2016 Hyundai Sonata electrical system problems
88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata — 12% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Jun 2, 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond or exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the speedometer reading was lagging. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated as intended while…”
filed Feb 11, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received…Campaign 21V749000 · Sep 24, 2021
- Affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light…Campaign 15V678000 · Oct 20, 2015
Related service bulletins
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin provides instructions for updating the Engine…
26-01-013H-2 TSB · Service Campaign · issued May 21, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is…
9C2 DCS 260518 · Service Campaign · issued May 19, 2026Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter…
26-EE-003H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 18, 2026
Electrical System problems in other Sonata years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sonata | 17 | 40% |
| 2023 Sonata | 12 | 14% |
| 2022 Sonata | 15 | 16% |
| 2021 Sonata | 16 | 13% |
| 2020 Sonata | 35 | 21% |
| 2019 Sonata | 12 | 8% |
| 2018 Sonata | 60 | 16% |
| 2017 Sonata | 65 | 9% |
| 2015 Sonata | 166 | 15% |
| 2014 Sonata | 135 | 18% |
| 2013 Sonata | 260 | 14% |
| 2012 Sonata | 234 | 15% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.