CarComplaints.com Notes: Be aware that there's a significant trend of owners complaining that the Elantra's fuel economy is significantly less than the EPA estimates.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,138 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.

2012 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 5 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #52

Aug 222017

Elantra

  • 84,000 miles

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

I have an issue with a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. It currently has 84,585 miles and I purchased it used from a dealership at 48,484 miles. It was inspected by a Hyundai service department in August of this year after making a knocking noise and stalling continually. It was diagnosed by the Hyundai service department with the same exact issue the sonata has which is covered in the class action suit, but our dealers request for a new short block was denied by Hyundai. There are metal shavings in the oil valve, and also in the oil pan caused by shearing from the crankshaft. There appear to be others with the same crankshaft issue that own Elantra models as well. Please see above attachments. My concern is that the same faulty deburring process that was used on the sonata's crank shaft may have also been used on certain Elantra's during the same timeframe. I also have receipts of all of my oil changes. If there is any information that is public knowledge about this deburring process that might have been used on other engine models or if you have any suggestions on how to proceed, I would appreciate it.

- Kinsman, OH, USA

problem #51

Jul 132017

Elantra

  • 46,329 miles
The first trouble started when I was driving on the highway at 60 miles/hour, my car started slowing down and would not accelerate. I had to drive at the speed the car would choose to run and in a few minutes it would work fine again. But this kept happening when I would accelerate the car on highways and I took it in to the dealer who said it was sensor problems. Engine light comes on when I use air conditioning, or use the head lights. Car will randomly not turn on although battery is new and makes a humming noise as I turn the key.

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #50

Apr 012017

Elantra

  • 80,000 miles
Brought it in to get my oil changed and they told me I need a new engine as it is the same problem that the recalled Hyundai sonata engines have.

- Little Canada, MN, USA

problem #49

Jun 032017

Elantra

  • 25,910 miles

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

My check engine light came on @ 25900 miles & manual states bring into dealer right away, this was also confirmed with a call to the dealer.. work order states"technical service bulletin" states technician updated electrical control unit, & check engine light went off. My concern why is this not a recall item. Since there is a service bulletin put our in this issue.

- Thousand Palms, CA, USA

problem #48

Apr 012017

Elantra

  • 70,000 miles
Engine ticking. Brought it in and they informed me I need an engine replacement. They also informed me if I do not get the engine fixed and continue to drive it, it could stall and or potentially blow up. Vehicle is under 100K miles, however I am second owner, so it is not covered under warranty. I do have all of my service records, I definitely maintained the vehicle so there is no reason to have to replace the engine on my behalf. Have not gotten it fixed yet as I do not have 8K laying around to do so. Hyundai needs to recall their 2012 Elantra engines as it is a manufacturer problem.

- Sandstone, MN, USA

problem #47

Apr 142017

Elantra

  • 64,945 miles
Elantra with 1.8L engine developed an engine "ticking" noise at 60K miles that developed into a "knocking" noise shortly there after. Main rod bearing failure. Had to have engine short block replaced. Vehicle had scheduled maintenance that included oil changes more frequently than required. Engine would have destroyed itself and stalled if continued without repair. Limited search on internet showed many other similar complaints. Sounds very similar to NHTSA recall NHTSA reference #15V568000 on Hyundai sonata with 2.0L and 2.4L engines.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #46

Mar 032017

Elantra

  • 97,000 miles

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

The engine is making a ticking noise. Was told that the lifters need to be replaced and there is too much back pressure. I will need a new engine. Several other models are under a recall but not this brand.

- Hibbing, MN, USA

problem #45

Dec 012016

Elantra

  • 46,000 miles
Engine failure. Driving on freeway.lost power. Engine light came on. Noise from engine. Pulled over to gas station. Oil was low. Towed to dealer. They said the car had severe oil sludge throughout engine. My car was made at the same Alabama manufacturing plant as the recalled Hyundai sonatas that were recalled for engine failure. My car is still under the 5 year warranty. Hyundai of America will not repair or replace my engine because I don't have all my oil and maintenance receipts. I have another 2006 Saturn that I maintained the same way and it is driving perfectly. Please consider a recall for engine failure for elandras built in Alabama in 2012. I have seen online other owners with the same make, model and year have similar complaints.

- Etiwanda, CA, USA

problem #44

Dec 142016

Elantra

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 50 mph, the engine failed without warning. The vehicle was towed, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #43

Dec 132016

Elantra

  • 46,200 miles
Going 60 mph on freeway. Heard terrible noise and oil light went on. Pulled over. Oil was very low. Rod knocking. Towed to dealer where repairman said engine shot because of damaged bearing and sludge. Car still under original warranty: 2012 Hyundai Elantra, 1.8 engine, 46,000 miles. Dealer refuses to contribute any money. Wants $6200 to repair with remanuf engine. Won't provide form estimate. Car cannot be safely driven. There were no previous warnings: No overheating, no oil lights, no noises. All dealer would do is remove valve cover and send pics which it says shows sludge.

- Etiwanda, CA, USA

problem #42

Nov 082016

Elantra

  • 107,000 miles

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

Random no start. Push button start will just make one click sound and not start (this is not a low battery clicking sound). After numerous attempts, the engine will start. One time it took over 10 minutes of pushing the start button on and off to finally get it to start. It seems to happen at random times. It will start fine for months and then just randomly not start. It happened in the past an just started happening again about a week ago.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #41

Oct 222015

Elantra

  • 30,000 miles
On November 8th, 2016, saint paul, mn, my car would not start up. No warning signals came on and just made a "clicking" noise". I called Hyundai's roadside assistance when they arrived he told me to try to start it up. The car then came on which was approx. A 45 minute wait. In October 2015- eagan, mn, I was driving on the highway, I felt dizzy, nauseous and had a panic attack. I tried pulling over to the side of the road, the car would not stop despite stepping on breaks, the car kept pulling toward the side of the grass that was surrounded with gravel. I ended up hitting and stopping at a guardrail. The driver side wheel was blown and along the drivers and passenger door was scratched, there was also some front end damage which got repaired. In approx. March 2015- West saint paul, I just got off the highway when my car lost power. I started it up, pressed on the gas and ended up rear ended the driver in front of me. In 2014, maplewood, mn, I was at a restaurant's drive-thru and my car lost all power and steering for about 5-10 minutes. I called Hyundai's roadside's assistance to report the incident. In 2014, eden prairie, mn, I was driving on the highway and my car completely lost power and the steering wheel locked up. I called Hyundai's roadside assistance to report the incidence. About 15 minutes later, the car started up and no longer needed roadside assistance's towing service.

- Oakdale, MN, USA

problem #40

Jul 022015

Elantra

  • 52,380 miles
Problem : ESC light flashes while driving, some time makes rumbling noise, power loss, feel like car in neutral, steering felt lock, sudden break and creates unsafe condition. Not all symptoms come up same time but one of them while light flashing. Details : 1. first time happened in June/July 2015 contacted dealer. Since dealer cannot replicate they did test drive and felt everything normal. I drove 1 year scarred but issue didn't occurred 2. few weeks ago this problem resurfaced dealer repeated same story but wanted to drive with me which is pending. While normal driving it happened and this time it was recorded on my cellphone to show as proof because in test drive it may or may not happen. I feel company and dealer not working closely and someone can cause serious issue of safety. I request to look into this reaching out to company and address this issue. I cannot upload video let me know if you need. Just loading a picture.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #39

May 152016

Elantra

  • 69,400 miles
Have a ticking sound in engine. Took to dealership was going to charge me $62 to look at it. Took around 45 mins. Service person came and told me it sounded like a piston slap. With further look at the engine they said I need a new engine. Say what! will I looked on line and youtube about this problem. Went to a web sight about complaints found a lot of them about ticking. Called and asked if it was a short, long or creat engine. To me the short block need replaced. Called next day and told me that engine was on hold. Hyundai wanted them to take pictures and send them to corporate office. Dealership said they would call me when they find out what Hyundai wants to do. Have read online line that Hyundai knows about the bad engines and do not want to replace them. You get nothing but hassle from them about replacing the engine. Dealership stated that it's not there fault. But I feel that they are also. They sold me a car with a bad engine. I could have had a frozen engine while driving on the express way and got into a bad accident. Going to call again on Friday to see if anything has been done. Took it in on Monday. Dealership to me not to call them again. That they will call me. All I want is the engine replaced so I have a car.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #38

May 302016

Elantra

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while in park, the engine compartment caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Lee's Summit, MO, USA

problem #37

Jul 312013

Elantra

  • 61,828 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While driving at various speeds, the engine light remained illuminated. In addition, while driving 65 mph, the vehicle shook violently and made a loud noise each time it drove over a bump or pothole. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was repaired from a previous recall; however, the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V871000 (electronic stability control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,828.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #36

Nov 012014

Elantra

  • 70,000 miles
Our 2012 Elantra began making knocking sounds during cold starts. The noise was fainter when the engine was warm but never disappeared completely. The sound became louder when the weather was colder. When I originally took the car to the dealer, I told them that I thought the problem may have been the timing belt but was informed that the 2012 had a timing chain and not a belt. When the noise became too loud, I finally took it back to the dealer for a diagnostic check of the engine and was told that it was a defective connecting rod bearing and a new engine was necessary. I am aware that the 2011-2013 sonata was recalled in 2015 for the same problem but thought that the Elantra was exempt.

- Grand Haven, MI, USA

problem #35

Mar 082008

Elantra

  • miles
Airbag light came on dealer reports it is a faulty clock spring. I see this has been an issue in the past with other Hyundai years and the dealer states it is a problem they frequently see.

- Coconut Creek, FL, USA

problem #34

Jan 162016

Elantra

  • 77,000 miles
Car won't start. At first, we thought it's the battery so we got our battery jump starter. But it wasn't the case. Lights and electrical works but the car starter won't turn over. Towed it to the dealer. The following day, went to dealer to check it and the car started without any problem. Dealer's mechanics still hasn't seen it yet that day. There might be some loose wiring or inhibitor switch problem.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #33

Sep 112015

Elantra

  • 55,300 miles
Highly frustrating and potentially life threatening situation Hyundai has put me in. On September 11th my vehicle caught on fire in the rear by the exhaust pipe. Prior to this my vehicle had been at rick case Hyundai 3 times with me complaining the transmission was not working properly the 1st time I was told there are no codes so we have to wait till it breaks, the 2nd time I was told no codes sorry, and the third time they actually replaced a broken part that controls the shift times in the transmission. Could show them my problem. I asked Hyundai corporate to do an investigation into the transmission and the fire and help me resolve this issue. They went through their 6 week process and then denied my claim saying it wasn't found to be a malfunction of any parts that caused the fire. I have video of where the fire started, the transmission not working, and countless pictures that show the fire obviously started at the tailpipe due to an increase in temperature because of the transmission failure. When I ask Hyundai for the information that lead to their conclusion they say it's confidential and proprietary and will not let me see it. When I tell them the transmission is still not working and everytime I drive it there is a burning smell and I'm scared for my safety and life driving this car they just say Hyundai decision is final and they won't honor my warranty on the car. They claim it's perfectly safe to drive and operating as intended and designed. I feel they are covering somethings up or never actually investigated this incident which is why they won't release information. During the fire malfunctions in the head shield and taillight wiring were discovered making for 4 possible life threatening defects my car was parked at work in my parking space when the smoke and fire started.

- Loganville, GA, USA

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