Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, other drivers started beeping the horn and shouting that the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed flames under the front end of the vehicle, near the engine location. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished independently. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to her son-in-law's repair shop, where it remained. There was no police report filed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a repair fee would be charged for the engine replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. …
The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 45 mph, the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle began to shake, lost power, and failed to accelerate. The driver pulled over and noticed smoke, and the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was on the scene and extinguished the fire. It was unknown if a police report was filed. There were no reported injuries. The air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact mentioned that in 2021, the motor may have been replaced.The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 2 mph, the vehicle seized and multiple warning lights were illuminated. The contact saw fire exiting from under the hood and under the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely before it was engulfed in fire. The fire department extinguished the fire but no fire report was filed. A police report was filed. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable. The police officer deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to the police department lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
On February 6, around 3:46am, parked my vehicle on the driveway I noticed a smell like smoke, I looked at my dashboard but nothing was on, no warnings, so I entered my house a few minutes later Possibly 4 I heard a noise look outside from my window an noticed my car was on fire, immediately called 911 car garage door also cut on fire and the vehicle next to it. I m requesting an investigation Police report 24-031575, my vehicle was towed by insurance company Start Casualty claim # 2024-90001577.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated, and no oil leakage was detected. The contact stated that her husband checked the oil level and discovered that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The contact also stated that the independent mechanic changed all the spark plugs due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a 3-step process which the first step was an oil change. The contact was informed to bring the vehicle back after 1,000 miles however, at 200 miles the oil level was below the normal level. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered significantly. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped shuddering while shifted into neutral(N). Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the failure recurred, and the vehicle jerked significantly. The low oil pressure warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where four ignition coils and four spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred four months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the spark plugs were replaced and a fuel induction cleaning service was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was jumpstarted. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond or exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the speedometer reading was lagging. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal with more force. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the camshaft position sensor was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the starter was previously replaced due to the engine's failure to turn over while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that upon switching to Sport Mode and driving 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle was undrivable. …
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact was informed by her daughter that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was oil leaking onto the spark plugs and causing the spark plugs to short circuit. The dealer replaced the park plugs several times; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the dealer confirmed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that her daughter had received an unknown engine recall notice, which the contact related to the failure. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started to make an abnormal knocking noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and stopped. The contact turned the vehicle off and on. The contact stated that she was able to shift into drive (D) and while depressing the accelerator pedal the abnormal knocking sound was heard. The contact stopped and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine had thrown a rod due to lack of engine oil and the lower part of the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that she had had the oil changed two weeks prior to the failure. The contact stated that she had not noticed any oil stains on the driveway at her residence prior to the failure. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure and stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer performed an Electronic Control Module (ECM) and Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign software update and an engine compression test. The engine compression test was sent to the manufacturer for approval of the engine replacement. The manufacturer denied the request for an engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. …
NHTSA investigations
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Engine complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 461 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 63% of the model year's 727 complaints. The component named most often is engine › oil/lubrication (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Hyundai Sonata engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Sonata engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 19 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.