Most common 2016 Hyundai Genesis problems
Share of the 104 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Genesis complaints by model year
Best Genesis years: 2014, 2016. Years to avoid: 2015, 2012, 2009. Compare all years →
2016 Hyundai Genesis recalls (6)
Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
Hyundai Motor America (Genesis) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Hyundai Genesis, and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 vehicles. The front power seat motors may overheat due to a stuck power seat control switch, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the repair has been performed. The remedy is currently under development.
Electrical system › Starter assembly › Solenoid
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis, 2017-2019 Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a remedy relay kit in the engine junction box, free of charge.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module fuse, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016 Genesis Coupe vehicles. The mounting bolts securing the driver-side frontal air bag may have been insufficiently tightened, potentially causing the air bag to detach from the steering wheel.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting bolts and retighten them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.
Parking brake › Indicator light
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Genesis Coupe vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, to June 11, 2016. The electrical harness connector for the front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) may dislodge when the seat is moved.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will secure the OCS connector to prevent it from disconnecting, free of charge. Parts are not currently available and a second letter will be sent to owners when parts are…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 Hyundai Genesis:
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
What 2016 Hyundai Genesis owners say
Electrical system all 31 →
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a nearby parking lot, upon returning, there was heavy black smoke coming from under the front passenger's side seat. Upon further inspection, the contact burned his right hand while attempting to check for the source of the fire. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer while the black smoke was present, where it was diagnosed with a possible wiring harness failure and the vehicle remained with the dealer for further investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the method of how the smoke was extinguished was unknown. No medical attention was sought. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that as per the insurance provider, it was unknown if the vehicle was a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an electrical short. The mechanic replaced the starter. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was covered under a recall and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the starter harness and the starter compartment had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that he would need to pay the repair fee even though the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V107000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that he was disregarded and advised by the dealer to pay out of pocket. …
Engine & cooling all 29 →
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated an oil change was recommended every 3 months and if it was overdue, the vehicle would stall and would sputter while driving. In addition, there was a burning odor entering the vehicle through the vents. No warning light was illuminated however there was an intermittent chime indicating that the oil level was low. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed that the failure was related to an unknown recall and referred the contact to the dealer. The contact called the dealer who confirmed the VIN was not included in a related recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the oil warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before gaining forward momentum. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred while slowing traffic or a traffic signal. The oil warning light was occasionally illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the oil pressure switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Lights
This has happened a few times the first time i was driving and the headlights flicked on and off on the dash it showed it switched from auto to off by its self it has done that a few times. The time that i was driving on the highway and the lights when out during the night i was driving 65mph over a pass with no warning I had to turn them on because they did not come back on by them self. I contacted the hyundai dealership they told me there was a tsb for it but the problem would have to happen while they are driving it so they could fix it under warranty. This is a huge safety risk because they note "Certain vehicles may exhibit intermittent headlight flickering while driving with the light switch on AUTO light mode" in there TSB and it says " intermittent" witch means "not happening regularly or continuously" so it doesn't happen they wont cover it under warranty. …
When headlights are in auto mode, use of the turn signal can result in the headlights flickering or shutting off completely. This is not the result of hitting the light mode switch but rather an electrical short occurring in the stalk. The problem is particularly dangerous at night when signaling for an upcoming turn and loss of all vehicle lighting occurs. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer. The component has not been inspected by officials. Initial occurrence was winter of 2022 with increasing frequency since then.
2016 Hyundai Genesis engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Hyundai Genesis a good car?
Based on 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Genesis rates average: 35% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Genesis at the same age. It is one of the best Genesis years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Hyundai Genesis?
The electrical system — 31 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about starter assembly. Next are the engine & cooling (29) and lights (12).
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Genesis have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Genesis, the most recent from October 8, 2026 (power adjust). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Genesis?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015, 2012 and 2009. See the full Hyundai Genesis years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Genesis problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 42,000 miles; 58% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.