The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who informed the contact of a Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 53,600.
2016 Hyundai Elantra airbags problems
26 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 32,000. 15 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 26
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 32,000
- crashes
- 15
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Hyundai Elantra airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 16, 2026.
Recall number 26V307000 · Recall details
What 2016 Hyundai Elantra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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)
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.
No incident as of yet, however there are multiple Hyundai vehicle owners whose air and lights have come on after having the vehicle for at least 5 years. Other manufacturers have issued recall notices on this matter, but not Hyundai.
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.
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.
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
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the air bags were defective. The mechanic then referred him to a dealer for assistance and informed him that there might be a recall on the vehicle for the air bags. The contact's wife called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
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.
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
Questions about the 2016 Hyundai Elantra airbags
Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the airbags of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Elantra airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 32,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 26V307000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Hyundai Elantra have bad airbags?
The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (168 complaints), 2012 (124 complaints) and 2001 (118 complaints).
Other 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems
Engine 113Transmission 31Electrical 22Fuel system 20Steering 19Acceleration 18Body 18Brakes 15Locks 13Suspension 10Wheels 10Lights 9Driver assistance 7Visibility 6Seat belts 3Tires 2Seats 1
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