2016 Hyundai Elantra GT Reliability
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT has 267 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and unknown or other. Compared with nearby Elantra GT model years (2014–2018), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Elantra GT's typical year, while the 2017 drew 735 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
267
NHTSA owner complaints
1
Recall campaigns
21
Complaints citing a crash
5
Complaints citing a fire
2016 Hyundai Elantra GT complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 model year, filed between 2015 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 104 | 39% |
| Unknown or other | 44 | 16% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 25 | 9% |
| Air bags | 22 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 20 | 7% |
| Steering | 19 | 7% |
| Body structure | 16 | 6% |
| Speed control / throttle | 16 | 6% |
2016 Hyundai Elantra GT recalls
1 recall campaign on NHTSA record for the 2016 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V307000 | May 15, 2026 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | 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. |
How the 2016 compares with nearby Elantra GT years
Verdicts compare these Elantra GT model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 378 | 0 | Engine | Solid |
| 2015 | 248 | 0 | Engine | Solid |
| 2016 (this page) | 267 | 1 | Engine | Solid |
| 2017 | 735 | 0 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2018 | 51 | 1 | Engine | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 1 campaign above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2016 Hyundai Elantra GT reliability FAQ
Is the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT reliable?
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT has 267 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and unknown or other. Compared with nearby Elantra GT model years (2014–2018), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Elantra GT's typical year, while the 2017 drew 735 complaints.
What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT are engine (104), unknown or other (44), powertrain / transmission (25), air bags (22). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT have recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT, including 26V307000 (air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT compare with the 2015 and 2017 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2015 has 248 complaints and 0 recalls (solid); the 2017 has 735 complaints and 0 recalls (avoid). The 2016 has 267 complaints and 1 recall.
How do I check a specific used 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Hyundai Elantra GT research
Other Hyundai Elantra GT model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2016 Elantra GT, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.