumption recall that will replace the engine if anything happens. My car continues to use oil and the dealer claims it has nothing to do with the oil consumption. They want to charge me over $1400 to keep replacing different parts of the engine. What can I do? The dealer is Taylor Hyundai on Washington Road in Augusta, GA.”
NHTSA complaint #11530350, filed 2023-07, 102,539 miles“The car was maintenance on the manufacturer's recommended interval. A catastrophic engine failure happened in february of 2020. Not knowing this wasn't a fluke issue and not having a warranty on the car. I purchased a replacement engine on my own dime costing a total of $6500 in repair. This should have been taken care of sooner by the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #11403135, filed 2021-03, 93,000 miles“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“The engine loses power. I almost got hit merging onto the highway. The oil light keeps coming on right after I get an oil change. The sensor for lane departure does not work. This can cause deaths it needs to be fixed Hyundai of greer will not fix the issue. I almost died. I have stopped payments on the vehicle and I have purchased a new one. I refuse to drive this death trap.”
NHTSA complaint #11399958, filed 2021-03, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
- 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…
- 11031416Apr 14, 2026Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated…
- 11030625Mar 30, 2026Hyundai Motor America is currently investigating an ongoing issue with software GDS event #1383 related to 2015MY Sonata (LFA) 2.4L vehicles. The matter is currently being…
- 11030619Mar 30, 2026Hyundai Motor America is currently investigating an ongoing issue with software GDS event #1383 related to 2015MY Sonata (LFA) 2.4L vehicles. The matter is currently being…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% |
| 2023 | 28 | 32% |
| 2022 | 25 | 26% |
| 2021 | 34 | 25% |
| 2020 | 32 | 18% |
| 2019 | 87 | 54% |
| 2018 | 212 | 57% |
| 2017 | 385 | 50% |
| 2016 | 452 | 62% |
| 2015 | 629 | 55% |
| 2014 | 303 | 40% |
| 2013 | 739 | 39% |
| 2012 | 567 | 36% |
| 2011 | 968 | 29% |
| 2010 | 29 | 8% |
| 2009 | 56 | 12% |
| 2008 | 48 | 11% |
| 2007 | 41 | 6% |
| 2006 | 44 | 4% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
92 complaintsElectrical system
89 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 27, 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