2016 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 59about this part
- Share
- 8%of 729 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 8% of the 729 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When accelerating there is a ticking noise coming from engine. This has been happening for a while after I got the update and new wiring harness from the campaign. I'm scared to drive my car, I accelerate slowly because I get nervous it will blow up. I took this car to a Hyundai dealership and they quoted me over 500 dollars for this repair and it might not even fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #11373910, filed 2020-11, 70,000 miles“After a stop at a traffic light I attempted to accelerate and the engine stalled out. Attempted to restart and on the second attempt it started and as I accelerated it stated to buck as the transmission made sounds while the gears were struggled to change. As I gave it more gas they slowly recovered over the next mile. Took it in for a check to Hyundai on 8/29/18. Checked out ok with no reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11140699, filed 2018-10, 18,565 miles“Driving at highway speeds once the engine is at full operating temperature there is a harsh surge during down shifting at 35 MPH ( almost as if I were down shifting a manual transmission or hitting the brakes) this causes the vehicle to slow much more rapidly than expected causing my head and body to move forward in the car. It is extremely distracting and I am nervous it will cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10970556, filed 2017-04, 41,800 miles“Car engine will rev up at low speeds (30 miles and under) and get stuck. I have to press the brake and hold it down, put the car in park and hit gas pedal to get it to go into lower gear. Has happened several times. I have told the Hyundai service dept about it a few times but they cannot repair it because they cannot simulate it happening. First happened approx. 2 years ago; did not happen again for several months. But now it is happening more often. 4 times in the last month. Most recent time was 1/11/21.”
NHTSA complaint #11388172, filed 2021-01, 41,000 miles“Car shakes erratically when trying to accelerate and has no power after hitting accelerator. It struggles to get any power to get going after being stopped at a red light. Gear changes get stuck and I have literally been stuck in middle of intersection while doing a legal u-turn in a busy busy la intersection with my 10yr old in the back seat and the only way to get out of the situation was to turn car off and turn on again which poses a major safety issue for both my daughter and myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #11242409, filed 2019-08, 28,000 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…
- 10241874Aug 17, 2023Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response…
- 10213721May 19, 2022Certain vehicles (listed below) equipped with 7-speed Double Clutch Transmissions (DCT) may exhibit abnormal vibration at low speeds. This bulletin outlines the procedures for…
- 10201469Aug 19, 2021Certain vehicles (listed below) equipped with 7-speed Double Clutch Transmissions (DCT) may exhibit abnormal vibration at low speeds. This bulletin outlines the procedures for…
- 10177132Jun 19, 2020This service campaign provides instructions to update both the ECM (Engine Control Module) and the TCM (Transmission Control Module) to improve the shift quality of the DCT (Dual…
- 10177131Jun 19, 2020This bulletin provides the procedure to update both the ECM (Engine Control Module) and the TCM (Transmission Control Module) on certain 2015-2017 Hyundai Sonatas equipped with…
- 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…
- 10176183May 7, 2020An informational brochure about the Dual Clutch Transmission was sent to Class Members of 2015-2017 model year Sonata Eco vehicles, 2016-2017 model year Tucson vehicles, and…
- 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…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 18% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 24 | 25% |
| 2021 | 25 | 19% |
| 2020 | 24 | 13% |
| 2019 | 8 | 5% |
| 2018 | 40 | 11% |
| 2017 | 56 | 7% |
| 2016 | 59 | 8% |
| 2015 | 135 | 12% |
| 2014 | 55 | 7% |
| 2013 | 94 | 5% |
| 2012 | 97 | 6% |
| 2011 | 173 | 5% |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% |
| 2009 | 41 | 9% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 3% |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% |
| 2000 | 19 | 7% |
| 1999 | 14 | 11% |
| 1998 | 12 | 24% |
| 1997 | 9 | 18% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% |
| 1993 | 9 | 35% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 24% |
| 1990 | 7 | 44% |
| 1989 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
453 complaintsOther or unknown
92 complaintsElectrical system
89 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsExterior lighting
38 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsSteering
34 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 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