CarComplaints.com Notes: So far the 2011 Elantra doesn't have the same volume of transmission problems that 2010 owners are fighting with. It also doesn't have the same pattern of steering and braking complaints that are piling up with the 2013 model year.

We're not saying the 2011 is perfect -- I mean, what were they thinking advertising their MPGs -- but there are worse choices.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,597 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #69

Jan 022020

Elantra

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Knocking noise on engine I have done all the oil change on time it only has 60000 miles what's going on a lot of people are complaining and Hyundai is not doing anything I payed a lot for this car months ago and now

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #68

Jan 032019

Elantra

  • 80,000 miles
There was total engine failure when the car reached about 80K miles. This is known for in the 2011 Hyundai Elantras but hyundia has yet to recall the Elantras just the sonatas. Despite constant and frequent oil changes oil sludge formed and entered the engine compartment completely rendering it unrepairable. A "new" engine had to be placed but I was warned the problem could occur again but a recall still has not been issued. This is dangerous as the engine was sputting out, misfiring and blue smoke was being released from the exhaust due to this

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #67

Dec 192018

Elantra

  • 90,000 miles
My car has had engine light on over one year since I bought it used, different shop tried to fix it but they can't get it, they said it is because of vehicle bad system itself so why it shakes every single time, electrical power system is not good, the heating system was down, the fixed it a couple days from now but still it isn't working properly.the problem came in when I was driving in highway I-295 Maine state.

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #66

Jan 052020

Elantra

  • 105,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was told that metal shavings were found in the engine block and they also covered my camshaft position sensor. The metal shavings lead to the pistons not getting enough oil and it threw a rod, as a result of these medal shavings and little oil viscosity. The car was in motion, on the highway.

- Upper Chichester, PA, USA

problem #65

Jan 062020

Elantra

  • 122,000 miles
Engine knocking, possible piston defect

- Waterford, NY, USA

problem #64

Jul 122019

Elantra

  • 45,000 miles
Car will lose power while driving, on occasion it can be jumped / restarted, but it will suddenly lose power again. Have towed it 6 times in 5 months. Now I'm looking for an entirely new engine. Side note: You can't put the car in neutral to tow it if there is no power, so you have to hope jumper cables will get it enough power to put the car in neutral. No manual steering either, so we had to use a tow truck several times since you couldn't turn corners manually at all the steering wheel just locks, even with the key in the ignition.

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

problem #63

Dec 012019

Elantra

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle experience rod knock with 57,000 and vehicle has erratic transmission shifting. The dealer explained they would cover 60 percent but my cost is still $4,000 for which the vehicle is only worth 6,000 on trade. Plus $600 to fix transmission problem. Requested picture from dealer but only sent pictures of metal shavings in oil pan and valve cover.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #62

Dec 202019

Elantra

  • 115,000 miles
The engine is knocking at all times

- North Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #61

Oct 012019

Elantra

  • 136,000 miles
Car jerks into reverse hard. When going down road car loses power. Just acts like its not going anywhere. Very low miles onvthis car.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #60

Jul 222019

Elantra

  • 126,548 miles
Drove vehicle to dealer, boucher hyundia of waukesha after the check engine light would go on and off with codes P2096 and P0304. Codes are related to cylinder 3 and 4 misfires. Dealer found engine making a noise from lower end and recommends an engine replacement. Dealer disassembled the vehicle to document possible financial assistance from Hyundai motor America. After four weeks hma declined to provide assistance. The vehicle was reassembled and returned to the owner. The vehicle could not be driven off the dealer lot, it stalled immediately after starting. The eight year old vehicle with 126,000 miles is a unfixable and has lost market value.

- Delafield, WI, USA

problem #59

Jan 162019

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2011 Hyundai Elantra has this ticking sound coming from the engine for over 12months. I has constantly called even had the car towed 4 to 5 times to the same dealership for the same thing that the Hyundai motor want and wouldn't declared the car a lemon. The car constantly would not start or when it did start while driving it would slow down and then shut completely off where I would have to restart the vehicle back up. The car is always keeped in a close garage and regardless to the weather it continue to make this loud razzing noise in the engine. Service manager chad repeatedly told me that there was nothing wrong and that it was because of the weather. Now the dealership wants me to pay 7000 dollars for a new engine

- Lakeville, MN, USA

problem #58

Feb 012019

Elantra

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. When the vehicle was started or while driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal ticking noise emerging from the engine compartment. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to peacock Hyundai columbia (310 greystone blvd, columbia, SC 29210, (803) 799-1234) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to stivers Hyundai (101 newland rd, columbia, SC 29229, (803) 419-7819) where it was diagnosed that the lifters, engine, and timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 35887131. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 86,000.

- Columbus, SC, USA

problem #57

Jun 262019

Elantra

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked in the family garage. There were no injuries and the fire department put out fire. A fire report and a police report were filed. Smoke filled the home and the garage drywall ceiling had collapsed and blackened the interior of the garage. There was extensive smoke damage to the interior of the house. The vehicle was engulfed in flames and full of water. The fire started on the driver's front side of the engine. The exact cause had not been determined as of yet. The vehicle 's whole front from the engine had been burned out. The glass exploded and the vehicle was ripped open using a jaws of life tool so the fire department could put out the fire from the engine. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage 68,000.

- Zionsville, IN, USA

problem #56

Jun 122019

Elantra

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the engine light and air bag light flashed as the brakes had been applied however, the wheels spun unexpectedly and the engine power was reduced resulting into a crash into another vehicle. The air bags had not deployed. The driver sustained no injuries for medical treatment. A police report was filed. The manufacturer had not sent notification that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V871000 (electronic stability control) as of December 21st, 2015 so the owner was not aware. The vehicle was unable to be driven above mid 20 to 5 mph with a drastic reduction in engine power. The vehicle was towed from the location of the failure and parked because of the failure. A dealer was not contacted yet. The vehicle was rendered unable to be driven due to the failure experienced related to the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available. * (recall related incident)

- Keystone Heights, FL, USA

problem #55

Jun 012019

Elantra

  • 165,000 miles
Car stalls while in motion and coming to stops. Engine sounds like a diesel truck and also has a ticking noise. Constantly having to replace the headlight bulbs front and back. Also have issues with steering wheel making a winding noise when turning the wheel. My tire pressure light never goes off even when air is put in or all new tires are put on. Also constantly having issues driver side up front tire issues. Had new brakes done and shortly after there making noises again. I always have Hyundai do my work on my car except I do however go to walmart to get my tires. I have had this car for about 3 years and constantly have had issues with it. I will never ever buy another Hyundai again.

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #54

Mar 192018

Elantra

  • 107,220 miles
Severe engine knocking for over 12 months when starting vehicle. The vehicle is stored in an enclosed garage year round. Knocking occurs no matter the outdoor temperature. The vehicle seized up and was towed to dealer. Dealer stated the vehicle was still under warranty but would not do anything to make repairs.

- Pocono Summit, PA, USA

problem #53

May 012019

Elantra

  • 111,000 miles
Car randomly wouldn't start this morning.

- Corning, NY, USA

problem #52

Jan 152019

Elantra

  • 139,000 miles
Rattling/knocking noise while car is running, increase in noise as you accelerate.

- North Newton, KS, USA

problem #51

Mar 052019

Elantra

  • 78,942 miles
Engine ticking at idle and acceleration. Had lifters replaced and oil pump costing $1500. Engine continued with ticking noise. Brought it to my local Hyundai dealership which is 2.5 hours away. They told me I needed a new motor. Hyundai has declined the request related to mileage and time. Really. This vehicle only has 79,000 miles on it. Hyundai currently has a class action lawsuit related to the ticking noise. Hyundai knows that the engines are faulty but refuse to put out a recall. How can you let Hyundai continue to resell these cars. This is basically fraud. Hyundai Elantras from 2011-2016 with the 1.8L engine are the ones affected. Hyundai doesn't stand behind their product. I have never heard of a motor going with only 79,000 miles on it. Someone needs to do something to make Hyundai accountable for their faulty products. Take the vehicles with the 1.8L off the market.

- Colebrook, NH, USA

problem #50

Feb 112019

Elantra

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. When the vehicle was started, an abnormal noise was detected. Also, while driving more than 60 mph over a bump, there was an abnormal clicking noise detected from the steering wheel and the vehicle vibrated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the cylinder coupling and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- El Monte, CA, USA

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