2016 Hyundai Elantra Recalls, Problems & MPG

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 300 owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The EPA rates it 27 to 31 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.

Recalls
2
Owner complaints
300
Crashes / fires reported
22 / 5
EPA combined
27–31 MPG

2016 Hyundai Elantra recalls

  • Air BagsMay 15, 2026 · NHTSA 26V307000+

    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.

    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. 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.

    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.

  • Latches/Locks/LinkagesFeb 23, 2024 · NHTSA 24V146000+

    Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

    Fix: 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.

    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."

Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.

Most reported 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems

Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.

  • Engine116
  • Unknown or Other54
  • Power Train31
  • Air Bags26
  • Electrical System23
  • Fuel/Propulsion System19
  • Steering19
  • Vehicle Speed Control18

2016 Hyundai Elantra gas mileage

EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).

VersionEngineCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Elantra1.8 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)283731$2,050
Elantra1.8 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd273630$2,150
Elantra Limited1.8 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)273630$2,150
Elantra2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)243528$2,300
Elantra2.0 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd243428$2,300
Elantra GT2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6)243227$2,400
Elantra GT2.0 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd243227$2,400

Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.

Questions

Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, most recently for the air bags (May 15, 2026). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 300 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are engine (116), unknown or other (54), power train (31).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Hyundai Elantra at 27 to 31 MPG combined (best version: 28 city / 37 highway).

Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.