2016 Hyundai Elantra Gt problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (4) · Service Brakes (1) · Seats (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra Gt model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2026-05-14 · campaign 26V307000 · 3,493 vehicles
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.
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.
Service bulletins (87)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h-2 (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Showing the 6 most recent of 87 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-07-06 · Engine · 140,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai elantra gt. the contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor inside and outside the vehicle. the vehicle failed to restart. the vehicle was later towed to the residence where an independent mechanic was unable t…”
2023-05-31 · Engine · 57,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai elantra gt. the contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started losing motive power. the contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the vehicle had a experienced a failure with the piston rings related t…”
2022-11-25 · Service Brakes · 69,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai elantra gt. the contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph and depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the braked malfunctioned, and the vehicle failed to slow down. the contact shifted to park and turned off the vehicle to avoid crashing into the rear of a truck. after restarting the vehicle, the…”
2022-09-27 · Engine · 40,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai elantra gt. the contact stated that the instrument panel software was previously replaced by an independent mechanic as the instrument cluster lights were inoperative. the contact stated while her daughter was driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact's dau…”
2022-08-18 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication: Oil Cooler · 82,623 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai elantra gt. the contact stated that while her wife was driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact's wife was able to veer to the side of the road. the contact's wife was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. the co-workers of the contact's …”
2022-03-17 · Seats · 115,000 mi“the contact's wife owns a 2016 hyundai elantra gt. the contact stated that while attempting to install a safety seat, he noticed that the rear seat hinge assembly pin had detached and the rear seats were not attached to the frame of the vehicle. the dealer was made aware of the failure and the contact purchased the hinge assembly pin to replace it …”
2021-11-29 · Engine · 77,170 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai elantra gt. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the engine made abnormal loud knocking sounds. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact stated that he veered to the side of the road. the vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine threw a rod through the engine block and de…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.