2016 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · SC

This vehicle has a major engine flaw; Hyundai USA KNOWS about it, and STILL will not issue a recall for EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. First episode: October 2023 at 86,371 miles. Dealership replaced leaking valve cover gasket and changed woefully-soiled spark plugs. Still under manufacturer warranty, but I paid the balance. Second episode: FOUR MONTHS LATER (Feb. 2024; 89,078 miles), another limp mode and Check Engine lamp. The spark plugs are soiled again with oil, so the dealership changes the spark plugs again, instead of addressing the underlying issue - Excessive oil consumption. Still under warranty, yet I pay the bill...AGAIN. Episode Three: October 04, 2024. Hyundai Sonata goes into limp mode again with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT illuminating – cylinder 1 was misfiring. All spark plugs fouled again; all spark plugs replaced. Valve cover gasket was leaking, so that was replaced as well. Yup, I paid for the repairs out-of-pocket. Episode Four: May 02, 2025. Vehicle goes into limp mode again, with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT turning on. Another spark plug fouled up, so it was replaced. Ignition coil replaced as well. Episode Five: June 19, 2025. Limp mode and Check Engine Lamp illuminates yet again, so Hyundai of North Charleston (SC) initiates an oil consumption test. "...[3.5 quarts of] oil consumption is excessive...", yet Hyundai denies everything. Hyundai is actually admitting to an underlying issue but offers ZERO assistance.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · SC

I contact the Hyundai dealer about my 2016 Hyundai sonata. for all I know those vehicles have recalls with engine failure/stalling due to premature rod bearing wear, fire risks from malfunctioning electric oil pumps. My car is having those exact problems with the abs lights being on and is also have problems with the VVT sprocket. And the oil I called Hyundai and they said my vehicle only has a recall with the JUNCTION BOX. But my car is unable to go over 60. And is unsafe to drive and the recalls with that type of model car is the same recalls I am having and soon as I've bought the car and had it for some time i am starting to have those problems so I would like to know what’s going on because it is unsafe and I can’t even drive my vehicle I also have a blinking check engine light. I’ve wanted to report this now incase risk of a fire because I’ve did my research and realize these cars that have these type of problems are known for catching on fire.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

Pushed acceleration at traffic light to cross and turn into neighborhood, car started beeping frantically, 'check hev system' flashed on dash as well as 'turn off engine' while car decelerated to 1-3 mph. Battery meter bar on left side of dash completely depleted showing no battery power supply at all. Turned vehicle off for a few minutes then restarted. Put the vehicle in drive gear and same warnings appear, car doesn't even accelerate when gas pedal is pressed fully, stays at 1-3 mph crawl. Vehicle stalls out after 30 seconds, vehicle turns on but cannot start.

Filed Jan 18, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · VA

While driving, the vehicle's engine light will randomly turn on and when it does, the car will lose power; meaning, when this occurs, and I press the accelerator pedal, it does not put out the normal, expected amount of acceleration. This problem will persist until I pull over, turn off the vehicle, and turn it back on. However, this does not always fix the issue. Sometimes, when I turn the car off and turn it back on, the check engine light will still be on and I will still encounter the issue. When I brought my vehicle into my local Hyundai dealership, they had the car for 3 days, and when I called to ask what was wrong with it or what they did to fix it, they told me they could not recreate the problem and therefore, did not do anything to the vehicle. So now, I'm at an impasse where this problem is not able to be recreated, thus, unable to get it fixed, but I don't feel completely safe to drive long distances. I also own a 2013 Hyundai Sonata that experienced the same type of issue, and that engine was recalled.

Filed Oct 9, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

My car experiences issues around acceleration. It often feels like it gets “stuck” or hesitates when I try to accelerate from a stop (ex. a stoplight) or low speed or when I try to merge onto the highway. At times I have not been able to merge onto the highway at a safe speed because my acceleration gets stuck/lags at a low mph (ex. 35 mph onto a 70 mph highway). My car also excessively consumes oil. I started noticing the excessive oil consumption around 115K miles. My oil lamp does not illuminate when low on oil in nearly all cases I have been low on oil. It has only come on once (did not remain on) and oil was not present on the dipstick. I am 687 miles into my current 1,000-mile oil consumption test and have had to top off my oil twice. I started the test because my oil light flashed and oil was not present on the dipstick. The engine light came on 312 miles into the consumption test. I got a diagnostic code from AutoZone and relayed the diagnostic code to the dealership. The dealership said the code was related to low oil and to fill up with oil and bring the car to the dealership. I filled it with oil and drove the car to Luke’s Auto for an independent inspection. Their inspection found that the check engine light was from a failed e-cvvt and additional wear was present. I asked if this could be caused by oil consumption issues and they confirmed the possibility. Just over 300 miles from that incident, I checked my oil and it was once again low. I am deeply concerned about the safety of my vehicle due to it's stalling and indicators of potentially seizing. I have had near collisions on the highway due to my vehicle getting "stuck" while accelerating and unable to enter the highway at a safe speed. I am concerned about the consequences of lack of oil and failure of my oil lamp to illuminate to indicate no oil such as my engine seizing or catching fire. I have reported these concerns to the dealership since 1/2/23 and have reported my concerns to HMA.

Filed Jan 27, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · DC

I have a 2016 Hyundai Sonata that has had repeated engine issues including stalling overheating and shutting off. The car engine also caught on Fire on [XXX} and was reported to Hyundai Consumer affairs where a case was opened. The car was in the dealership for repair until [XXX] I have a warranty that the dealership or Hyundai did not honor for the engine, power train. The services that were repaired was a replacement of a engine piece which is Continuously Variable Valve Timing) System which controls the controls the open & close timing of intake valve to improve engine performance. On approximately [XXX] 3 days after picking the car up which I had to incur the cost of the repair as Hyundai did not honor my warranty the engine as well as oil light came on The car repair included transmission oil flush and engine oil replacement per the dealership. I contacted the service manager Mr Espinoza who was overseeing my case and informed him of the continued issues he asked me to drive the vehicle in to be looked it. as we have had inclement weather in my area i was unable to take the vehicle in. On [XXX] I attempted to drive the car to the services department at Pohanka hyundai only for the engine to make a roaring noise and stall also there was no engine oil in the car wherefore it should’ve been. I contacted the dealership and told they were busy and to bring it next week. i am requesting hyundai to buyback the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 26, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · MO

INTAKE CAMSHAFT CVVT COVER AND SENSOR INTAKE CAMSHAFT CVVT OIL PLUG PLUG Exhaust Manifold I am up to date on all me oil changes and everytime I get and oil change the oil goes so fast! This has actually been happening ever since I got the vehicle. My acceleration has been decreasing when I get an oil change.

Filed Dec 16, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · MD

I am writing to bring to your attention a critical issue affecting my 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA 4 DOOR SEDAN, that warrants investigation and public awareness. Hyundai cars are currently plagued by ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS that ultimately lead to ENGINE FAILURE, due to there being NO WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES, or OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. This is a concerning issue that remains largely unknown to most customers. When these issues arise, car owners such as myself, are often left with uncooperative dealerships that either deny the problem or offer minimal assistance. Even Hyundai corporate and extended warranties fail to provide adequate support, frequently citing owner negligence as a reason for denial. This occurs despite the fact that engine sludge buildup is inevitable, even with consistent car maintenance. Furthermore, I am forced to endure long waiting times for MY 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA 4 DOOR SEDAN, THAT HAS BEEN INSPECTED and, then DENIED FOR an ENGINE REPLACEMENT, and face additional months of delay for them to explain why. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of loaner vehicles and no assurance of rental reimbursement. This leaves countless individuals burdened with repair payments for stranded vehicles. My personal experience has been with Ourisman Hyundai, and many others have voiced similar grievances. Numerous complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the federal safety agency (NHSTA), yet little action has been taken to aid the thousands of people who are experiencing the same problems to rectify this issue. It is imperative that ATTENTION is drawn to this matter as HYUNDAI'S approach to selling cars with HIDDEN ENGINE ISSUES PUTS CUSTOMERS AT SAFETY RISK AND places them in DIRE and DEADLY HARM. I implore all News Media outlets to conduct an investigation into these concerns and help shed light on a situation that demands immediate attention

Filed Nov 1, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · FL

found me driving on I 75 and I put the Cruise Control at 70 miles, instead of maintaining the speed at 70miles the vehicle accelerated to more than 90 miles per hour I had to quickly put my foot on the brake otherwise I could have an accident with the vehicle from the front, after all this happened, I felt the car was losing speed, I tried to accelerate but it did not go over 60 miles per hour. I took it to the mechanic and they did not detect anything in the vehicle's computer. This vehicle also turns off at times when you are driving and it turns off it also spend too much oil motor , I started looking for information on this model of car and I see that there are more than 550 people who have the same problem as me, this is an unsafe vehicle for the road

Filed Oct 26, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · 73,000 miles · VA · fire

The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 45 mph, the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle began to shake, lost power, and failed to accelerate. The driver pulled over and noticed smoke, and the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was on the scene and extinguished the fire. It was unknown if a police report was filed. There were no reported injuries. The air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact mentioned that in 2021, the motor may have been replaced.The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.