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2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
157 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (57% of complaints, typically reported near 36k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#97 of 606Among the 2016 models with a matured record, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in ranks #97, scoring higher than 81% of them. See the 2016 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
4 open NHTSA defect investigations on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (16) · Fuel system (9) · Lights (7)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Engine
57%90 complaints · typically near 36k mi · 6 in the last 2 years
“EGR needs to be replaced as this is a major engine issue”
Electrical system
29%46 complaints · typically near 33k mi · 3 in the last 2 years
“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, …”
Transmission & drivetrain
10%16 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“While driving the car completely cut off i could not use my brakes my horn or steering wheel”
Fuel system
6%9 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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 f…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 2 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 157 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 7 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Hyundai before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 36k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 33k miles). Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Hyundai SONATA PLUG-IN beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Sonata Plug-in model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.