2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid problems
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid has 43 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (42%) concerns engine. Next are electrical system (28%) and drivetrain & axles (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 43 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 42% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 26,000 miles 34 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 18 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 34 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 26,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 26,000 miles (14 complaints with mileage).
None of these complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 100% of model years in our database.
It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I saw engine powertrain problem light on my car screen. So I went to capital hill hyndai dealer. I waited more than 6,5hour with eating breakfast and lunch at near mall. Hyundai explained just gas cap tighting problem. They never explained the process about six and half hour fixing. I need detail explanation about six hour fixing process and sincere apology about the engine problem sign in one week after buying new car. [xxx]
The vehicle will not charge the hybrid battery when properly plugged in, with either 110v or 220v plug. This happened previously and hyundai repaired it with a part costing around $2,000 they told me (it was under warranty and cost me nothing). Has been in the shop continually since july 7, 2017 (31 days!) this time. The vehicle was stationary, in my garage. This problem was noticed in the past (not charging overnight), but never stayed a problem--I was able to get it to charge usually the very next day.
My sonata phev had hybrid system failed not once, but twice within a span of 1.5 months. It's been hardly 1.5 years since I had bought this car. In both cases the check hybrid system warning comes up and engine looses total power. The 1st time it happened, it was in the middle of a busy 405 freeway and was left all of a sudden with no power on the engine. Extremely dangerous and life threatening problem to face with. With whatever power was left, was able to coast to the ramp on the right.
This is 4th time the "check hybrid system" light came on in last 7,000 miles of driving. Hyundai claimed to have fixed the problem three times so far but it keeps happening and since they are unable to repair it under warranty, they must buy the car back. One out of the four times, the car completely died on the road putting lives on the line. A complaint was filed earlier (ref: hyundai case #111109600, NHTSA complain #11080680) but no actions were taken by either hyundai or nahtsa.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH or faster in Hybrid Mode, the vehicle stalled. The HEV error warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and disengaged the HEV Mode for the vehicle to restart and function as intended. The failure occurred three times.
Other model years of the Sonata Plug-IN Hybrid
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016