RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls
17 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 12
- U.S. recalls
- 05
- Total campaigns
- 17
Transport Canada recalls
12- Engine#2022244
178,064 units affected
Issue: Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0 L Nu GDI engine. For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) models are affected by this campaign. This is an expansion of R0180 (Transport Canada #2021-575). Any vehicle that received a software update under campaign R0180 does not require this update. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Hyundai recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual. If you experience unusual engine noise, reduced power, or a check engine/oil warning light, Hyundai advises you to immediately visit a Hyundai dealership to have your vehicle diagnosed.
- Lights And Instruments#2021589
30,525 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, an intermittent problem could cause the turn signals to activate in the opposite direction from what a driver intends. For example, when the driver uses the right turn signal, the left signal could turn on. Note: For 2016 and 2017 models, the Sonata Hybrid and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) models are also affected by this recall. Safety Risk: Turn signals that do not work properly may cause confusion and could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Action: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealer to update the Smart Junction Box software.
- Engine#2021575
152,924 units affected
This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2022-244. Issue: Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0 L Nu GDI engine. For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) models are affected by this campaign. All vehicles previously included in TC # 2021-034 are now part of this new campaign. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Hyundai recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual. If you experience unusual engine noise, reduced power, or a check engine/oil warning light, Hyundai advises you to immediately visit a Hyundai dealership to have your vehicle diagnosed.
- Structure#2021495
15,963 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, a part in the trunk release latch could fail. If this happens, the emergency trunk release located inside the trunk compartment may not work properly. This could prevent a person that is trapped inside the trunk from opening it. Note: For the 2016 model year Sonata, only the Sonata Hybrid is affected by this recall. Safety Risk: If a person is closed inside the trunk compartment, they may not be able to get out. This could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the trunk latch assembly.
- Engine#2020592
14,549 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 1.6 L GDI, 2.0 L GDI, or 2.4 L MPI engine, the connecting rod bearings could wear prematurely. As a result, there could be an abnormal knocking noise from the engine and/or the oil pressure warning light may turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with worn connecting rod bearings, the engine could fail. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. In some cases, a damaged connecting rod could puncture the engine block and cause an oil leak. Note: For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) models are affected by this recall. Additional Note: Engine compartment fires can happen for many different reasons. In some cases, there is too much damage to find the cause of a fire. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Oil that leaks onto a hot component could cause a fire. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer for an engine inspection test, to determine if there is bearing damage. If damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also update the software for the engine control module. Note: Hyundai recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual.
- Engine#2019640
275,533 units affected
Issue: Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This affects Sonata and Santa Fe Sport equipped with a 2.4 L GDI or 2.0 L Turbo GDI engine, as well as Tucson equipped with a 2.4 L GDI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Vehicles previously repaired under Product Improvement Campaign R0153 (TC # 2019-130) do not require this software update. Owners can find additional information at <a href="http://www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca">www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca</a>.
- Engine#2019130
255,370 units affected
Issue: Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This affects Sonata and Santa Fe Sport equipped with a 2.4 L GDI or 2.0 L Turbo GDI engine, as well as Tucson equipped with a 2.4 L GDI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Vehicles repaired under Service Campaigns, C0336, C0344, or C0347, already have this software update. Owners can find additional information at <a href="http://www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca">www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca</a>.
- Engine#2019012
7,027 units affected
Issue: When repairs were completed under recall campaign 2015-428 (Hyundai #R0101) or 2017197 (Hyundai #R0130), the high pressure fuel pipe may not have been properly installed on the fuel pump outlet. A fuel leak could occur if the pipe was damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the recall repair. Safety Risk: Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an inspection. If fuel leakage is detected, the fuel pipe will be replaced with a new one.
- Powertrain#2018135
187 units affected
On certain plug-in hybrid vehicles, the battery Voltage Protection Device (VPD) switch could inadvertently activate. If the VPD switch is activated, electricity to the vehicle's electric motor may be disconnected. If this occurs while the vehicle is driven under Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, the vehicle may experience a loss of motive power, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will remove the current VPD switch and install a newly designed battery management system module containing an overvoltage protection device. The corresponding wiring harness will also be installed. Note: This condition would result in the of the “Check Hybrid System" warning light illuminating.
- Structure#2016507
11,114 units affected
On certain vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof, the wind deflector anchor plate of the sunroof may have insufficient bonding. If the wind deflector becomes partially detached from its mounting points after the sunroof is opened, it can interfere with the moveable sunroof panel while the sunroof is being closed and could allow the glass panel to separate from the vehicle while driving, creating a road hazard which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate.
- Airbag#2016460
2 units affected
Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 208 - Occupant Protection in Frontal Impacts. The driver's frontal airbag inflator module may not meet the neck injury protection requirement the standard for small stature persons. This could increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant in a crash where frontal airbag deployment is warranted. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver’s front airbag module.
- Brakes#2015516
3,378 units affected
Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 135 - Brake Systems. If an ABS malfunction occurs during vehicle operation,the ABS warning lamp may fail to illuminate, contrary to the requirements of the standard. This could allow an ABS malfunction to go undetected by the driver, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will update ABS control software.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
05- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL#21V749000
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.
Risk: 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.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH#21V619000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
- ENGINE#20V746000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
- VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY#16V726000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic sunroof option. Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving.
Risk: If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL#16V232000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
Risk: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.