Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, the most recent reported on May 14, 2026 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (111 complaints), followed by unknown or other (54).

How many 2016 Hyundai Elantra complaints mention a crash or fire?

22 of 293 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 17 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2016 Hyundai Elantra recalls and problems

2 recalls and 293 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra.

recalls

293

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Hyundai Elantra recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 26V307000 · reported May 14, 2026 · Hyundai Motor America · 3,493 vehicles potentially affected

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

Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid, latch

NHTSA campaign 24V146000 · reported February 23, 2024 · Hyundai Motor America · 186,588 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine111
Unknown or other54
Power train31
Air bags26
Electrical system22
Fuel/propulsion system19
Steering19
Structure18
Vehicle speed control18
Service brakes15

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 1, 2026 · Unknown or other
I am reporting a recall remedy failure involving my 2016 Hyundai Elantra under Hyundai Recall 256 / NHTSA Recall 24V‑146 (trunk latch pawl defect). The McCarthy Olathe Hyundai dealership in Olathe, KS marked the recall as “completed,” but the trunk latch still does not open and the defect persists exactly as described…

Aug 29, 2026 · Engine
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. Car has been serviced regularly despite that Hyundai denies engine replacement. The knocking sound that engine does is…

Aug 29, 2026 · Engine
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. Called Hyundai dealership and was told ithe car is too old and the milage too high for a warranty coverage.

Jul 25, 2026 · Power train
P0420 P0441 P0014 P1326 C1260 C1688 C2130 These are the codes that's affecting my car

Jul 16, 2026 · Engine
Engine burned oil and had knocking sound, despite having regular oil changes. Stalked out while driving took to dealer initial said it was covered by the exerted coverage but ultimately denied. It had 111,000 miles on it. I believe this engine has the same issues as the others.

Elantra model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2013	4	1,314	93	31
2014	2	386	35	16
2015	3	262	27	8
2016	2	293	22	5
2017	4	770	37	6
2018	0	284	12	7
2019	1	252	12	3

Across all years, the 2013 Elantra has the most complaints (1,314). All Hyundai Elantra years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, the most recent reported on May 14, 2026 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?: Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (111 complaints), followed by unknown or other (54).
How many 2016 Hyundai Elantra complaints mention a crash or fire?: 22 of 293 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 17 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 1, 2026.