This page covers 3 recalls, 282 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra.
28–31 mpg combined
7.6–8.4 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
The 2013 to 2016 Hyundai Elantra received an overall rating of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash testing, it earned 4 stars. Side crash protection was rated at 5 stars, while rollover resistance received 4 stars. Side pole crash testing resulted in a 5-star rating. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this assessment covers the entire 2013 to 2016 range.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2016 Elantra's owner reports by a wide margin. The most common pattern is unexpected engine stalls, owners frequently describe the engine shutting off without warning while driving, including at highway speeds and in active traffic. Related to this, a number of owners report hard or no-start conditions, sometimes accompanied by a crankshaft position sensor code, and in some cases the sensor has been replaced only for the same symptom to return. A smaller group reports internal engine noises, particularly a rhythmic ticking consistent with what owners associate with connecting rod or bearing wear. Powertrain complaints are the second-most-reported category, with owners describing rough or hesitant behavior. Airbag-system complaints also appear in meaningful volume, though the engine stall and no-start pattern is clearly the most consistent thread across the complaint set.
282
Total Complaints
22
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra has 3 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and raising the risk of serious injury or death.
The trunk latch on certain vehicles can become damaged in a way that blocks the interior emergency release from working, meaning anyone trapped inside the trunk cannot open it from within. There is also a label compliance issue on some vehicles where the compliance label omits the rear axle weight rating, leaving owners without the information needed to avoid overloading the rear of the vehicle, which can affect handling.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator may rupture when the air bag deploys during a collision.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator at no cost.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trunk latch can become damaged, making it impossible to open the trunk from inside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The compliance label is missing the rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Without this information, owners may overload the rear axle beyond safe limits, which can worsen handling and increase crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will install revised labels that include the rear Gross Axle Weight Rating information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
