10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,219 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 3 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #46

Jan 012020

Elantra

  • miles

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

Oil consumption is 5 quarts every 3 weeks, always do proper maintaince on car and it goes thru oil at an unbeliveble rate, and spoke to other owners that have the same problem with the same year car

- Seguin, TX, USA

problem #45

Jun 012021

Elantra

  • miles
My car suddenly lost power and would not accelerate over 20 mph. It gave no warning whatsoever. No check engine light no dash lights at all. It seemed as if it was in some type of protection mode. I took it to the dealer and was told it was my catalytic converter. They replaced the manifold catalytic converter and sent me on my way. Within 15 minutes the check engine light was on and has been on ever since. The back of my car is covered in soot and my car uses about 4 quarts of oil per 2 weeks. My car was NOT like this before. I received a letter about a recall and when I took it to the dealer I was brushed off like it didn't apply to my car. My car was doing the EXACT thing that the recall letter stated. I have kept my car maintenance up and fully feel this is a mechanical default.

- Semmes, AL, USA

problem #44

Dec 162021

Elantra

  • miles
After a 290 mile work trip in my 2016 Hyundai Elantra (with approximately 43000 miles on it and regularly maintained at the normal maintenance schedule) I stopped to get gas. When I started the engine, I heard a horrible knocking noise and immediately turned the engine off. I let the engine cool down a little then started it again to get to an important work appointment. It continued knocking the entire time with no warning lights on. After work, I started the car again to drive it to a dealership, the knocking was really bad at this point. I got about a block down the street when the oil and engine light came on and the engine completely shut down while doing about 35 mph. I coasted into a parking lot, called a tow truck, and had it towed to a local Hyundai dealer. When I explained what happened to the service writer, he mentioned that Hyundai has been having a lot of problems with their engines. We went out to the vehicle and he asked me to start it so he could hear it. At that point, the motor didn't really want to start but did, and he checked the oil. He found that there was hardly any oil in it, but there were no leaks or signs of leaks anywhere. Again, I have always had the regularly scheduled maintenance done at my local Hyundai dealer which he verified. At that point, we went back inside and he said it will likely need a new engine. Now I am stuck without a car because it is at a dealership 290 miles away needing a new engine. I have taken such good care of this vehicle, for it to have 43000 miles on it and this happen is a major problem.

- Avondale, AZ, USA

problem #43

Aug 212021

Elantra

  • 85,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the engine failed to perform as needed. The contact stated she was able to safely pull off the road and proceeded to call a tow company. The contact stated at the time of failure several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Towne Hyundai (3170 NJ-10, Denville, NJ 07834) where they were not able to diagnose the vehicle. The contact stated that she then had the vehicle towed to Riverhead Hyundai (1800 Old Country Rd, Riverhead, NY 11901) where the vehicle remained to await a diagnostic test and repair. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Shoreham, NY, USA

problem #42

Jul 142021

Elantra

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while her daughter was driving and approaching a stop sign, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The driver placed the vehicle in PARK and restarted the vehicle to drive to her residence; however, the failure recurred sporadically several times thereafter. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle however, the dealer was not able to determine the cause of the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings found in the engine. The mechanic recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Texarkana, AR, USA

problem #41

May 052021

Elantra

  • miles
I was driving the car at 25 MPH, when suddenly there was a clicking noise and the car lost power. I made it to my local service shop, but they were already closed. The next morning they called to inform me that the engine had blown and that it was a common problem for Hyundai vehicles. When the engine blew, it enabled gasoline to leak into the engine compartment. I feel that this is a serious fire hazard. Even though the care had high mileage, it was in good mechanical shape at the time of the incident. I had routine maintenance performed regularly. There were never any warning indicators that something might be wrong.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #40

Oct 302021

Elantra

  • miles

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

As I was driving for my job going the speed limit I heard a slight ticking/knocking sounds I pulled over right away and it sounds like the motor is knocking, the gdi in other Hyundai models have a recall for them due to faulty connection rods making the engine fail as this one is, it is going into the dealership Monday and I will provide any documentation showing the car is stock and wasn-€™t abused in any way or form.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #39

Jan 042021

Elantra

  • miles
This cars engine has seized and stopped working. This is an unacceptable problem and it seems as though other years have a recall for this same issue. I would like my year and model added to the recall. I am furious about this situation.

- Lehi, UT, USA

problem #38

Aug 212021

Elantra

  • miles
I lost power while driving my 2016 Hyundai Elantra gt and also started hearing a knocking sound so I pulled over and knocking sound got real loud. A friend came and towed me home about 70 miles and the next morning I checked the oil and my oil was empty. My car has been out of commission for over a month and my mechanic says that a ball bearing is the reason for my engine failure and knocking sound.

- Yoncalla, OR, USA

problem #37

May 072021

Elantra

  • miles
Under 70,000 miles, transmission no longer works. Left me stuck in a parking lot and will not go forward. Began with pulling motion while trying to shift and rapidly declined.

- San Marcos, TX, USA

problem #36

May 212021

Elantra

  • 47,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. Twenty minutes later, there was a ticking sound coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle started sputtering. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was on backorder. the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #35

Apr 302020

Elantra

  • miles
Oil consumption, in three months or 3K miles, it consumes 3 litters, I took it to dealer, they did test and they said yes that is normal, it cannot be normal, if I drive another 3K miles will most likely burn the engine for sure, I keep pouring oil in between oil changes

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #34

Jun 302020

Elantra

  • 180,000 miles
I was driving to norwood on a residential road and the car began overheating so I pulled over, let it cool down, and added water to the radiator. I didn't know why it would overheat, but once it cooled, I drove back home. We checked the oil and other fluids to be sure it wasn't low. The fluids were fine and we thought it was going to be the radiator. The next day, I went to a local restaurant in eastgate Ohio. When I pulled into the drive thru, it felt like the car wasn't getting power and then shut off. I went to start it, but it wouldn't start. The engine wouldn't even turn over. I had to have it towed back to my apartment by our mechanic. The mechanic looked under the hood and explained that the engine is locked up. I still owe on the vehicle so I parked it and have been trying to save money to get an engine.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #33

Mar 262021

Elantra

  • miles
My car is a push start N it will not turn off.. I out the bottom to turn it off but the engine is still constantly running it won't turn off

- Culpeper, VA, USA

problem #32

Mar 102021

Elantra

  • 60,500 miles
While driving on the highway at 70 mph I heard a knocking sound, there were not any warning lights on. I turned down the radio and A/C so I could hear it better, moved to the right lane and slowed down, a red oil light flashed on briefly and the knocking got very loud. I exited the highway at the next exit approx. 1 1/2 miles down. I pulled over and turned the car off, had it towed to the Hyundai dealership in venice. 2 days later they told me it had no oil in it. 5 days later they said it needed a new $8000 engine! I have always kept up with the maintenance and oil changes. I was 2000 miles over this time, but that should not leave 0 oil in the car. Approx. 60,000 miles on this vehicle. And if oil was getting low why didn't any lights come on.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #31

Mar 012020

Elantra

  • 97,000 miles
Engine is consuming 1.2 quarts of oil every 1000 miles I was told by Hyundai that it is normal to have that happen. I don't think that is normal at all. I drive mostly on highway.

- Harrisburg, NC, USA

problem #30

Jan 202021

Elantra

  • 72,000 miles
I was driving when suddenly I hear a knock in the engine and a grinding sound inside the engine and a mechanic inspected it and said that it is rod bearing that they have damage, speak to the Hyundai department and that their system did not work that they could not give me information

- Wenatchee, WA, USA

problem #29

Jan 222021

Elantra

  • 125,000 miles
Car has begun to malfunction after only three years of ownership. There were no warning signs of a faulty engine or overheating. In December of 2020 I took the car to get an oil change, it is now January 2021 and I have had to add oil to my car due to an overconsumption of oil. After taking it to Hyundai I am now being told that the car might need to have the piston rings replaced which would require an engine rebuild or a whole new engine. The car malfunctions on the road as well as when it is idling. The car was used regularly for school but since the pandemic began it has been rarely used.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #28

Sep 212020

Elantra

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been driven for over an hour, the vehicle shut-off while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the oil warning light flashed on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to two independent mechanics who were unable to duplicate the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #27

Dec 112019

Elantra

  • 71,200 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, a knocking sound was coming from under the hood. The contact drove to her residence and called Hyundai of new port richey (3936 us-19, new port richey, fl 34652) and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was informed by the dealer that if there were no warning lights illuminated, to bring the vehicle in. The contact stated that on her way to the dealer, several the warning lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway and the vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rods and piston failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that she recently heard a knocking sound coming from under the hood and had called the same dealer and was informed to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,200.

- Tampa, FL, USA

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