10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 18
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,029 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 20)

problem #392

Jan 082025

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Been fighting with Hyundai for quite sometime to have engine repaired due to excessive oil consumption and other issues no matter what you take it they state it-??s normal for you to apparently run out of oil before oil change is due. These engine are pure junk and they go out with any warning whatsoever forcing customers to foot the bill for a new engine. They absolutely do not care. I highly recommend any does not purchase Hyundai or Kia. Now that my engine finally went out they expect me to pay over 9000 for a new one when I repeatedly told them my concerns ahead of time trying to avoid this.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #391

Jan 162025

Sonata

  • miles
My car burns through approximately 1qt of oil every 500 miles or less. There is a known oil consumption issue and I have left multiple messages with Key Hyundai of Milford CT and do not receive a call back. Additionally today I was driving 25mph and my car was reading 4000rpm and then completely locked and shut down I was stuck in the middle of the road.

- Seymour, CT, USA

problem #390

Nov 222024

Sonata

  • miles
Hyundai Motor America (HMA) denied my engine replacement claim (PA# [XXX]) under their extended warranty program, specifically campaign TXXI. This claim involves my 2016 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.4, VIN # [XXX], which exhibits all the symptoms and engine damage outlined in the campaign, yet my request for a free engine replacement has been unjustly denied. Campaign TXXI, as explained in the Technical Service Bulletin issued by Hyundai, extends the engine warranty applicable to 2015-2019 model year Sonata (LF) vehicles equipped with Theta II 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines. This warranty covers engine long block repair or replacement due to engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear and extends to a Limited Lifetime Warranty, valid for both original and subsequent owners. o On or about [XXX], my vehicle exhibited a blinking check engine light on the dash, entered into limp mode, and a knocking noise was coming from the engine. o As I was driving the vehicle to the Hyundai of North Miami Service Center on [XXX] (21400 NW 2nd av., Miami, FL 33169) for inspection, the engine locked up and stop, necessitating a call to a towing truck company to complete the trip. o Upon inspection, the service center identified significant engine damage, including, engine mechanical failure unable to turn on, and recommended that the vehicle require a new engine replacement. o These findings align with the engine damage described under campaign TXXI. o Despite meeting the campaign criteria, HMA denied my claim (PA#XXX) for an engine replacement on 11/22/2024. o HMA based its denial to my claim on the review of engine pictures and my inability to provide evidence supporting oil maintenance intervals between 35k- 68k miles, 78k-99k miles, and 142k-163k miles. HMA cited these maintenance gaps as the basis for suspecting engine neglect, some indications of sludge found on the engine, as the reason for the engine failure and subsequent locking. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

- Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

problem #389

Nov 202024

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has been repaired due to broken valve. Vehicle was unsafe to drive. Valve burnt at 70 mph. Car threw misfire code P0303 and started shaking. This issue could have caused an accident. Valves were replaced at Young Hyundai in Ogden Utah. Valves were not covered under the lifetime rod bearing recall. Several people have had this failure on the Engjne issue group page. I have a photo of the valve. It is missing a chunk of the valve head. That piece was not located during the valve rebuild. The vehicle had 116,000 miles at time of failure and is consuming 1 quart of oil every 500 miles.

- Layton, UT, USA

problem #388

Sep 092022

Sonata

  • miles
This event took place on or about [XXX]. A month or two prior, my vehicle had just undergone a safety inspection with over $2,000 worth of repairs that were performed with great care, due to noticing loss of power upon acceleration. I'm currently living in Wyoming, and the engine blew while driving on the highway in Colorado, causing a mild underbody fire while driving at high rate of speed. At this point, my safety is of great importance and concern, the radiator had internal damage that was not disclosed by the initial dealership, that took possession of my vehicle. So I truly don't know what or who to believe (which parts have been properly repaired on my vehicle or what has not), it took me to personally tow my own vehicle back to the local repair shop here in Wyoming, and the repair shop could not get power to the vehicle. Eventually the repair shop realized that the original "ground" bolt that "was" on my brand new battery was stripped out of place and replaced with a tapping screw, that's why no power was getting to the vehicle as needed to operate properly. The repair shop also noticed internal damage to the radiator (inside bay) with 2 puncture holes (that was not disclosed at any point of interacting with the dealership. Now my safety is an extremely huge concern. Again, I don't know if the vehicle is in worse or better condition with the most recent repairs that have been done to my vehicle. The engine was confirmed to have been damaged internally and externally "beyond repair". I was never given an exact description of any and all damages "requested by me at the time I called the dealership". My son and I are still without our vehicle, we are in dire need of transportation, and to have our vehicle back and running in a condition that is sufficient to perform for our everyday needs, to get back and forth to doctor appointments, etc. We are in great hopes to get this unnecessary nightmare behind us, so that we can press on with our lives....INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #387

Nov 132024

Sonata

  • miles
Car has been meticulously maintained with the best oil and premium gasoline. The car is only used on the freeway at 60-70 mph. Husband was on his way home and engine light came on. Car started shaking horribly. He had put a fuel injector cleaner in his recent full tank the day before. Drove car to auto zone. Got the code for misfire on cylinder 3. Replaced all spark plugs. Still code. Replaced cylinder 3 coil. Still code. Swapped cylinder 2 coil with 3. Code still on 3. Took it to shop thinking fuel injectors. Car has no compression on cylinder 3. Needs engine. Hyundai has somehow gotten away with not having to replace engines unless they through a rod. This car has the knock update on it. A lot of others are in the same boat as me. Hyundai should be held accountable for faulty engines. It-??s not safe to drive an engine with a bad cylinder that shakes violently.

- Layton, UT, USA

problem #386

Nov 132024

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My engine block or engine has a hole in it. All of my oil came out and my vehicle shut off. My brakes as well is not hard when pressed on, so I would have to pump it till it hardened. My safety and others safety was at risk while I was driving because my vehicle was not coming to a complete stop which could have resulted in a serious or fatal accident. As well as my engine block blowing making all the oil in my vehicle leak all on the road while driving on a busy road. Yes the problem has been confirmed BUT I was told that my car does not fall under the cars listed with the SAME issue on the recall list. No it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police or insurance rep because I am being told I have to pay out of pocket and I am not able to afford the prices being told to me for an issue that I have not caused. There were no warning lamps or anything prior to this incident. I have went to many different mechanics for a diagnostic for my vehicle but they all say my vehicle is fine or they do not know what I am talking about.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #385

Aug 232023

Sonata

  • miles
My 2016 Hyundai Sonata started using and leaking oil in August 2023 when it had about 129,000 miles and when you tried to go faster than 55 miles per hr. it would not accelerate. We feel there is a danger to drive it in traffic. We took it to the dealership in Pensacola, FL. They found a valve cover gasket had multiple leaks which they replaced. Found a code P1326 (whatever that means), Performed T3G campaign and followed a flow chart and BCT test passed. Don't know that any of this addressed the fact that the motor won't accelerate. Charged me $3,000 for something. Car ran okay for a while and started doing the same thing again. In June of 2024, took it to local mechanic who ran diagnostics and replaced a coil and plugs which cost another $600. It ran a little better until August 2024 and took it back to local mechanic who did another diagnostic and replaced 4 plugs and PCV valve for another $300. It's now November 2024 and the car won't accelerate over 55 mph and we can't use it to drive to work.

- Mcdavid, FL, USA

problem #384

Jun 102024

Sonata

  • miles
Car is still driving good, but after I've had it for a little over a year now the first thing I noticed was my horn went out, then the headlights went out, then my temp gage is flashing and the engine light comes on & off. Certain dash lights come on & off. I just got an oil change. I've been taking my vehicles to Pep Boys for several years now. My last oil change on the Sanoto was the 3rd or 4th oil change. One of the reps told me that my car is now consuming oil. He said it's not leaking on the ground but something is causing the oil to burn. I don't know if you have a warranty on it but he suggested I take it to the dealership. Again I've only had it a little over a year. I'm financing the vehicle and have about 4 more years to go. HELP!

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #383

Sep 012024

Sonata

  • miles
My Hyundai is currently experiencing an issue with the engine. At just about 100k miles, the car is having an issue with oil consumption, there are no evident leaks and I am going through 1.5 quarts of oil in a weeks time (less than 300 miles driven).

- Seymour, CT, USA

problem #382

Sep 242024

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car experiences issues around acceleration. It often feels like it gets -??stuck-?? or hesitates when I try to accelerate from a stop (ex. a stoplight) or low speed or when I try to merge onto the highway. At times I have not been able to merge onto the highway at a safe speed because my acceleration gets stuck/lags at a low mph (ex. 35 mph onto a 70 mph highway). My car also excessively consumes oil. I started noticing the excessive oil consumption around 115K miles. My oil lamp does not illuminate when low on oil in nearly all cases I have been low on oil. It has only come on once (did not remain on) and oil was not present on the dipstick. I am 687 miles into my current 1,000-mile oil consumption test and have had to top off my oil twice. I started the test because my oil light flashed and oil was not present on the dipstick. The engine light came on 312 miles into the consumption test. I got a diagnostic code from AutoZone and relayed the diagnostic code to the dealership. The dealership said the code was related to low oil and to fill up with oil and bring the car to the dealership. I filled it with oil and drove the car to Luke-??s Auto for an independent inspection. Their inspection found that the check engine light was from a failed e-cvvt and additional wear was present. I asked if this could be caused by oil consumption issues and they confirmed the possibility. Just over 300 miles from that incident, I checked my oil and it was once again low. I am deeply concerned about the safety of my vehicle due to it's stalling and indicators of potentially seizing. I have had near collisions on the highway due to my vehicle getting "stuck" while accelerating and unable to enter the highway at a safe speed. I am concerned about the consequences of lack of oil and failure of my oil lamp to illuminate to indicate no oil such as my engine seizing or catching fire. I have reported these concerns to the dealership since 1/2/23 and have reported my concerns to HMA.

- Plain City, OH, USA

problem #381

Sep 132024

Sonata

  • miles
Engine in limp mode, CEL activated with code p1326. Knock sensor detection system activated, oil leaking. Car won't Rev past 1700 RPM.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #380

Sep 202024

Sonata

  • miles
My car currently has 93000 miles. Since I-??ve had 76000 miles, I cannot make it to an oil change without my engine almost running out of oil. My maintenance is always done on time, especially considering I can-??t even drive 3000 miles (out of my 5000 mile synthetic oil change life) without my oil light coming on and oil below dipstick. I have taken the car in multiple times, performed multiple engine oil consumption tests and even though my engine is burning a whole quart of oil every 1000 miles, they refuse to replace my engine. I even have an extended warranty through Hyundai so I don-??t understand why a defective engine under warranty that literally can-??t even drive a whole oil change cycle without running out of oil wouldn-??t be replaced by the factory. Please help I-??m afraid to take long trips because what if the engine runs out of oil?

- St. Charles, MO, USA

problem #379

Jul 102024

Sonata

  • miles
We were told from Tulsa Hyundai that our car was involved in a massive recall due to engine failure and that the warranty had been extended to 150,000 miles on Theta engines. They told us we had to follow the process in order to have a claim submitted to Hyundai corporate. They required us to pay for a valve gasket replacement and a valve cover gasket ($1000), then to take the car home and drive for 1000 miles and then bring it back in. We brought it back in and were required to pay for a combustion cleaning (around $800) and then take it home and drive it for 1000 miles. We brought it back in and they performed the oil consumption test. They then submitted the claim to Hyundai and we heard back the next day (9/18/2024) that they were denying they claim due to it being an issue with piston rings instead of rod bearing failure. I called Hyundai and they basically said there was nothing else they would do. They told us we could be reimbursed for the $1800 we had to spend to go through that process. Those fees were incurred were not necessary, especially when Hyundai is not going to replace the engine. Hyundai markets on their dealer websites, "engines for life", yet they will do nothing to replace our engine that is in failure.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #378

Aug 312024

Sonata

  • miles
While on the highway vehicle started shaking violently, flashing engine light then service hybrid system along with every light on the dash! Car still running poorly, stiff steering very hard to slow down to get to safety! By the time I was able to pull over the engine was knocking and a burning smell was coming from the engine compartment. I popped the hood shut the car off, the exhaust manifold and converter(in one together) was so hot it was glowing! I-??m thankful I was able to get to safety without it catching fire because it was on its way there! I called for a tow and sent it to the dealer where Hyundai is replacing the engine.

- Garfield Hts, OH, USA

problem #377

Aug 172024

Sonata

  • miles
My Sonata has had continuous oil consumption issues. It is now at the dealership for service. They want to do repairs that may not work, to avoid replacing an engine that is under an Oil Consumption Recall. My car had an oil consumption test. At the time the dealership said it passed, this was a couple years ago. It now has the oil issues. The recall extends my warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles. If I have the repairs and they fail, the engine could seize up while I am driving it.

- Evans, GA, USA

problem #376

Jul 122024

Sonata

  • miles
Thus is the second time my motor has blew up due to a recall in a year Hyundai refuses to replace my engine due to my driver door bring damaged. My vehicle is still being paid on and is fully covered. I was told to get it towed somewhere else and I'm about to lose my job due to nor having transportation

- Empire, AL, USA

problem #375

Jul 052024

Sonata

  • miles
This car looses oil continuously. I put a quart of oil in it every week. Due to this oil leaking into the engine I have had many costly repairs to replace spark plugs, coil packs, air sensor and throttle. In the winter the coolant needs replaced weekly and no idea where that is being used at. Now again the car must go back to dealership for repairs for rough idle and loosing power while driving.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #374

Feb 232023

Sonata

  • miles
I'm making a complaint on my 2016 Hyundai Sonata-??s engine. The problem started in February 2023 with the valve cover gasket leaking, the mileage was around 98,000 miles. Then, 2 months later, the oil pan was leaking. The vehicle was still losing oil. They can not find where the oil went to. Took the car to the dealer to do an oil pressure. Before the oil pressure, oil levels were down 1 -?" quart low. Drove the vehicle for 1,000 miles and checked and the oil was down ? quart low, which was in range according to Hydundia. Checking the oil level every 1,000 miles and the oil level were about 1 quart oil low. Since last year, checking the oil level every 1,000 miles until this month the oil level was 3 quarts low at 1,000 miles. This engine should be recalled, which I had found out several different ones I came across are having the same problem.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #373

Jun 272024

Sonata

  • miles
Vehicle suddenly shuts down while driving. This has happened several times and has cost lengthy repairs and towing fees but still keeps doing the same thing. After it shuts down once the car is reset it will work again for a little while and do the same thing over again.

- Alice, TX, USA

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