2016 Hyundai Elantra Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/12/2026

26Air Bags complaints

9.1%Of all 287 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE107 · 37.3%

Unspecified / other53 · 18.5%

POWER TRAIN29 · 10.1%

AIR BAGS26 · 9.1%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20 · 7%

Share of the 287 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra overview page.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 11433967 — filed 09/22/2021

“DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CAR WAS HIT AT SPEED (ON THE PASSENGER SIDE) IN INTERSECTION BY ANOTHER VEHICLE RUNNING A RED…”NHTSA complaint 11385651 — filed 12/30/2020

“AIRBAG IN DRIVER SEAT IS BULGING INSIDE THE SEAT MAKING THE SEAT UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSAFE. IT JUST HAPPENED FROM USE OF THE CAR SITTING IN…”NHTSA complaint 11323016 — filed 05/02/2020

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra: 26 of 287 complaints on file (9.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have in total?

287 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 22 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 17 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.