2016 Hyundai Sonata: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

I am writing about my concerns on a 2016 Hyundai Sonata SE that I purchased for my daughter in October 2023. After purchasing I took it to my local Hyundai dealer to have it checked out. It was one of the cars that came with a lifetime warranty for the rods DO TO A DEFECT.On January 2024 my daughter was driving on the freeway when all of a sudden it just stopped accelerating and when checked it was a Knock sensor detection system. The dealer took it in and inspected and said it was a defective sensor and replaced it.This made me uncomfortable as I felt the sensor did its job and it was just a matter of time before the rod blew through.During the next few months it became very apparent that the car was going through unbelievable amounts of oil.It had a ticking so we replaced all the spark plugs and noticed oil saturating the plugs and realized a leak in the valve cover gasket which was also replaced.We thought this might be the cause but no oil was on the ground and nowhere on the engine.I just thought it was burning oil but no indicator lights were going off. The car could have no oil and it would not let us know. She's lucky to drive 300 miles a month.She has complained of a strong gas oder and we replaced 2 gas caps and went back to the Hyundai dealer.They told us there's a problem with the fuel filter and pump.If we pay $273 of inspections it might cover it if it's a failing part, and when I did the oil change the car was very low on oil despite the fact that we check it monthly and put 3 quarts of oil in the car.Her car is consuming 3-4 quarts of oil per every 250 miles.This could cause her engine to fail and possibly throw a rod which given the fact she has already taken out one Knock sensor it is just waiting to happen.So as oil disappears every few hundred miles without a warning the engine locks up and if a rod punches through onto the exhaust this can cause it to stall and potentially catch on fire especially when it wreaks of gas from the fuel filter.

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 Dec 5, 2025 · Engine · IL

My Hyundai is experiencing severe and continuous engine oil consumption that creates a safety risk. The vehicle loses a significant amount of oil within 1,000–1,500 miles, sometimes showing almost no oil on the dipstick despite recent oil changes. There are no external leaks, no burning smell, and no visible oil under the car. The cause remains UNKNOWN, but it appears to be internal engine burning or a manufacturing defect. I have taken the vehicle to the Hyundai dealer multiple times. They performed oil consumption tests but either reported “normal results” or did not provide clear explanations. The issue continues exactly the same. I also contacted Hyundai corporate, but no meaningful assistance or goodwill support was provided. The dealer acknowledges no leaks but still refuses to repair or replace the engine. This problem is dangerous because the oil level drops without warning lights or error codes. If I do not manually check the dipstick, the engine could run dry and seize while driving. Sudden engine failure on highways or in traffic can cause accidents. I now have to frequently top up oil just to keep the engine alive. I have maintained the vehicle properly and completed all requested tests. The cause is still UNKNOWN, but based on similar Hyundai cases, it may involve piston rings, valve seals, or internal engine wear. Many Hyundai owners report the same issue, suggesting a broader defect. The dealer’s only advice is to “keep monitoring oil,” which is not a safe long-term solution. This defect poses a serious safety concern and financial burden. I am filing this complaint so the federal safety agency can investigate, as the engine may fail unexpectedly, putting me and others at risk.

Filed May 18, 2025 · Engine · UT · fire

My car on the freeway started knocking. The check engine light came on. The car immediately caught fire. It is at the tow yard now. We just went through the oil consumption testing and the cleaning. I filed a report in November it failed for misfire and we paid to have the top rebuild. The car failed the oil consumption 1000 miles after the cleaning. We were told to continue to drive. We had 4 people in the car. I have the dash cam with the rod knock. The car has a check engine code. Hyundai needs to be held accountable.

Filed Mar 3, 2025 · Engine · 135,558 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact smelled burning engine oil coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that a friend arrived at the residence to inspect the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the friend became aware that oil was leaking from the head gasket. The contact stated that the friend used an ODB scanner and retrieved DTC: P1326. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V746000 (ENGINE); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,558.

Filed Feb 7, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 128,980 miles · FL · fire

On February 6, around 3:46am, parked my vehicle on the driveway I noticed a smell like smoke, I looked at my dashboard but nothing was on, no warnings, so I entered my house a few minutes later Possibly 4 I heard a noise look outside from my window an noticed my car was on fire, immediately called 911 car garage door also cut on fire and the vehicle next to it. I m requesting an investigation Police report 24-031575, my vehicle was towed by insurance company Start Casualty claim # 2024-90001577.

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 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.

Filed Oct 3, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 108,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, other drivers started beeping the horn and shouting that the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. The contact then noticed flames under the front end of the vehicle, near the engine location. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished independently. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to her son-in-law's repair shop, where it remained. There was no police report filed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a repair fee would be charged for the engine replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2023 · Engine · AZ · fire

09/16/2023: engine caught fire arrived at work at 830am and left at 4pm. Went to fedex (5 min away from job) and noticed burning smell. Left fedex (was there less than a minute because I was dropping envelope in drop box) and noticed smoke coming from under hood. Drove about a block and while making a left turn I noticed more smoke coming from under the hood. Pulled back into job's parking lot (since it was close) and within 5 minutes the engine was in flames. Flames were extinguished, but car was no longer driveable. Insurance claim was filed and vehicle was deemed a total loss. Cause of engine fire is still undetermined per insurance company.

Filed May 11, 2023 · Engine · NC

I have owned my sonata since I bought it in 2016, brand new. Started having issues with having to get more frequent oil changes in 2021, of course after my warranty out. It ‘s supposed to make 5,000 m between changes for synthetic/hm oil, but when it first started the car would be not wanting to run right, jumping, engine seemed to be running rougher, which would happen right around or close to the 3,000mark. From there it got worse and worse. Oil changes started becoming needed at 2,000 or less miles between, so many mechanics say that Hyundai are the worst for burning excessive oil. Fast forward to 2022, even with the oil changes in every 2,000 miles or so, we started having to literally ADD extra oil to the engine between changes, to the point where we would worry and check it about halfway through the 2,000 miles and sure enough very low or barely any oil even in the car??? So we would add about 2-3 quarts, get it back to the right amount. Then at times right before oil change adding 1-2 more quarts. The car would start not running as well every time it deemed it necessary for an oil change, which was way too early AND after adding up to 5 quarts , just did what we had to do bc we kept being told, Hyundai’s are just bad for Burning excessive oil!! Throughout all this, not once did a check engine light, problem indicator light come on to say anything was wrong mind you. Here comes August 2023, oil had been changed yet again and it wasn’t time for even an early change at like 2,000 miles, 1-2 quarts of oil had already been added mind you.. We were driving two of our children home and the car just started bucking, jerking, shaking violently, smoke coming out everywhere, car completely quit operating, had to be towed, has not been driven since. Engine failure needing prob replace, oil level right after incident—surprise barely any oil! 135,000 on it/destroyed bc of excessive oil burn/engine issues, not paid off, missed work, forced to buy new car asap, unacceptable

Filed May 10, 2023 · Engine · GA

Engine burning too much oil, about 1/2 quart per month. Dealership said that there was a recall for the engine to be replaced but I must wait until my engine dies. I understand that we may be stranded if we take a long trip. Being the 2nd owner of this car, we never received the letter/notice of the recall. My husband is trying to talk to the Hyundai customer service rep in California to try to get permission to have the engine replaced sooner so that we can stop the over-burning of oil and not be stranded on the road. So far the rep is 5 days past due in calling us back. Can you help us? The car is available for inspection upon request. There were no warning lights indicating a problem only the soot accumlating in the tail pipe. Mu husband also observed blue smoke coming from the tail pipe when I was driving the car and he was following me in his car.