2016 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 72owner reports
- 90,508median miles
- $5,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
72 of the 191 reports of engine failure on the 2016 Sonata describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (191 reports) · also: engine seized
Tick what matches of 72 reports
Engine knock 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: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the knock sensor (20 reports), the rod bearing (10 reports) and the engine (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
8 of the 72 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $435 to $8,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 68,000 and 123,000 miles, from the 36 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 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.
Hyundai is conducting a product improvement campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Hyundai has developed a new engine monitoring technology called a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). The technology uses software innovations and leverages existing engine sensors to continuously monitor for symptoms that may precede an engine failure.
What owners wrote
“code P1326 unable to accelerate, drive past 1st gear and knocking noise in engine area engine could stall out or lock up if problem is not fixed 3/14/2026- started engine light blinking warning light also code p1326 has had recalls for this particular car brand”
Filed Mar 16, 2026
“Engine started rough idling and knocking. Took to a mechanic who found metal particulate in the oil and the engine spun a bearing.”
Filed Jan 26, 2026
“I had knocking in the engine from the auto body shop and my extend warranty told me this is the problem that I have”
Filed Jul 10, 2025
“Motor burns oil knocks and is loosing power while driving. Constantly having to add oil between oil changes. When trying to accelerate car starts to sputter on highway. Can't get power to engine and bad rattle sounds”
Filed May 22, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 72 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