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2016 Hyundai Elantra: problems, recalls and reliability

2 recalls and 290 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (36% of complaints).

Data updated weekly · 5 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2026

2
recalls
290
owner complaints
5
fire reports
57,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: engine (36%)5 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 290 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Engine (engine mechanics)36% · 88 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)10% · 24 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)8% · 20 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)5% · 13 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)5% · 11 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)5% · 11 complaints
The oil light & check engine started flashing. Took it to the auto shop. The mechanic stated that the oil level is very low and the engine has a bad lower-end knock. Removed the oil filter and found metal debris in the oil. No oil leaks were found under the vehicle at all. Oil is being burned out through the exhaust. The vehicle needs an the ngine replacement.Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
Engine burned oil and had knocking sound, despite having regular oil changes. Stalked out while driving took to dealer initial said it was covered by the exerted coverage but ultimately denied. It had 111,000 miles on it. I believe this engine has the same issues as the others.Owner report · Engine · Jun 2026
Transmission P0731 code. Vehicle will not shift into 1st gear when idle but will stay in 3 or 4 gear. Speedometer would indicate high speed when pressing on accelerator. At traffic light when light turn green car rev but would not shift into gear. Has only 130K miles. Car was towed to dealer and required a new transmission.Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
Car just turns off randomly. This has happened at least 6 times within a month. Once on a highway. Last time it turned off a strange sound was coming out of the car also.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
So I have a suspicion oh a connecting rod, might be a bearing but it's making a tik tik noise, no other issue than that, no engine light no nothing, been doing it for a while but car still goes greatOwner report · Engine · Feb 2026
My car turned off while it was in drive. The oil pressure light flashed on for a second then disappeared. The car did not have anything else seem like it is wrong. I was put in dangers way because it turned off right before I was about to turn onto a very busy street and if it had done that in the middle of the street I would have gotten into an accident.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who informed the contact of a Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 53,600.Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2026
I received confirmation from my local Hyundai dealership that my 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT is consuming over 1.8 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. The mileage is currently 70k miles. This is not the result of lack of maintenance or neglect but because of Hyundais engine design. I was told by the local dealership that I would need a total engine re build. This was the only option to fix the issue 100%. I was told that if the issue is not fixed it will result in engine failure. Hyundai is not recalling their engines or acknowledging the inherent danger this will cause. I am at my engines will if I cannot afford this repair because Hyundai won't honor the Powertrain warranty.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter attempted to adjust the front driver's side seat while the vehicle was turned off, the front Driver-side air bag had independently deployed. No warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact's daughter's left arm was injured on impact with the air bag. Medical attention was sought, and further medical diagnosis will be scheduled. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2025
The trunk latch was recalled. I supposedly got it fixed in July 2024. It was functioning at the time it was supposedly fixed. It Does say it's a safety issue.Now it is not working, exactly the symptoms of the recall, not open from the inside. There isn't a key hole to open it. My belongings are inside, and if I get a flat, there is no way of opening the trunk. I've called their corporate office. They want to charge me a diagnostic fee, of $200.00 to check the recall. Isn't it their legal obligation to check if the recall has taken affect?Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2025

When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 2 campaigns

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE26V307000 · May 2026

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH24V146000 · Feb 2024

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Engines1.6L · 1.8L · 2.0L
Cylinders4
FuelGasoline

How other years compare

Check your exact Elantra by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA has 290 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The most complained-about area is engine (36% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 57,000 miles or less.

Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have open recalls?

2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.