Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My daughter and friend were in an accident, traveling 50 miles an hour and hit the center barrier on the highway. The air bags didn't employ. The Minnesota Department of Transportation came up on the accident right away and got them safely off the highway so they wouldn't get hit by other cars. They have provided us with the video of the accident. My daughter and friend had no protection due to air bags not deploying. She has been seen by a doctor for whip lash, neck and headache pains as symptoms. As well as being traumatized by the incident me lack of protection. We have sent the pictures and video to the insurance and they are reviewing to determine if the vehicle can be repaired of totaled. Although, question as to whether they would fix it with what appears to be defective air bags. We will not put her back on the vehicle if repaired without some air bag inspection. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the air bags were defective. The mechanic then referred him to a dealer for assistance and informed him that there might be a recall on the vehicle for the air bags. The contact's wife called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter attempted to adjust the front driver's side seat while the vehicle was turned off, the front Driver-side air bag had independently deployed. No warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact's daughter's left arm was injured on impact with the air bag. Medical attention was sought, and further medical diagnosis will be scheduled. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
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 to the local dealer for assistance. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 53,600.
On [redacted] 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 noted.
The airbags did not deploy when the other driver did not comply with the stop sign, which led to him getting off the road in front of me and destroying the entire front of the car, knowing that the airbags did not deploy now. I suffer from a neck injury
Clockspring Failure. 2016 hyundai elantra, 123k miles. Airbag light on, horn does not function. Likely unavailable for inspection due to being replaced soon. Inability to use horn to alert reckless drivers swerving into my lane. Airbag will not deploy if needed in an accident. The dealership seemed aware that the clocksprings go out in Hyundai's and is confident this is the issue. Warning lamp prior/at the same time as the horn stopped working.
No incident as of yet, however there are multiple Hyundai vehicle owners whose air and lights have come on after having the vehicle for at least 5 years. Other manufacturers have issued recall notices on this matter, but not Hyundai.
2016 Hyundai Elantra with involved in injury accident 07/18/2015 with failure of driver's side air bag curtain deploying. Vehicle's owner was making left turn when struck in the center pillar driver's side by another vehicle traveling approximately 60 m.p.h. Causing vehicle to be push sideways approximately 10 feet. The driver had to exit vehicle passenger side due to extensive damage to doors and sub frame. Extensive damage was done to both front and rear driver's side doors as well as door sub frame requiring cutting and re-welding in new driver's side door sub frame, replacement of door hinges and both front and read doors driver's side. The driver's side air bag curtain did not deploy and complaint was filed directly to Hyundai America customer service. The vehicle was inspected by a Hyundai engineer and was not touched by the body shop as per Hyundai's instructions. …
On 10/15/16 I was in a multi impact accident. After hitting a curb, small tree, took a stop sign out, my car landed into a tree in between two 10 in. Bushes. As the car seemed to settle I immediately smelled a chemical odor. I then saw a small white what I thought was paper appear on the inner steering wheel, suddenly blood was pouring down my face where I could barely see. I thought the car was on fire because of the smell. It did not smell like gas but more like sulfur. I was transported to uci trauma center where I stayed for four days. My car had 6 airbags and all failed except for the one I saw when my car settled. Since I bought the Elantra I reported to Hyundai that while I was driving and sometimes when I would turn left the car would stop, then accelerate full speed. I have the work order. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of the model year's 300 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Hyundai Elantra airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-307 (inflator module, May 14, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Elantra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.