2016 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet
Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power
- 27owner reports
- 89,000median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
532 of the 725 complaints on this car are about the engine. 27 of those describe hybrid system.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Hybrid system 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: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
These reports come from hybrid, plug-in and electric vehicle owners whose car put up a system warning and lost power, sometimes dropping into a reduced-power mode on the road. Others describe a car that won't charge, a high-voltage battery or inverter replacement, or a problem that turned out to be the ordinary 12-volt battery all along.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The affected vehicles are equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light intended to warn the driver if there is an ABS malfunction.
All 6 recalls on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-061.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-226.
Charging system failures. Closed oct 31, 1994.
What owners paid
5 of the 27 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $5,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 82,015 and 106,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 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 certain 2015-2017MY Sonata (LFa) and Sonata Hybrid/Plug-in (LF HEV/PHEV) vehicles exhibiting reduced power steering assist and/or motor driven power steering (MDPS) warning lamp has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the ...
Some 2016-2017MY Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles may develop a Check Hybrid System Light On with the DTC P1BA7 DTC found stored in the Battery Management System (BMS).
Some Sonata Hybrid (LF HEV) vehicles may experience a small oil leak from the electric oil pump (EOP) seals. If so, follow the Service Procedure in this bulletin to inspect and repair the oil seals between the transmission and EOP.
What owners wrote
“Tengo este sonata ya 3 años a solo un mes de haberlo comprado empezó con los problemas de check hybrid system todo el tiempo el mecánico no sabe que pasa con eso además siempre cuando se enciende esa luz no se puede manejar el carro y le dice que tengo que apagarlo”
Filed May 12, 2025
“Driving at approximately 75 mph smoke started pouring out of engine bay dash lights came on to check HEV system and all of a sudden vehicle became difficult to control more smoke then screeching and a message to turn off engine now appeared fought with steering wheel to get to shoulder and slow to a stop upon opening the hood belt to cam shaft pulley had snapped”
Filed Oct 9, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 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 Hybrid warning on the dash? Hybrid and EV battery complaints explained
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
- Engine rattles or ticks 37 reports