YearToAvoid

2016 Hyundai Elantra Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 26 airbag complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of its 292 total complaints for the year, tied to 15 crashes, 14 injuries, and 1 fire. A recall (26V307000) covers driver's airbag inflators that may rupture during deployment.

Airbags complaints
26
9% of 292
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
14
Median mileage
32,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy at all during moderate-to-severe crashes, including front, side, and rear impacts.
  • Airbags deploy but only after a delay, sometimes not until the driver's head has already struck the steering wheel or window.
  • Driver's airbag inflator ruptures during deployment, in one case emitting fire.
  • Side curtain or seat-mounted airbags fail to activate even when the vehicle is struck directly at the pillar or door.
  • Seatbelts reportedly fail to deploy or tension properly alongside non-deploying airbags in the same crash.

When 2016 Hyundai Elantra airbag complaints were filed

First complaint May 16, 2016, latest Jan 22, 2026.

2016 Hyundai Elantra airbags complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2016Aug 2017Mar 2019Dec 2019Dec 2020Oct 2023Jan 2026
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2016 to Jan 2026; peak Feb 2020 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra

  1. NHTSA 26V307000May 14, 2026Airbags3,493 vehicles

    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.

    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 NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.

Airbags complaints by Elantra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201046 (12%)
  2. 201177 (18%)
  3. 2012124 (19%)
  4. 2013168 (13%)
  5. 201432 (8%)
  6. 201523 (9%)
  7. 201626 (9%)
  8. 201732 (4%)
  9. 201812 (4%)
  10. 20192 (1%)
  11. 20205 (2%)
  12. 20212 (2%)
  13. 20223 (3%)
  14. 20236 (6%)
  15. 20241 (2%)
  16. 20253 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 26 airbag complaints for the 2016 Elantra, which is 9% of the 292 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes. Recall 26V307000 covers 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles for driver's airbag inflators that may rupture during deployment; dealers inspect and replace the inflator as needed.
Did the airbag problems cause injuries or crashes?
NHTSA data tied to this complaint area shows 15 crashes, 14 injuries, and 1 fire among the 26 airbag complaints for the 2016 Elantra.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2016 Elantra is 32,000 miles, according to NHTSA data.
How does the 2016 Elantra compare to other years for airbag complaints?
The 2016 Elantra's 26 airbag complaints (9% share) are lower than years like 2011 (18% share) and 2012 (19% share), but similar to 2015 (9% share) and 2017 (4% share).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.