Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Genesis, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 12 | 13% |
| Engine | 10 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 7% |
| Steering | 6 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 5% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Air bags | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The steering rack malfunctions or fails. When driving at high speeds, the steering wheel gets stuck after being turned. It does not return to center and has to be yanked or forced back to center. There are hundreds o
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a nearby parking lot, upon returning, there was heavy black smoke coming from under the front passenger’s side seat. Upon furt
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Oil pressure switch in engine fails to accurately read oil pressure due to a lack of voltage, needing replacement. Causes driver to be unable to read proper oil pressure, leading to a possibility of fire through extreme
NHTSA complaint: Engine
My 2016 Hyundai Genesis started flashing a code stating “Check PSB” only a week after buying the car. PSB means Pre-active Seat Belt. The seat belts somehow interlink with the fuel pump. My car has a faulty fuel pump mod
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My car wont start. When I press the start button everything turns on but it wont start. It functions like the car is ready to drive. For example, it says drive to display tire pressure. The start button says the car is o
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side rear door failed to open from inside or outside or unlock as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer,
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
Oil light keep coming on when the car is stopped or at the light and turns off when it's running mechanic says it's an oil pressure switch which is a common problem with this car. I read a lot of complaints about this bu
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Passenger seat caught fire while vehicle was parked in attached garage and self-extinguished. Insurance deemed vehicle total loss due to extent of damage.
NHTSA complaint: Seats
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Hyundai Genesis. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
Risk: If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 1-855-671-3059. Hyu
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short circuit inside the ABS module could cause an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module fuse, free of charge. Owner notification
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis, 2017-2019 Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a remedy relay kit in the engine junction box, free of charge. Owner notificatio
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 12 of them (13%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2016 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.