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.
Airbags recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
- 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.
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).