2016 Hyundai Elantra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra: 2 recalls, 293 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #24V146000 · 2024 · 186,588 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V307000 · 2026 · 3,493 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver's air bag inflator May rupture during deployment.
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 17 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (111): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (44), noise or vibration (32), warning light on (30).
- Other / unknown (54): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (31): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (15), stalls / loses power (8), warning light on (8).
- Airbags (26): the most common themes are fails to deploy (9), warning light on (4).
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra has 293 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 35 Elantra model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 249). Complaints peaked in 2023 (38 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 54,964 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (262 complaints, 3 recalls), 2017 (767 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 31 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 35 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems?
Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (111), other / unknown (54), transmission & drivetrain (31).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.8 L, Automatic (S6)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Hyundai Elantra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.