2016 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 292 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 22 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 15, 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.
An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
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.
Campaign 26V307000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchFeb 23, 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."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 24V146000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
53 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 19, 2023
My Elantra stalled while driving twice the other day. The first time I occurred on a Highway inter belt and the second occurred in slow moving traffic. I had the car evaluated by 2 different repair shops. Both said they could not reduplicate the problem or find any malfunctioning codes. No warning lights appeared when the car stalled. I had this happen before last fall. I had it repaired. They changed spark plugs, performed engine oil system purge, serviced fuel injector and air induction and realigned tires. Until the day before yesterday, the car performed well. In researching my car issue, I have learned that this is a top complaint of many 2016 Elantra owners.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2023
Disk brake backing plates rusted through, flaking. Could lodge in brake pads.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 21, 2023
my transmission failed while driving, car stopped being able to accelerate, i was luckily in my neighborhood but if this happened on a major road I could’ve been seriously injured or even killed. i had to tow it to a local shop and they said they have to completely replace the transmission. no prior warnings on the dashboard or any indications my car was about to fail. I only had slight issues a week beforehand. this vehicle is unsafe and costs thousands to repair
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2023
My car was stolen out of my driveway, taken for a joy ride, and abandoned on the side of the road. This year/model of car is experiencing extremely high levels of theft across the nation (e.g, 7K in Chicago alone, and 59,991 nationwide through August). This is due to: 1 - the ease with which it can be stolen with no special tools, due to poor design 2 - a popular "TikTok Challenge" to steal these cars This presents an extreme public safety concern as: - the cars are typically stolen by teenagers and taken for joy rides, posing a hazard to other drivers - this can lead to dangerous high-speed police chases - having cars abandoned haphazardly on the sides of roads is a traffic hazard - owners who recover their cars may be unaware of equipment safety issues that may have been caused by reckless driving - insurers are dropping coverage of these cars, which may force lower-income owners to drive uninsured To date, Hyundai has done nothing to address this issue.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 21, 2023
Back windshield is completely bubbled and pealing. I’ve noticed this year is notorious for it.
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2023
When I use the shift control to shift my car into drive, nothing happens. The car does not transition into drive, and when I step on the gas, the engine just revs. This happens most often after I have driven the car for at least an hour. When I shut the car off and later (5 to 10 min) return to my car, I can not get the car to shift into drive. It will go in reverse and neutral but not drive. When I start the car first thing in the morning, the car goes into drive with no problem. I have to avoid parallel parking due to fear of not being able to get the car to go into drive after I have shifted in reverse to parallel park.
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2022
The trunk latch has malfunctioned, exactly what is happening with 2016 Hyundai models that are recalled for the trunk latch not staying latched. Suddenly the latch will no longer stay closed. There were no warnings.
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2022
Was driving about 25 mph coming to slow down to turn and my car just died there was no warning no lights came on the dash the car just shut off put it in park and it started with no problem it has done it three times even while I was just driving down the road wasn't stopping or anything
Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2022
Trunk latch won’t work, there is a recall on other models for this problem but they say this isn’t on recall
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2022
So back in November of 2020 I had a few instances where my car had issues shifting into a different gear while I pressed the gas. It was like it stalled and was suspended for a moment making a really weird noise and then got punched into the next gear super fast and made a bad noise. I was driving between 20-35 miles when these occurrences happened. I went to the Hyundai dealership and had them look at my car but they found nothing. The mechanic test drove it but they found nothing was wrong. The attendant made notes on my account about all of this so that there would be a record. He told me to come in again if I had any more issues like this. Fast forward to now March 19th 2022, there were 4 occurrences in one day, where my car felt like it was stalling differently. While I was pressing the gas pedal driving between 20- 30 miles when suddenly it felt like there was a delay like liquid trying to pass through a tube but bubbles of air were blocking it from getting the liquid to flow. Which made my car shake and feel like I was driving over a bumpy road. I feel like if there had been cars in front of me for the first few instances, I could have rear-ended them. Luckily, that was not the case. Now, for the other occurrences on March 19th, 2022 if a car would have been going faster behind me, they could have rear-ended me, especially because of the stalling in acceleration. I've made an appointment with the dealership for the end of this week but I am rrying to go in as soon as possible to get this looked at. I think its either a transmission, engine, or fuel system error just for the simple fact of pressing the gas and feeling it stall and have to force itself into a different gear.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 1, 2022
Piston defect caused engine to seize, car was parked when engine would not start so I had it towed to Hyundai dealership where it is still. Nothing has been done to my car but was told I'm one of the persons who have been affected by the recent lawsuit that closed and I could not file a claim.
Other or unspecified, Jan 29, 2022
Vehicle turns off without warning while driving . No lights appear. Has been in the shop for 2 months . No codes appear on diagnostic device.
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2021
Trunk will not open. Passenger side latch doesn’t open the trunk. Trunk is stuck. Rear seats do not have a button or latch to make them go down/fold. Cannot get into the trunk from inside of car. Car passenger door has no access to trunk latch. No smart key came with car, but if trunk latch is broken/damaged, there is still no way to get access to the trunk! Safety feature has no access from inside or outside the car! No key entry to the trunk! Nothing!!! A child gets stuck in this 2016 Hyundai Elantra they will die!!! No key entry to the trunk.
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2021
Latch for trunk does not work from the inside by the floor at the driver seat.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2021
PAINT PEELING IN LARGE SHEETS DOWN TO THE BARE METAL
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2020
IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS MY REAR WINDOW IS BUBBLING BETWEEN THE WINDOW. IF IT CONTINUES IT LOOKS LIKE THE WINDOW WILL SEPERATE OR SHATTER. IT LOOKS LIKE MOISTURE GOT IN BETWEEN THE GLASS AND TINT.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2019
STEERING IS QUITE TIGHT AT TIMES ON SLOW TURNS; HOWEVER, WHEN FULL SPEED 0-70, SEEMS THE POWER STEERING IS CUTTING OFF AND ON AND STICKING. GOING AROUND A CURVE CAUSES THE STEERING TO TIGHTEN UP AND IT TAKES MASSIVE EFFORT TO BRING IT BACK CENTER, AND SOMETIMES THIS CAUSES YOU TO OVER CORRECT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT'S LIKE A STICKING SENSATION IN THE WHEEL, PULLING. TIRES ARE GOOD, ALIGNMENT IS AMAZING. NONE OF THIS MAKES ANY SENSE. ACCELERATION FROM 0-45, YOU HAVE TO PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO ACCELERATE WHICH IS A NEW ISSUES THAT SUDDENLY APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR MARCH OF 2019, AND HAVE ONLY OWNED IT FOR 7-MONTHS. I DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. *BF
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2019
I WAS IN A DRIVE THRU AT A PHARMACY WHEN THE AIR STOPPED WORKING, CAR HAD 62,000 MILES TO DATE & UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION THE AIR COMPRESSOR WENT OUT
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2019
VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY. I PULLED THE SMALL HANDLE BY THE DRIVER SEAT TO OPEN THE TRUNK. NOW MY TRUNK WILL NOT LATCH. IT WANT CLOSE EVEN WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY PHOBE.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 22, 2019
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 HESITATING UPON LIFTING FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR. MY SISTER WHO OWNS THE SAME CAR/YEAR, HAS THE SAME ISSUE. PROBLEMS REPORTED: SUSPENSION/ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 11, 2018
I PURCHASE A BRAND NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA END OF JANUARY 2016. WHEN I START DRIVING IT THE CAR STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS FOR 2 AND 7 MONTHS I'VE BEEN HAVING SO MUCH PROBLEM WITH MY CAR WHEN GOING TO DEALER CONSTANTLY SINCE I HAD IT NOW I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ON TUESDAY AND THE DEALER CALLED ME ON WEDNESDAY WITH THE MECHANIC EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CAR ON THURSDAY THE DEALER CALLED ME BACK SAYING THE CORPORATE COMPANY CAME OUT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE MY WHOLE ENGINE ON MY CAR I AM REALLY NOT HAPPY WITH MY CAR I DON'T WANT IT I WANT THEM TO TAKE THE CAR BACK I AM SO DONE AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS SO BAD THERE. THEY GAVE ME THE RUN-AROUND NORM REEVES HYUNDAI IN CERRITOS AND ALSO THE HENRY INN IN GARDEN GROVE ALSO.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2018, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON A FREEWAY. THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED MY HYUNDAI, A PICK UP, AND A KIA. THE PERSON DRIVING THE KIA WAS AT FAULT. THE LANE WE WERE IN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC AND THE PERSON IN THE KIA REAR ENDED ME WHICH CAUSE MY CAR TO HIT THE PICK UP. THE PICK UP HAD MINOR SCRATCHES AND DENTS, THE KIA HAD MINOR SCRATCHES WHERE AS MY HYUNDAI CRUSHED LIKE A CAN. MY BACK DOORS WOULDNT OPEN AFTER THE IMPACT AND MY CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED.
Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2017
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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2017
AFTER TWO WEEKS OF CONSISTENT STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN KEY IN THE IGNITION I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 6, 2017. I ALSO TURNED THE WHEEL COUNTERCLOCKWISE AND DID AS THE MANUAL INSTRUCTED. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, FRUSTERATION AND BEING STRANDED AT WORK SEVERAL TIMES AND IT FINALLY UNLOCKED. MY HUSBAND HAD A DIFFICULT TIME UNLOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL. WHEN I BOUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP IT WASN'T LOCKING UP AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WOULD BE LOOKED AT BUT THAT WAS A VERY COMMON HAPPENING IN THESE VEHICLES. IT WAS BROUGHT TO 6251 GRAND AVE. GURNEE, IL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS JEFFREY VLACH #49715.
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2017
VEHICLE STUMBLES BADLY 2 TO 4 SECONDS WHEN MAKING A TURN OR EVEN A LANE CHANGE SOMETIMES. DEALER TWICE. RESPONSE: EVERYTHING "NORMAL"? GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR--NO ACCELERATION FOR UP TO 4 SECONDS. DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS.