2016 Hyundai Elantra Problems: 8 Known Issues

On the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra 1.8L Nu, the 1.8L Nu engine in 2011-2016 Elantras is prone to premature failure due to manufacturing defects including a piston defect that produces piston slap/scuffing (most often in cold weather), connecting rod bearing failure, and oil passage problems. Metal debris from failed components can circulate through the engine causing catastrophic damage. A class action settlement (Brown v. Hyundai) extended the powertrain warranty on the engine long block for piston-slap damage to 10 years/120,000 miles for original owners and 8 years/80,000 miles for other owners in cold-weather states (campaign TXXK).

On the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra 1.8L Nu MPI, mD-generation Elantras with the 1.8L Nu engine develop a distinct two-to-five second rattle or 'diesel' clatter on cold start-up as the hydraulic timing chain tensioner bleeds down overnight and the plastic chain guides wear and become brittle. Early on the noise is only at start-up and quiets once oil pressure builds. As the guides crack and shed material the chain slaps continuously, cam timing drifts, and in the worst cases the chain jumps teeth on the sprocket, producing a crank-no-start and, on this interference engine, valve-to-piston contact. Forum reports consistently note that replacing the tensioner alone does not cure the noise once the guides and sprockets are worn - the whole timing set is needed. The condition is aggravated by extended oil-change intervals and by the low oil level that the same 1.8L Nu is prone to, and is separate from the connecting-rod bearing knock this engine is also known for.

On the 2011-2022 Hyundai Elantra, hyundai says certain 2011-2022 models with a turn-key ignition and no engine immobilizer were targeted in a rise in thefts spread on social media. Its campaign updates the body control software to strengthen the factory alarm and ignition-start logic and adds anti-theft window decals. The campaign covers certain 2011-2022 Elantras (MD, AD and CN7) without a push-button start or immobilizer lamp in the cluster. Cars with push-button start or an immobilizer lamp have an immobilizer and are not covered.

On the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra, mD-generation Elantras have a widely reported failure of the integrated door latch/lock actuator, most often on the driver's door because it cycles the most. The small electric motor inside the latch assembly wears or its gear strips, so the door stops responding to the key fob and to the interior lock switch while the other three doors still work. Owners also report the reverse case - a door that locks and unlocks on its own, or that repeatedly re-locks after being opened - and rear doors failing around 70,000 miles. Because the actuator is built into the latch assembly on these cars rather than being a separate bolt-on part, the whole latch is replaced, and the job requires drilling out the window regulator rivets to get the latch out, which is why quoted labour is higher than owners expect. A door that will not unlock from either the fob or the inside switch is also a safety concern in a crash.

On the 2015-2016 Hyundai Elantra, on 2015-2016 Elantra sedans the trunk latch base sub-assembly can be damaged in service, defeating the glow-in-the-dark internal emergency trunk release required by FMVSS 401. Hyundai's filing describes the mechanism: at high ambient temperature the latch pawl thermally contracts, and if the trunk is then opened the pawl is damaged, after which the interior release handle no longer opens the lid. Hyundai reported to NHTSA more than 11,700 field reports of trunk latch failures under this campaign, which covers over 186,000 cars. The safety consequence is that a person - most obviously a child - who gets into the trunk cannot let themselves out. Owners often first notice it as an ordinary annoyance: the emergency release handle pulls limply and does nothing, or the trunk only opens from the key fob or the cabin button.

On the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra, owners of 2011-2016 Elantras with a sunroof report water coming into the cabin, from the headliner or sun visor and into the footwell, traced to blocked sunroof drain holes. The reports cover 2011-2016 Elantras (MD) with a sunroof.

On the 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, owners of 2007-2016 Elantras report rear brake calipers seizing or freezing, in some cases from rust, so the brake stays applied or the parking brake does not release. The reports cover 2007-2010 (HD) and 2011-2016 (MD) Elantras.

On the 2015-2018 Hyundai Elantra, hyundai TSB 26-BD-002H covers certain 2015-2016 Elantra UD and 2017-2018 HMMA-built Elantra ADa vehicles finished in Quartz White Pearl paint code W8 or WW8. White paint may peel or bubble on metal body panels including the hood, fenders, roof, doors, quarter panels and trunk. Plastic body panels are not covered.