2016 Hyundai Elantra Safety Report
2016 Hyundai Elantra Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (278) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 27 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Hyundai Elantra with 122 complaints and 6 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Hyundai Elantra before buying across this generation. |
Hyundai Elantra Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Elantra years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Hyundai Elantra | 750 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Hyundai Elantra | 254 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Hyundai Elantra | 264 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Hyundai Elantra | 229 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Hyundai Elantra | 218 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Hyundai Elantra | 122 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Hyundai Elantra Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
69 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other
31 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyAir Bags
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Hyundai onlyPower Train
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Hyundai onlyLatches/Locks/Linkages
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Latches/Locks/Linkages issues Hyundai onlyStructure
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
Reliability Score
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra receives a reliability score of 82 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trunk Latch Issue Hyundai is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles due to a trunk latch issue. The latch may fail, leading to the trunk not closing properly. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Knocking Noise A noticeable knocking or 'tapping' noise when starting the engine cold has been reported, possibly indicating piston slap. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Warning Light The air bag warning light has been reported to remain illuminated, indicating a potential issue with the air bag system. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Sudden Failure A sudden and catastrophic engine failure has been reported, leading to the complete loss of power steering and brakes. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Hyundai Elantra:
10% of reported issues involve the trunk latch.
69% of reported issues involve the engine.
17% of reported issues involve the air bag system.
13% of reported issues involve the power train.
Recall Details for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
So I have a suspicion oh a connecting rod, might be a bearing but it’s making a tik tik noise, no other issue than that, no engine light no nothing, been doing it for a while but car still goes great
Issue: Hyundai recall denial for paint peeling defect My vehicle qualifies for the Hyundai paint-peeling recall, and the paint deterioration matches the defect described by Hyundai. Despite this, Hyundai has denied my recall repair twice. Approximately 2 1/2 years before the recall was issued, I applied a small touch-up to the affected area to slow the deterioration. This was done solely to pr...
My car turned off while it was in drive. The oil pressure light flashed on for a second then disappeared. The car did not have anything else seem like it is wrong. I was put in dangers way because it turned off right before I was about to turn onto a very busy street and if it had done that in the middle of the street I would have gotten into an accident.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who informed the contact of a Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was...
No accident has occurred as of yet (for my case). Ongoing issues with Hyundai left brake bulb and center brake bulb burning out due to over-amperage. These two are on their own 10A circuit separate from the 5A circuit for the right brakelight bulb. It appears that these two bulbs are possibly receiving 15A and therefore burning out prematurely (3 months or less). I recently replaced these two bul...
I received confirmation from my local Hyundai dealership that my 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT is consuming over 1.8 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. The mileage is currently 70k miles. This is not the result of lack of maintenance or neglect but because of Hyundais engine design. I was told by the local dealership that I would need a total engine re build. This was the only option to fix the issue 100%....
While driving on the freeway at normal highway speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure. The engine immediately lost power, and the vehicle shut down within seconds. There was no prior warning or opportunity to take corrective action. The vehicle became completely disabled and could not be driven. This occurred late at night with limited traffic, and I was LUCKY to ...
Engine turns off unexpectedly when driving. all power steering and brakes stop working when engine itself off. entire engine, drive train, and vehicle shakes while driving. Transmission is a replacement as first one failed after 90 days of purchase. paid labor for replacement and waited over 6 weeks without a vehicle. Now replaced oem transmission slips out of gear. making vehicle difficult to dri...
On [XXX] I was struck by a OVI driver at 50mph the side airbags deployed however the front airbag never deployed. The vehicle was totaled out my insurance company. The vehicle had no record or open recalls for the airbag and had been given a multiple point inspection in November 2024 with no issues noted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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. No warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact's daughter's left arm was injured on impact with the air bag. Medical attention was sought, and further medical diagnosi...
The coolant system is failing after it was fully replaced in November of 2024 and i got The car of may 2025 with only two previous owners. Coolant system failing after me only have the car for 6 months when the car sat for 5 months.
Unknown
Vehicle started to violently lurch when shifted into drive. A week later loud clunking sound also started when shifting into drive. Sometimes would not go into drive and had to use manual 1st, 2nd, etc. Reverse was fine, no issues. No dash lights ever came on. Auto parts store had error code P0722. Have a diagnostic appt in a week at local Hyundai dealer. We may attempt to replace input/output sp...
I own a 2016 Hyundai Elantra, and the engine makes a noticeable knocking or “tapping” noise when started cold. The sound resembles piston slap and usually lessens as the engine warms up, but it’s been gradually getting louder over time. It’s most noticeable for the first few minutes after startup, especially in cooler weather. I’m concerned this may indicate premature piston or cylinder wear. I’v...
The trunk latch was recalled. I supposedly got it fixed in July 2024. It was functioning at the time it was supposedly fixed. It Does say it’s a safety issue.Now it is not working, exactly the symptoms of the recall, not open from the inside. There isn’t a key hole to open it. My belongings are inside, and if I get a flat, there is no way of opening the trunk. I’ve called their corporate office. T...
My fuel pump comes up and my check engine light saying that it needs to be replaced when I fill up my car it automatically resets my mileage for AAA and trippy and it will tell me that I have no gas even though I just filled up or it will say I’m full when I know I’m empty so it’s not reliable. It comes and goes. And then for an electrical issue my Car will randomly stop working and then like come...
No incident as of yet, however there are multiple Hyundai vehicle owners whose air and lights have come on after having the vehicle for at least 5 years. Other manufacturers have issued recall notices on this matter, but not Hyundai.
Paint delamination has exposed bare metal on hood/roof/trunk. Corrosion is spreading, which can compromise crashworthiness and latch integrity. Additional peeling near the window trim near the roof is beginning to corrode. This part of the vehicle is structural and could compromise roof strength. This issue is a world wide(yes Canada too) has understood this issue and has consistently been on t...
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra equipped with Waterfall Tires, Tire Line: Eco Dynamic, Tire Size:195/65/R15, DOT Number: 48AEYUEN. The contact stated that while performing an oil change on the vehicle, the contact discovered that the steel belt was exposed on the front driver’s and front passenger’s side tires due to severe tread separation. The dealer that sold the contact the tires was n...
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal sound coming from the transmission while shifting gears. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The...
Showing 20 of 278 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Vehicle Speed Control:Throttle
Opened 2021-11-12 · Closed 2023-06-20
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 t...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
Has the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA have?
The 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 278 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 22 involved crashes. 17 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA involve engine (69 complaints), unknown or other (31 complaints), air bags (17 complaints). Other affected components include power train, latches/locks/linkages, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA have?
There are 22 crash reports associated with the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA out of 278 total complaints (7.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA have?
There are 5 fire reports for the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA out of 278 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
17 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 278 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA are: 1. ENGINE (69 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (31 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (17 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (13 complaints), 5. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (10 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 69 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
Be cautious of trunk latch issues and engine knocking noises. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent sudden engine failures. The 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 278 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA receives a reliability score of 82/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 278 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 27 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Trunk Latch Issue and Engine Knocking Noise.
What are the known issues with the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
Known issues with the 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA include: Trunk Latch Issue, Engine Knocking Noise, Air Bag Warning Light, Engine Sudden Failure. These are based on patterns found across 278 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
The most common issues are engine knocking noises and trunk latch problems.
Is the air bag system reliable?
There have been reports of the air bag warning light remaining illuminated, indicating potential issues.
What should I do if I hear a knocking noise when starting the engine?
Have the engine checked by a professional to rule out serious issues like piston slap.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of trunk latch issues and engine knocking noises. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent sudden engine failures.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Hyundai Elantra
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The data includes 278 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 22 reported crashes, 5 fire incidents, 17 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Hyundai Elantra an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16