HyundaiSonata2016Overview/hyundai/sonata/2016/base/

2016 Hyundai Sonata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Sonata.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata is a passenger car in which the engine ranks among the most frequent sources of owner complaints, contributing to a total of 716 complaints and six recall actions. Its complaint history spans 1990‑2026, showing a peak of 3,368 complaints in 2011 and a low of just two in 2026, which situates the 2016 model in the middle of this long‑term trend. Although reliability has improved over time, the 2016 edition still carries a measurable complaint volume, making it a pertinent reference point for researchers studying the model’s durability.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182016

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS CCA battery, OE oil filter 2630035505. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205/65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter2630035505
Spark plug1884911070
Front wiper blades99H09AKA18H alt 99H09AKA26H

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3252 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sonata of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.2–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2016 Sport 2.0T
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Sport 2.0T 2.0L Turbo I-47.20 sec15.50 sec245 hpFWD
2016Plug-in Hybrid Limited Blue Drive 2.0L I-4 + Elec7.60 sec15.90 sec202 hpFWD
2016Hybrid Limited Blue Drive 2.0L I-4 + Elec 38-kW 1.6-kWh8.10 sec16.20 sec193 hpFWD
2016Hybrid Limited Blue Drive 2.0L I-4 + Elec 38-kW 1.6-kWh8.30 sec16.30 sec193 hpFWD
2015Eco 1.6L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.30 sec177 hpFWD
2015Eco 1.6L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.10 sec177 hpFWD
2015Sport 2.4L I-47.90 sec16.20 sec185 hpFWD
2015Sport 2.0T 2.0L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.30 sec245 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.5
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.9

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts26
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs78.0-121.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.50-0.62 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance1700-2300 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.50-0.62 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance1700-2300 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.50-0.62 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance1700-2300 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.11-1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.37-3.05 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.30 lbs
Oil GroupPOE

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70-73 psi
Engine Compression178 - 199 psi / Max Variation 15 psi
Engine Compression171 - 192 psi / Maximum Variation 15 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 171 - 192 / Max Variation 15 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0006-0.0009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0009-0.0011 in
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0105-0.0130 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 58-
ABS Sensor Torque6.6-7.0
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque58-72
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse any bolts. Do not apply any oil to the cylinder head bolts. Apply a suitable liquid gasket compound to the top and bottom of the cylinder head gasket. Assemble the cylinder head within five minutes of the liquid gasket application

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 122.511 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 122.511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 6,200 miIntercooler (inspect)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata sits near the midpoint of a sharp rise and subsequent decline in federal complaints and recalls for the model line. After a peak of 3,368 complaints in 2011, the 2016 model recorded 716 complaints and six recalls, a marked improvement over the 1,127 complaints of 2015 but still higher than the 364 complaints of 2018. Recall activity in 2016 (six) was lower than the 14 recalls in 2011 yet higher than the single recall in 2018, indicating a moderate but persistent issue profile. Top complaint categories in 2016—engine (313), unknown or other (37), steering (24), and exterior lighting (20)—show that most problems involve powertrain and driver‑assist systems rather than safety‑critical failures. With 19 crash complaints and 28 fire complaints, the safety‑related out‑of‑the‑ordinary incidents remain below the peak of 2013 (179) but above the recent 20222024 lows. Overall, the 2016 Sonata represents a better‑than‑average year within its generation, making it a more reliable choice than earlier years, though buyers should still inspect engine and steering components carefully.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
227
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
716
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 28 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 716 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine313
Unknown Or Other37
Steering24
Exterior Lighting20
Service Brakes20
Electrical System20
Structure18
Power Train,Engine16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V726000Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof AssemblyReported 11/10/2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

17V359000Parking Brake:Indicator LightReported 05/06/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 227 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
26-01-013H-2 DN2026-05-20Electrical SystemCertain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles…
26-01-013H-2 TSB2026-05-20Electrical SystemCertain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles…
9C2 0605182026-05-18Electrical SystemFollowing completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain…
9C2 DCS 2605182026-05-18Electrical SystemFollowing completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain…
26-BD-002H TSB2026-04-28Unknown Or OtherCertain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonata. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Sonata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.