Which has fewer problems, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata or the 2016 Toyota Camry?

2016 Hyundai Sonata has 8 documented failure points and 718 NHTSA complaints; 2016 Toyota Camry has 6 and 185.

2016 Hyundai Sonata vs 2016 Toyota Camry

Q: Which is better, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata or the 2016 Toyota Camry?

2016 Toyota Camry scores higher on Milo's 10-point buy score (2016 Hyundai Sonata: 5/10, 2016 Toyota Camry: 8/10). 2016 Hyundai Sonata: Great value if you find one with the engine already replaced under warranty; a coin flip if you don't. 2016 Toyota Camry: Not exciting, but a 2016 Camry will outlast your interest in owning it, and that's the point.

Two midsize cars, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used: what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.

2016 Hyundai
Sonata

5/10

Great value if you find one with the engine already replaced under warranty; a coin flip if you don't.

2016 Toyota
Camry

8/10

Not exciting, but a 2016 Camry will outlast your interest in owning it, and that's the point.

Milo scores the 2016 Toyota Camry higher — 8/10 against 5/10.

By the numbers

Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.

	Hyundai Sonata	Toyota Camry
Known failure points	8	6
NHTSA complaints	718	185
Safety recalls	6	2
Service bulletins	12	12
Reliability	45	88
Cheap to own	55	85
Fun factor	40	30
Holds value	35	72
Enthusiast cred	15	15

The most expensive thing that goes wrong

2016 Hyundai Sonata

Theta II 2.4L GDI rod bearing failure / catastrophic engine knock

$0–$8,50060k–120k mi

2016 Toyota Camry

Clear coat/paint delamination, especially on white and silver cars (per NHTSA structure complaints)

$0–$3,000100k–140k mi

If you buy one, buy this one

✅ 2016 Hyundai Sonata

2016 Sonata Sport 2.0T with documented KSDS update completed AND a printed dealer letter confirming lifetime engine warranty transfer — bonus points if the engine was already replaced under recall (look for a short-block or long-block work order).

✅ 2016 Toyota Camry

2016 Camry SE or XLE with the 2.5L four-cylinder, built after March 2016 (post airbag recall production date) — cloth or leather XLE with full service records is the sweet spot for reliability and value.

Narrowed it down? Get the full report

This comparison is model-level. Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:

A line-by-line negotiation script
The pre-purchase inspection checklist
VIN-specific open recalls
What it's really worth right now
Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
Hidden features & money-savers

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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and verify open recalls by VIN before buying.

2016 Hyundai Sonata problems · 2016 Toyota Camry problems · All vehicles