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2016 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

113 complaints (39% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 73,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
113
of this car's complaints
39%
typical mileage
73,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system
    1
  • Engine: oil/lubrication: filter/screen
    1
  • Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
    1

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 engine problems in other years

19921995200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 36Check engine light 31Knocking 29Engine failure 22Loss of power 15Won't start 9Oil consumption 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2016 Hyundai Elantra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Engine · MA

The motor started to make a ticking noise 5 months earlier. 5 months later at 180,000 miles a borascope finding, reveled all 4 cylinder walls were worn related to cylinder slap. Called Hyundai dealership and was told ithe car is too old and the milage too high for a warranty coverage.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

Vehicle stalls while driving which is very dangerous. All dashboard lights go on prior to stalling. No engine light is on. Knocking sound coming from engine. Dealer states engine needs to be replaced. Car has been serviced regularly despite that Hyundai denies engine replacement. The knocking sound that engine does is common between this model and year but mysteriously there has not been engine recalls.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Engine · OH

Engine burned oil and had knocking sound, despite having regular oil changes. Stalked out while driving took to dealer initial said it was covered by the exerted coverage but ultimately denied. It had 111,000 miles on it. I believe this engine has the same issues as the others.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Engine · SC

The oil light & check engine started flashing. Took it to the auto shop. The mechanic stated that the oil level is very low and the engine has a bad lower-end knock. Removed the oil filter and found metal debris in the oil. No oil leaks were found under the vehicle at all. Oil is being burned out through the exhaust. The vehicle needs an the ngine replacement.

Filed May 10, 2026 · Engine · NC

Car randomly will not start or will start but have no RPM's. Last year showed a crank shaft sensor code and had it replaced but car is doing it again.

Filed May 7, 2026 · Engine · GA

Unknown

Filed Feb 15, 2026 · Engine · FL

So I have a suspicion oh a connecting rod, might be a bearing but it’s making a tik tik noise, no other issue than that, no engine light no nothing, been doing it for a while but car still goes great

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

I received confirmation from my local Hyundai dealership that my 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT is consuming over 1.8 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. The mileage is currently 70k miles. This is not the result of lack of maintenance or neglect but because of Hyundais engine design. I was told by the local dealership that I would need a total engine re build. This was the only option to fix the issue 100%. I was told that if the issue is not fixed it will result in engine failure. Hyundai is not recalling their engines or acknowledging the inherent danger this will cause. I am at my engines will if I cannot afford this repair because Hyundai won’t honor the Powertrain warranty.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

While driving on the freeway at normal highway speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure. The engine immediately lost power, and the vehicle shut down within seconds. There was no prior warning or opportunity to take corrective action. The vehicle became completely disabled and could not be driven. This occurred late at night with limited traffic, and I was LUCKY to be near a freeway exit. I was able to coast toward the exit, but the engine seized fully, resulting in total loss of propulsion and blocking the freeway exit ramp. Law enforcement had to assist due to the disabled vehicle creating a traffic obstruction and safety hazard. A tow truck was required to remove the vehicle because it could not be restarted or moved. Under normal traffic conditions, this sudden loss of engine power at freeway speed could have resulted in a SERIOUS, potentially FATAL COLLISION. The outcome depended on luck, timing, and location rather than any safety system functioning as intended. The engine was later diagnosed by an authorized Hyundai dealership as seized due to internal failure. Hyundai denied warranty coverage because a software safety campaign had not been completed prior to the failure, even though the failure occurred suddenly and without warning, leaving no opportunity to complete the campaign. However, at the time of the failure, the federal safety agency recall lookup tool showed ZERO unrepaired recalls associated with this vehicle’s VIN. The campaign referenced by Hyundai is intended only to detect certain engine conditions and does not repair engine defects. In this case, the engine failed before any detection or warning could occur. The vehicle had just been refueled and was equipped with four brand-new tires, confirming it was being operated normally. This incident involved an unexpected and complete loss of engine power at freeway speed due to an apparent engine defect, presenting a SERIOUS SAFETY RISK to the driver and other motorists.

Filed Dec 20, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

Engine turns off unexpectedly when driving. all power steering and brakes stop working when engine itself off. entire engine, drive train, and vehicle shakes while driving. Transmission is a replacement as first one failed after 90 days of purchase. paid labor for replacement and waited over 6 weeks without a vehicle. Now replaced oem transmission slips out of gear. making vehicle difficult to drive as the transmission and engine sputter and make ride jerky. car has turned off on the freeway in traffic 3 times. almost causing an accident each time. car has been robbed at least 5 separate times. stealing items within the vehicle. car was locked and next day it is unlocked and my stuff all gone. i am scared to drive the vehicle. i believe it is a lemon.

Questions about the 2016 Hyundai Elantra engine

Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have engine problems?

Owners have filed 113 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, 39% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Elantra engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 73,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Hyundai Elantra have bad engine?

The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most engine complaints are 2017 (294 complaints), 2013 (235 complaints) and 2014 (168 complaints).

Other 2016 Hyundai Elantra problems

Transmission 31Airbags 26Electrical 22Fuel system 20Steering 19Acceleration 18Body 18Brakes 15Locks 13Suspension 10Wheels 10Lights 9Driver assistance 7Visibility 6Seat belts 3Tires 2Seats 1

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