Recall 16V615 affects 1,031 2016 Hyundai Sonata vehicles for a driver air bag neck-protection defect. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 1,031 2016 Sonata vehicles under recall 16V615 because the driver-side frontal air bag does not adequately protect the driver's neck in a crash. That defect increases injury risk during a frontal crash, and Hyundai dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver-side frontal air bag in the 2016 Hyundai Sonata is built into the steering wheel and deploys during a crash. Its job is to help cushion the driver and manage crash forces to the head, neck, and upper body. The system has to meet federal occupant-protection requirements when it deploys.
On affected Sonata vehicles, testing traced the problem to a specific lot of air bag inflator modules. The inflator is the part that fills the air bag during deployment. In this lot, the module did not meet the neck-injury protection requirement in FMVSS 208 testing, so the deployed air bag does not provide the intended neck protection in a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag system can look normal until a crash, because the defect is about how the driver air bag performs during deployment, not a noise, smell, or dashboard symptom before driving.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata | air bag system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,031 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Hyundai Sonata is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
The driver's frontal air bag gives inadequate neck protection, leaving the driver with higher injury risk in a crash. Schedule the recall repair soon and keep using normal seat-belt precautions until it is done. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Hyundai Sonata is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the free driver's frontal air bag module replacement that fixes the driver neck-protection issue in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V615 when you call.
- Wear your seat belt on every trip until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician replaces the driver's frontal air bag module covered by this recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related air bag repair before the recall notice, ask Hyundai customer service or the dealer how to submit documentation under Hyundai's reimbursement plan. Keep the repair order with your paperwork after service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 24, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 14, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| October 14, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 14, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V615?
Recall 16V615 covers 1,031 2016 Hyundai Sonata vehicles with a driver-side frontal air bag module that does not give the required neck protection in a crash. Hyundai dealers replace the driver's frontal air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Hyundai Sonata is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sonata is included in recall 16V615. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and ask for the driver's frontal air bag module replacement under recall 16V615. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Hyundai's remedy says dealers replace the driver's frontal air bag module free of charge at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is higher driver neck-injury risk in a crash. The recalled Sonata air bag does not provide the required driver neck protection under FMVSS 208, Occupant Crash Protection. The repair replaces the driver's frontal air bag module.
What if I bought my Hyundai Sonata used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2016 Sonata is included, then reference recall 16V615 when you call a franchised Hyundai dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V615000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-800-633-5151 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V615 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V615000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →