Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 293 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V307000 Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V146000 Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 111 complaints
- Unknown or Other 54 complaints
- Power Train 31 complaints
- Air Bags 26 complaints
- Electrical System 22 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 19 complaints
Of the 293 complaints on file, 22 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 293 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra has an average reliability rating with engine and airbag issues being the most common concerns reported by owners. The recall data is mainly related to airbag and trunk latch problems, alongside numerous engine complaints indicating a potential weakness, which affects its reliability and ownership cost.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 50,000–100,000 miles | $1,200–$2,800 | common |
| air bags | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | common |
| power train | 70,000–110,000 miles | $1,500–$3,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- brake fluid replacement every 30,000 miles
- coolant change every 60,000 miles
- timing belt inspection at 60,000 miles
- air filter replacement every 15,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- engine knocking or ticking noise
- dashboard airbag warning light
- difficulty engaging gears
- check engine light staying on
- unusual vibration while driving
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.