Hyundai Elantra 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Hyundai Elantra 2016 and 293 complaints filed by owners. It has 30% more complaints than the average Hyundai Elantra from 2016–2025 (225 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Hyundai Elantra 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Hyundai Elantra 2016
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 26V307000 · 2026-05-15
What happens
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
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Latches and locks
NHTSA campaign 24V146000 · 2024-02-23
What happens
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
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
293 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
22 with a crash · 5 with a fire · 17 injuries
Most reported problems on the Hyundai Elantra 2016
- Engine: 111 (38% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 31 (11% of complaints)
- Air bags: 22 (8% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 21 (7% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 19 (6% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Hyundai Elantra 2016
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- The air bag light should come on for a second at start-up and go off. Confirm by VIN that air bag recalls were done.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Hyundai Elantra recalls by year
- 2016 : 2 recalls · 293 complaints
- 2017 : 4 recalls · 767 complaints
- 2018 : 0 recalls · 283 complaints
- 2019 : 1 recalls · 251 complaints
- 2020 : 3 recalls · 253 complaints
- 2021 : 6 recalls · 131 complaints
- 2022 : 5 recalls · 102 complaints
- 2023 : 2 recalls · 98 complaints
- 2024 : 1 recalls · 54 complaints
- 2025 : 0 recalls · 22 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Hyundai Elantra 2016 have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Hyundai Elantra 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Elantra 2016?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (111 of 293 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 12, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).