2016 Hyundai Elantra: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 118 owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11760525 (filed 08/29/2026): “Vehicle stalls while driving which is very dangerous. all dashboard lights go on prior to stalling. no engine light is on. knocking sound coming from engine. dealer states engine needs to be replaced. car has been serviced regularly despite that hyundai denies engine replacement. the knocking sound …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11760536 (filed 08/29/2026): “The motor started to make a ticking noise 5 months earlier. 5 months later at 180,000 miles a borascope finding, reveled all 4 cylinder walls were worn related to cylinder slap. called hyundai dealership and was told ithe car is too old and the milage too high for a warranty coverage.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11750822 (filed 07/16/2026): “Engine burned oil and had knocking sound, despite having regular oil changes. stalked out while driving took to dealer initial said it was covered by the exerted coverage but ultimately denied. it had 111,000 miles on it. i believe this engine has the same issues as the others.…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .