Table 1 shows one common other fuel system related problems of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Other Fuel System problems |
This complaint is not related to the existing recall associated with this vehicle. The vehicle is experiencing a serious loss of power and acceleration issue. The car is unable to accelerate past approximately 60 mph. When pressing the accelerator fully, the vehicle does not respond or increase speed. While attempting to accelerate, the engine rpm increases and then suddenly drops repeatedly, causing the vehicle to struggle to maintain speed. This behavior is consistent and occurs during normal driving conditions. This creates a dangerous situation, especially when merging onto highways or attempting to accelerate in traffic, as the vehicle cannot respond when needed. The issue has occurred multiple times and makes the vehicle unsafe and unreliable to operate.
My 2016 Hyundai Sonata (2. 0t/2. 4l engine) has been experiencing loss of motive power and severe engine stumbling at stoplights, creating an unreasonable risk of a crash in traffic. The check engine light is on with dtc p0010. Upon inspection, the internal oil seal plug at the intake camshaft e-cvvt has become unseated, causing an active oil leak. This matches the exact defect and symptoms (elevated idle of 1,200–1,400 rpm and power reduction) described in Hyundai service campaign tx3 (TSB 15-01-022-1). While that campaign only applied to 2015 models, my 2016 vehicle has suffered the identical failure. I am requesting that this safety-related defect be investigated for 2016 models to prevent potential engine fires from oil leaks or accidents from sudden power loss.
This vehicle has experienced multiple hybrid system failures while driving, including a complete loss of power “hybrid system warning – turn engine off” on the interstate in June 2022 through November 2025. These events have placed me and my loved ones in dangerous driving situations. Despite a warranty?covered engine replacement at 82,015 miles (January 2023), the same hybrid system issues have recurred. Hyundai initially indicated a warranty claim was submitted, then told me there was no record of any claim in the system. The dealership claims it was denied — creating a serious inconsistency in communication and accountability. In addition, I have identified multiple NHTSA complaints in the database from other owners of 2016 Sonata hybrids (vins beginning with kmhe) describing similar highway shutdowns and hybrid system failures, which raise concern about a broader, unaddressed safety defect not currently covered by existing TSB or recall actions. I am respectfully requesting: a regional inspection and review of my vehicle prior to any further work. A review of Hyundai’s handling of this warranty claim and the discrepancy between dealer and corporate communication. Assessment of whether the hybrid system failures in kmhe?prefix Sonata hybrids warrant further safety action.
The problem with my vehicle is a failure of internal engine components, specifically a known defect in the piston rings of the Hyundai theta ii engine. This failure causes excessive oil consumption, which is burned internally. The internal engine components have failed, leading to a widely documented defect in the Hyundai theta ii engine. The primary symptom, which began to get serious around 80,000 miles, is the constant need to add oil to the engine every two weeks. If I do not do this, the low oil warning light illuminates on the dashboard, serving as a continuous alert of the problem. This failure was officially confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership. About two weeks ago, they first documented that there were no external leaks on the vehicle. When I returned because the oil had been consumed again, they performed a new diagnostic, for which I paid over $300, that confirmed the engine is burning oil internally. The dealership, acting as the manufacturer's representative, is the only entity that has formally inspected the vehicle. The situation places my safety and the safety of others at serious risk. First, the oil consumption can lead to a sudden and catastrophic engine failure, resulting in a loss of power and control of the vehicle while in transit. More alarmingly, the guidance I received from Hyundai staff was to simply "wait for the engine to stop working or start making a lot of noise. " as someone who depends on the car for a daily commute, following this dangerous recommendation is an unacceptable risk.
I had engine issues back in 2021. I had to pay $600 for a part to be installed to fix the problem . The engine failed, the idle was violently lurching forward and would randomly shut down. Recently the car shut down without warning again. Its scary.
The car will randomly lose acceleration and jerk forward. It will make a beeping noise while the hev system warning flashes on the dash. It also says to turn off engine. While the warning is flashing and engine light is on it goes into a limp mode and you have limited acceleration. It has almost caused multiple wrecks when I go to acceleration from turning or at lights in traffic because I cant go over 20-30 mph. I have turned the car on and off and the hev system and engine light turns off and the car continues to work normal. It eventually comes back on and does the same loss of power/hev warning. It will be random and does not matter on how fast you are going to trigger the warning lights and loss of power.
I was driving a 2016 Hyundai Sonata on a mountain highway and it started to run rough and lose power dramatically when accelerating. A dangerous situation on a steep curvy highway that has many one lane sections. Shortly thereafter a dash light came on. There was no warnings or dash lights or symptoms prior to this incident. I took the vehicle to a mechanic and ran the code. It said there was a misfire in cylinder 3. Replaced the ignition coil and spark plug for cylinder 3 and it did not fix the problem. The mechanic then pulled the motor to check the valves. Valve 3 was burnt, had a hole and stuck open. The car had approximately 75,180 miles. Well within the warranty time frame of 10yrs or 100,000 miles for an original purchaser. The mechanic had the valve machined, and replaced the head gasket and reassembled the the motor. I picked the car up and drove it home. Within 3 days I noticed an oil leak under neath the car where the engine bay is. I took the car back to the mechanic and he diagnosed a hairline crack in the oil pan. After some research I came across a letter from NHTSA on a defect investigation of Hyundai/kia oil drain pan assemblies. This is exactly what happened to my car! I have paid 3500. 00 to fix a car that has less than 76,000 miles. Hyundai needs to do better.
The fuel pump where the fuel line connects to it is cracked and squirting fuel all over that area. Some time ago I started smelling fuel when getting close to the vehicle or when opening windows. Took it to a shop to have it checked out and the technician couldn’t find the problem, since there is no check engine light on or any type of warning. A few days ago I decided to check the bottom part of the fuel tank and noticed that there were traces of leaking fluid. Reached to it and checked it closely and certainly was fuel dripping. Checked the top of the tank where the fuel pump is and found out that the problem was there. Did some research online and found out that that’s a very common fail. I would like to have it investigated and recall all those failing cars for my safety, my family’s safety and everyone else that trusted this company and is letting us down. First time I noticed this was back in 2022 and is when I took it to the shop.
Car keep stalling misfire just started muffler sound smoke lack of power when driving.
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.
Background info : on November 28th, 2023 I filed a case with Hyundai consumer affairs due to smoke and sparks coming from my 2016 Hyundai Sonata engine. I was assigned to a case coordinator carla who did not provide her last name at telephone 714-694-4963. She was my contact person for the repair. I signed a tow authorization on November 28th , 2023 authorizing hma to tow the vehicle to the nearest Hyundai dealership due to some delays in coordination on behalf on my contact carla and the dealership pohanka Hyundai received my vehicle on approximately December 4th, 2023. Per correspondence from carla she had contacted the dealership with no response until the 18th of December 2023; approximately two weeks after the dealership received my vehicle. She informed me that she had made countless attempts to reach a service team member for follow up on an inspection. On December 18th 2023 I got in contact with joseph to inquire as to what his inspection found. He stated “that he did not see an oil leak and the car hand no oil. ” I explained to him that was my car had been recently serviced at jiffy lube on August 1st 2023 at 44,664 miles for an oil change. Per Hyundai the oil should be changed every 3,000 to 5000 miles which I had not exceeded as my car had 46863 miles at the initial time of the service inspection that he performed. He then said “jiffy lube did not put any oil in the car then” which was impossible. I made contact with the jiffy lube location who performed the oil change to get the record of my last oil change as joseph had a differing opinion. I was informed that in fact the oil was changed and they could provide video proof if necessary. I then communicated this information to joseph as well as provided a copy of the last oil change. I then was told that I needed a cvvt replacement, transmission flush and oil change. I attempted to address his initial diagnose of “no oil in the car” as I had proof that it had been changed and that they should do furthe.
Car stalled check engine light came on took to auto zone said a engine problem.
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.
Hybrid system failure, car stopped in the middle of traffic.
My car idles very rough at times, and sometimes when idling, it dies out. At times it is difficult to even start as if it's not getting the electrical signal to the engine. Hyundai replaced the fuel pump, but that did not fix the problem, but cost $1,200. No warning messages. Two other automotive companies also did a diagnostic tests, but couldn't find the problem as it seems it has to be tested when it is acting up. It died on me far from home a week ago, but eventually restarted. I'm afraid to drive it especially at night as it died when idling at a light and almost didn't restart.
I purchased a Hyundai from dealership 1 stop motor sports on ?1/18/2023? with the following details: 2016 black Hyundai Sonata s, (VIN) 5npe34af6gh428921. 3 days after receipt of vehicle, it stalled out driving to work. The defects render the vehicle unusable & unsafe to drive, life threatening, dangerous, plus causing significant financial losses, missed job opportunities, and high anxiety. ?I’m not sure if dealership business owner was aware of the numerous manufacturer defects prior to selling, but in this ?case, it is clear that the vehicle was sold to me with unsafe & dangerous defects. The vehicle that I purchased has caused extreme anxiety & financial losses. Specifically, I have experienced three separate incidents where the vehicle has stalled out on the interstate while commuting to work, putting my life & lives of other drivers at extreme risk. I can provide receipts & documentation for the breakdowns, as needed?. I?n addition, after inspection at Hyundai service center, I was informed there is an estimated $3,000+ worth of service needed to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive. Oil consumption may 3, 2023 with Hyundai service center. The mechanic said engine replacement is needed because after 500 miles, high oil consumption yields true. No oil is in the engine what so ever. I am deeply disappointed & frustrated with the situation, as I trusted the dealership plus Hyundai manufacturer to provide reliable vehicles that customers can count on. Instead, I find myself in a precarious, but very life threatening & dangerous driving situation, not knowing when & where the vehicle will stall out, further risking the lives of other drivers & myself! my main goal is that the vehicle is returned and replaced with an inspected, highway approved, and reliable vehicle. I understand that issues can arise with used vehicles, but I believe that it is the ?responsibility of the dealership to ensure that any issues are identified & addressed ?prior to sale.
2016 Hyundai Sonata (not part of any recall) driven short distance on expressway had "check engine light" come on. Pulled off of expressway and checked under hood. . . No visible issues. Chose to return home via side streets as car was riding rough and having problems with acceleration at that point. Short while later, heard loud noise and saw smoke coming from under hood. Pulled to the side of the road and exited car. Was told by bystander that car was on fire. Called fire dept, by the time of their arrival, entire front end ablaze, tires and body melted. Thankfully, fire extinguished before any explosion or damage to neighbor's property occurred. Vehicle was a total loss.
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid, which has experienced multiple hybrid system shutdowns while driving. This includes repeated complete power loss incident on I-90 beginning in June 2022, when my daughter was driving home after her hospital shift. The vehicle displayed a “hybrid system warning – turn off engine” message and had to be pushed off the highway and towed. This was the first of several hybrid-related failures that culminated in a full engine replacement under warranty at 82,015 miles — and now, the same hybrid system warning has returned at 127,592 miles, well within Hyundai’s 150,000-mile hybrid warranty. Hyundai is currently denying coverage. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate repeated hybrid system faults and warranty denial patterns in korean-manufactured Sonata hybrids.
Hybrid system shut down while driving on i5 freeway at 60mph speed. Lost power completly finding myself in a very dangerous situation barely making it to the shoulder without being hit by other cars. This happened twice after 2 recalls performed on the car. Knock sensor replacement and software update. First recall was attempted by Hyundai of kirkland wa. Hev system failure and multiple lights turned on while driving on the freeway the following day. Car was towed to lee johnson in everett wa and I was told the recall was not performed correctly. After repair, same thing happened the following day. Hev failure and multiple lights turned on finding myself once again in very dangerous situation on the same busy freeway. Manufacturer is not taking this seriously. I see they have lots of vehicles with the same problem. Please investigate this failure before somebody dies. Next will file a police report. Car still at the dealership with no news on what might cause this. Has been at the dealer for over a week.
On 04/09/2022 around 6:30 pm edt, while driving on the florida turnpike at the posted 70 mph in orlando FL, the 2015 Sonata hybrid suddenly shut down in the center of 4-lanes with heavy traffic. The engine would not run and only sputtered and jerked when I gave it any gas. The display screen lit up with multiple failure symbols including the hybrid system failure, lane detection failure, and several others. I exited the turnpike and had a local auto store scan the vehicle finding the following dtc’s: 1. P1326: excessive connecting rod bearing wear 2. U0293: lost communication with hybrid powertrain control module 3. U1004: not certain the vehicle was checked and found to be full of oil. The vehicle was serviced at the Hyundai dealer on 02/25/2022 where they specifically updated the “excessive connecting rod bearing wear” knock sensor software along with a turn signal issue. Having the engine go into a default mode at 70 mph in heavy traffic was a near disaster. A simple warning would have been adequate to all me to safely navigate to the roadside.
I keep having the same issue with this vehicle's fuel/propulsion system, power train, engine, cruise control. This vehicle is need it's fuel system cleaned now for a 3rd time in less then 2 years. I have done the high mileage maintenance on it as well. I drive the vehicle less than 5,000 miles a year. When I am driving the vehicle, it struggles to speed up, making me press on the gas repeatedly to get to the indicated speed limit. The vehicle does not slow down as it should when pressing on the brakes. I have to press repeatedly over and over and harder on the brakes in order for it to slow down. The vehicle jerks, speeds up without me pressing on the gas and sometimes it will not stop when prompted. I cannot put this vehicle on cruise control, because it speeds up and out of no where, it accelerates causing me to almost collide with another vehicle or object. Even when the vehicle is not in cruise control, the sudden jerks and acceleration puts me, my children and others in harm when it suddenly speeds up, jerks or will not stop in time. It makes a loud noise and jerks even when the car is in a resting position. It loses power, it speeds up when I need it to stay the same speed or slow down. I fear this vehicle is unsafe. I have reported these issues and a few more to the dealership who never responded, so I had to go over their heads, then finally I got a response from their consumer affairs' department, as well as the bbb and they state because of the vehicle's age and/or mileage there is nothing they can do about it. Please help me. This is the only vehicle I have, and I am a single parent who cannot afford another vehicle. What is going on with this car? why do I have to keep struggling to pay for something to get fixed and it is still not solved. Below, it ask for a date, but it is multiple dates, not just one. I have listed the first time it occurred. Thank you.
The engine is consuming oil at abnormal rate. After receiving an oil change at a credible business the car is out of oil in a week. Hyundai will not check for oil consumption if the mileage is above 85k miles. Myself and my children can be stuck on the side of the road for engine failure due to the lack of oil. Express oil has stated this is not normal and a cause for concern. There are no warning signs for this problem. Only awareness from the performance of the cars decline to run properly.
When entering freeway and needing to get up to speed real quick, the car will accelerate to approximately 50mph and then engine totally cuts out like the gas stopped flowing to it. I then have to let off on the gas considerably or it will not accelerate until I let off on the gas about 1/2 way. I then must "slowly" accelerate so that it won't cut the engine again. This will happen anywhere if I take off from 0 mph and try to accelerate with peddle eventually going to floor, the car will cut the engine and will feel like its dying until I let off on the gas peddle all the way and then slowly accelerate the vehicle up to speed.
My 2016 Sonata se VIN # 5npe24af5gh270977 has a engine recall, Hyundai gave me a lifetime warranty of the engine and power train. The Sonata has 84577 miles on the engine and is using 1 qt of oil per 1,000 miles. Took the car to bentley Hyundai in huntsville ,al. For an oil change and to ee what they will do about the oil issue. I'm to bring the car back to them in 1,000 miles for them to check out how much oil the car is using. I was told tht even with the lifetime warranty of the engine and power trin that with the engine using a quart of oil that Hyundai won't do many thing to take care of the problem. If the engine was given a lifetime warranty by Hyundai why won't they do any thing to correct the oil problem. Thanks charles w. Mehltretter.
In January of 2022, my vehicle experienced a complete power loss while driving to work, leaving the car coasting down the road. A check hybrid system warning came up on the dashboard, along with several other warning lights, including check engine. Luckily, I was able to pull over without an accident occurring. Once stopped, the vehicle did restart and got me to and back from work. A diagnosis effort made at a local Hyundai dealership was unsuccessful as they could not replicate the problem and found no error codes in the auto's cpu system. I continued to drive the vehicle, hoping it was a one time deal, but since then, the identical situation has occurred three more times. I was extremely lucky that I had been in a position to safely pull off to the side of the road. The car has not been driven since March 19, 2022. After researching this scenario online, it appears to be the exact situation reflected in the Hyundai recall campaign 175 from 2018, where the dealership remove the original vpd module and replace it with a battery management system (bms) that contains an overvoltage protection device (opd). The recall is said to have been done on my vehicle, but the exact situation has reoccurred. Every time time the car lost power, it was preceded by a shuttering feel in the car, an alarm would go off and the propulsion system would just shut down and the check hybrid light would come on. Hyundai's only response has been to drive the car until it fails again (can you believe that?) and bring it in again for diagnosis. Even if that were to be done, the technicians and others on the road, would then be put at risk, as well, if they drove the vehicle in an attempt to get it to fail. I am the second owner of this car and the recall was supposedly done prior to my purchase. I now wonder if the dealer knew of the problem and that is why it was $2k below kbb. I cannot safely drive the car and can't sell it without loss once this safety issue is revealed. Thank you.
I have been going to the dealership since July as my engine light was not shutting off. I kept being told that there were no loaner cars and that they could not fix the problems I was having kept putting a band aide on the issue and saying that I would have more problems. They told me the cat converter would need to be replaced but it was an engine recall issue. They had a loaner car for me for one day told me it was fine that it would probably go again I had them check the car again and they filled the oil and sent me on my way. Now I was on the side of the road with no car and am now being told they can’t work on my car until March which since I have been seeing them for 4 months now for the same problem that just got worse you would think they would try to help me. Instead they told me to go somewhere else turn in my dead car or I have to tow it and then tow it back in March. I can’t afford this right now it is terrible and there are no cars out there they are so expensive. Please help me I am very poor and have 2 jobs that require me to drive.
My oil seems to be consumed really quickly! I get a full synthetic oil change and then my engine sounds strange and check the oil and there's no more oil in there! this is after less than 1,000 miles after the oil change! it's very expensive that every few months I need to go and get a new oil change, it's supposed to be every 6 months or after 5,000-7,500 miles with full synthetic but it only last about 700 miles before it starts to start to disappear! I'm scared it will cause my engine to get ruined and make a fire! this has been going on formore than 2 years now.
2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid ignition issue the engine is rattling while idling and under acceleration and the check engine light is coming on. Believe it is an issue with either spark plugs or ignition coil. Service dept said both components looked free of damage upon inspection.
When accelerating there is a ticking noise coming from engine. This has been happening for a while after I got the update and new wiring harness from the campaign. I'm scared to drive my car, I accelerate slowly because I get nervous it will blow up. I took this car to a Hyundai dealership and they quoted me over 500 dollars for this repair and it might not even fix it.
Car runs out of oil well before 2000 miles/2 months. When accelerating the car is sluggish the engine is ticking and feels like the engine is going to seize, no matter if the car is moving 5mph or 70 mph.
2016 Sonata with 103,000 mile. Increased oil consumption. Regular full synthetic oil changes have been followed. The engine burns out oil well before oil change is due. Oil lamp flickers. Mechanic states oils is burning up and released through exhaust therefore no leaks detected. 2nd issue: p2122 check engine code. Diagnostics reveals pedal acceleration sensor faulty. Part was $202. Not sure if this is misdiagnosed and related to sluggish engine due to oil consumption.
After a period of driving, which is random at best, the check engine light will appear and the vehicle will start to shudder and lose its ability to accelerate. This happens when the vehicle is in motion and happens both on the freeway at high speeds, as well as on city streets in low speeds. The only way to get this to stop is try and get to a safe space of the road and turn off the vehicle. It is very scary and dangerous especially in southern California freeway traffic and in mountain passes as you lose the ability to maintain speed in the middle of traffic. This could very easily cause an accident. This has happened to me on 7 different occasions over the past 2 months at random times.
Vehicle is unable to start for about 30 minutes after driving for 60 minutes in any weather condition from very cold to hot. "check hev system" warning comes on when this happens and will not start. Happens after a quick stop while highway driving.
I live in stamford CT 06902 I went in a trip with my kids to virginia beach last summer 2019 then I stopped a rest stop for bathroom when I came back to turn on the car the car was with no power it came on my panel telling me the hybrid system failure I waited 1/2 hour and work again . A week ago happen me the same issue again I am worried because it could happen while I driving I can't rely on this vehicle.
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 paper from a lawyer about getting $1000 for my car being at high risk. I have the case number available. It's been nearly a year.
I was driving the car and the car started spitting and did not want to go. Then white smoke came out of the tail pipe. I cut the car of and waited in traffic with my baby in the car , then turned the car back on. The engine light came on and the car drove like it had no energy. I was on my way to my new job for the first day.
While the vehicle is in motion and when I hit the brake. A click noise is always coming when we hit the brake till the end. Always happening observing from past 2 months. The other problem is when we hit the brake and and hold the shift knob it is making tick tick noise. Always happens when I showed to the mechanic they are saying it is normal because they have to do it for free of charge. Hyundai gives warranty but the dealers neglect to do. I am getting a mileage of average 10 miles if I even maintain a speed of 45-50 mph. If I put 14 gallons of gas I get hardly 225 miles and I have no problems with the car and I change the oil before the service interval.