Hybrids are good halfway-house for people who want to experience electric power but without having to worry about range. The 2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid is a value-for-money sedan that gives you great fuel economy, spacious interiors, and excellent ride quality. It has reported a total of 46 complaints and has been recalled 5 times in total this year for multiple issues. This year is infamous for having an engine failure problem, apart from electrical issues and safety problems. Starting at $26,195, it is quite affordable for most people who are looking for new cars. Competing against names like the Honda Accord hybrid, the Toyota Camry hybrid, and the Kia K5, it has large shoes to fill. Let us read more about the 2016 Sonata hybrid problems in the article below.
2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical problems:
- The most common complaint is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid engine failure. After hearing the abnormal popping and rattling sounds from the engine, there are various warning lights flash and the vehicle comes to a stop. The manufacturer has issued a recall to solve the same issue but many owners have said that the parts were not made available on time. In many cases, the issue is identified with the ignition coil but the problem does not go away completely.
- There have been a few cases of complete brake failure of the car. The issue is most likely with the brake booster.
Electrical system problems:
- Many contacts reported that the car had multiple warning lights on the dashboard coming on and off. The triangle-shaped master warning light as well as the hybrid warnings are some of them. It is indicative of Hyundai Sonata hybrid system failure.
- The trunk opening and closing mechanism is also prone to failure and has been complained about according to multiple owners.
- One vehicle caught on fire due to an electrical fault.
Exterior problems:
- Many owners have also reported problems associated with the headlights of the cars not being bright enough.
Safety problems:
- The forward collision warning of this car is error-prone and can brake the car without any warning even though there are no objects in the front. The cruise control has also produced errors in some cars.
- Seat belts of the car also do not properly retract in many vehicles and cause a safety problem.
Interior problems:
- One owner reported that the panoramic sunroof exploded while driving on the highway. There was nothing that hit the sunroof but it exploded on its own and caused a huge safety concern.
2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid Recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA Campaign Number |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
September 24, 2021 |
21V749000 |
Turn signal may activate in the wrong direction |
Don’t send men may activate in the opposite direction and cause confusion for other drivers. |
Dealers will update the smart junction box software. |
|
2 |
August 6, 2021 |
21V6189000 |
Trunk emergency release can fail |
If the emergency release fails, a person can be trapped inside the trunk. |
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base |
|
3 |
December 1, 2020 |
20V746000 |
Engine damage may cause stall or fire |
Connecting rods inside the engine can wear prematurely and result in engine damage |
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine if necessary |
|
4 |
October 11, 2016 |
16V726000 |
Sunroof panel may detach |
The sunroof detaching from the vehicle could be a road hazard. |
Dealers will prepare the wind deflector anchor plate |
|
5 |
April 21, 2016 |
16V232000 |
Airbag second stage may not inflate properly |
The driver airbag may be missing a chemical enhancer that is used for second stage airbag deployment |
Dealers will replace the frontal airbag module |
Should you buy the 2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid?
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a great car if you want to experiment with a new kind of powertrain. However, catastrophic engine failures are certainly not a small issue and we should look at them in-depth. Given that the manufacturer has issued a recall but failed to get it done on time, it will be hard for owners to trust the car. In this segment, we would go with the Toyota Camry hybrid.
