2016 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet
Engine rattles or ticks
- 37owner reports
- 70,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 12, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
459 of the 725 complaints on this car are about the engine. 37 of those describe engine rattle.
Tick what matches of 37 reports
Engine rattle 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: 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group hear something before anything breaks. Most describe a ticking or tapping at idle, a rattle that's worse on a cold start and fades as the engine warms, or a noise that comes and goes over weeks. Some report the check engine light following a while later. It's the early-warning end of the engine complaints, and the reports that end in a named part are useful to anyone hearing the same sound.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 28,000 and 93,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Driving and engine began to tick, for a couple minutes, then died. Would not restart.”
Filed Jul 22, 2025
“The motor burns oil causing oil to turn black. I have to add oil weekly and get oil changed every month regardless of mileage. The mechanic that works on it said that dipstick is wrong color and doesnât look right in engine”
Filed May 18, 2024
“The oil box does not look right, Also there is an orange handle dipstick to check the oil. The dipstick should be yellow”
Filed May 16, 2024 · 126,228 miles
“Vehicle stalled while leaving a driveway. Later the oil light came on but didnât stay on while backing out. Upon checking the oil level it was below the low dipstick line. It took 3.5 quarts of oil to get it back to within proper dipstick range. No oil burning out exhaust and no oil leaking under the vehicle.”
Filed May 25, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 37 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 failure, knocking or rod bearing 191 reports
- 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
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 27 reports