2016 Hyundai Elantra recalls
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. Between them they involve air bags and latches and locks. The most recent was received on May 15, 2026.
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Air bags
Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
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Latches and locks
Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.
Check by VIN
A campaign rarely covers every Elantra built in 2016. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.
Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.
Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.
What 2016 Hyundai Elantra owners should do
- Check your VIN on NHTSA’s lookup to see which of these campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether any are still open.
- Call a Hyundai dealer and book the repair, quoting the campaign numbers (26V-307, 24V-146).
- If you have bought the vehicle used, the recall still applies: the repair is free whoever owns the vehicle now.
- Make sure your current address is on file with the manufacturer so the owner letters reach you.
Other Hyundai Elantra model years
Common questions
Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 campaigns for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra: 26V-307 (Air Bag Inflator May Rupture); 24V-146 (Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401).
How do I know if my 2016 Hyundai Elantra has an open recall?
Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.
Will the dealer charge to fix the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
No. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge by Hyundai dealers. Quote the NHTSA campaign number when you book.