This is our third elantra. While we like the looks of the vehicle and the way it generally handles we are greatly dissatisfied with the tires that are standard on the vehicle. Since we live in western pennsylvania and experience wintery weather we have found that these tires are very dangerous on winter roads. We are sure that many people are involved in accidents unless different tires have…
2016 Hyundai Elantra wheels problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
When does it fail?
Of the 10 wheels complaints filed for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Hyundai Elantra in our records for wheels problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA wheels complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Elantra has a documented pattern of early tire failures—blowouts, bead separation, sidewall bubbling, and chronic slow leaks—even on brand-new vehicles. Stock Hankook tires show poor winter performance and owners report safety concerns at highway speeds; budget for new tires and expect multiple flats early on.
Owners of 2016 Elantras report a consistent tire problem pattern starting at very low mileage. The stock Hankook tires fail in multiple ways: sudden blowouts at highway speeds (one at just 377 miles, another at 19k miles), sidewall bubbling without impact damage, bead wire separation from the rim, and chronic slow leaks requiring repeated inflation.
One owner's replacement Kumho tire failed the day after installation with bead separation; the dealership service rep mentioned multiple other tires with identical failures on his desk. Another owner reported six flats by 9,400 miles—some on the same wheel multiple times—with the tire pressure light coming on while driving or when entering the vehicle.
Winter performance is hazardous. An owner in Western Pennsylvania stated the stock tires are unsafe on snow and ice, requiring immediate purchase of winter tires at added cost. Another rented Elantra had tires worn to steel belts, causing near loss-of-control in rain.
Used vehicle purchases came with worn tires that failed after 1,500 additional miles despite pre-sale certification. Dealers claimed blowout tire failures are not warranty-covered, even on vehicles under a few thousand miles with no road damage history. Owners express serious safety concerns about highway driving, particularly given the speed and mileage at which failures occur.
Same Hyundai Elantra wheels reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Bead separation and sudden tire failure (new tires)
Brand-new replacement tires experiencing rapid bead wire separation from rim, causing complete loss of air pressure within seconds. One owner reports a Kumho Solus TA-31 failed this way the day after installation; service rep indicated multiple tires on desk with same defect.
When: Within 24 hours of installation; first complaint within 17 miles of driving after replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise while stationary; Tire pressure warning light activation; Complete tire deflation in 4 seconds; Bead wire separation from rim
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replaced; service dept sent claim to Kumho (tire manufacturer) for compensation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kumho tire manufacturer claim filed; estimated 4-month resolution timeline
Tire sidewall bubbling and failure
Original equipment Hankook tires developing sidewall bubbles at low mileage without impact damage or pothole contact. Multiple owners report bubbling progressing to failures requiring replacement.
When: 8,500–10,000 miles on original equipment
Symptoms owners cite: Visible bubbling on tire sidewall; Sidewall bulging; Tire deformation
Repairs/costs cited: Tires replaced; no damage history to explain failures
Rapid tire blowouts on highway
Multiple owners report sudden tire disintegration or blowouts at highway speeds on low-mileage vehicles. One blowout at 19k miles caused front-end damage; another at 377 miles on brand-new vehicle; another at 60 mph with smooth road surface.
When: As early as 377 miles; recurring within first 20k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden tire disintegration; Blowout at highway speeds; Vehicle damage from tire failure (bumper, quarter panel, rim, window assembly); Loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Tires replaced; one owner received tire replaced under warranty; most covered out-of-pocket
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claimed tires not covered under warranty; one dealer stated no bubbles found and problem is tire (not covered)
Chronic slow leaks and repeated flats
Multiple owners report persistent slow leaks on original Hankook tires requiring constant inflation. One owner had six flat tires on one vehicle by 9,400 miles, some on the same wheel multiple times.
When: Early in ownership; 9,400 miles with six flats already
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure warning light recurring; Slow air leaks; Repeated flat tires on same wheel; Need for frequent manual inflation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer confirmed slow leaks; owner charged for flat repairs; continuing to use inflator
Poor winter traction and ice performance
Stock Hankook tires perform dangerously on winter roads. Owner states Western Pennsylvania winter driving impossible without purchasing winter-rated tires immediately after purchase.
When: Immediately apparent in winter driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of traction on winter roads; Unsafe handling in snow and ice
Repairs/costs cited: Owners purchased replacement winter tires at added expense
Worn tires at purchase (used vehicles)
Used vehicles purchased with worn tires that failed inspection after 1,500 miles. Pre-purchase inspection was inaccurately reported and not properly signed.
When: 1,500 miles after purchase of used vehicle with 30k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Blowout on highway; Worn and damaged tires; Tires deemed unsafe by re-inspection
Repairs/costs cited: All four tires replaced due to wear and damage
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had wheels 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 wheels problem on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 9,400 and 31,500 miles, with the median around 19,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,400; a quarter make it past 31,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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.