The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 472,217 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite…
Consequence
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Consequence
If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install a new Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 175.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
3
POWER TRAIN
3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
Total complaints43
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving approximately 65 mph, the “check hybrid system - turn off engineâ€� message was displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle…”
“The contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving approximately 65 mph, the “check hybrid system - turn off engineâ€� message was displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle…”
“While driving the hybrid system warning light comes on and says to check hybrid system, vehicle goes into limp mode will not accelerate over 25 mph and codes need to be cleared before vehicle van be driven. This has caused me to almost have several accidents. The vehicle slows down and gives no…”
“While driving the hybrid system warning light comes on and says to check hybrid system, vehicle goes into limp mode will not accelerate over 25 mph and codes need to be cleared before vehicle van be driven. This has caused me to almost have several accidents. The vehicle slows down and gives no…”
“While driving the car getting error message on dashboard "check hybrid system turn off engine", the gas engine turn off and switch to continue on electric till able to pull on the side of the road. Turn off engine, wait a min. Start car again and working fine. This issue appears randomly many…”
“While driving the car getting error message on dashboard "check hybrid system turn off engine", the gas engine turn off and switch to continue on electric till able to pull on the side of the road. Turn off engine, wait a min. Start car again and working fine. This issue appears randomly many…”
“While driving the car getting error message on dashboard "check hybrid system turn off engine", the gas engine turn off and switch to continue on electric till able to pull on the side of the road. Turn off engine, wait a min. Start car again and working fine. This issue appears randomly many…”
“The contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata plug-in hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 mph or faster in hybrid mode, the vehicle stalled. The hev error warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…
InvestigationDP22005 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2023-08-07
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.