Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 728 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #21V749000 Turn Signal May Activate in Wrong Direction NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V359000 Parking Brake Indicator may not Illuminate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V726000 Sunroof Panel may Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V615000 Air Bag may not Prevent Neck Injury/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V232000 Air Bag Second Stage may not Inflate Properly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V678000 ABS Warning Lamp May Not Illuminate/FMVSS 135 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 451 complaints
- Unknown or Other 90 complaints
- Electrical System 88 complaints
- Power Train 59 complaints
- Service Brakes 42 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 38 complaints
Of the 728 complaints on file, 19 report a crash and 28 a fire; across all 728 complaints, owners report 19 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has an average reliability rating. While the engine has been the most frequent complaint, recall data suggest well-addressed issues, primarily involving turn signals and parking brake lights. Other electronic and airbag concerns exist but aren't dominant.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 60,000–100,000 miles | $2,000–$5,000 | common |
| electrical system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$800 | common |
| power train | 60,000–90,000 miles | $1,500–$3,500 | occasional |
| brake system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | occasional |
| steering | 70,000–100,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter change
- brake fluid replacement
- tire rotation and balance
- coolant flush
- transmission fluid change
- cabin air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- check engine light
- unusual engine noises
- vibrations while driving
- flickering dashboard lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.