2016 Hyundai Sonata: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Engine · IL

On [XXX] as I was driving out my garage my car started to drive with hesitation. As I turn the corner from home my car started to shake vigorously so I turned into the alley which leads back to my home the check engine light came on. I was able to drive into the garage. So I went to a mechanic who has serviced all my previous cars and he showed me that the car is burning too much oil that was effecting the performance of the engine making it drive sluggish I was also told at the oil changing company in numerous occasions that the sonatas burn oil. I’m trying to get it resolved but having no luck . It’s a real hassle with servicing this car. I need assistance on what I need to do INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 22, 2025 · Body, Brakes · PR

I am reporting multiple safety-related problems with my 2016 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0 that have become progressively worse and may pose a serious danger. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light starts blinking during startup, then remains solidly illuminated while driving. This indicates a persistent fault in the stability system. The car also frequently slows down or brakes on its own, without any input from me. This happens especially right after starting the car or while driving in traffic, and has caused multiple near-accidents. These issues first appeared around two years ago, but they used to happen occasionally. Over time, they have become more frequent, and now they occur daily. There is also a grinding or dragging noise when the vehicle starts or moves at low speed, and it often hesitates when trying to accelerate. These symptoms create uncertainty and make the vehicle feel unsafe to operate. Inside the car, the dashboard has severely cracked, with deep, wide splits across the top panel. I’m concerned this could interfere with airbag deployment or reflect light dangerously while driving. On the outside, the paint is peeling off in large chunks, and I’ve noticed the same problem on other Sonatas of this model. This suggests a wider manufacturing issue and raises concerns about long-term durability and corrosion. These problems have not been confirmed by a mechanic yet, but they are consistent, worsening, and clearly pose a safety risk. I have recorded a video that shows the ESC warning and the sound it makes, which I am including for reference. Video evidence of ESC malfunction and mechanical noise: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Jul 1, 2023 · Engine · CA

With no prior warning lights, motor in the vehicle started making knocking noise and hesitating, check engine light turned on while driving on the freeway. The vehicle has been inspected by central valley Hyundai in modesto ca and they said cylinder 1 & 3 failed in the piston bearings. In a text from the certified technician he said there was nothing I did to cause it. He said when the bearings fail it causes internal damage to the engine, and that my 2016 engine will need to be replaced with only 109,000 miles. This exact bearing failure is a known issue on many other vehicles from Hyundai.

Filed May 10, 2023 · Engine · MS

Brought car at 49k…notices Car started burning oil around 80k.. I went to dealership where I brought the car from and they did a oil consumption.. I was told I passed it around 88k… oil getting worse was told it was my oil pan…120k car started jerking and hesitating on interstate while I was going 70 mph tune up cylinder 3 coil.. changed it… no oil pan leak… 130k jerking and hesitating again while getting off interstate.. same code this time I need a new motor

Filed Apr 20, 2023 · Engine · AL

I got this car less than a year ago and immediately had issues within the 2nd day of getting it. Called the dealership and they had me take it in to a mechanic who fixed the issues. Since then I have had issues with this car consuming so much oil it's beyond ridiculous. This past Saturday night the car was being driven and all of a sudden the acceleration has become an issue. The car acts as if it doesn't want to go and hesitates. The dealership I got the car from no longer is in business and the loans were sold to another company and I'm not sure why no one is doing anything about the many issues with hyundai cars and their dangerous engine issues. When you're in traffic on the road with your children in the car and cars coming at you with full on speeds (here in alabama 70plus mph on interstate) it's very scary. Hyundai and kia need to take responsibility for these engines people are forking over thousands of dollars for. I'm not even a yr in and having several issues. Oil consumptions and issues with acceleration which seems that it leads to dead engines all the way around. We need help and we need it now. Please assist us with these issues. Thanks

Filed Aug 23, 2022 · NC

2016 Sonata panoramic sunroof wind defector. The wind deflector separated in 2020 and was repaired under warranty by Hunter Hyundai in Fletcher North Carolina. This issue is a design and manufacturing issue. The wind deflector is under spring tension when the sunroof is open and is attached to the body with glue at three points: center, left and right. Because I was skeptical that the fix would work I hesitated to open the panoramic sunroof which was a $1,000 option. With the sunroof open and the wind deflector popped up if it detaches it's difficult or impossible to close the sunroof. This is way it's a safety issue. the sunroof can be opened during driving and once open attempts to close while driving may lead to single or multiple car collision. In my case I opened the sunroof in the garage to see if the deflector was still attached. It separated at the center and passenger side. i was able to close the sunroof but had to hold down the deflector while closing the sunroof. risky business. the hyundai dealer would not fix the defect under the original repair warranty as it was done in May 2020. The recall (152) in 2016 was closed. The cost to repair is $355 and it may happen again. This is a design and manufacturing defect that should be repaired free of charge. I called Hyundai customer service and have a case number: 202112366.

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · Engine · TX

I noticed a recall for premature engine damage for some hyundai models. I have a 2016 sonata that is experiencing the same warning signs. Abnormal knocking noises from the engine and the oil light will illuminate after adding oil within a few weeks. I've also noticed a burning smell from time to time. The engine light is not on. Before the knocking noise began I would notice hesitation in acceleration every now and then but it wasn't constant. The knocking noise is during driving and even more so when turning. This is my only vehicle and I have taken it in for maintenance when needed but this happened suddenly and I am unable to figure out why. On the recall list is the 2016 sonata hybrid but with my sonata being of the same year I am sure it should also be on the recall list since the issues are identical.

Filed Jan 26, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 75,000 miles · CA

At about 75,000 miles my 2016 sonata limited 2.4l started needing oil added between regular oil changes (all mileage and maintenance by one driver). The vehicle is now 85,000 miles and I am adding 2 qts. There are no leaks from the engine so it must be burning through the exhaust, which can't be good for the emissions system and any future smog check - or the environment. The dashboard warning lights do not come on when the oil is low. This could result in catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle also experiences engine knocking and hesitating when accelerating from 30mph. This has been a safety issue when merging onto the highway, which is almost all of my driving.

Filed Dec 13, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 55,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 hyundai sonata. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and failed to accelerate. Also, there was an abnornal burning odor and a ticking noise was detected. Furthermore, the maintenance warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to southtowne hyundai (7665 highway 85 south, riverdale, ga 30274, (770) 471-1000), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 55,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · 88,121 miles · AL

The check engine light came on with slight hesitation and reduced power during acceleration. Car was on highway with in ten minutes from home from my research indicate this care issue could be caused from hyundai sonata software issue.

Filed Oct 31, 2019 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · CO

Car hesitates on acceleration on an inconsistent basis. The rpms increase quite a bit before the car accelerates. Usually at lower speeds or after stopping at a traffic light. Car has dual-clutch transmission that is part of class action suit.