2016 Hyundai Elantra Complaints

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/23/2025

On [XXX] I was struck by a OVI driver at 50mph the side airbags deployed however the front airbag never deployed. The vehicle was totaled out my insurance company. The vehicle had no record or open recalls for the airbag and had been given a multiple point inspection in November 2024 with no issues noted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/20/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter attempted to adjust the front driver's side seat while the vehicle was turned off, the front Driver-side air bag had independently deployed. No warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact's daughter's left arm was injured on impact with the air bag. Medical attention was sought, and further medical diagnosis will be scheduled. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

STEERING,SUSPENSION — Filed 01/23/2025

I was driving normally down the road and all of a sudden I lost control and couldn’t turn my vehicle apparently the control arm rusted from the subframe, causing me to swerve hit a curb and cause more damage to the front end. Thank God I was on a not so busy street! I could have killed myself or someone else all because this company’s metal rusted out.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 09/12/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. During the incident, the engine's RPMs suddenly increased before the vehicle erroneously accelerated forward and crashed into a tree causing body damage to the vehicle. During the crash, no injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 58,000. The contact stated that the failure occurs very rarely at approximately 1 to 2 times a year.

ENGINE — Filed 06/10/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact's wife was driving approximately 12 MPH smelled a burning odor, as she parked at the residence she saw smoke emitting from under the hood and the vehicle ignited and began to burn. The contact stated that the engine caught on fire. The contact stated his wife did not notice any warning light was illuminated. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire with water. The fire department wrote an incident report. The police department was also on scene but did not issue a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The front of the vehicle was severely damaged. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/22/2022

My daughter and friend were in an accident, traveling 50 miles an hour and hit the center barrier on the highway. The air bags didn’t employ. The Minnesota Department of Transportation came up on the accident right away and got them safely off the highway so they wouldn’t get hit by other cars. They have provided us with the video of the accident. My daughter and friend had no protection due to air bags not deploying. She has been seen by a doctor for whip lash, neck and headache pains as symptoms. As well as being traumatized by the incident me lack of protection. We have sent the pictures and video to the insurance and they are reviewing to determine if the vehicle can be repaired of totaled. Although, question as to whether they would fix it with what appears to be defective air bags. We will not put her back on the vehicle if repaired without some air bag inspection. Traffic control told her not to call police at accident site due to danger of being on the highway. We did extensive research on the car before buying and we don’t show any recalls as of today. We are very lucky they weren’t seriously injured and don’t want this to happen to anyone else.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 12/11/2021

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and crashed into the tires of another vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The contact and her husband drove the vehicle to her residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they were not aware of such failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/10/2021

The airbags did not deploy when the other driver did not comply with the stop sign, which led to him getting off the road in front of me and destroying the entire front of the car, knowing that the airbags did not deploy now. I suffer from a neck injury

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/04/2020

DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CAR WAS HIT AT SPEED (ON THE PASSENGER SIDE) IN INTERSECTION BY ANOTHER VEHICLE RUNNING A RED LIGHT.

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/03/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A STOP SIGN AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN A TRUCK CRASHED INTO HER FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HER LEFT ARM AND HAD BACK PAIN. THE CONTACT STATED AN AMBULANCE TRANSFERRED HER TO A HOSPITAL TO SEEK MEDICATION ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF*JB

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 08/27/2018

2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER STATES THAT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAGS AND THE SEATBELT MAY NOT HAVE OPERATED AS DESIGNED A CRASH. *JS

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/16/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER ROOMMATE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB AND INTO A POLE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS AT THE CRASH BUT NO REPORT WAS MADE. THE OTHER DRIVER HAD INJURY TO HER HEAD. THE POLICE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A TOW AWAY LOT AT HELMS & HILL TOWING (649 S MAPLE AVE, MONTEBELLO, CA 90640 (323) 889-4900). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE DAMAGES WERE UNKNOWN AT MOMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DSY *JS *TR 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

ENGINE — Filed 04/06/2019

WHILE DIVING MY 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT ON THE DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY I FELT THE ENGINE LOSE HORSEPOWER. I APPLIED THE GAS JUST TO SEE IF IT WAS THE CAR CHANGING GEARS, I HEARD THE ENGINE REV, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY DASHBOARD AND NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED TO BLINK FOLLOWED BY MY OIL LIGHT. THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STOPPED BLINKED AND CONTINUED TO STAY ON FOLLOWED BY MY BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON. I TURNED MY HAZARDS LIGHTS ON AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STARTED TO SEE WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY VENTS AND QUICKLY FILLING UP THE CABIN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKED AWAY. I DIALED DALLAS ROADSIDE SAFETY SERVICES AND WHILE SPEAKING TO THEIR DISPATCHER MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. I WATCHED MY CAR GET COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES BEFORE HELP ARRIVED.

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/19/2019

ON MARCH 19, 2019, MY 16 ELANTRA GT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A MAJOR ROAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE FULL FRONT END WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS NOT A FUTURE PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI AIR BAGS.

STEERING — Filed 12/28/2018

I WAS EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. ON THE TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I ENDED UP HALF WAY ON TOP OF THE SIDEWALK AND HALF ON THE STREET. ALMOST KILLED MYSELF. WHEN THE CAR JUMPED THE SIDEWALK, THE AXLE BROKE LEAVING EACH OF THE FRONT WHEELS FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUNCTURED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER. APPARENTLY AN INVESTIGATION WAS GOING TO BE CONDUCTED BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION YESTERDAY THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETE AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. HOW CONVENIENT! EASY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER SENDING ME A PACKET ASKING WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO "RESOLVE THIS ISSUE". APPARENTLY, I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE NO CAR BUT STILL MAKING LEASE PAYMENTS. THEY DIDN'T EVEN OFFER A COMPLIMENTARY RENTAL, OUT OF SHEER COURTESY, DURING THE ENTIRE TIME. WOULD NEVER PURCHASE HYUNDAI AGAIN. THIS SHOULD REALLY BE LOOKED AT SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED.

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/21/2017

ANOTHER CAR HIT MY CAR THE IMPACT CAUSED ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS OVER $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. I WAS PULLING OUT OF WALMART PARKING LOT ENTERING INTO THE LANE

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/16/2018

ROUTE 120 ST MARYS PA 15857 ABOUT 7:15AM TRAVELING AT 45MPH HIT GUARD RAILS HEAD ON PUSHED THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR IN DID OVER $8100.00 DAMAGE. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH IT PUSHED THE ENGINE BACK HAD MY SEAT BELT ON WAS UNINJURED OTHER THAN SPRAINS AND STRAINS AND ABRASIONS TO MY FACE I HIT MY HEAD OFF OF I DON'T KNOW WHAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HYUNDAI TOLD ME THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE BUT WOULD TELL ME IF THEY FIND ANYTHING OR NOT. I ASKED SPECIFICALLY FOR A REPORT SO I WOULD KNOW IF MY AIR BAGS FAILED OR DID NOT AND THEY TOLD ME ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! DO I HAVE A RECOURSE TO GET THIS FROM THEM OR CAN YOU DEMAND IT FROM THEM? I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH FAULTY AIR BAGS. THANK YOU (XXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 07/18/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL EXHAUST LEAK AND A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE CABIN AND TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME ILL AND NAUSEOUS DUE TO THE FAILURE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE DEALER (ABC HYUNDAI, 6825 REDWOOD ST, LAS VEGAS, NV 89118, (702) 475-8698) WAS NOTIFIED WITHIN TWO DAYS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, CLOSED THE CASE, AND DID NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE ODOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/09/2018

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON A FREEWAY. THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED MY HYUNDAI, A PICK UP, AND A KIA. THE PERSON DRIVING THE KIA WAS AT FAULT. THE LANE WE WERE IN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC AND THE PERSON IN THE KIA REAR ENDED ME WHICH CAUSE MY CAR TO HIT THE PICK UP. THE PICK UP HAD MINOR SCRATCHES AND DENTS, THE KIA HAD MINOR SCRATCHES WHERE AS MY HYUNDAI CRUSHED LIKE A CAN. MY BACK DOORS WOULDNT OPEN AFTER THE IMPACT AND MY CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE — Filed 06/05/2018

STARTED ASCENDING OVER A BRIDGE WHEN CAR STARTED TO PUTTER. THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. POWER FLICKERED THEN WENT OFF. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT WAS SMOKING. LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND SAW DRIPPING FLUID THEN A SPARK. THAT IS WHEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/03/2018

THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 7 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. AFTER TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK, I RETURNED HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 8:45 AM. I MADE A LEFTHAND TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY (IN MOTION) AT AROUND FIVE MPH. I PRESSED ALMOST HALFWAY DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE CAR SEEMED TO ACCELERATE MOMENTARILY, SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AT APPROXIMATE FIVE MPH, SO I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL EVEN HARDER. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF STOPPING WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING ME TO RAM INTO THE LATE MODEL TRUCK PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY ENDED UP HALTING NEARLY FOUR FEET FROM THE CONTACTED TRUCK. I PROMPTLY REPORTED THE EVENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY (ALLSTATE) TO START A CLAIM. THE ALLSTATE CLAIMS DIVISION DISPATCHED A LOCAL TOW SERVICE THAT PICKED UP AND DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER IN MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 06/05/2017

TAKATA RECALL THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THEY WERE LATE AND DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE DRIVER'S HEAD HAD HIT THE WINDOW. THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS TBONED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR BY A TRUCK GOING OVER 20MPH. THE DRIVER HEAD HIT WINDOW AND SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NO SEATBELT DEPLOYMENT, THE CAR SPUN OUT AND UP ONTO MEDIAN AT WHICH POINT SEAT SEATBELT ENGAGED AND CAR HIT TREE HEAD ON. NO FRONTAL AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. CAR HAD A 2-4" INVERSION. DRIVER HAD 7MIN LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND SUFFERED CLOSED HEAD INJURY.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 08/11/2017

I DROVE SLOWLY THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR SUDDENLY SWERVED, LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT BASE OF A LIGHT POLE. THE CAR KEPT GRINDING INTO THE CEMENT BASE. I WAS HELPLESS TO STOP THE DESTRUCTION OF MY CAR. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS HAD MY CAR FOR ONE WEEK BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. THE REPAIR SHOP IS AWAITING THE DECISION FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR IS OVER $10,000. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN THE CAR HAS TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND WOULD LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN A SAFE DRIVER FOR MANY YEARS AND HAD NEVER GOTTEN A TICKET NOR BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR HYUNDAI CARS UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHING INTO PARKING GARAGE WALLS, OBJECTS, OR OTHER CARS. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THIS DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF THE HYUNDAI CAR BUT THE CAUSE NEEDS TO BE DETERMINED BEFORE SOMEONE IS BADLY INJURED OR KILLED.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/18/2015

2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH INVOLVED IN INJURY ACCIDENT 07/18/2015 WITH FAILURE OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG CURTAIN DEPLOYING. VEHICLE'S OWNER WAS MAKING LEFT TURN WHEN STRUCK IN THE CENTER PILLAR DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 M.P.H. CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE PUSH SIDEWAYS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET. THE DRIVER HAD TO EXIT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO DOORS AND SUB FRAME. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS AS WELL AS DOOR SUB FRAME REQUIRING CUTTING AND RE-WELDING IN NEW DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SUB FRAME, REPLACEMENT OF DOOR HINGES AND BOTH FRONT AND READ DOORS DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG CURTAIN DID NOT DEPLOY AND COMPLAINT WAS FILED DIRECTLY TO HYUNDAI AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A HYUNDAI ENGINEER AND WAS NOT TOUCHED BY THE BODY SHOP AS PER HYUNDAI'S INSTRUCTIONS. HYUNDAI ENGINEER TOOK MEASUREMENTS, PHOTOS AND DOWNLOADED BLACK BOX DATA BUT THIS INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED TO VEHICLE OWNER. HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO TALK TO VEHICLE OWNER AND PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION AS TO RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION, TO HONOR WARRANTY REPAIRS OR PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AS OF 07/05/2017 .

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 10/15/2016

ON 10/15/16 I WAS IN A MULTI IMPACT ACCIDENT. AFTER HITTING A CURB, SMALL TREE, TOOK A STOP SIGN OUT, MY CAR LANDED INTO A TREE IN BETWEEN TWO 10 IN. BUSHES. AS THE CAR SEEMED TO SETTLE I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED A CHEMICAL ODOR. I THEN SAW A SMALL WHITE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS PAPER APPEAR ON THE INNER STEERING WHEEL, SUDDENLY BLOOD WAS POURING DOWN MY FACE WHERE I COULD BARELY SEE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THE SMELL. IT DID NOT SMELL LIKE GAS BUT MORE LIKE SULFUR. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO UCI TRAUMA CENTER WHERE I STAYED FOR FOUR DAYS. MY CAR HAD 6 AIRBAGS AND ALL FAILED EXCEPT FOR THE ONE I SAW WHEN MY CAR SETTLED. SINCE I BOUGHT THE ELANTRA I REPORTED TO HYUNDAI THAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN I WOULD TURN LEFT THE CAR WOULD STOP, THEN ACCELERATE FULL SPEED. I HAVE THE WORK ORDER. THIS ACCELERATION WOULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. I HAVE SEVERAL WITNESSES WHO HAVE BEEN WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT I RESTART IT, IT JUST STOPS THEN ACCELERATES. IT HAS DONE THIS THREE OR FOUR TIME A MONTH. *TR