What 157 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in

I was traveling at 65 mph+ in heavy traffic on Friday rush hour when all dashboard error lights came on and then a banner that said TURN OFF ENGINE NOW. I had no acceleration and fortunately was at a point on the highway with a shoulder where I was able to pull over. I waited in the vehicle with high speed tractor trailer traffic passing close by. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. They replaced the hybrid battery . A week later the identical failure happened at highway speed. The vehicle is still in the shop for the second identical failure

NHTSA ODI 11454542

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, he heard an abnormal popping sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the engine started making abnormal rattling sounds and the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light and the oil warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that oil had leaked in the engine compartment and that there was a hole in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) and the dealer was contacted for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the next service availability was in a month. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11453412

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to violently shake and lose power while being powered by the engine. The contact stated the accelerator pedal was released and the shaking stopped as the vehicle switched to being powered by the battery. The contact stated as the vehicle was a hybrid vehicle the switch between using the engine and battery was done automatically when the accelerator pedal was released. The contact also stated that an abnormal noise was coming from the engine compartment when the vehicle was started. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as an engine misfire and that the coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure continued as soon as the vehicle was picked up from the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was awaiting diagnostic testing. The contact recently received a Service Campaign from the manufacturer for the engine monitoring logic. The contact was relating the Service Campaign to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 204,000.

NHTSA ODI 11452463

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE THE CONSUMER PLACED THE REQUEST*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

NHTSA ODI 11451378

The vehicle concerned is a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited. It originally presented a check engine and check oil light, and lost partial power traveling on the highway. This vehicle was able to return to its residence, and it was towed to a Hyundai Dealership. Photos and videos were taken of this vehicle prior to being towed, and its battery voltage was tested. The Hyundai Dealership initially reported a dead battery, and that diagnostics were completed. Further conversations took place to question if a jump box or battery charger had been used, and the manager offered to test this vehicle personally. The manager stated that two jump boxes started this vehicle, and then stated he drove this vehicle with two jump boxes connected. The manager insisted that this vehicle's issues were only caused by a failed (dead) battery. A new battery was purchased and then the Hyundai Dealership installed it. The mileage reported by the Hyundai Dealership on its invoice was 1 mile, yet the Hyundai Service Department stated that multiple test drives took place after battery was installed by them. The manager stated this car was fixed and safe enough that he would put a family member in it. This vehicle was picked up from the Hyundai Dealership, was driven on the highway, and an audible and visual warning along with multiple dash lights popped up. This vehicle stopped accelerating at highway speed, and it was necessary to call immediately call 911. Law Enforcement responded, and assisted. This vehicle could not clear the shoulder of the highway, and one of the Law Enforcement vehicles was required behind this vehicle. This vehicle was towed again. The Hyundai Dealership had this vehicle for 14 days. The trouble code from this vehicle is P1326.

NHTSA ODI 11449835

Car is not driving smoothly as before and is driving rough. Car has built up in rough sensation until car stalls for few seconds when engine changes from motor to electric with check engine light on then it resumes “normal” driving. Dealerships unable to find out cause of issue 3x.

NHTSA ODI 11447480

1. engine blew 2. driving on highway, lost power, had to coast off exit 3. at dealer was told waiting to hear from Hyundai 4. at dealer 5. oil light went on in between oil changes, had to add oil in between oil changes, knocking, and poor gas mileage, prior to engine blowing, no other warning lights no other warning lights

NHTSA ODI 11445643

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the warning message "Stop Car, Check Brake" illuminated and the brake pedal felt rigid when depressed. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that as she restarted the vehicle, the brake pedal was no longer rigid, and responded when depressed. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake unit and the pressure source needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 114,897.

NHTSA ODI 11441089

eginning in June 2020, my check engine light on my 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid started coming on. I took it into a dealer to get it fixed. The problem seemed to be fixed until the light came on again, took it to the dealer who replaced a different part, seemed be fixed, and so forth until the engine blew while I was driving to work(2/3/2021). It was towed to a dealer and the engine was found to be seized. Luckily Hyundai had just sent out a recall letter to me cautioning about a faulty engine. (There are now lawsuits against Hyundai for this same reason).Hyundai replaced the engine. Meanwhile I found their campaign reimbursement page (case #17706103) and submitted all my out of pocket cost since the first check engine light occurrence (6/10/20) through to the car rental cost which was when the car engine was replaced (6/21/2021). Sum total $2,644.55. Before Hyundai replaced the engine, they knew about the engine failure associated with my car. But they had no remedy so dealers were left with no other choice but to replace a part and reset the warning light hoping to satisfy me until Hyundai came up with a solution. (This caused me to rack up repair bills with no real permanent solution.) I was assigned 3-4 case managers who promised to help me recover my losses but all of them actively or passively pacified me until I found out my case was arbitrarily closed.

NHTSA ODI 11440957

The parking mechanism in the transmission failed. The car was parked in my garage . The lever was in the "Park" position when the car drove backwards out of my garage and crashed into the fence. It continued driving into the street and into the neighbors yard. Two people were out walking and saw it happen. I know I did not leave my car in neutral or reverse when I parked it in my garage. When I tested this later sitting in my car, in my garage, the car immediately began moving backwards instantly, while i was still at the wheel. Had the car been in neutral or reverse at the time this incident occurred, I would have known it was moving immediately and shifted it into park right away. When this incident happened I put the car into park, and I got out of my car , I got things from my trunk and went inside the house. Then I went back to the car to get more things. This is when I witnessed it driving out of my garage backwards. I was standing on my back step. Then I ran across the street to my car and got in the drivers seat to attempt driving it back to my garage. I had to yank it out of park and then shove it back into park to get it to start correctly. Then I was able to get it running again and drove it back across the street to my house. thank God no one including myself got hurt. The possibility of this happening shook me up for days. I reported this to Hyundai and waited 3 months for them to make a determination, they said they cant prove it , that it is my word against theirs. I looked online , and saw reports of this happening to other vehicles as late as 2017 even tho the recall for this was 2011-2014. I started using the electronic parking brake because i read online that other people who have had this happen said to do it. I need to buy a new car dont feel safe in this one.

NHTSA ODI 11439193

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 55 mph smoke was suddenly present coming from under the hood before the engine failed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11437754

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the ignition coils replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431422

Lots of noise and car started smoking and stopped working while I was on the highway

NHTSA ODI 11429616

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the dealer informed the contact that there was an abnormal sound from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed and diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 157,035.

NHTSA ODI 11422860

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and shuddered while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The contact was concerned that the failure was engine related. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11417828

The engine begins to shake and makes a dieseling sound, the check engine light comes on, and we lose power to car. As we remove our foot from the gas, the light goes out and the engine stops. Sometimes it comes back on again and we have to pull to the side of the road and turn the car off. After that the check engine light goes away. When the light comes on, power to the engine is immediately cut and reduces as you press the accelerator pedal.

NHTSA ODI 11417826

IN OCT..2020 MY SONATA WAS AT PEP-BOYS AUTO FOR A SYNTHETIC-OIL CHANGE. PEP-BOYS CALLED ME TO ADVISE CAN'T SERVICE THE CAR FOR THE OIL CHANGE. SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE 6K MILES AGO THEIR WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THEY SAW THIS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR WITH 2.0 ENGINE, THEY WANT NO RESPONSIBILITY AND SAID TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE DEALER & OPEN CASE THE ENGINE HAS A SERIOUS FLAW, IT BURNS THE OIL WITH THE GASOLINE. THEY SAID A RECALL? DOCUMENTS ATTACHED. I WENT TOTEXAN HYUNDAI, PUT MY CAR THROUGH A SERIES OF TESTS EVERY 1000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE CAN BE REPLACED YOU IN THE 10 YRS, HOWEVER YOU OVER THE 100K MILES,WILL NOT B COVERED, A HYUNDAI MOTORS WOULD COVER 50% . WAS TOLD ENGINES LAST 250-300K MILES. I SPENT OVER 2K FOR EXT. WARRANTY. IT RAN OUT AT 100K. HYUNDAI HAS NOT BACKED UP THEIR CAR. SONATA HYBRID WAS SOLD TO ME BEING DEPENDABLE & LASTING YEARS. IT FAILED TERRIBLY, I MAINTAINED MY CAR ALWAYS AND NOW NEED NHTSA PLEASE HELP. ON HYUNDAI FORUMS MANY2.0 HAVE SAME SITUATION WITH OIL DISAPPEARING. I PREPAID ON CREDIT CARD $3531.00, TEXAN HYUNDAI PLACED ORDER FOR A NEW ENGINE. BACK ORDERED. DATE TO FIX WILL BE IN DURING THE MONTH OF JULY2021. ALL MILES R HIGHWAY TO AND FROM, KATY TO BRENHAM COLLEGE HAS NO HILLS ALL STRAIGHT RUN SINCE DAY BOUGHT. THESE ENGINES SHOULD LAST, THERE IS A FAILURE IN DESIGN? NOT DEPENDABLE CAR. VERY DEFECTIVE 2.0 ENGINE. LAST 2 YR'S I WOULD SMELL BURNING OIL IN MY CAR, I WOULD OPEN THE WINDOW SINCE NO LIGHTS ON DASH. NO OIL IN THE ENGINE, NO DASH LIGHT? PEP-BOYS SAID THOSE LIGHTS NEVER WERE LIT ON THE DEFECTIVE CARS. IF LIGHT WOULD HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. MY RECORDS WHICH SHOW THIS CAR WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX 2.0 ENGINES, FOLKS LIKE ME ARE IN A HARD SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY SITUATION. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11414736

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BOB BAKER HYUNDAI (5285 CAR COUNTRY DR, CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 929-4900) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,707. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11404829

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE. FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD THE TICKING BECAME KNOCKING. THIS PROMPTED THE COMMAND CENTER TO TELL ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER CRANK AND WAS GIVING A CAMSHAFT SENSOR CODE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 5 DAYS LATER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER BEING TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE, AND THAT IT WASN'T A RECALL ISSUE, I CALLED NATIONAL. AFTER A WEEK OR SO IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT HYUNDAI WOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR AT THEIR EXPENSE. NEVER CONFIRMING IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL THOUGH I HAD ALL THE SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN CATCHING ON FIRE. IT HAS NOW BEEN 2 MONTHS AND MY MOTOR IS SUPPOSEDLY ON BACK ORDER, BUT COMING IN WEEKLY. HYUNDAI SEEMS TO REALLY BE DRAGGING THERE FEET THOUGH THEY LOST A LAWSUIT OVER MOTOR ISSUES BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI 11404823

TO WHO READS THIS, THANK YOU FIRST AND FOREMOST TO TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS. THIS IS A REAL PERSON, THIS IS MY REAL STORY. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A KNOCKING ENGINE NOISE FOR 5 TO 6 WEEKS AND THEN GOT THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER20V746000 IN THE MAIL. I SET THE SOONEST APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT I WAS ADVISED BY ANDY THAT IT WOULD TAKE 3 TO 4 WEEKS FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AND RUN IT THROUGH HYUNDAI'S RECOMMENDED DIAGNOSIS. LATER I CALLED THE HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN HOTLINE AND OPEN CASE # 18081104. I WAS TOLD TO WAIT 3 TO 5 DAYS FOR A NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO GET BACK WITH ME. I CALLED TWO DAYS LATER REQUESTING AN UPDATE AND SHORTLY LATER THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME TO INFORM ME MY CAR WAS READY. ANDY SAID IT CLEARED INSPECTION AND I ASKED IF IT PASSED ALL THEIR TESTS, I WAS TOLD YES. THIS WAS THE SAME STAFF MEMBER THAT TOLD ME A FEW STEPS DAYS PRIOR 3 TO 4 WEEKS. WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE BROUGHT TO ME, I OVERHEARD THE ANOTHER HYUNDAI REP SAYING SAME STORY TOLD TO ME ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TIME TO DIAGNOSIS. GOT THE DIAGNOSIS (REPAIR) DETAILS BACK TO FIND THEIR INSPECTION CONCLUDED TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR A 7 MILE TEST DRIVE IN THE CITY TO OBSERVE ODD KNOCKING NOISES. NOTHING REMOTELY ADVISED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DEALERSHIP. I HAVE THEIR REPORT ATTACHED BUT HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. I CALLED BACK HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN HOTLINE AGAIN AFTER GETTING MY VEHICLE BACK TODAY. I AM TOLD I HAVE THE SAME CASE NO. AND TO WAIT ANOTHER 3 TO 5 DAYS FOR ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE TO CONTACT ME.

NHTSA ODI 11404384

BAD ROD BEARINGS,CAN START A FIRE. NO HELP FROM DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11402917

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL (198) FROM HYUNDAI IN DEC ABOUT A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS ON MY CAR, YET THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE A REMEDY OR AN ESTIMATED TIME FOR A REMEDY. THIS IS TOO LONG.

NHTSA ODI 11402576

I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND AFTER THREE MONTHS THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY.

NHTSA ODI 11400021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. ROSEVILLE HYUNDAI (200 N SUNRISE AVE, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT

NHTSA ODI 11399715

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FITZGERALD COUNTRYSIDE HYUNDAI (27419 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (888) 794-1694) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11399733