MYRModel Year Report

2016 Hyundai Elantra

● Typical for this model
2016 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
293
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

38% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2012 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 384 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 293 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2019: 250 complaints 2020: 252 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1995 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2001 2002: 342 complaints 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2010 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2013: 1,312 complaints 2013 2014: 384 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 293 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2019: 250 complaints 2019 2020: 252 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2025 2026: 2 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1994 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1996 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2000 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2006 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2008 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2010 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2012 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 384 complaints 2014 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 293 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2018 2019: 250 complaints 2020: 252 complaints 2020 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2024 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026

2016: 293 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199478
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009253
2010379
2011433
2012652
20131,312
2014384
2015262
2016293
2017767
2018283
2019250
2020252
2021131
2022101
202397
202454
202522
20262

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

38% · 111 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The motor started to make a ticking noise 5 months earlier. 5 months later at 180,000 miles a borascope finding, reveled all 4 cylinder walls were worn related to cylinder slap.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-29

Vehicle stalls while driving which is very dangerous. All dashboard lights go on prior to stalling. No engine light is on. Knocking sound coming from engine. Dealer states engine needs to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-29

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Power train

11% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

P0420 P0441 P0014 P1326 C1260 C1688 C2130 These are the codes that's affecting my car

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-25

Also filed under Suspension and vehicle speed control

Transmission P0731 code. Vehicle will not shift into 1st gear when idle but will stay in 3 or 4 gear. Speedometer would indicate high speed when pressing on accelerator. At traffic light when light turn green car rev but would not shift into gear.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-10

Air bags

9% · 26 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter attempted to adjust the front driver's side seat while the vehicle was turned off, the front Driver-side air bag had independently deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-11-20

The 2016 Hyundai Elantra was wrecked at 501 miles .

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-05-16

Also filed under Steering

Electrical system

8% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing rear compartment/trunk and starter assembly.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Started ascending over a bridge when car started to putter. Then smoke came out of the tailpipe. Power flickered then went off. Was able to coast to the side of the road. Turned off the car and it was smoking.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-06

Also filed under Structure

Vehicle spontaneously ignited 4/5/2016 @ ~3:45PM (See pictures attached) while parked in a fenced, guarded, private corporation employee parking lot, destroying itself & both vehicles parked on either side of it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-04-07

Steering

6% · 19 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving normally down the road and all of a sudden I lost control and couldn’t turn my vehicle apparently the control arm rusted from the subframe, causing me to swerve hit a curb and cause more damage to the front end.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-27

Also filed under Suspension

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities
  2. R
    2024-04-05Latches/locks/linkages24V146000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    Date not on fileAir bags26V307000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 111 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V307000 · Air bags
  • Recall 24V146000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Hyundai Elantra is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.