2016 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet
Burns oil or oil level rises
- 113owner reports
- 78,000median miles
- $750median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 6, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
465 of the 725 complaints on this car are about the engine. 113 of those describe oil consumption.
Tick what matches of 113 reports
Oil consumption 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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Two different complaints land here. The more common one is an engine that uses oil: owners add a quart between changes, get a low-oil warning, or are told by the dealer that the rate is normal. The other is the opposite, where the oil level climbs and the oil smells of gasoline. Both deserve a proper test, and both are easier to argue with records in hand.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (34 reports) and the engine (8 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
21 of the 113 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $400 to $1,100.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 62 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While driving, my 2016 Hyundai Sonataâs engine suddenly started knocking loudly. I stopped immediately and found the engine oil was very low without any prior warning. After adding oil, the engine still runs but with possible internal damage. This could have caused the engine to seize while driving. There were no warning lights or leaks before this happened.”
Filed Oct 31, 2025
“Engine failure and car burning oil very fast causing other things to go wrong like piston ring and spark plugs.”
Filed Sep 1, 2025
“My Hyundai is currently experiencing an issue with the engine. At just about 100k miles, the car is having an issue with oil consumption, there are no evident leaks and I am going through 1.5 quarts of oil in a weeks time (less than 300 miles driven).”
Filed Oct 21, 2024 · 100,000 miles
“Engine is burning is oil at least 1,5 qt on 1000 miles, added 7 quarts of oil in 3500miles, dealership is playing around and says everything is ok, did a oil consumption test and wrote down that is burning 0,5 qt and donât want to recognize that the have to change the engine on warranty”
Filed Nov 1, 2023 · 1,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 113 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 46 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 37 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 27 reports