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Research · Midsize Cars

2016 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 293 owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve engine (111) and power train (31). The EPA rates it 28–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
28–31mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
293
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported May 15, 2026NHTSA 26V307000

Latches

Free remedy

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."

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Feb 24, 2024NHTSA 24V146000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

293 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine111
  2. Power train31
  3. Air bags26
  4. Electrical system22
  5. Fuel/propulsion system19
  6. Steering19
  7. Vehicle speed control18
  8. Structure18
  9. Service brakes15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997118
199856
1999133
2000200
2001329
2002348
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007267
2008316
2009287
2010455
2011461
2012676
20131,330
2014387
2015262
2016293
2017770
2018284
2019252
2020254
2021132
2022102
2023101
202456
202522
20263
Crashes reported
22
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

111 reports1 crash2 fires
“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 common between this model and year but mysteriously there has not been engine recalls.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11760525

Power train

31 reports
“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. Has only 130K miles. Car was towed to dealer and required a new transmission.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2026Power trainODI 11749594

Air bags

26 reports15 crashes1 fire
“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 informed that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 53,600.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 22, 2026Air bagsODI 11712649
All 2016 Elantra problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Elantra
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283731$2,050282
Elantra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150290
Elantra Limited
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150295
Elantra
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,300315
Elantra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243428$2,300319
  • Elantra
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 37 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra Limited
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 10001
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 293 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (111), power train (31), air bags (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Hyundai Elantra at 28–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Hyundai Elantra 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026