2016 Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 960 complaints
960
Total Complaints
62,100mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
37
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
30,367
25th Percentile
62,100
Median Mileage
100,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
427
Unknown Or Other
89
Electrical System
84
Power Train
54
Service Brakes
42
Exterior Lighting
36
Steering
33
Body
30
Fuel/Propulsion System
30
Vehicle Speed Control
29
Severity Assessment
37
Crashes
42
Fires
35
Injuries
3
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE PULLING. IT FELT LIKE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON BUT THERE WAS NO INDICATOR THAT IT WAS ON. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THIS POINT."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRRORS FACED THE WHITE LINES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MIRRORS COULD BE READJUSTED, BUT THEY CHANGED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROX..."
"TPMS INDICATORS CONTINUE TO SAY THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THE TIRE AND TIRE PRESSURE BUT THE CAR SHOWS THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE AND THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE TIRES."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
427 complaints
25th: 45,000 mi
Median: 82,500 mi
75th: 106,500 mi
Unknown Or Other
89 complaints
25th: 21,750 mi
Median: 46,580 mi
75th: 83,905 mi
Electrical System
84 complaints
25th: 22,700 mi
Median: 85,200 mi
75th: 106,000 mi
Power Train
54 complaints
25th: 41,800 mi
Median: 60,000 mi
75th: 75,000 mi
Service Brakes
42 complaints
25th: 3,075 mi
Median: 12,548 mi
75th: 56,750 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
FL: 107
CA: 101
TX: 96
IL: 56
GA: 55
VA: 43
NC: 32
NY: 29
AL: 27
MO: 27
Who Files Complaints?
0.4%
Original Owners
99.6%
Second+ Owners
Hyundai Sonata — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 25 | 0 |
| 1991 | 41 | 3 |
| 1992 | 43 | 1 |
| 1993 | 46 | 1 |
| 1995 | 93 | 17 |
| 1996 | 37 | 0 |
| 1997 | 74 | 6 |
| 1998 | 68 | 3 |
| 1999 | 187 | 25 |
| 2000 | 378 | 22 |
| 2001 | 293 | 34 |
| 2002 | 407 | 50 |
| 2003 | 247 | 28 |
| 2004 | 285 | 36 |
| 2005 | 217 | 44 |
| 2006 | 1422 | 55 |
| 2007 | 905 | 45 |
| 2008 | 554 | 24 |
| 2009 | 610 | 29 |
| 2010 | 415 | 23 |
| 2011 | 4582 | 194 |
| 2012 | 2254 | 86 |
| 2013 | 2602 | 138 |
| 2014 | 1061 | 48 |
| 2015 | 1611 | 60 |
| 2017 | 964 | 46 |
| 2018 | 519 | 26 |
| 2019 | 182 | 11 |
| 2020 | 236 | 8 |
| 2021 | 156 | 11 |
| 2022 | 123 | 14 |
| 2023 | 130 | 12 |
| 2024 | 61 | 3 |
Active Recalls (6)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Campaign 16V726000 | 11/10/2016
If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.
Indicator Light
Campaign 17V359000 | 05/06/2017
If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.
Air Bags
Campaign 16V615000 | 24/08/2016
A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.
Frontal
Campaign 16V232000 | 21/04/2016
An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Instrument Cluster/Panel
Campaign 15V678000 | 20/10/2015
If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 134.
Turn Signal
Campaign 21V749000 | 24/09/2021
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28