2016 Hyundai Elantra other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2016 Hyundai Elantra (75k miles) experiences severe, un-commanded Loss of Propulsive Power and a Severe Drivetrain Instability Hazard. At steady highway speeds, the automatic transmission completely loses hydraulic pressure, slips out of gear, and unexpectedly drops into a temporary "neutral." The engine suddenly revs up to high RPM on its own while losing all forward acceleration. After coasting helplessly, it violently slams back into gear, causing the vehicle to lurch forward. This also happens from a complete stop.The vehicle's OBD-II system fails to illuminate the Check Engine Light or store fault codes during these flares, providing zero warning before a loss of propulsion.This dangerous transmission slipping has occurred intermittently for several years. I repeatedly took it to an authorized Hyundai dealership to address this crash hazard. Because there was no active Check Engine Light, the dealership dismissed my concerns, refused to document it, and sent me away without a diagnosis. Recently, the service department acted in bad faith by misrepresenting my warranty terms (falsely claiming it was only 7 years) and refusing a live-data diagnostic scan. The bad faith dealership was Murdock Hyundai of Murray in [XXX], specifically the service manager Tyler as well as Krateton. The car is a verified vehicle under the Hyundai Nu 1.8L Piston Slap Class Action Settlement (TXXK Campaign). An official safety escalation case is open with Hyundai Motor America under my corporate case number XXX. I request a federal safety investigation into premature transmission pressure failure in 2016 Elantras, as this vehicle is entirely unsafe to operate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11749052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My driver side window has not been working for almost 3 years now. I have taken it to 4 mechanics and they fix it but only last a couple days. They have all say they can’t really do anything about it since they need an original piece. My AC is another issue I have that I have tried fixing 3 times now. The same issue happens they fix it and it last about a week or so. The longest it has lasted was 2 weeks. The mechanics each say it needs a new compressor and I’ve bought 3 new compressor already. I’m not sure what to do anymore.

NHTSA complaint #11746493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car turns off while driving it without warning or anything. Place where I got it don’t want to fix it

NHTSA complaint #11744058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BACK DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE DOOR WILL TRY TO CLOSE BUT YOU HAVE TO KEEP SLAMMING THE DOOR UNTIL IT WILL FINALLY LATCH. I ONCE DROVE A FEW FEET AND THE DOOR HAD TO BE HELD SHUT. IT FINALLY CLOSED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED LAST YEAR (2025) ONCE I READ ON REDDIT THAT A TSB/EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ISSUED. BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT DIDN'T COVER MY VEHICLE AND IF I BROUGHT IT IN, A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND FEE TO FIX IT WOULD BE CHARGED. SO I DO NOT OPEN THAT DOOR ANYMORE, BUT THAT IS NOT SAFE. I''M AFRAID IT WILL OPEN AT SOME POINT WHILE I AM DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11730275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car just turns off randomly. This has happened at least 6 times within a month. Once on a highway. Last time it turned off a strange sound was coming out of the car also.

NHTSA complaint #11727707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Issue: Hyundai recall denial for paint peeling defect My vehicle qualifies for the Hyundai paint-peeling recall, and the paint deterioration matches the defect described by Hyundai. Despite this, Hyundai has denied my recall repair twice. Approximately 2 1/2 years before the recall was issued, I applied a small touch-up to the affected area to slow the deterioration. This was done solely to protect the vehicle and occurred long before any recall existed. Hyundai is now using that minor touch-up as a reason to deny the recall repair, even though the underlying paint defect was already present. The paint continues to peel and worsen. Hyundai's refusal to honor the recall appears unreasonable and inconsistent with the purpose of a safety/defect recall, especially since the touch-up did not cause the defect and was done years before Hyundai acknowledged the issue. I am requesting that NHTSA review Hyundai's handling of this recall and their denial of legitimate claims.

NHTSA complaint #11716998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My car turned off while it was in drive. The oil pressure light flashed on for a second then disappeared. The car did not have anything else seem like it is wrong. I was put in dangers way because it turned off right before I was about to turn onto a very busy street and if it had done that in the middle of the street I would have gotten into an accident.

NHTSA complaint #11714965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The coolant system is failing after it was fully replaced in November of 2024 and i got The car of may 2025 with only two previous owners. Coolant system failing after me only have the car for 6 months when the car sat for 5 months.

NHTSA complaint #11699685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11697782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The trunk latch was recalled. I supposedly got it fixed in July 2024. It was functioning at the time it was supposedly fixed. It Does say it’s a safety issue.Now it is not working, exactly the symptoms of the recall, not open from the inside. There isn’t a key hole to open it. My belongings are inside, and if I get a flat, there is no way of opening the trunk. I’ve called their corporate office. They want to charge me a diagnostic fee, of $200.00 to check the recall. Isn’t it their legal obligation to check if the recall has taken affect?

NHTSA complaint #11694830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My trunk latch hasn’t worked since January. I took it in to McCarthy Olathe Hyundai in Olathe, KS on January 13th for an appointment but they didn’t have the parts available so we rescheduled. When the parts were in, my fiancé took it back on February 18th, 2025 but was told that the repair couldn’t be done since there was previous trunk damage. I explained via the telephone that the damage to my truck was minor from an incident two years prior and that it hasn’t caused any issues with opening or shutting the trunk since. But the gentleman I talked to reiterated that the recall repair to my trunk latch couldn’t be done. I recently found out that the recall was marked as completed when it was not. I don’t know what to do!

NHTSA complaint #11672112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN

NHTSA complaint #11671767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The sun visors on both the driver and passenger sides of the car are made of plastic (under the fabric material). Both visors no longer work properly. The plastic body of the visor has cracked and broken which causes the visor to no longer stay in the up position. The passenger side only stays in the down position. But the driver side is at an awkward position where it sticks out. It will not stay up and it does not go down. The vehicle has not been in an accident to have caused this to happen. The car has had one consistent driver within the family and the primary driver is typically the only person in the car. The broken visors are not from being abused or misused. The fact that the driver side visor protrudes and impedes the drivers view is a safety concern. If the car were to be in an accident the sun visor is at an angle that it could potentially cause face/head contusions. The passenger side visor failed roughly 3 years ago. The driver side visor failed June 2024.

NHTSA complaint #11604098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The following dealerships owned by Paul Peebles, Humble Hyundai, North Freeway Hyundai and Baytown Hyundai are unwilling to service the recall unless a customer schedules a return appointment to have $1,040.64 dollars of recommended repairs. On [XXX] I made an appointment for [XXX] for the recall service. When I presented, they told me that they did not have the part because they could not order it until I came in to have a photo taken of my VIN & odometer. I was told I needed to come back and gave me a 21-point estimate of required immediate attention work needed. One of the items was an alignment noting Tires - Damage/Abnormal Wear. The four tires on my car were purchased from Discount Tires on [XXX] and the alignment was done at NTB on [XXX]. So obviously, this was fraud. I became very upset on [XXX] realizing I had wasted my time and money and then to top the insult was being lied to. My sister had the same recall serviced in Austin and did not need to make two appointments for the recall. When I took my car to North Freeway Humble on [XXX] to have the recall serviced, I was told that I had been put on a DO NOT SERVICE LIST by the three dealerships owned by Mr. Peebles, Mr. John Ray, the General Manager at Humble Hyundai and Tim Shipe, Service Director of the three dealerships, Humble, North Freeway and Baytown. I would like an independent mechanic shop to service the recall. I no longer trust my car to be serviced at the above dealerships due to their dishonest business practices. Please help. I contacted Hyundai Customer Service to request an independent mechanic shop I could have the recall serviced and they told me that I needed to have the work done at a dealership. They recommended dealerships three and four hours away from my home. Please assist me in finding an intendent mechanic to service the recall. I no longer trust my car to be serviced at the above dealerships My VIN [XXX] & [XXX] need service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

NHTSA complaint #11591431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Haven't had any issues at the moment, but was wondering if the clock spring has ever been recalled on these vehicles.

NHTSA complaint #11590890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The recall (code 256————-41D029R1) was fixed on my Hyundai Elantra today on April 23 2024.

NHTSA complaint #11584855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I received a notice of the recall for the trunk latch function for my 2016 Hyundai elantra. I had to pay $450 out of pocket for this exact same problem in October 2022 and I want a refund. I was parked and went to open the trunk. Not only did the latch not work but also the trunk wouldn't close.

NHTSA complaint #11582477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A few years ago, my 2016 Hyundai Elantra hatch stopped opening. The hatch lever next to the drivers seat as well as the key fob button stopped working. I know there was a trunk latch recall number 208 from Oct. 2021. Hyundai told me there’s nothing I can do about it. I haven’t been able to get into my trunk for 3 years.

NHTSA complaint #11561704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Paint peeling off in huge sections. Clear coat is fine but the paint is coming off in large amounts down to bare metal. Car is white in color

NHTSA complaint #11557101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rear trunk latch released while traveling down highway. A Hyundai Dealer confirmed "internal trunk latch failure". Other models of Hyundai have had this problem recalled not this year. There was no warning.

NHTSA complaint #11555680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Clockspring Failure. 2016 hyundai elantra, 123k miles. Airbag light on, horn does not function. Likely unavailable for inspection due to being replaced soon. Inability to use horn to alert reckless drivers swerving into my lane. Airbag will not deploy if needed in an accident. The dealership seemed aware that the clocksprings go out in Hyundai's and is confident this is the issue. Warning lamp prior/at the same time as the horn stopped working.

NHTSA complaint #11549425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Trunk latch inoperable does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401. Similar previous recalls 21V619000.

NHTSA complaint #11548639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This issue is the catalytic converter. Mine went bad and affected my clutch and my acceleration. This led to many safety issues!

NHTSA complaint #11547514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My elentra is BLUE....the courage of the hood has faded. Wish you could see it. It has gradually faded. I purchased ii 2019

NHTSA complaint #11532292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The trunk latch in my 2016 Hyundai Elantra is broken. I brought it to the dealer in 12/2022 and showed it to them, and it had been failing for some time. It would not open using the latch next to the drivers seat. That just did nothing. The guy at the dealer told me that there was no recall and it would cost $800 just to diagnose the problem. I can’t afford that so I didn’t have it done. It completely doesn’t work now. You can’t open it. If you are lucky and get it open then you can’t close it. It is barely closed right now. Light on panel inside the car is on saying the trunk is open. If I am driving and hit a bump it could fly open. The guy at the dealer ordered the part and told me to use painters tape to keep it shut in the meantime like I know what I am doing. It will cost me $400 to fix—I am on Social Security and don’t have $400–and I don’t have access to my spare tire if I get a flat tire. There was a recall for this exact part for 2016 Hyundai Elantras but it didn’t include my VIN number. Sounds to me like it should have. The dealership sent me on my way with my trunk still just barely closed. Use painters tape. Couldn’t even help me secure it. I need to figure out out how to secure it on my own as I need to drive in the highway. Don’t know what happens if I need the spare. I don’t know why it wasn’t included in the original recall. There were other 2016 Elantras. I am basically on my own on this. Nobody has paid a bit of interest. Dealer told me to call Hyundai. Hyundai told me to call dealer. Who’s on first? All I know is I feel like I am paying this $400 but I’m going to have to not pay something else—like groceries, cable, gas for the car, etc. I don’t understand. Why are some covered and some not?

NHTSA complaint #11518923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My Elantra stalled while driving twice the other day. The first time I occurred on a Highway inter belt and the second occurred in slow moving traffic. I had the car evaluated by 2 different repair shops. Both said they could not reduplicate the problem or find any malfunctioning codes. No warning lights appeared when the car stalled. I had this happen before last fall. I had it repaired. They changed spark plugs, performed engine oil system purge, serviced fuel injector and air induction and realigned tires. Until the day before yesterday, the car performed well. In researching my car issue, I have learned that this is a top complaint of many 2016 Elantra owners.

NHTSA complaint #11517957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Disk brake backing plates rusted through, flaking. Could lodge in brake pads.

NHTSA complaint #11513190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

my transmission failed while driving, car stopped being able to accelerate, i was luckily in my neighborhood but if this happened on a major road I could’ve been seriously injured or even killed. i had to tow it to a local shop and they said they have to completely replace the transmission. no prior warnings on the dashboard or any indications my car was about to fail. I only had slight issues a week beforehand. this vehicle is unsafe and costs thousands to repair

NHTSA complaint #11508367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My car was stolen out of my driveway, taken for a joy ride, and abandoned on the side of the road. This year/model of car is experiencing extremely high levels of theft across the nation (e.g, 7K in Chicago alone, and 59,991 nationwide through August). This is due to: 1 - the ease with which it can be stolen with no special tools, due to poor design 2 - a popular "TikTok Challenge" to steal these cars This presents an extreme public safety concern as: - the cars are typically stolen by teenagers and taken for joy rides, posing a hazard to other drivers - this can lead to dangerous high-speed police chases - having cars abandoned haphazardly on the sides of roads is a traffic hazard - owners who recover their cars may be unaware of equipment safety issues that may have been caused by reckless driving - insurers are dropping coverage of these cars, which may force lower-income owners to drive uninsured To date, Hyundai has done nothing to address this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11506743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Back windshield is completely bubbled and pealing. I’ve noticed this year is notorious for it.

NHTSA complaint #11502901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.