Model year guide

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints130
Combined40 mpg
Typical price$13,308

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid recalls 5

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #21V749000 · 24/09/2021

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.

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.

Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch NHTSA Campaign #21V619000 · 06/08/2021

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.

Engine NHTSA Campaign #20V746000 · 01/12/2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021.…

Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly NHTSA Campaign #16V726000 · 11/10/2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option. Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #16V232000 · 21/04/2016

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulti…

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Hybrid Propulsion System
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid MPG & running costs

Combined40 mpg
City38 mpg
Highway41 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,550

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid worth?

Low
$6,900
Typical price
$13,308
High
$20,997

From 9 comparable 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$7,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,250
Total$10,000
Per mile$0.13

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($13,308) with the same model 5 model-years older ($11,077), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid trims & engines on record

Trims
GL (Middle-Low) · GLS (Middle)
Engines
2.0L

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid vehicles on record

Other Hyundai sonata hybrid model years

2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid?

Based on 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, electrical system, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid at about 40 mpg combined (38 city / 41 highway).

How much is a 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid worth?

Comparable 2016 Hyundai sonata hybrid listings run roughly $6,900–$20,997, typically around $13,308 (from 9 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.