YearToAvoid

2016 Hyundai Elantra Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 31 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, 11% of all complaints filed for the year. Median mileage at failure is 78,800. No related recalls are listed for this problem area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
31
11% of 292
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
78,800 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the car getting stuck in a high gear, refusing to downshift on hills, and making a loud noise before dropping gears.
  • Some describe the gear shifter becoming stuck in drive with the tachometer revving between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm while the car slowed down.
  • Several report hesitation or delay in acceleration from a stop, including hard jerks or jumps when shifting from park to drive.
  • Owners describe the transmission slipping, clicking abnormally, or falling out of gear during highway driving or stop-and-go traffic.
  • A few report sudden loss of motive power at low speed accompanied by an abnormal odor or sound and a fuel leak.
  • Some describe premature transmission failure requiring part replacements just a few years into ownership.

When 2016 Hyundai Elantra transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 23, 2016, latest Jul 25, 2026.

2016 Hyundai Elantra transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2016May 2019Jan 2021Jun 2022Apr 2023Oct 2024Dec 2025
31 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2016 to Jul 2026; peak Jul 2026 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Elantra model year

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

  1. 201032 (8%)
  2. 201121 (5%)
  3. 201240 (6%)
  4. 201357 (4%)
  5. 201421 (5%)
  6. 201518 (7%)
  7. 201631 (11%)
  8. 201762 (8%)
  9. 201824 (9%)
  10. 201911 (4%)
  11. 202047 (19%)
  12. 20217 (5%)
  13. 20227 (7%)
  14. 20239 (9%)
  15. 20243 (6%)
  16. 20251 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 31 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Elantra, which is 11% of the 292 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
No related recalls are listed for the Transmission & Powertrain problem area on the 2016 Elantra in this data.
At what mileage do 2016 Elantra transmission problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2016 Elantra is 78,800 miles.
What transmission symptoms do 2016 Elantra owners report?
Owners report getting stuck in high gear, the shifter sticking in drive, hesitation from a stop, slipping or clicking noises, and in some cases sudden loss of power while driving.
How does the 2016 Elantra compare to other years for transmission complaints?
The 2016 Elantra's 11% share of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain is higher than most other years listed, though 2020 shows a higher share at 19%.

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.