2016 Hyundai Elantra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 118 of 299 complaints (39%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (14) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 262 in 2015 to 299 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,300 | 2,000–2,300 | 2,000–2,300 | 1,800–2,500 | 1,800–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–31 | 27–31 | 27–31 | 25–35 | 25–35 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–27 / 32–37 | 23–27 / 32–37 | 24–28 / 32–37 | 22–32 / 30–40 | 22–32 / 29–40 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 285–328 | 285–328 | 282–331 | 256–356 | 256–363 | |
| Complaints filed | 390 | 262 | 299 | 790 | 330 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 35 | 27 | 22 | 37 | 12 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 15 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 | |
| Injuries reported | 29 | 25 | 17 | 24 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
Engine: 118 of 299 NHTSA complaints (39%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 27–31 MPG combined across 7 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
EPA estimates $2,000–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 331 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 295 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | $2,000 (low) | 282 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 290 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 35 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 315 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 319 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 118 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 19 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 27 | 15 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 20 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 33 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 54 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 26V307000 · May 15, 2026
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: 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 · Campaign 24V146000 · Feb 26, 2024
Defect: 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.