10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,643 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Hyundai Elantra brakes problems

brakes problem

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2016 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 202021

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving down the interstate when my car completely locked up, my brakes stopped working, the steering wheel wouldn't turn, the car completely shut down, so I had to make my way off the bisy interstate luckily I didn't have an accident so I took it to a mechanic and found out the alternator went out, so it was replaced then less than a year later i had issues with the headlights not working then magically comong on while driving, and the interior lighta will work then bot work but the bulbs are new, leading to another replacement alternator, then less than about 8 months pass and I have issues with the electrical stuff again not wanting to work even when new bulbs are pit in the car, the radio turning on and off by itself and I've had to put it a third alternator in less than 3 years, it's a driving hazard and safety hazard. My driver side door handle will only open from the inside and it doesn't shut inkess the door is locked and the car has to be turned on. The belt in my 2016 hyundai elanyra looks like it's shredding and it's throwing black stuff on the inside of my hood. I've had preoffwsional mechanics look at it and the alternator is assembled correctly, and now my ball joints are all of a sudden needing to be replaced inthe front.

- Powderly, TX, USA

problem #13

Jun 012023

Elantra

  • miles
Brake and fuel lines corroded due to failure of manufacture to coat lines completely. Lost brakes completely without warning. Confirmed by Hoffman and Burnham auto services. Also contacted Garvey Hyundai who stayed this is a problem with these vehicles. Contacted Hyundai customer service as there is a Recall issued in Canada for this problem. Hyundai stated no foreseeable recall in the U.S. Lost of brakes could be deathly, not to mention high risk of fire and death if fuel lines corroded thru

- Corinth, NY, USA

problem #12

Jul 062023

Elantra

  • miles
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..

- Seminary, MS, USA

problem #11

Mar 182023

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brake line on the car rusted out, and subsequently ruptured, leading to a loss of brake fluid and a total loss of brake function. The failure was quite abrupt. The fluid leaking had been noted within 24 hours of brake failure, but the brake warning lights only came on after the rupture had occurred and were noted at the same time that the brakes failed to work. The rupture happened while the car was being backed out of the driveway, but before entering the roadway, and the car was able to be safely towed to the dealership for an assessment. Repairs and a brake line replacement are being planned, and the dealership has documented and photographed the brake line corrosion and rupture. A recall is currently underway in Canada for this exact problem in this model of the Elantra (among other years and models) but there is nothing yet being reported for customers in the United States. The vehicle has spent most of its time in the Northeast US since its original purchase, so it seems reasonable to assume that the climate conditions here (being similar to Canada) have led to the same brake line failures.

- North Berwick, ME, USA

problem #10

Aug 292022

Elantra

  • miles
I believe it is the transmission/ power train that failed. It slides gears and the engine stalls. While driving, I was almost hit because I could not speed up. I had to decelerate in order for the gear to not stutter.

- Apple Valley, CA, USA

problem #9

May 132022

Elantra

  • miles
The stop lamps on my 2016 Hyundai Elantra (date of delivery 7/9/2015) began to illuminate continuously on 5/13/2022 in Miami, FL - even after I turned off the engine. Consequently, my battery fully discharged. The traction control warning lamp was illuminated, too. These symptoms are precisely the ones identified in the 12/13/2017 Brake Pedal Stopper Replacement Recall Campaign 170 for model year 2013-14 Hyundai Elantras. According to the January 2018 Hyundai TSB 18-01-005 a deteriorated brake pedal stopper pad can result in the stop lamps illuminating continuously, illumination of the traction control warning lamp, the ability to move the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal, or activation of the engine management system-??s brake pedal override feature. The TSB says that any of the described symptoms can increase the risk of a crash. It appears Elantras manufactured after model year 2014 were produced with defective brake pedal stoppers. For example, see NHTSA ID Number: 11292278 (12/31/2019 complaint -?" Davie, FL) and NHTSA ID Number: 11182014 (2/22/2019 complaint -?" Orlando, FL). AAA jump-started my car and I took it to Braman Hyundai in Miami today. Sure enough, they found that the brake pedal stopper pad deteriorated and that led to a complete battery discharge. They replaced the brake pedal stopper pad and battery. Both the dealer and Hyundai Consumer Affairs say too bad - 2016 models were not part of the recall (for the same brake pedal stopper pad). The danger from Hyundai's defective brake pedal stopper continued through2016 models delivered in 2015. 2015-16 Elantras should be recalled to replace the brake pedal stopper - and frankly Hyundai should pay for owners' out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to the defective brake pedal stoppers (in my case over $600 for the brake pedal stopper pad and battery - including labor). WHY IS RECALL 170 NOT EXTENDED TO 2015-16 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS?

- Key Biscayne, FL, USA

problem #8

Apr 142022

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car stalls at low idle intermittently. The transmission is leaking badly and won't drive. One day the engine began smoking badly. If I hit a dip in the road well braking the brakes don't work at all for a second.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #7

Jan 012018

Elantra

  • miles
Brake lights constantly have to be replace twice a month. Wheel bearing have to be replaced twice a year. Brakes don't stop if mash quickly when hitting small hole. Its just grinding sound. My safety and others are put at risk every day. No messages or symptoms of problem till it happens, no warning lamps.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #6

Feb 292016

Elantra

  • 15,000 miles
2/22/2019 car has 55,000 miles but for past year have had problems with braking on uneven surfaces [cracks, potholes] on highway, streets. When braking car feels like you are braking on full metal and bottom of car feels like it is coming apart. Another issue from the beginning of owning the car are issues with car hesitating upon lifting foot from the accelerator. My sister who owns the same car/year, has the same issue. Problems reported: Suspension/acceleration.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #5

Nov 252018

Elantra

  • 51,000 miles
The brakes on my Hyundai Elantra failed twice within 10 minutes. I was driving on a highway with stoplights. I had ample time to stop under normal conditions, but with the brake pedal down to the floor, the car would not stop in time for a stop light and even went all the way through the intersection before stopping. It was also not handling normally during the moments when the brakes failed. Fortunately there was not another car or pedestrian in my path. I stopped and checked to see if the floor mat had bunched up under the pedal.it had not. Thinking it might just be a fluke I proceeded to drive home very cautiously. Driving under 50 mph, and testing the brakes, they seemed to be working. When I was approaching another stop light I slowed down to maybe 35 way in advance. Then the light changed to red and again the car was extremely slow to stop. I was able to stop it just before the light but only because I was already going very slow, anticipating a possible problem. I have noticed that there was a recall for a brake problem for Elantras a little newer than mine. That was for a brake booster. Reading the first hand accounts of those failures, is very similar to what I experienced. Since only the recalled vins had the part that was manufactured by mando, and my brake booster was evidently made by another manufacturer, but my experience with the brakes was so similar to the recalled vehicle, I worry that the problem with all those cars could actually be a design flaw in the car or another part that interacts with the brake booster. My car is currently at a Hyundai dealership. They are still working on diagnosing the problem. It has been there three days. I am very worried about driving the car in the future after it is fixed.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #4

Sep 252018

Elantra

  • 34,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving about 50 mph and was preparing to come to a normal stop for a traffic light. When I braked, a log crunching sound came from the front of the car and it pulled hard to the left. I released the brakes slightly and braked again. The car came to a successful stop. The sound was so loud and violent, I thought the brake caliper of wheel itself had broken loose. When the light changed, I moved through the intersection and pulled over for a visual inspection. I could see no sign of any issue and the car was braking fine. I had seen a previous report about a similar issue when another driver had finished a 360 degree hard cornering exit from the freeway. I had done the same thing but had driven about a mile after the exit. The car has about 34,000 miles on it and has regular maintenance by the dealership. I will be following up with a visit for a checkup. The tires are still original and have about 5K miles wear left on them. I have been driving for 3 days since and have had no issue.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #3

Jan 032018

Elantra

  • 19,800 miles
The outside temperature was 7 degrees Fahrenheit. After taking my wife to work, I returned home at approximately 8:45 am. I made a lefthand turn into the driveway (in motion) at around five mph. I pressed almost halfway down on the brake pedal, but the car seemed to accelerate momentarily, so I immediately took my foot off the pedal. The vehicle continued to move forward at approximate five mph, so I pressed the brake pedal even harder. However, instead of stopping with the brake pedal fully depressed, the car suddenly accelerated causing me to Ram into the late model truck parked in front of me. I took my foot completely off the brake pedal, and the car eventually ended up halting nearly four feet from the contacted truck. I promptly reported the event to my insurance company (allstate) to start a claim. The allstate claims division dispatched a local tow service that picked up and delivered the vehicle to the nearest Hyundai service center in meriden, Connecticut.

- Meriden, CT, USA

problem #2

Jan 162017

Elantra

  • miles
Brakes: Skipping and severe vibration when brakes are applied on tight right curvatures (highway on and off ramps). Tires: Hankook P215/45R17 87H - tire sidewall failure, bubbling on sidewall at 8500 miles then two months later and aprox. 10000. No accidents, potholes, or issues that should have resulted in sidewall failure.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 162015

Elantra

  • 1,200 miles
When entering a fairly severe curve, like a 270 degree freeway on-ramp or off-ramp to an overpass, or 90 degree curves on mountain roads, at normal speeds, the ESC appears to sporadically turn on and off aggressively. The behavior is severe. The brakes are applied, hard, about twice per second. Hard enough to feel like you hit a pothole. The throttle seems to be cut as well. Pressing the accelerator does nothing while in this state, as if its been disconnected. After straightening out of the curve, the behavior stops. Disabling via the ESC button has no effect, the problem persists. A trip to the dealer (10/2015) resulted in the diagnosis of a bad 'lateral sensor' - that it wasn't communicating to the ESC. However the problem apparently was more involved: They kept the car for 17 days and had two other 2016 Elantra GT models in the service department with the same issue. Ultimately they could not find a fix for the problem and returned the car, stating that the problem was not a "safety concern". however they intended to continue troubleshooting the issue with one of the problem cars being used as a "test mule". the service department stated that the problem seems to be limited to the 2016 Elantra GT. I am not entirely convinced of the "safety" verdict. While I agree that its fairly safe for "me", since I'm aware of the behavior and its consistent, it might be a surprise for another Elantra GT owner whose first experience might be in the rain or snow. Winter is coming, and while I'm aware of the issue and therefore will take curves slower as to not antagonize the car - what about others?

- Orangevale, CA, USA

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