The 2016 Hyundai Elantra comes available with two four-cylinder engines, a 1.8-liter, and 2.0-liter. Both offer good fuel efficiency, but not much else. Also, both engines may suffer from defects that can cause serious damage or even complete failure.
Key Points
- Both naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra produce less than 200 horsepower, but the larger 2.0L is more powerful than competitors in its class.
- The 1.8L and 2.0L engines return decent fuel efficiency numbers at 30-31 and 27-28 combined mpg, respectively. However, competitors in the segment are rated better.
- Regardless of engine choice, it takes close to 10 seconds to motivate the 2016 Hyundai Elantra from 0 to 60 mph.
- The small fuel efficiency gains of the 1.8L engine are overshadowed by a significant defect with the piston assemblies that could cause a knocking or ticking noise, potentially leading to oil sludge, engine block damage, or even complete engine failure. There was no official recall issued by Hyundai.
- The 2.0L engine could have issues too, although no recall has been issued by Hyundai at present.
1.8L I-4 Engine Produces Less than 150 Horsepower and may be Prone to Major Engine Issues
The base 1.8L engine on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra is rated at a mild 145 horsepower and 130 lb.-ft. of torque. The 1.8L engine can be mated to either a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual.
Unfortunately, due to this engine’s low torque rating and heavy curb weight of almost 3,000 pounds, it takes the Elantra around nine seconds to move from 0 to 60. Motor Trend says that when “[t]rying to merge onto the highway, the pedal would be fully depressed and the engine roaring, and the speedometer would slowly crawl to the speed needed.”
This engine is standard on the Value Edition, SE, and Limited trims.
For 2016, the 1.8L engine is rated between 30 and 31 combined mpg, depending on transmission choice. While the Hyundai Elantra is intended to be a fuel-efficient, entry-level sedan for the Korean automaker, its combined mpg fuel economy fell short against competitors like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Chevrolet Cruze.
No Recalls, but Ticking Noise and Engine Failure Lead to Class Action Lawsuit
Upon reviewing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, many of the 41 engine complaints out of 137 total complaints filed for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra are related to the 1.8L engine making a ticking or knocking noise, referred to as “piston slap” (when there is too much of a gap between the piston and the outer cylinder). Additionally, several complaints filed suggest that owners experienced complete engine failure as a result of this issue.
While no official recall has been issued by Hyundai, a class-action lawsuit was filed by an owner whose Elantra experienced piston slap at 64,000 miles, and failed within a week thereafter.
Per Car Complaints, a technical service bulletin issued by Hyundai Auto Canada acknowledged this piston slap problem, stating it’s caused by a “piston head that isn’t secured in the cylinder, allowing the piston to rotate and causing the piston’s edges to collide with the cylinder wall…” due to “defects in the piston skirt coating as well as improper finishing of the connecting rods…” The noise goes away once the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
Initially, the Hyundai dealership the owner brought their Elantra to (located in the U.S.) denied their warranty claim for the engine failure because oil sludge was found in the engine, suggesting poor maintenance on the owner’s part. However, owners with perfect maintenance records have also experienced engine failure. Without assistance from Hyundai, a new engine could cost an owner at least $3,500 for a used engine.
As of May 2021, the lawsuit in the U.S. was settled and Hyundai agreed to extend the powertrain warranty, reimburse for past repairs and any related rental car and towing fees for owners of certain qualifying 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra vehicles.
2.0L I-4 Offers More Horsepower, Less mpg, and Potential Problems
The larger 2.0L engine on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra churns out 173 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft. of torque, almost 30 more horsepower, and almost 30 lb.-ft. of torque than the 1.8L. Of its competitors in its class that offer two engine options, the Hyundai Elantra was almost as powerful as the Honda Civic with a smaller turbocharged engine and more powerful than the Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze which also feature smaller, turbocharged engine options.
As part of the same engine family as the 1.8L, the 2.0L features several key components, including an aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners and aluminum cylinder head (lighter yet still durable); dual continuously variable value timing (D-CVVT) for improved performance and reduced emissions; and a maintenance-free silent timing chain system to enhance durability and improved noise vibration and harshness (NVH).
Mated to either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission, the 2016 Elantra’s 0 to 60 time is almost a full second quicker with the 2.0L engine over the 1.8L. Auto Blog says “the bigger engine seemed to make more of a difference in engine noise than thrust.”
As far as fuel economy goes, the extra horsepower sacrifices a couple mpg on the 2016 Elantra. Depending on transmission choice, the Elantra’s 2.0L fuel efficiency is officially rated at approximately 27-28 combined mpg, which placed it behind the Ford Focus (29-31 combined mpg) and Honda Civic (31-34 combined mpg).
The 2.0L engine is only available on the Sport trim level.
Is the 2.0L Engine in the 2016 Hyundai Elantra More Reliable?
At present, there have been no recalls issued for the 2.0L “Nu” engine specific to the 2016 Hyundai Elantra. In addition, research into complaints filed with the NHTSA suggest that most engine problems on the 2016 Elantra are with the 1.8L engine.
Oddly, Canada’s federal transportation agency, Transport Canada, issued a recall in September 2021 which states, “Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart.” The 2016 Hyundai Elantra is included in this recall.
This is relevant because according to Car Complaints, “the Elantra engines were allegedly built on the same assembly lines with the same defective pistons and parts.” To reiterate, no official recall has been issued for the 2016 Hyundai Elantra with the 2.0L engine in the U.S., however, that does not mean one won’t ever be issued.
If Budget-friendly Practicality is What You want, Consider Something Else, Because the 2016 Elantra is Sensible but Not Very Powerful
Although the 2016 Hyundai Elantra is a practical, no-nonsense, compact sedan on paper, neither engine option offered is the most powerful or most fuel-efficient in its segment. Because of the significant issues documented with the 1.8L engine option, despite no official recall having been issued in the U.S., any consideration given to a used 2016 Hyundai Elantra should rule out picking one with that engine.
Further, despite being more powerful, the available 2.0L engine is still not much of a performer. And although no recall has been issued for the 2016 Elantra with the 2.0L engine in the U.S., the fact that a recall was issued for this engine for 2016 Hyundai Elantras sold in Canada is concerning. Overall, it may be best to steer clear of the 2016 Hyundai Elantra.
Photos: Hyundai
