AI Damage2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid filed 26 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 64 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 26
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 64
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 69% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 46% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 4 Hybrid propulsion system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- Engine: 18 complaints (69% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (46% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Hybrid propulsion system: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 26 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 0 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 15 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle decelerated and went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure recurred.
Open Ticket with Hyundai #21018148 while car at the dealers for weeks at the time. each time told check engine got back on but not the message they are looking for.
While driving the hybrid system warning light comes on and says to check hybrid system, vehicle goes into limp mode will not accelerate over 25 mph and codes need to be cleared before vehicle van be driven. This has caused me to almost have several accidents.
I have taken it to two separate dealers, and the only thing they did was replace the fuel pump, which did not solve the problem. In addition, the battery life has reduced greatly, despite the fact that I always fully discharge and recharge the batter.
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.
"takata recall" august 25th the car was driven into some high water and was parked by a gas station near green road and aldean westfield r. The car was underwater from the front end. I have taken the vehicle in for repair multiple times for repair.
Multiple issues with check engine light, relay was replaced. Worked for awhile. Now (april 2018) back in shop for same problem - engine shut down and would not start had to have towed to hyundai dealer. Checked recalls, found they know there is a problem but no remedy for it. Would appreciate a buy back please.
Warning light saying "check hybrid system" comes on and the engine would not start if the car is parked. While driving the car completely shuts off without the ability to pull over at a safe location. It happened to me three times so far, twice under 18,000 miles and once at 24,600 miles.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,013 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid has 16 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 26, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Hybrid propulsion system. HV battery state, hybrid codes, water ingress.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety…
- This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s…
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the…
- This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s…
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest…
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the…
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of…
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service…
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the…
- This bulletin provides instructions to update the 4th generation AVN head unit software to ensure the SIM…
This bulletin provides instructions to update the 4th generation AVN head unit software to ensure the SIM Over The Air function for the Bluelink service is operating properly.
- This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover…
This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert…
- This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services
- Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships
It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped…
NHTSA lists 64 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 26. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (46%), loss of power / limp mode (23%), stalls while driving (19%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 64 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.