2016 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 191owner reports
- 97,000median miles
- $1,400median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
459 of the 725 complaints on this car are about the engine. 191 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Sonata.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (72 reports) · Engine seized (34 reports)
Tick what matches of 191 reports
Engine failure on other Sonata years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (182 reports) and the timing chain (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sonata
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-226.
What owners paid
40 of the 191 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $640 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 68,000 and 120,000 miles, from the 92 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
The warranty coverage for engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit Abnormal Noise or No Crank/No Start condition.
Certain vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit abnormal noise or no crank/no start condition related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
The warranty coverage for certain Theta II engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
5 more on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata page.
What owners wrote
“Car burning oil and engine started knocking no warning lights ever came on prior to knocking noise. Brought to mechanic and engine has failed. Vehicle has less that 130,000 miles on it.”
Filed Mar 17, 2026 · 130,000 miles
“Car has been consuming oil fast since around 75,000 miles. Car is under 100,000 miles and I have been told by an independent shop that it basically has piston ring failure which means engine failure.”
Filed Nov 25, 2025 · 75,000 miles
“My car has 123,000 miles on it, it started with just aircon compressor not working then a week after the engine light started blinking and doesnât accelerate more than 60 in the interstate then there is a rod knocking in my engine after that.”
Filed Jun 24, 2025 · 123,000 miles
“I have a 2016 Hyundai Sonata that I purchased in 2021. The engine began "knocking" at 142,000 miles so I took it to dealership as it looked to be the same issue many of the Hyundais have been experiencing. I was then informed my claim was denied because a Service Campain from 2018 had not been performed. This is a known issue with these vehicles but my claim was denied over something outside of my control.”
Filed Mar 22, 2024 · 142,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 191 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 148 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 122 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 113 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 46 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 37 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 27 reports