2016 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 9%of 293 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of the 293 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11191239, filed 2019-03, 15 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11173542, filed 2019-02, 32,000 miles“I purchased the 2016 Hyundai Elantra gt from van horn Hyundai in sheboygan wi on 8/18/17. It was sold as certified pre owned - no accidents. The auto check report they provided showed a clean history. I began experiencing what seemed to be suspension issues- car would skip sideways on bumps and had the feeling that it wanted to fishtail. I ordered a carfax report and it showed the vehicle was in 2 accidents, and after more digging, I found it was sold by insurance auto auctions to joe van horn chevrolet in plymouth wi. …”
NHTSA complaint #11055846, filed 2017-12, 27,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10946816, filed 2017-01, 11,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11003115, filed 2017-07, 500 milesRelated recalls
- 26V307000May 14, 2026Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2015–2016, Elantra GT 2016
Related service bulletins
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 14% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 6 | 6% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 32 | 4% |
| 2016 | 26 | 9% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 | 168 | 13% |
| 2012 | 124 | 19% |
| 2011 | 77 | 18% |
| 2010 | 46 | 12% |
| 2009 | 42 | 17% |
| 2008 | 38 | 12% |
| 2007 | 46 | 17% |
| 2006 | 56 | 36% |
| 2005 | 71 | 52% |
| 2004 | 114 | 63% |
| 2003 | 48 | 21% |
| 2002 | 70 | 20% |
| 2001 | 118 | 37% |
| 2000 | 39 | 20% |
| 1999 | 20 | 16% |
| 1998 | 7 | 13% |
| 1997 | 21 | 18% |
| 1996 | 14 | 14% |
| 1995 | 35 | 31% |
| 1994 | 31 | 41% |
Other parts of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
111 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
13 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsWheels
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology