2016 Hyundai Elantra

● Typical for this model

2016 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

2016: 286 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1990	0
1991	0
1992	29
1993	24
1994	76
1995	112
1996	100
1997	115
1998	55
1999	128
2000	197
2001	315
2002	342
2003	234
2004	182
2005	137
2006	155
2007	266
2008	314
2009	247
2010	378
2011	431
2012	649
2013	1307
2014	379
2015	258
2016	286
2017	759
2018	274
2019	242
2020	240
2021	128
2022	95
2023	90
2024	52
2025	20
2026	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 37%

37% of complaints: engine — 107 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 28 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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, 20251120

THE 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS WRECKED AT 501 MILES .

NHTSA ODI report, 20160516

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file.

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, 20180606

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, 20160407

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I was driving normally down the road and all of a sudden I lost control and couldnât 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, 20250127

THE 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS WRECKED AT 501 MILES .

NHTSA ODI report, 20160516

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

R 20240405 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Campaign 24V146000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — air bags

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.

Campaign 26V307000 — check if this car was fixed