IllustrationPAINT PEELING IN LARGE SHEETS DOWN TO THE BARE METAL
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
1825–50K
3650–75K
1775–100K
13100–150K
4150K+
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 reportsCAR HAS BEGUN TO MALFUNCTION AFTER ONLY THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF A FAULTY ENGINE OR OVERHEATING. IN DECEMBER OF 2020 I TOOK THE CAR TO GET AN OIL CHANGE, IT IS NOW JANUARY 2021 AND I HAVE HAD TO ADD OIL TO MY CAR DUE TO AN OVERCONSUMPTION OF OIL. AFTER TAKING IT TO HYUNDAI I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT…
Read full complaint
CAR HAS BEGUN TO MALFUNCTION AFTER ONLY THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF A FAULTY ENGINE OR OVERHEATING. IN DECEMBER OF 2020 I TOOK THE CAR TO GET AN OIL CHANGE, IT IS NOW JANUARY 2021 AND I HAVE HAD TO ADD OIL TO MY CAR DUE TO AN OVERCONSUMPTION OF OIL. AFTER TAKING IT TO HYUNDAI I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE CAR MIGHT NEED TO HAVE THE PISTON RINGS REPLACED WHICH WOULD REQUIRE AN ENGINE REBUILD OR A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. THE CAR MALFUNCTIONS ON THE ROAD AS WELL AS WHEN IT IS IDLING. THE CAR WAS USED REGULARLY FOR SCHOOL BUT SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN IT HAS BEEN RARELY USED.
TL* 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 INDEPENDENT ME…
Read full complaint
TL* 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 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CAR WAS HIT AT SPEED (ON THE PASSENGER SIDE) IN INTERSECTION BY ANOTHER VEHICLE RUNNING A RED LIGHT.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE AND CALLED HYUNDAI OF NEW PORT RICHEY (3936 US-19, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE AND CALLED HYUNDAI OF NEW PORT RICHEY (3936 US-19, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT IF THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON HER WAY TO THE DEALER, SEVERAL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RODS AND PISTON FAILED AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECENTLY HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND HAD CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,200.
ON NOVEMBER 10, 2020, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND MY CAR OUT OF THE BLUE STARTED KNOCKING. AS I KEPT DRIVING ABOUT 1/2 MILE THE KNOCKING GOT WORSE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHEN I DID, MY ENGINE QUIT AND STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP, BUT IT CONTINUES TO KNOCK. THE CAR IS NOT FIXABLE, THERE …
Read full complaint
ON NOVEMBER 10, 2020, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND MY CAR OUT OF THE BLUE STARTED KNOCKING. AS I KEPT DRIVING ABOUT 1/2 MILE THE KNOCKING GOT WORSE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHEN I DID, MY ENGINE QUIT AND STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP, BUT IT CONTINUES TO KNOCK. THE CAR IS NOT FIXABLE, THERE ARE NO MOTORS AVAILABLE FOR THE CAR, AS HYUNDAI HAS STOPPED MAKING 2016 MOTORS. IM STUCK WITH A 12K LOAN ON A CAR THAT I CAN NOT DRIVE.
I'M NOT SURE THE EXACT DATE BUT I KNOW ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING FINE AND THEN LATER THAT NIGHT I WENT TO GET GAS AND MY CAR WAS ACTING FUNNY AND NOT WANTING TO GO FORWARD IN DRIVE UNTIL IT KICKED BACK AND THEN WENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE R…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WAYNE MAZDA (1244 STATE ROUTE 23, WAYNE, NJ 07470) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
WAS TOLD A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE BY MY LOCAL DEALER HYUNDAI REPAIR SHOP
Official recalls
226V307000 · 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
1DP21003 · 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.