2016 Hyundai Sonata Service and Repair Manual
Because the 2016 Sonata was sold with everything from a turbocharged 1.6L to a plug-in hybrid driveline, generic Hyundai information gets you only part of the way there. This factory service and repair manual is tied to the 2016 model year and to the specific engine and trim in front of you, so the clearances, sequences and settings you work to are the ones Hyundai published for that build.
Engines covered
- 2.4L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four full hybrid — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four plug-in hybrid — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — DOHC, turbocharged, gasoline
- 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — DOHC, turbocharged, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
Trims covered
- Base
- Eco
- GL
- GLS
- Hybrid
- Hybrid Limited
- Limited
- Limited 2.0T
- Plug-In Hybrid
- Plug-In Hybrid Limited
- Plug-In Hybrid Ultimate
- Premium
- SE
- Sport
- Sport 2.0T
- Sport Tech
- Ultimate 2.0T
Known issues on the 2016 Sonata. Six recalls are on federal record for this model year. One covers the exterior turn signals and is traced to the Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic: a turn signal may activate in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver. A second, on cars manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016, involves a driver-side frontal air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck. A third, on 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, covers a frontal air bag that does not inflate, which increases the risk of injury. A fourth concerns the instrument cluster on cars equipped with an Antilock Braking System, where the driver is alerted there is a brake system malfunction but not specifically with the ABS system. A fifth covers the sunroof assembly: if the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard. The sixth is the parking brake indicator, which may not be illuminated when the parking brake is applied. Owners have filed 983 complaints for the year and Hyundai has issued 168 technical service bulletins. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems are here.
Whether the job is an air bag circuit fault, an ABS warning you need to pin down, or scheduled service on the hybrid driveline, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct figure for your own 2016 Sonata.
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.
If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a driver-side frontal air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck from injury in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.
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, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Following 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 expected to occur only wit
Following 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 expected to occur only wit
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. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be relea
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 Control Module (ECM) t
Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extend
Some Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivers-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These infla
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driverside airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN),
Showing the 8 most recent of 227 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
As I was driving the car to a vacation resort, the car caught fire and was completely destroyed. Myself, adult son, and wife were in the car at the time. We were luckly to get out of the car before it blew up and killed us all. The car was melted down and completed destroyed. This event happened on May 2, 2021 near Pooler, GA. The only warning sign was smoke, then flames. We lost engine, brakes and control. We hit a light pole to stop the car. Police reports and fire department reports were fi
On September 25, 2023, I was involved in a motor vehicle collision while driving my Hyundai Sonata 2016, during which the front driver-side airbag failed to deploy despite the impact being significant enough to cause injury. This non-deployment represents a malfunction of the airbag system, including its sensors and deployment components, and aligns with issues already reported in class-action complaints involving Hyundai vehicles, making my case further evidence that an airbag defect exists. Be
HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A DEER, GOING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY 49. NO AIR BAGS RELEASED. AFTER TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP, FROM RECEIVING A LETTER OF RECALL IN THE MAIL. MOTOR WOULD SHUT DOWN WHEN REACHING 65 MPH, BEFORE TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR RECAL. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY.
This vehicle had a complete engine failure. Since it is a hybrid, when the engine shut down, the vehicle lost all power. The driver had no control over steering or brakes. The vehicle crashed through three trees and into a house. Hyundai Motors of America and NHTSA are aware of the issues with this vehicle's engine, however, this engine was already replaced. The problem was that the "limp mode" did not enact in this specific car. I brought this to Hyundai's attention at least 20 times and expres
The driver’s seat / passenger seat assembly, including seat rails, mounting brackets, and Smart Junction Box (SJB) connections if electrical adjustment was involved, completely failed during a crash. The seat lifted off the floor anchors and almost entirely came apart, including both the seat cushion (where you sit) and the backrest, leaving the occupant crushed within the collapsed seat structure, resulting in catastrophic injuries. During the crash, the seat collapsed and disassembled, expos
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was released, the vehicle sped up, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated the failure occurred after the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a software recall update. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where another u
I was in a near head on collision that knocked me out of my lane and knocked me around my car (I was wearing the seatbelt) and the point of impact was on my driver side near my impact sensor and the damage continued to the other side of my vehicle including a crack in the filter in front of my radiator
DEER RAN IN FRONT OF MY CAR. AIR BAGS INFLATED AND STAYED SO FOR QUITE A WHILE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I NOTICED MY FOOT WAS BURNT WITH SKIN OFF AND LEGS WERE BURNING FROM THE POWDER IN AIR BAGS. I KNOW THE BAGS SHOULD INFLAT BUT THE SMOKE FROM THIS KEPT UP FOR QUITE A WHILE. I DID NOT THINK THIS POWDER SHOULD HAVE KEPT COMING OUT SO MUCH AND SO DID PASSERBY PEOPLE WHO STOPPED TO HELP. WE HAD THE POWDER IN OUR EYES.
ON FEBRUARY 19 2019 I WAS DRIVING A CAR RENTAL FROM HERTZ DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN SOUTHERN CA DRIVING ONLY 25 MPH I CRASHED TRYING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME KEPT PUTTING ON MY BREAKS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOPPED THE BREAKS MALFUNCTION I TRIED TO CHANGING LANE I STILL CRASHED I WAS GOING 25 MPH THE CAR WAS TOTALED BUMPER WAS PLASTIC OR FIBER GLASS THE AIR BAG "EXPLODED" NOT DEPLOYED. THE PLASTIC COMPARTMENT WHERE THE AIRBAGS IS STORED, EXPLODE PLASTIC BECAME A JAGGED KNIFE.I
RECIBAN CORDIALES SALUDOS, EL 11/01/2020 DICHO VEHICULO ES USADO COMO LYFT VENIA DE PASAJERO Y TUVIMOS UN ACCIDENTE. LAS BOLSA DE AIRE JAMAS SE ABRIERON, ECHO QUE AGRABO MI CONDICIN. YA QUE IMPACTE MI CABEZA FUERTEMENTE CONTRA EL MARCO DE PUERTA DEL VEHICULO OCASIONANDO MI LESION CEREBRAL. NO SE, SI ESTE VEHICULO FORME PARTE DEL PROBLEMA CON EL SISTEMA TAKATA. LO QUE SI ESTOY SEGURO ES QUE EN EL HISTORIAL DE ESTE VEHICULO ESTAN RESEADO 3 ACCIDENTES EN LOS CUALES SE PUEDE PRESENCIAR QUE EL SIST
I began braking and the brakes locked up. Braking to the floor and the car would not stop resulting in a car crash
The report is wrong i never hit the suv from the back aldo both hits on vehicles or on my driver's side and his rare back passenger side. I never did my report since i was in the ambulance the hole time and nver said my part of the story i was in pain and went to sleep
I recently totalled my car due to "following to closely" which I didn't have GAP insurance. Truth is I signaled to go right lane when The car in front thought inwas going left due to faulty recall problem and we both went right, I lost control and hit a rail and damaged car unfortunately
MY RIGHT HIGH BEAM STOPPED WORKING, I HAVE TO ADD OIL TO MY CAR EVERY 3 DAYS. BURNS MORE GAS GOING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. GOING AROUND A FAST HIGHWAY CURB, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN THE SPEED OF MY CAR AND WOULD NOT STOP DROPPING DOWN TO 45 MPH IN A 70MPH PACKED HIGHWAY. AWFUL EXPERIENCE. CALLED IN THE PROBLEM TO HYUNDAI AND THEY DIDN'T SHOW ANY CARE. I HAD AN ACCIDENT HAPPEN AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COULD BE A RESULT TO THE ACCIDENTS. THE CASE HAS BEEN CLOSED AND NOTHING BUT A PAP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) SYSTEM ENGAGED FOR NO REASON. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. WHEN THE AEB SYSTEM ENGAGED, A HIGH PITCHED TONE SOUNDED AND AN AEB SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR
Showing the 15 most serious of 719 complaints filed with NHTSA.
