2016 Hyundai Elantra: engine stalls while driving

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 Jun 14, 2026 · TX

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

Filed Aug 21, 2025 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal sound coming from the transmission while shifting gears. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure due to a workmanship error. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired due to the cost. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure and submitted a request for a new transmission. The manufacturer declined the request. The contact notified the manufacturer and was informed that there was no Extended Warranty on the vehicle declined to offer any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Jan 14, 2025 · Engine · MA

While driving the car will stall regardless of speed or distance. Hyundai dealership states that this is due to a drop in oil pressure due to a faulty oil pump. I replaced this pump 18 months ago on 6/7/2023 with 87K miles. The car is displaying the same issue again on this date (1/14/2025) with 104K miles, and I took it to the Hyundai dealership, and they state that it is experiencing the same oil pump failure. The service department at the dealership stated that this is a known issue with these Hyundai Elantras, and this would be the third replacement of this oil pump. It was replaced once by the original owner under warranty. My contention is that this is a safety issue, because when the oil pressure dips the engine shuts off, and we lose all power to the car. This is a danger to us if this happens while driving the car.

Filed Oct 11, 2024 · Transmission · NY

The transmission continues to stall. Very dangerous….as I was pulling into a gas station and the car stalled. When placed into gear the vehicle would not drive forward and began to roll backwards. The vehicle is available for inspection. Due to the sudden stall a serious accident could have occurred. I took the vehicle to a mechanic and he confirmed that all fluid levels were good but the vehicle is in need of a completely new transmission. The current transmission can’t be repaired. The vehicle showed no warning signs or lights prior to incident. Can’t drive the vehicle as it is not safe. The vehicle is parked in a garage to avoid accident. The vehicle was driven low mileage over the last year.

Filed Jul 26, 2024 · Fuel system · 92,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2024 · Engine · CA

This car is consuming oil to the degree that it is empty 1,000 miles after an oil change. The engine has stalled out on the highway twice, and once on a back road. It will not accelerate properly, and won’t go over 40 mph. I had the catalytic converter replaced less than a year ago, and I am experiencing these issues all over again.

Filed Apr 18, 2024 · Engine · 80,000 miles · FL

The contact daughter owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after 5 minutes. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where is it was diagnosed with engine failure, and that the catalytic converter failed due to oil entering from the engine. The contact was informed that the engine and catalytic converter and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · KY

Bought the car a yr ago and transmission started slipping and stalling sometimes even engine shutting off while driving at higher speeds unable to steer and when pulling into traffic is on interstate almost got hit because I could not speed up it's also using double the fuel while driving longer distances I tried to use my warranty 2x before my warranty was up but both neither time did Hyundai in Owensboro check what I booked the appt for. First one was booked to check transmission and power issue then called the day before and added oil change. When I arrived the tech retyped my order and changed the oil. Brought my keys I asked about the power/transmission issues and was told they didn't know to check that but at that point there was no time and had to reschedule... So I did. Waited almost 2 months booked appt for transmission / power issue and also check the fuel usage. Finish the service call quoting me over $1300 to fix the fuel issue because no one could find my warranty eventhough I had my original paperwork showing who warranty was with and also the acct number for the warranty. When I asked about transmission or power issue I was told there was no one to check that and I had to rebook but this time it was going to be 8 weeks and by then my warranty had expired. I feel like Hyundai did this on purpose because they are in cahoots with the lot I bought the car from. Now my car is getting worse and worse and scared to even drive the car im overpaying for. This was my first Hyundai and more than likely will forever be my last because the car I got was a lemon it seems, the customer service was worthless and the service even worse. I'm reporting to BBB and everywhere I can.

Filed Sep 25, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Component or System that Failed or Malfunctioned: Engine or other I was driving my 2016 Hyundai Elantra in Kissimmee, FL, 34746 when the engine suddenly lost power and the car stalled out. The rpms dropped to 0, and the car could not be restarted. I was able to coast to the side of the road, but I was nearly hit by oncoming traffic. After several minutes on the side of the road, I was able to restart the vehicle to arrive safely home. The vehicle also shuts off at stop lights, drive-through, or idle. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The loss of power while driving could have caused a serious accident. If I had been in the middle of the road or if there had been more traffic, I could have been hit by another vehicle. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, I have not yet taken the car to a dealer or independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, the vehicle or component has not been inspected by anyone other than myself. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, there were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The check engine light seems to come and go. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this safety problem. I am also requesting that Hyundai Motor America recall all 2016 Hyundai Elantras that may be affected by this problem. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Filed Jul 9, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · MS

I bought the car used from a dealer a year ago. I've made sure to keep the oil changed and have regular maintenance. I was driving home after work, and in the middle of highway 49, going 65mph in the left lane, the car stalled and came to an abrupt, jolting stop in the middle of traffic, causing several other cars to nearly hit me before I was able to get a man who was passing by to help me get the car off the road to safety until I could have it towed to a mechanic. It wouldn't crank or start. After he replaced my starter, it cranked and seemed fine. I headed home but halfway home it began knocking on the passenger side of the engine, getting worse with acceleration. The oil is at the proper level, so it's not from lack of oil. After reading online, I realized that this is a common problem with Hyundai..

Filed May 31, 2023 · Engine · NC

I do know it’s the catalytic converter it causes the car to stall while driving and it’s going to cost 1500 just for the part that’s not including the labor