2016 Hyundai Elantra Body & structure Problems

The vehicle's security system malfunctioned immediately after service at Parks Hyundai of Gainesville on 05/27/26 for Recall 256 & Campaign P33. The alarm blares & emergency lights flash while I am driving on public roads. This defect first presented in the dealership parking lot upon pickup. This creates a severe safety risk: the high-decibel alarm is a major distraction, the flashing lights confuse other motorists, & the malfunction prevents me from using turn signals, violating safety protocols. I demonstrated this to the service manager on 06/10/26. While the technician acknowledged the defect during a road test & performed a 'cap reset' (documented on the repair order), this attempt failed to resolve the issue. Despite this, the service manager refuses to acknowledge the defect, claiming it is an 'intended feature' of a 2023 recall at a different facility (993). This contradicts the technician's findings & my years of incident-free driving until the work on 05/27/26. The dealership initially omitted my return visit from their records, only acknowledging it after I confronted them in writing. An independent shop confirmed this electrical failure likely stems from P33, but requires proprietary dealer tools to diagnose. Attached video proves the vehicle runs while the alarm blares, confirming no relation to old Campaign 993 logic. Attached Repair Order proves the technician acknowledged the defect & attempted a repair. Despite this, the service manager ignores the documentation, his own technician's findings, & my demonstrations, blaming my locking habits while refusing a deep diagnostic. After 16 days in their possession, neither the dealer nor manufacturer has provided a remedy. If this malfunction were an intended feature, it would be an ongoing hazard; it creates a distraction, causes a panic response, & prevents the adequate use of turn signals while in operation. The vehicle is unsafe, & the dealership & manufacturer have failed to provide a valid repair.

NHTSA ID

11743948

Incident

May 27, 2026

Paint delamination has exposed bare metal on hood/roof/trunk. Corrosion is spreading, which can compromise crashworthiness and latch integrity. Additional peeling near the window trim near the roof is beginning to corrode. This part of the vehicle is structural and could compromise roof strength. This issue is a world wide(yes Canada too) has understood this issue and has consistently been on the news.

NHTSA ID

11690660

Incident

Sep 30, 2025

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11607470

Incident

Apr 17, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving and making turns, there was a significant amount of water leaking from behind the glove compartment onto the front passenger's side floor. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred while making turns. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11595493

Incident

May 20, 2024

Mileage

60,000 mi

The car antenna cover flew off while I was driving. I was not speeding. Car has never been in an accident. Car has not gone through a car wash. This could have hit the car behind me had they been closer.

NHTSA ID

11594601

Incident

Jun 15, 2024

A few years ago, my 2016 Hyundai Elantra hatch stopped opening. The hatch lever next to the drivers seat as well as the key fob button stopped working. I know there was a trunk latch recall number 208 from Oct. 2021. Hyundai told me there’s nothing I can do about it. I haven’t been able to get into my trunk for 3 years.

NHTSA ID

11561704

Incident

Dec 9, 2020

My elentra is BLUE....the courage of the hood has faded. Wish you could see it. It has gradually faded. I purchased ii 2019

NHTSA ID

11532292

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

The paint on the roof right above the windshield is peeling off. I've gone online and seen pictures of other white elantras with paint peeling. I was told by Crestmont Hyundai that my car is not part of any recall. I had the car at Crestmont Hyundai on April 28 for a recall for an anti-rust undercoating and the pictures that were taken do not show any type of damage to the area.

NHTSA ID

11523992

Incident

May 19, 2023

Disk brake backing plates rusted through, flaking. Could lodge in brake pads.

NHTSA ID

11513190

Incident

Mar 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, he looked in the rearview mirror and noticed that the trunk of the vehicle was open. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he was unable to lock the trunk using the lever on the front seat, key fob, or the button on the trunk door. The contact continued driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the next availability would be in February 2023. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11487874

Incident

Oct 4, 2022

Mileage

80,000 mi

The paint is peeling off my Hyundai Elantra and I only have 28000 miles on it. It started peeling 2 years ago. I can supply pictures. I visited my local Hyundai dealership, where I bought the car, they made me wait for an hour then told me there was nothing they could do. I noticed someone scratched the paint with a fingernail from their workshop. I also called the Hyundai corp and they said there was nothing they could do.

NHTSA ID

11471841

Incident

Jun 15, 2020

The trunk latch stopped working. There was a recall in 8/2021 for the same issue with Hyundai and Kia models. I strongly believe this recall should be extended to include 2016 Hyundai elantras because this is a safety issue. God forbid someone were to get stuck in the trunk they would have no way of getting out as I do not have a trunk release button on my key fob or a key hole on the trunk itself. The only way to open the trunk is the lever on the drivers side floorboard which stopped working abruptly approximately one month ago. I live in SC and I strongly believe the heat has something to do with the malfunction. Heat was implicated in the 2021 recall. Please assist as this is a widespread issue with no solution or acknowledgement from Hyundai.

NHTSA ID

11470039

Incident

May 2, 2022

The trunk latch just completely stopped working out of no where. I always use the button on the actual trunk and have never had issues before. The trunk shuts, but the latch does not lock causing the trunk to not stay closed. This happened while on vacation when I needed to use my trunk for all of my items. I had to use 3 different bungee ropes and a ratchet strap to keep it closed from the inside. I had to drive 12 hours on the highway with the trunk like this beyond scared the trunk would pop open with all of my items back there since I had no where else to put them. I think we all need to use our trunks especially when the car itself is smaller with not much room for suitcases.

NHTSA ID

11436240

Incident

Oct 9, 2021

Blue paint started peeling on the rear spoiler and rear bumper and side near handle.

NHTSA ID

11426309

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR THE FRONT AXLE SHAKES REALLY BAD CAN I KEEP IT IN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11408048

Incident

Feb 15, 2021

Mileage

90,000 mi

PAINT PEELING IN LARGE SHEETS DOWN TO THE BARE METAL

NHTSA ID

11394322

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

60,000 mi

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON A FREEWAY. THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED MY HYUNDAI, A PICK UP, AND A KIA. THE PERSON DRIVING THE KIA WAS AT FAULT. THE LANE WE WERE IN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC AND THE PERSON IN THE KIA REAR ENDED ME WHICH CAUSE MY CAR TO HIT THE PICK UP. THE PICK UP HAD MINOR SCRATCHES AND DENTS, THE KIA HAD MINOR SCRATCHES WHERE AS MY HYUNDAI CRUSHED LIKE A CAN. MY BACK DOORS WOULDNT OPEN AFTER THE IMPACT AND MY CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED.

NHTSA ID

11111755

Incident

Jul 9, 2018

STARTED ASCENDING OVER A BRIDGE WHEN CAR STARTED TO PUTTER. THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. POWER FLICKERED THEN WENT OFF. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT WAS SMOKING. LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND SAW DRIPPING FLUID THEN A SPARK. THAT IS WHEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11100294

Incident

Jun 5, 2018

Mileage

72,000 mi

I PURCHASED THE 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT FROM VAN HORN HYUNDAI IN SHEBOYGAN WI ON 8/18/17. IT WAS SOLD AS CERTIFIED PRE OWNED - NO ACCIDENTS. THE AUTO CHECK REPORT THEY PROVIDED SHOWED A CLEAN HISTORY. I BEGAN EXPERIENCING WHAT SEEMED TO BE SUSPENSION ISSUES- CAR WOULD SKIP SIDEWAYS ON BUMPS AND HAD THE FEELING THAT IT WANTED TO FISHTAIL. I ORDERED A CARFAX REPORT AND IT SHOWED THE VEHICLE WAS IN 2 ACCIDENTS, AND AFTER MORE DIGGING, I FOUND IT WAS SOLD BY INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS TO JOE VAN HORN CHEVROLET IN PLYMOUTH WI. WHEN I PRESENTED THE DEALERSHIP WITH WHAT I HAD DISCOVERED, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A MISTAKE AND THAT THEY HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED BY ONE OF THEIR OTHER DEALERSHIPS. THEY DID, HOWEVER, SHOW ME THE VEHICLE CHECK LIST FROM JOE VAN HORN WHICH SHOWS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING FRAME REPAIRS AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THEY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK FROM ME FOR WHAT I PAID AND I GOT A DIFFERENT VEHICLE THAT ACTUALLY DID CHECK OUT. THIS WAS A CLEAR CASE OF FRAUD BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KNEW THEY WERE FOUND OUT. I AM HAPPY THAT THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY GRIEF ABOUT RETURNING THE VEHICLE, MOST DEFINITELY TO AVOID A LAWSUIT! HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS NOW LISTED FOR SALE AGAIN 2 DAYS AFTER I RETURNED IT WITH NO DISCLOSURE IN THE LISTING AS TO IT'S HISTORY. I BELIEVE THAT THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PREVENT IT FROM EVER BEING PROPERLY ALIGNED TO DRIVE SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

11055846

Incident

Dec 18, 2017

Mileage

27,000 mi