2016 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

443Engine complaints

61.8%Of all 717 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE443 · 61.8%

Unspecified / other91 · 12.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM86 · 12%

POWER TRAIN59 · 8.2%

SERVICE BRAKES42 · 5.9%

Share of the 717 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata overview page.

What owners report

“- SUDDEN ACCECLERATION SURGE WHEN RELEASING BRAKE. WHEN TURNING INTO PARKING AND WHEN LIGHT TURN GREEN AND RELEASING BRAKE. - SPURATIC ACCELERATION DECREASE WHEN DRIVING…”NHTSA complaint 11267606 — filed 10/10/2019

“2016 SONATA ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. CYLINDER #4 PENETRATED THE ENGINE BLOCK AND DAMAGED THE BELL HOUSING…”NHTSA complaint 11255924 — filed 09/16/2019

“ON SEPTEMBER 1,2019 MY CAR WOULDNT START. I PURCHASED A BATTERY AND A IT TURNED OVER. ON SEPTEMBER 8TH I DROVE TO GET A OIL…”NHTSA complaint 11254488 — filed 09/10/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata: 443 of 717 complaints on file (61.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have in total?

717 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 19 involved a crash, 28 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.