2016 Hyundai Sonata Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 12% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 85,200 miles. The words owners use most often: “exterior lighting electrical” (9% of reports).
- 89electrical system complaints
- 85,200median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 59%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Exterior lighting electrical: mentioned in 8 of 89 complaints (9%)
- Check hybrid: mentioned in 5 of 89 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 37 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 89 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 2 an injury.
Hyundai Sonata electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sonata | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2024 Sonata | 18 | 39% | 9,000 |
| 2023 Sonata | 12 | 14% | — |
| 2022 Sonata | 17 | 18% | 70,000 |
| 2021 Sonata | 17 | 13% | — |
| 2020 Sonata | 40 | 22% | 10,000 |
| 2019 Sonata | 12 | 7% | 32,000 |
| 2018 Sonata | 60 | 16% | 21,250 |
| 2017 Sonata | 65 | 8% | 24,598 |
| 2016 Sonata | 89 | 12% | 85,200 |
| 2015 Sonata | 167 | 15% | 57,321 |
| 2014 Sonata | 135 | 18% | 78,000 |
| 2013 Sonata | 261 | 14% | 84,000 |
| 2012 Sonata | 234 | 15% | 80,000 |
| 2011 Sonata | 443 | 13% | 58,000 |
| 2010 Sonata | 16 | 5% | 55,122 |
| 2009 Sonata | 61 | 13% | 80,248 |
| 2008 Sonata | 32 | 8% | 79,500 |
| 2007 Sonata | 51 | 7% | 98,000 |
| 2006 Sonata | 86 | 8% | 78,000 |
| 2005 Sonata | 19 | 12% | 69,000 |
| 2004 Sonata | 17 | 8% | 98,000 |
| 2003 Sonata | 19 | 10% | 45,000 |
| 2002 Sonata | 23 | 7% | 75,500 |
| 2001 Sonata | 9 | 4% | 44,001 |
| 2000 Sonata | 37 | 13% | 90,000 |
| 1999 Sonata | 11 | 9% | 70,000 |
| 1998 Sonata | 4 | 8% | 62,500 |
| 1997 Sonata | 5 | 10% | 108,000 |
| 1996 Sonata | 5 | 22% | — |
| 1995 Sonata | 8 | 12% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system:software; exterior lighting:turn signal
Problem: 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.
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.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction. In the event of an ABS malfunction, the Brake System warning light will illuminate, but the ABS warning light will not illuminate. Since the vehicles have ABS malfunction lights that do not illuminate, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction, but not specifically with the ABS system, the driver may operate the vehicle unaware that the vehicle's brakes may lock up during hard braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 134.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Backup vision system failed. Couldn't see vision because screen was blank. Radio didn't work either. Went to dealership with the problem they said it was not covered by the warranty. Paid to have it fixed.
Went from 65 and dropped down to 40 going up grades on the freeway. Started shaking, check engine light went on and electric battery disappeared from dash. Got to top of grade, went back to normal. Problem repeated on next grades. Car had just left dealership lot an hour prior where it was safety…
Car just stated making g noise went into lp.mode now saying k ock sensor
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Hyundai Sonatas have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 89 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata (12% of the 727 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata electrical system?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 85,200 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
The most frequent phrase is “exterior lighting electrical”, in 8 of 89 complaints, followed by “check hybrid” (5).
Other 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems
- Engine problems (452)
- Power Train problems (59)
See all 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems or electrical system problems across all Sonata years.