2016 Hyundai Sonata
Common Problems
Ranked from 314 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
16 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine oil consumption
180complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Engine stalling and loss of power
156complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine frequently stalls or loses power during operation, often without warning, posing a safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Misfires and Cylinder Issues
34complaintsHigh severityEngineMultiple cylinders experience misfires and low compression, leading to rough idling and driving difficulties.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Engine Failure During Highway Driving
22complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails suddenly during highway driving, leading to loss of power and potential accidents.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Engine Knocking and Failure
20complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences knocking and failure, often leading to loss of power and engine seizure.
- 6
Engine and Electrical System Interactions
8complaintsMedium severityEngineEngine issues trigger electrical system warnings, such as the check engine light and diagnostic trouble codes.
- 7
Engine Stall During Operation
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine unexpectedly stalls during operation, often without warning, leading to potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Engine and Transmission Interactions
6complaintsMedium severityEngineEngine issues lead to transmission malfunctions, such as gear shifting problems and transmission slippage.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Oil Pressure Issues
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences low oil pressure, leading to rapid oil consumption and potential engine damage.
- 10
Engine and Fuel System Issues
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine and fuel system exhibit issues such as metal shavings in the oil and dilution of the fuel mixture.
- 11
Airbag Malfunction
3complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbags fail to deploy during collisions, posing a safety risk to passengers.
Related recall: 15V678000
- 12
Engine Light On Without Warning
2complaintsLow severityEngineThe engine light comes on unexpectedly without any visible warning signs or symptoms.
- 13
Engine Misfire and Stalling
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and stalls, especially during acceleration, leading to reduced performance and safety concerns.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Engine Oil Leaking
2complaintsMedium severityEngineOil leaks from the engine, often without any warning lights or visible signs of leakage.
$200–$1,600est. oil-leak repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Power Steering Failure
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering intermittently fails, leading to loss of assistance during turns.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Steering Module Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering module malfunctions, causing the steering wheel to seize and the vehicle to become uncontrollable.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.