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2016 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

123 reports with mileage · 169 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports5 fire reports16 injury reports

What owners actually said

292 reports
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2023
Structure

The paint on the roof right above the windshield is peeling off. I've gone online and seen pictures of other white elantras with paint peeling. I was told by Crestmont Hyundai that my car is not part of any recall. I had the car at Crestmont Hyundai on April 28 for a recall for an anti-rust undercoating and the pictures that …

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The paint on the roof right above the windshield is peeling off. I've gone online and seen pictures of other white elantras with paint peeling. I was told by Crestmont Hyundai that my car is not part of any recall. I had the car at Crestmont Hyundai on April 28 for a recall for an anti-rust undercoating and the pictures that were taken do not show any type of damage to the area.

NHTSA ODI #11523992

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2023
Engine

Car was turning off while I was driving it. I would be driving and the car would literally just stop... this is very dangerous at high speeds. Just got a call from the dealership and they said it is the engine and is $7,000 to repair. The car only has $120,000 miles on it and it has been maintained well!

NHTSA ODI #11523608

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2023
Steering

As I was driving all of a sudden my power steering light and traction control light would pop on my car and my wheel would lock up on my making it extremely difficult to navigate. Would happen randomly at different speeds and scenarios. Once turned on when I was getting on the Delaware Memorial Bridge, another time on a highway,…

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As I was driving all of a sudden my power steering light and traction control light would pop on my car and my wheel would lock up on my making it extremely difficult to navigate. Would happen randomly at different speeds and scenarios. Once turned on when I was getting on the Delaware Memorial Bridge, another time on a highway, and happened while I was turning. Brought it 4 times to a dealership and the techs have done nothing to actively fix the problems. It’s very upsetting bc I take pictures of it because I feel like nobody believes me and I feel unsafe driving this car.

NHTSA ODI #11521867

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2023
Engine

While driving on 4/24/23, engine suddenly died and it was revealed to be a blown motor, even though the car was inspected during an oil change and nothing was found to be an issue. Lack of notification or accountability regarding this issue is infuriating.

NHTSA ODI #11519055

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2023
Engine

My 2016 Hyundai Elantra had an oil change and mechanical check up on April 14, 2023. Everything was considered to be working correctly. 2 days ago, upon turning the car on to return home, the motor completely dies without warning. This car was purchased 5 years ago and has been properly maintained. In addition, while there hasnt…

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My 2016 Hyundai Elantra had an oil change and mechanical check up on April 14, 2023. Everything was considered to be working correctly. 2 days ago, upon turning the car on to return home, the motor completely dies without warning. This car was purchased 5 years ago and has been properly maintained. In addition, while there hasnt been an official recall with Hyundai, many people like myself have experienced this same issue in one way or another.

NHTSA ODI #11519034

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2023
Unknown Or Other

The trunk latch in my 2016 Hyundai Elantra is broken. I brought it to the dealer in 12/2022 and showed it to them, and it had been failing for some time. It would not open using the latch next to the drivers seat. That just did nothing. The guy at the dealer told me that there was no recall and it would cost $800 just to diagnos…

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The trunk latch in my 2016 Hyundai Elantra is broken. I brought it to the dealer in 12/2022 and showed it to them, and it had been failing for some time. It would not open using the latch next to the drivers seat. That just did nothing. The guy at the dealer told me that there was no recall and it would cost $800 just to diagnose the problem. I can’t afford that so I didn’t have it done. It completely doesn’t work now. You can’t open it. If you are lucky and get it open then you can’t close it. It is barely closed right now. Light on panel inside the car is on saying the trunk is open. If I am driving and hit a bump it could fly open. The guy at the dealer ordered the part and told me to use painters tape to keep it shut in the meantime like I know what I am doing. It will cost me $400 to fix—I am on Social Security and don’t have $400–and I don’t have access to my spare tire if I get a flat tire. There was a recall for this exact part for 2016 Hyundai Elantras but it didn’t include my VIN number. Sounds to me like it should have. The dealership sent me on my way with my trunk still just barely closed. Use painters tape. Couldn’t even help me secure it. I need to figure out out how to secure it on my own as I need to drive in the highway. Don’t know what happens if I need the spare. I don’t know why it wasn’t included in the original recall. There were other 2016 Elantras. I am basically on my own on this. Nobody has paid a bit of interest. Dealer told me to call Hyundai. Hyundai told me to call dealer. Who’s on first? All I know is I feel like I am paying this $400 but I’m going to have to not pay something else—like groceries, cable, gas for the car, etc. I don’t understand. Why are some covered and some not?

NHTSA ODI #11518923

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

My Hyundai Elantra started completely shutting off while I was driving. This happened on multiple occasions like in slow traffic and while going high speeds on the highway. This is scary and dangerous when my toddler child is in the car. I took it to 3 different mechanics and no one can find any codes or anything wrong with it--…

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My Hyundai Elantra started completely shutting off while I was driving. This happened on multiple occasions like in slow traffic and while going high speeds on the highway. This is scary and dangerous when my toddler child is in the car. I took it to 3 different mechanics and no one can find any codes or anything wrong with it---but it continues to happen and put my life and my daughters life at risk. I have seen so many people complaining of the same thing--but nothing has happened? This last dealership has had my car for 3 weeks (and counting) but still cannot find the issue. I have about 125,000 miles on the car.

NHTSA ODI #11518693

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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 st…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11517957

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2023
Engine

I purchased my car 10 months ago. It has rebuilt title without any structural damage. The accident was in the body only and no one touched the engine. It was in perfect condition and it was driven without any problems for the last 10 months. Two weeks ago, I noticed a ticking noise come from the engine whenever the car accelerat…

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I purchased my car 10 months ago. It has rebuilt title without any structural damage. The accident was in the body only and no one touched the engine. It was in perfect condition and it was driven without any problems for the last 10 months. Two weeks ago, I noticed a ticking noise come from the engine whenever the car accelerates. The noise wasn’t exist before, it just happen. I took the car to firestone and they stated that it is common problem in the engine appears in this model. I took it to the dealer (Hyundai of Cookeville) and they state that engine require replacement and it is a harmful issue. I looked over the internet and I found that it is common problem between owners of Hyundai Elantra especially 2012 to 2016. It is worth noting to mention that there is no any warning lamp turned on to warn me that there is an issue. My car has a low mileage 90700. It is weird to breakdown its engine especially I change the engine oil before the due date. Please help me and other owners to get a recall on the engine because as stated by the dealer it is a harmful problem and requires engine replacement. I appreciate any help you can provide to save my family and other families of Elantra owners.

NHTSA ODI #11514985

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2023
StructureUnknown Or Other

Disk brake backing plates rusted through, flaking. Could lodge in brake pads.

NHTSA ODI #11513190

Official recalls

2

26V307000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 14, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.

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.

24V146000 · Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch

Feb 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

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 Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

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