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2016 Hyundai Elantra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the engine (39% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is 10th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems
Engine
113 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
My engine, without any prior warning signs, suddenly started to make a knocking noise approximately 5 minutes after driving it. Within a few miles on the highway, the sound got louder and heavier, and the acceleration became very weak. I pulled over and stopped the car. When I tried to restart it was so hesitant to do…
I was driving when suddenly I hear a knock in the engine and a grinding sound inside the engine and a mechanic inspected it and said that it is rod bearing that they have damage, speak to the Hyundai department and that their system did not work that they could not give me information
Other or unspecified
54 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles.
2/22/2019 car has 55,000 miles but for past year have had problems with braking on uneven surfaces [cracks, potholes] on highway, streets. When braking car feels like you are braking on full metal and bottom of car feels like it is coming apart. Another issue from the beginning of owning the car are issues with car…
My VIN is for a 2016 Hyundai Elantra se/ve which is what I believe I have but a web search shows that same VIN on www.vindecoder.org and www.vincheck.com as a 1986 Hyundai Elantra gls.
Transmission
31 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal sound coming from the transmission while shifting gears. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. No warning…
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been driven for over an hour, the vehicle shut-off while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the oil warning light flashed on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to two…
Air bags
26 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles.
Another car hit my car the impact caused me to hit my head on the steering wheel. It was over $10,000 worth of damage to the front passenger side of my car. I was pulling out of walmart parking lot entering into the lane
Takata recall the driver side airbags and seat airbags deployed, however they were late and did not deploy until the driver's head had hit the window. The steering wheel never deployed. The car was tboned on the driver's door by a truck going over 20mph. The driver head hit window and side airbags deployed, no…
Electrical
22 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, starter assembly.
When car is slowing at intersection, car will shake violently and completely shut down. Once car is put in park and key is taken out, car starts up immediately. Has happened 5 times over the course of 2 weeks. Seems like I have to put more pressure on gas pedal to go even slightly faster.
The car does not turn over when you initially start car you have to turn the key back and try starting again it has been consistently doing this for over a year and no mechanic can figure out what the problem is. Other than that there is no issues with the driving.
Fuel system
20 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
I drove slowly through the parking lot at work and pulled into a parking spot. Instead of stopping, the car suddenly swerved, lurched forward and crashed into the cement base of a light pole. The car kept grinding into the cement base. I was helpless to stop the destruction of my car. The repair shop has had my car…
I have had problems with my vehicle for a year now. I took the car to Hyundai several times to get my vehicle service and each time they were unable to duplicate the problem. The problems I am experiencing are a delay in acceleration, car shuts off occasionally while driving, car shut off occasionally when switching…
Steering
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles.
Front headlights need replacing one monthly. Had it repaired at the dealership while still under factory warranty. I was told it was a wiring issue but several months after the problem still persists. The front highbeams and daylights have been replaced for going out (no longer working) 12 times in 2 years.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. While driving various speeds, the power steering failed. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and became very difficult to turn left or right. Barnes crossing Hyundai in tupelo, mississippi was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was designed that…
Speed control
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and crashed into the tires of another vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain…
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. During the incident, the engine's rpms suddenly increased before the vehicle erroneously accelerated forward and crashed into a tree causing body damage to the vehicle.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated october 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (etc) system on certain kia vehicles resulting in the opening of dp21-003. Accordingly, model year (my) 2005-2016 kia optima/k5, my 2006-2015 kia sorento, my 2007-2016 hyundai elantra, my 2007-2016 hyundai santa fe, my 2006-2015 hyundai sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a vehicle owner questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (odi) number 11439675.on november 12, 2021, odi opened defec
Questions about the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (113 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); other or unspecified (54 complaints, typically around 15,000 miles); transmission (31 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 14, 2026 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Hyundai Elantra?
- It is 10th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints, with 293 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.