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 Engine” message was displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle decelerated and went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but the failure could not be duplicated; however, the contact stated that he provided diagnostic test data to the technician that displayed error codes however, the failure could not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid engine problems
18 complaints (69% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 26,200.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 69%
- typical mileage
- 26,200
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Loss of Motive Power
the federal safety agency 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 spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to the federal safety agency which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. Â There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in the federal safety agency's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agencyâs reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to the federal safety agency cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
DP22003
What 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 times in the last two years while driving. Car was at dealer shop multiple times with no repair, was told we don't see active error message or they can't re-create the error. however scan show P261F error. Open Ticket with Hyundai #21018148 while car at the dealers for weeks at the time. each time told check engine got back on but not the message they are looking for.
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 warning prior to this occurring. It has started happening more frequently vehicle currently has 85k miles.
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 and disengaged the HEV Mode for the vehicle to restart and function as intended. The failure occurred three times. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer however, the mechanics were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
In January of 2022, my vehicle experienced a complete power loss while driving to work, leaving the car coasting down the road. A Check Hybrid System warning came up on the dashboard, along with several other warning lights, including Check Engine. Luckily, I was able to pull over without an accident occurring. Once stopped, the vehicle did restart and got me to and back from work. A diagnosis effort made at a local Hyundai dealership was unsuccessful as they could not replicate the problem and found no error codes in the auto's CPU system. I continued to drive the vehicle, hoping it was a one time deal, but since then, the identical situation has occurred three more times. I was extremely lucky that I had been in a position to safely pull off to the side of the road. The car has not been driven since March 19, 2022. After researching this scenario online, it appears to be the exact situation reflected in the Hyundai Recall campaign 175 from 2018, where the dealership remove the original VPD module and replace it with a Battery Management System (BMS) that contains an Overvoltage Protection Device (OPD). The recall is said to have been done on my vehicle, but the exact situation has reoccurred. Every time time the car lost power, it was preceded by a shuttering feel in the car, an alarm would go off and the propulsion system would just shut down and the Check Hybrid light would come on. Hyundai's only response has been to drive the car until it fails again (can you believe that?) and bring it in again for diagnosis. Even if that were to be done, the technicians and others on the road, would then be put at risk, as well, if they drove the vehicle in an attempt to get it to fail. I am the second owner of this car and the recall was supposedly done prior to my purchase. I now wonder if the dealer knew of the problem and that is why it was $2K below KBB. I cannot safely drive the car and can't sell it without loss once this safety issue is revealed. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed off the roadway with assistance from a bystander. The vehicle was towed to tustin hyundai (16 auto center drive, tustin, ca 92782, (714) 647-2000) to be diagnosed. The technician determined that the communication wire between the battery and computer failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred 2 years later. The contact was informed that the computer to the engine needed to be rebooted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
Hev enginie erorr
Hybrid system warning light came on several times. Now it is not operable. Car was checked by local hyundai dealer service 3 days ago. They did not have parts at the time of service, they did not perform the recall service. I was able to drive it back home safely, but when I tried to start the car again 3 days later in the evening, it gave warnings. Car is not operable.
I was going about 70 MPH in full electric mode and the car removed all power from my gas pedal, there was lots of dinging sounds and the dash said "check hybrid system, turn your car off". Luckily I was already to the far right so I could just pull tot he shoulder and stop the car, the breaks and steering were still working. Towed to the dealership, hoping the march 2018 recall is the fix. I had to call aaa, all blue link capabilities stopped working as well. 2016 plugin with about 25,000 miles.
This is 4th time the "check hybrid system" light came on in last 7,000 miles of driving. Hyundai claimed to have fixed the problem three times so far but it keeps happening and since they are unable to repair it under warranty, they must buy the car back. One out of the four times, the car completely died on the road putting lives on the line. A complaint was filed earlier (ref: hyundai case #111109600, the federal safety agency complain #11080680) but no actions were taken by either hyundai or nahtsa. This car is unsafe to be on the road and can not be fixed after three tries within a year.
Questions about the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid engine
Does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid have engine problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, 69% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 26,200 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid have bad engine?
The Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid model years with the most engine complaints are 2016 (18 complaints) and 2017 (17 complaints).
Other 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid problems
Electrical 12Fuel system 5Transmission 3
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