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2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, most often about the engine (69% of complaints, typically around 26,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Sonata Plug-In Hybrid model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid problems
Engine
18 complaints · 69%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
While driving the car at 68 MPH in hov lane, hybrid system alert light up and the engine completely lost power and shut down. Very dangerous situation and lucky able to direct the car to right side and stop and wait for towing. This happen during traffic was slightly jam so able to drive to the right side when other…
This is 4th time the "check hybrid system" light came on in last 7,000 miles of driving. Hyundai claimed to have fixed the problem three times so far but it keeps happening and since they are unable to repair it under warranty, they must buy the car back. One out of the four times, the car completely died on the road…
Electrical
12 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
While driving the car at 68 MPH in hov lane, hybrid system alert light up and the engine completely lost power and shut down. Very dangerous situation and lucky able to direct the car to right side and stop and wait for towing. This happen during traffic was slightly jam so able to drive to the right side when other…
This is 4th time the "check hybrid system" light came on in last 7,000 miles of driving. Hyundai claimed to have fixed the problem three times so far but it keeps happening and since they are unable to repair it under warranty, they must buy the car back. One out of the four times, the car completely died on the road…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 19%The vehicle will not charge the hybrid battery when properly plugged in, with either 110v or 220v plug. This happened previously and Hyundai repaired it with a part costing around $2,000 they told me (it was under warranty and cost me nothing). Has been in the shop continually since july 7, 2017 (31 days!) this time.…
Hybrid system warning light came on several times. Now it is not operable. Car was checked by local Hyundai dealer service 3 days ago. They did not have parts at the time of service, they did not perform the recall service. I was able to drive it back home safely, but when I tried to start the car again 3 days later…
Transmission
3 complaints · 12%Vehicle was in motion when the phev warning illuminated and the gasoline engine shut off. The vehicle lost all propulsion. It refused to engage the gasoline or electric motor to move out of a dangerous situation. The vehicle was towed to the Hyundai dealer where it was diagnosed as a failed hybrid battery.
Hybrid system warning light came on several times. Now it is not operable. Car was checked by local Hyundai dealer service 3 days ago. They did not have parts at the time of service, they did not perform the recall service. I was able to drive it back home safely, but when I tried to start the car again 3 days later…
Hybrid system
3 complaints · 12%The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while the vehicle was approaching a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated he manually pushed the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The…
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH or faster in hybrid mode, the vehicle stalled. The hev error warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and disengaged the hev…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid recalls
Electrical: software
Risk: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor america (hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 sonata, 2016-2017 sonata hybrid, and sonata plug-in hybrid vehicles. The smart junction box (sjb) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: If the vpd activates while the vehicle is being operated in electric vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the vpd switch and install a new battery management system (bms) that contains an overvoltage protection device (opd). The recall is expected to begin may 2018. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor america (hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a voltage protection device (vpd), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Loss of motive power
Summary
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. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Questions about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (18 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles); electrical (12 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles); other or unspecified (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 24, 2021 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Sonata Plug-In Hybrid model year since 2000, with 26 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid years
- 2016
- 2017