2016 Hyundai Elantra vs 2016 Toyota Camry

The public data splits evenly; the trim-level specs decide it.

2016 Hyundai Elantra

The 2016 Hyundai Elantra is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Elantra, is EPA-rated at 31 m…

2016 Toyota Camry

The 2016 Toyota Camry is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Camry Hybrid LE, is E…

	2016 Hyundai Elantra	2016 Toyota Camry
Segment	Midsize car	Midsize car
Powertrains	Gas	Hybrid, Gas
Best combined mpg	31	40
Safety Signal	86	81
NHTSA recalls	2	3
Critical recalls	0	0
Owner complaints	299	186
NHTSA overall stars	5	5

Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.

Recalls at a glance

Source: NHTSA

Elantra

▲high

Air Bags

300

3,493 vehicles

ProblemHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.RiskAn air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.FixDealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.

NHTSA campaign 26V307000reported May 14, 2026Hyundai Motor America

●moderate

Latches/Locks/Linkages

256

186,588 vehicles

ProblemHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."RiskA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.

NHTSA campaign 24V146000reported Feb 23, 2024Hyundai Motor America

Camry

▲high

Power Train

H0M

671 vehiclesHybrid only

ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The front drive shaft may separate.RiskA front driveshaft separation would result in a loss of propulsion while driving, and if the driver exits the vehicle without applying the parking brake, the vehicle may roll. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the serial number of the vehicle's drive shaft, replacing any that are affected, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0M.

NHTSA campaign 17V462000reported Jul 20, 2017Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

○minor

Equipment

SET-16C

4,253 vehicles

ProblemSoutheast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."RiskAn incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixSET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

NHTSA campaign 16V420000reported Jun 9, 2016Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

▲high

Air Bags

G0J

58,515 vehicles

ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."RiskAir bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.FixToyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the OCS, free of charge. The recall began by May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0J.

NHTSA campaign 16V215000reported Apr 14, 2016Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing