In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. The service campaign describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2011 â 2016MY Elantraâs (MD/UD) and certain 2013 â 2014MY Elantra Coupe (JK) vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Hyundai Elantra body problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Elantra | 11 |
| 2013 Elantra | 33 |
| 2014 Elantra | 7 |
| 2015 Elantra | 9 |
| 2016 Elantra (this page) | 14 |
| 2017 Elantra | 121 |
| 2018 Elantra | 13 |
| 2020 Elantra | 5 |
1crash
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. This bulletin describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2011 â2016 Elantras (MD/UD).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. The service campaign describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2011 â 2016 Elantraâs (MD/UD).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. The service campaign describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2011 â 2016 Elantraâs (MD/UD).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Elantra complaints center on two main issues: trunk latch failure and paint delamination.
Trunk latch problems appear most serious. Multiple owners report the trunk latch stops engaging altogether—the lever on the driver's floorboard or the button on the trunk lid quits responding. The trunk shuts but won't lock, creating a safety concern; one owner couldn't access the trunk for three years after Hyundai declined to help. A 2021 recall addressed trunk latch issues on some Hyundai and Kia models, but 2016 Elantra owners report being denied coverage despite describing identical symptoms.
Paint delamination affects multiple owners. Blue and white Elantras are peeling paint on hoods, roofs, trunks, and trim near the window line—often within the first two years of ownership and at mileage as low as 28,000 miles. Bare metal is exposed, corrosion is spreading, and owners question whether the damaged paint compromises structural integrity. Dealerships and corporate Hyundai have refused warranty coverage, stating there is no applicable recall.
One owner reported water intrusion onto the passenger floor from behind the glove compartment during turns (at 60k miles). Brake backing plates showing rust and flaking were also cited. An antenna cover detachment and rear door inoperability following a collision were reported, though the latter likely resulted from impact damage.
Same Hyundai Elantra body reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Trunk latch failure
Trunk latch stops engaging, preventing the trunk from locking closed. Owners report the trunk lever on the driver-side floorboard becomes unresponsive, or the trunk button on the lid stops working. Some owners have had the condition for extended periods (3+ years). A 2021 recall exists for trunk latch issues on some Hyundai and Kia models, but 2016 Elantra owners report non-coverage or no acknowledgment of the defect.
When: Reported around 60,000 miles and higher; one owner states the issue persisted for 3 years without resolution
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk will not lock closed; Lever on driver-side floorboard becomes unresponsive; Button on trunk lid stops working; Trunk pops open while driving if not secured with external straps
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; owners used bungee cords and ratchet straps as temporary fixes. Hyundai has not provided a solution for out-of-recall vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2021 recall (number cited as '208') exists for trunk latch on some Hyundai/Kia models; 2016 Elantra owners report being told 'nothing can be done' despite the defect matching the recalled symptom.
Roof and hood paint delamination
Paint peels and delaminates from roof, hood, trunk, and areas near window trim, exposing bare metal and leading to corrosion. Owners report the issue appearing within 2 years of purchase on low-mileage vehicles. The peeling exposes structural surfaces; one owner notes the exposed metal is spreading corrosion that could compromise crashworthiness and roof structural integrity. The problem is reported as widespread, particularly on white and blue Elantras.
When: Started 2 years after purchase; reported at 28,000 miles and on a 2019 model-year vehicle (indicating early onset)
Symptoms owners cite: Paint peeling from roof, hood, trunk; Paint peeling near window trim and roof line; Bare metal exposed; Corrosion and rust spreading from exposed areas; Fading of blue paint on hood
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; dealership told one owner 'nothing can be done.' One owner attempted to initiate an anti-rust undercoating recall service at dealer, but damage was not visible in photos taken at that time.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai corporate and dealerships have declined warranty coverage, stating vehicles are not part of any recall despite owners citing this as a known worldwide issue.
Water intrusion at glove compartment
Water leaks from behind the glove compartment onto the front passenger-side floor, particularly during turns. The exact cause is not stated in the complaint, but the pattern suggests a seal failure or drainage issue that allows water to pool and enter the cabin.
When: Reported at approximately 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling on front passenger-side floor; Leaking from behind glove compartment; Occurs during turns or immediately after
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed; vehicle was not taken to dealer or independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified of the failure.
Antenna cover detachment
Antenna cover flew off while driving on normal road conditions without accident, car wash, or speeding. Represents a loose or inadequately secured component that poses a safety hazard to following traffic.
When: No mileage or timeframe provided
Symptoms owners cite: Antenna cover detached and flew off during normal driving
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Brake backing plate corrosion
Disk brake backing plates have rusted through and are flaking. Owner reports the rust flakes could lodge in brake pads, potentially affecting brake function or causing noise.
When: No mileage or timeframe provided
Symptoms owners cite: Backing plates rusted through; Rust flaking from backing plates; Risk of debris entering brake system
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Rear bumper and spoiler paint peeling
Blue paint on rear spoiler, rear bumper, and side trim near door handle is peeling. Similar to hood and roof delamination but localized to rear body panels and trim.
When: No mileage or timeframe provided
Symptoms owners cite: Paint peeling on rear spoiler; Paint peeling on rear bumper; Paint peeling on side trim near door handle
Rear door opening after collision
After a rear-end collision, the rear doors on the 2016 Elantra would not open, though the vehicle was struck and crushed significantly. This suggests impact damage rather than a latent defect, but the severity of the crush relative to other vehicles in the incident is noted as notable.
When: No prior mileage; occurred immediately following accident impact
Symptoms owners cite: Rear doors inoperable after collision; Significant crushing of vehicle body
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle declared totaled; no repair attempted.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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.
Had body trouble with your 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 60,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Hyundai/Elantra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.