2016 Hyundai Elantra air bags problems
26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who informed the contact of a Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure and referred the contact…”
filed Jan 22, 2026
“On [XXX] I was struck by a OVI driver at 50mph the side airbags deployed however the front airbag never deployed. The vehicle was totaled out my insurance company. The vehicle had no record or open recalls for the airbag and had been given a multiple point inspection in November 2024 with no issues…”
filed Dec 6, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deploymentCampaign 26V307000 · May 14, 2026
Related service bulletins
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co.…
DTN DL · Other · issued Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety…
DTN DCS · Other · issued Apr 10, 2026
Air Bags problems in other Elantra years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Elantra | 2 | 10% |
| 2024 Elantra | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 Elantra | 6 | 7% |
| 2022 Elantra | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 Elantra | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 Elantra | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 Elantra | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 Elantra | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 Elantra | 32 | 4% |
| 2015 Elantra | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 Elantra | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 Elantra | 167 | 13% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.