2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: engine stalls while driving

Filed Feb 24, 2025 · Engine · 180,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to exit the highway; however, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the engine had been replaced two years prior. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2022 · Engine · 34,252 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact was able to park on the side of the road before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the knock sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,252.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Engine · NC

My vehicle first went into limp mode and stalled while driving December 2021. Vehicle was taken to Dealership in Alpharetta, GA. I was advised the knock sensor needed an update. The update was completed but the vehicle continued to go in limp mode and stall again March 2022 after driving less than 1000 miles since previous repair. The vehicle was taken to dealership in Wake Forest, NC. This time there was no update for the knock sensor so I was advised they would need to replace knock sensor but it was on backorder until end of May 2022. The knock senor was replaced picked up vehicle and engine light came on by the time I had drove 50 miles and vehicle started to go in limp mode and stall again and car started shaking an bad vibration. Drove the car next morning and it put me down again going into limp mode, stalling, whole dash board lit up every warning light on and dinging, car shaking and made loud noise had to have towed back to dealership. This time dealership claim it came from misfire on cylinder 3 but that doesn't explain all the issues. I was called to pick up car again June 2022 car had bad vibration, knocking, still going into limp and stall mode, hybrid system warning light came on again, gear sticking not changing like it's supposed to had towed back to dealership. This time dealership replaced other 3 cylinders picked up car July 2022. Did a test drive advised car is still stalling, gear still sticking, vibration still , air not cooling and hybrid indicator needle bouncing back and forth from power to 80 never stabilized. Dealership claims can't find anything wrong. I have almost been hit 10 times since December 2021 because of vehicle going into limp mode while driving this is very dangerous to be going 55 to 70 and vehicle drops speed back to 10 all of a sudden in traffic

Filed May 25, 2022 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle was shaking. The hybrid battery, PHEV system, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed however, the independent mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine and catalytic converter. The engine was replaced. The failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed May 17, 2022 · Engine · WI

Recently Service Campaign 966 (the federal safety agency ID Number: 10210205 Manufacturer Communication Number: 22-01-028H) was applied to my vehicle for improved knock sensor detection system (KSDS) logic. Six days following the software update, my vehicle stalled when DTC P1326 came active during my wife's commute home. We had the vehicle towed to the dealership where a knock sensor was identified to be replaced. 10 days after getting the vehicle back, knocking was heard from the engine compartment and DTC 1326 came active again, causing the vehicle to immediately stall. It did not go into engine protection mode as service campaign 966 indicated it would. My concern is that Hyundai changed the sensitivity of knock detection to prevent warranty claims on engines that may be affected by increased bearing wear; and in preventing replacing engines, they have caused engines (mine included) to stall. This engine stalling is a safety issue and they have left customers with no option to use their vehicle safely if the engine passes their bearing clearance test, which is required for an engine replacement under warranty.

Filed May 11, 2022 · Engine · FL

Recall [XXX] : Engine Inspection / Replacement ([XXX]) In the month of Oct 21, my Hyundai sonata hybrid, had severe engine issues and stalled. Upon inspection by dealer, it was determined, it needs engine replacement as there was a recall for these engines. After 3 months of waiting, in January 2022, I received my car back supposedly with the new engine. today [XXX] my car has stalled again with a similar engine issues and I have towed my car to the same dealer (DORAL HYUNDAI : Miami Florida) for inspection. fortunately i was not injured or ended up in an accident. the car just stalled suddenly with red lights on for every parameter along with engine light. luckily i was on the onramp and not in between the freeway. still was a dangerous situation as cars barely managed to save from hitting me when the car suddenly slowed down and stopped I feel, Hyundai didn't perform their replacement part effectively or efficiently. Probably replaced the car with a similar faulty engine. I request you to please investigate this matter my name is [XXX] and my email id is [XXX] and [XXX]. my cell phone number is [XXX]. thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Fuel system · WA

Hybrid system shut down while driving on I5 freeway at 60mph speed. Lost power completly finding myself in a very dangerous situation barely making it to the shoulder without being hit by other cars. This happened twice after 2 recalls performed on the car. Knock sensor replacement and software update. First recall was attempted by Hyundai of Kirkland WA. HEV system failure and multiple lights turned on while driving on the freeway the following day. Car was towed to Lee Johnson in Everett WA and I was told the recall was not performed correctly. After repair, same thing happened the following day. HEV failure and multiple lights turned on finding myself once again in very dangerous situation on the same busy freeway. Manufacturer is not taking this seriously. I see they have lots of vehicles with the same problem. Please investigate this failure before somebody dies. Next will file a police report. Car still at the dealership with no news on what might cause this. Has been at the dealer for over a week.

Filed Jan 14, 2022 · CA

Car is not driving smoothly as before and is driving rough. Car has built up in rough sensation until car stalls for few seconds when engine changes from motor to electric with check engine light on then it resumes “normal” driving. Dealerships unable to find out cause of issue 3x.

Filed Oct 22, 2021 · Engine · 140,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 55 mph smoke was suddenly present coming from under the hood before the engine failed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2021 · Engine · 62,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After replacing the engine, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v746000 (engine). The contact linked the failure to the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2021 · Engine · 22,700 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the warning message "shut off" had displayed before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer fairfax hyundai located at 10925 fairfax blvd, fairfax, va 22030 who diagnosed that the water pump and engine gasket were faulty. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. Additionally, the instrument panel displayed had suddenly shut off while driving. The cause of the failure was not determined. The engine would also rev very high while operating the vehicle. The main relay was replaced by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,700.

Filed Jan 27, 2021 · Engine · 119,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal ticking noise simultaneously while stalling, without warning. The contact was forced to place the vehicle into hybrid mode to resume normal driving. The contact took the vehicle to carter county hyundai (616 holiday dr, ardmore, ok 73401) and was informed that the rod bearing was defective. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v746000 (engine) which was linked to the failure. The contact was informed that the parts for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.