The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Elantra · 2016

2016 Hyundai Elantra. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index38100 = average car
Complaints84NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold208,319U.S. model year
Per 100K sold40complaints
Year rank#3 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.8L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD27 / 36 / 30Regular$2,100
1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD27 / 36 / 30Regular$2,100
2.0L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD24 / 32 / 27Regular$2,300
2.0L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD24 / 32 / 27Regular$2,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 83,300 miles. Median 56,500, from 130 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine75,10053,800–97,80046
Transmission & drivetrain78,80028,000–103,4009
Airbags32,00010,000–67,00015
Electrical59,00021,000–72,00011
Steering46,000500–64,70011

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine20%
Airbags15%
Steering12%
Wheels12%
Speed control8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
30022516029

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 26V307000 May 2026 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

    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.

    Risk. 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 N

  • 24V146000 Feb 2024 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Trunk Lid / Latch

    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."

    Risk. 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 investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities20212023

Manufacturer communications 134

Hyundai filed 134 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Before installing an automatic transmission, check the depth of the torque converter in the…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Elantra Gt 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2013141424247,912Steering
20143692222,023Steering
20152967241,706Engine
20163884208,319Engine
2017114241198,210Engine
201855111200,415Engine
20195297175,094Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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