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
Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2016
MY VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE, BUT WITH SOMETHING CALLED A "TIRE MOBILITY KIT" WHICH IS USED TO INFLAT A FLAT TIRE (MAYBE). IN ANTICIPATION OF THE NEED TO USE THIS GADGET, I HAVE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAME ACROSS THIS ITEM: "WARNING: SEALANT IS AN IRRITANT TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY PASSAGES. OVEREXPOSURE MAY CAUSE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND KIDNEY EFFECTS......DO NOT BREATHE VAPOR OR MIST.....AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES....WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING....IN CASE OF SKIN OR EYE CONTACT, IMMEDIATELY FLUSH AFFECTED AREA WITH PLENTY OF WATER. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT I WILL SUFFER A FLAT TIRE CLOSE TO A SOURCE OF CLEAN WATER. THIS PRODUCT IS POISONOUS AND DANGEROUS TO USE. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ALERTED AND THE PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH A SAFE ALTERNATIVE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOUR AGENCY WILL PURSUE THIS MATTER WITH HYUNDAI.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2016
WHEN PARKING OUR CAR, THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. OBVIOUSLY, WE COULD NOT LEAVE THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I LOOKED AT A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=A4T6YDZKB5G AND THIS GUY'S VIDEO SAVED THE DAY. THIS OBVIOUSLY HAS HAPPENED FOR OTHER PEOPLE AND SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WE WILL BE TAKING THIS TO THE DEALER TO FIX, HOWEVER, SINCE IT APPARENTLY HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHERS FOR YEARS I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT TO YOU. IF IT IS NOT FIXED BY HYUNDAI I WILL LET YOU KNOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION.
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2015
ON JULY 6, 2016 WE PURCHASED A 2016 ELANTRA LIMITED. WE DO LIKE THE CAR. HOWEVER, IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS, JUST OVER 2400 MILES THE NEW 2016 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS A 2013 ELANTRA THAT WE USED TO HAVE. WE WOULD PRESS THE BRAKE, THEN PRESS THE PUSH START BUTTON. NOTHING HAPPENED, IT DIDN?T EVEN TRY TO CRANK. IT WAS AS IF THE BRAKE AND START BUTTON HAD NEVER BEEN DEPRESSED. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS DEAD AS A DOOR NAIL. THEN WE WOULD TRY STARTING THE CAR A SECOND TIME AND THE CAR WOULD START. THESE EVENTS HAPPENED WITH A COLD START AND ALSO A WARM START. WE TOOK THE 2016 CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. BETWEEN THE 2013 AND THE 2016 MODEL YEARS IT WOULD SEEM THAT SOMETHING COULD BE FIGURED OUT TO CORRECT AND FIX THE STARTING PROBLEM. WE STILL HAVE A NEW 2016 CAR THAT HAS A STARTING PROBLEM WITH THE PUSH BUTTON START.