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2016 Hyundai Sonata PLUG-IN Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all Sonata PLUG-IN Hybrid years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

20 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Hybrid Propulsion System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

While driving the car getting error message on dashboard "Check Hybrid System Turn Off Engine", The Gas engine turn off and switch to continue on electric till able to pull on the side of the road. Turn Off engine, wait a min. Start car again and working fine. This issue appears randomly many times in the last two years while d…

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While driving the car getting error message on dashboard "Check Hybrid System Turn Off Engine", The Gas engine turn off and switch to continue on electric till able to pull on the side of the road. Turn Off engine, wait a min. Start car again and working fine. This issue appears randomly many times in the last two years while driving. Car was at dealer shop multiple times with no repair, was told we don't see active error message or they can't re-create the error. however scan show P261F error. Open Ticket with Hyundai #21018148 while car at the dealers for weeks at the time. each time told check engine got back on but not the message they are looking for.

NHTSA ODI #11514685

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

While driving the hybrid system warning light comes on and says to check hybrid system, vehicle goes into limp mode will not accelerate over 25 mph and codes need to be cleared before vehicle van be driven. This has caused me to almost have several accidents. The vehicle slows down and gives no warning prior to this occurring. …

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While driving the hybrid system warning light comes on and says to check hybrid system, vehicle goes into limp mode will not accelerate over 25 mph and codes need to be cleared before vehicle van be driven. This has caused me to almost have several accidents. The vehicle slows down and gives no warning prior to this occurring. It has started happening more frequently vehicle currently has 85k miles.

NHTSA ODI #11500417

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2022
Electrical System

My 2016 plug in hybrid Sonata repeatedly inidcates that there is "high system temperature switching to hybrid mode." This first happened on my first long trip in the car in 10/21 and has happened repeatedly since. This happens at all temperatures, including moderate temperatures (mid 70s). It seems to happen randomly, such as…

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My 2016 plug in hybrid Sonata repeatedly inidcates that there is "high system temperature switching to hybrid mode." This first happened on my first long trip in the car in 10/21 and has happened repeatedly since. This happens at all temperatures, including moderate temperatures (mid 70s). It seems to happen randomly, such as when battery has several miles of charge left in it, when it is fully discharged, and repeatedly when the car is already running in hybrid mode, which a driver could interpret means that the engine is about to shut down, as I did on a long trip. I have taken it to two separate dealers, and the only thing they did was replace the fuel pump, which did not solve the problem. In addition, the battery life has reduced greatly, despite the fact that I always fully discharge and recharge the batter. As you can see from the attached Hyundai forum comments, this appears to be a prevalent problem for this make and model car and no relief from the manufacturer appears to be on the horizon.

NHTSA ODI #11478763

44,363 miles · Jun 15, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

HEV ENGINIE ERORR

NHTSA ODI #11220241

30,000 miles · Nov 2, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

"TAKATA RECALL" AUGUST 25TH THE CAR WAS DRIVEN INTO SOME HIGH WATER AND WAS PARKED BY A GAS STATION NEAR GREEN ROAD AND ALDEAN WESTFIELD R. THE CAR WAS UNDERWATER FROM THE FRONT END. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR MULTIPLE TIMES FOR REPAIR. FROM WARRANTY ISSUES TO FLOOD REPAIR, BOTH CAN'T GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER TO WHA…

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"TAKATA RECALL" AUGUST 25TH THE CAR WAS DRIVEN INTO SOME HIGH WATER AND WAS PARKED BY A GAS STATION NEAR GREEN ROAD AND ALDEAN WESTFIELD R. THE CAR WAS UNDERWATER FROM THE FRONT END. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR MULTIPLE TIMES FOR REPAIR. FROM WARRANTY ISSUES TO FLOOD REPAIR, BOTH CAN'T GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER TO WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR STOPS AND COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF HYBRID MALFUNCTION. WE DONT HAVE ANY DOCUMENTS, THE DEALERSHIP HAS COPYS OF ALL REPARS.

NHTSA ODI #11144863

25,000 miles · Jun 5, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH IN FULL ELECTRIC MODE AND THE CAR REMOVED ALL POWER FROM MY GAS PEDAL, THERE WAS LOTS OF DINGING SOUNDS AND THE DASH SAID "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, TURN YOUR CAR OFF". LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY TO THE FAR RIGHT SO I COULD JUST PULL TOT HE SHOULDER AND STOP THE CAR, THE BREAKS AND STEERING WERE STILL WORKING. TOW…

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I WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH IN FULL ELECTRIC MODE AND THE CAR REMOVED ALL POWER FROM MY GAS PEDAL, THERE WAS LOTS OF DINGING SOUNDS AND THE DASH SAID "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, TURN YOUR CAR OFF". LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY TO THE FAR RIGHT SO I COULD JUST PULL TOT HE SHOULDER AND STOP THE CAR, THE BREAKS AND STEERING WERE STILL WORKING. TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOPING THE MARCH 2018 RECALL IS THE FIX. I HAD TO CALL AAA, ALL BLUE LINK CAPABILITIES STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. 2016 PLUGIN WITH ABOUT 25,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11099959

25,650 miles · May 10, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

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 LIV…

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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. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD AND CAN NOT BE FIXED AFTER THREE TRIES WITHIN A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11093231

24,600 miles · Mar 21, 2018
Electrical System

WARNING LIGHT SAYING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" COMES ON AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START IF THE CAR IS PARKED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO PULL OVER AT A SAFE LOCATION. IT HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES SO FAR, TWICE UNDER 18,000 MILES AND ONCE AT 24,600 MILES. THE DEALER IS NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING I…

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WARNING LIGHT SAYING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" COMES ON AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START IF THE CAR IS PARKED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO PULL OVER AT A SAFE LOCATION. IT HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES SO FAR, TWICE UNDER 18,000 MILES AND ONCE AT 24,600 MILES. THE DEALER IS NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING IT AND GIVES IT BACK TO ME AFTER SOME TWEAKING TO GET RID OF THE WARNING LIGHT. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAIN WITH HYUNDAI (CASE # 11109600) REGARDING THIS. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP AND I WILL NOT EITHER DRIVE OR RIDE IN THIS CAR EVER. I WILL NOT BE SATISFIED IN ANYTHING LESS THAN A COMPLETE BUY BACK. I AM ASKING NHTSA TO FORCE A RECALL AND HAVE THEM FIX THE PROBLEM WITH CONFIDENCE OR DO BUY BACKS. IT'S A DEATH TRAP AND CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO EXIST ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11080680

41,100 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

ON 1/7/2018 WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID WITH APPROXIMATELY 41,100 MILES IN IT TO LOS ANGELES, CA WITH MY 82 YEAR OLD FATHER ON OXYGEN FROM SAN JOSE WHICH IS ABOUT 370 MILES AWAY ON HIGHWAY I5 WITH THE SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH. WHEN WE EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEM. WHILE EXITING TO OUR DESTINATION ON HIGHWAY 1…

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ON 1/7/2018 WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID WITH APPROXIMATELY 41,100 MILES IN IT TO LOS ANGELES, CA WITH MY 82 YEAR OLD FATHER ON OXYGEN FROM SAN JOSE WHICH IS ABOUT 370 MILES AWAY ON HIGHWAY I5 WITH THE SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH. WHEN WE EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEM. WHILE EXITING TO OUR DESTINATION ON HIGHWAY 118 DE SOTO EXIT, THE ENGINE HAD SLOWED DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND BARELY TURNED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SAFELY .WE WERE UNABLE TO START THE CAR AND DASHBOARD HAD INDICATED TO CHECK HEV . SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO START THE CAR, TO NO SUCCESS. LIGHTS WILL COME ON DASHBOARD, STILL ABLE TO CONNECT TO BLUELINK TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE BUT THERE WAS A LONG WAIT BEFORE A CUSTOMER SERVICE ANSWERED UNTIL THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED AND STALLED. WE WERE STRANDED WITH AN 82 YEAR OLD MAN WHO HAS RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AND WE HAVE FINALLY CALLED AN UBER TO HIS HOME BEFORE OXYGEN RUNS OUT. ROAD ASSISTANCE FINALLY CAME AFTER 2 HOURS OF WAITING AND THE CAR WAS FINALLY TOWED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER IN WOODLAND HILLS 20539 VENTURA BLVD WOODLAND HILLS .THE CAR IS BEING SERVICED AND HAS NO UPDATE YET. I CALLED HYUNDAI USA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-855 671 3059 THIS AM 1/8/2018 AND CLAIMED THERE HAS BEEN NO REPORT OF RECALL TO THIS SORT OF PROBLEM AND HAS THEREFORE GAVE ME A REFERENCE CASE #10911352 .

NHTSA ODI #11061171

26,200 miles · Jan 4, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 68 MPH IN HOV LANE, HYBRID SYSTEM ALERT LIGHT UP AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND LUCKY ABLE TO DIRECT THE CAR TO RIGHT SIDE AND STOP AND WAIT FOR TOWING. THIS HAPPEN DURING TRAFFIC WAS SLIGHTLY JAM SO ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN OTHER CARS ARE SLO…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 68 MPH IN HOV LANE, HYBRID SYSTEM ALERT LIGHT UP AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND LUCKY ABLE TO DIRECT THE CAR TO RIGHT SIDE AND STOP AND WAIT FOR TOWING. THIS HAPPEN DURING TRAFFIC WAS SLIGHTLY JAM SO ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN OTHER CARS ARE SLOWING DOWN IN REGULAR LANE. CANNOT IMAGINE IF THERE IS NO TRAFFIC JAM, HIGH POTENTIAL TO GET INTO ACCIDENT AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. WITH THE DEALER FOR FIVE DAYS AND THEY CANNOT PINPOINT THE EXACT PROBLEM AND KEEP ON SAYING IS SLIGHT PROBLEM. HOW CAN THIS BE SLIGHT PROBLEM WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN?? NEED TO HAVE MAJOR RECALL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. THERE ARE SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. I HOPE THIS WILL BE ADDRESS AND RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GET INTO MAJOR INJURY OR LOST OF LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #11058626

Official recalls

2

21V749000 · Electrical System:software; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Sep 24, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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.

Consequence: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

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.

Consequence: A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

18V166000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Mar 12, 2018

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.