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:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
190,687 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #62

Oct 152023

Elantra

  • miles

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

In October 2023, I receiveds a recall notice from Hyundai regarding recall number 23V-651. It is now January 16th and after several contacts to the company I'm continually told that they don't have a fix and have no idea when it will be available. They said I should not park in the garage for fear of fire. I'm parking my vehicle outside in winter weather for the first time in over 30 years. There is also a possibility that my car could catch fire as I'm driving down the road. This becomes especially problematic on a busy freeway. Three months with no forecast of a repair is too long for this to go unrepaired. By their notice there are 13 models affected over several different years. This amounts to 42 models in all. This seems like a situation that deserves higher priority. I am lodgoing an official complaint. They should be required to provide adequate, equivilent vehicles for affected owners to drive while they procrastinate. I've asked for this and was told they would let me know because they had nothing available.

- Madison, OH, USA

problem #61

Sep 272023

Elantra

  • miles
It-??s been months with no remedy, they advised that I keep my car parked & away from buildings. I-??m in a position where I-??m unsure every time I drive my vehicle. Not just for my safety but also for others that could be affected by this situation. Idk what to do honestly. I-??m in a position where I have to door dash to stay afloat. But the risk is mind boggling. I-??m just tryna see what can I do in this situation

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #60

Sep 222023

Elantra

  • miles
Recall has been in effect since Sept 22, and still no remedy is available. Their only recommendation is to park away from buildings. Sometimes it is not possible to park away from buildings, and even when it is possible, it's increasingly inconvenient to park outside of my garage due to weather. I feel the risk of fire is low, but if there were one, any damage to my home would likely not be covered under insurance due to the recall notice. The delay in addressing the recall is unacceptably long, and I am filing a complaint in accordance with NHTSA recommendation.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #59

Sep 262023

Elantra

  • miles

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

Unknown

- Fort Liberty, NC, USA

problem #58

Aug 182023

Elantra

  • miles
It started around a month ago it's a thumping clicking sound in my steering wheel it's getting worse everyday when driving on the road and I hit a bump in the road it wants to jerk out of my hands it's very hard to drive and keep from swerving around it sometimes feels like it's trying to stick or lock up I fear for my life and others life as well. I do know if it locks up it will cause me to lose control and wreck my car possibly ending in death for myself or others out on the highway. My horn doesn't work and I don't know if steering is the cause of that. I don't have any warning light that come on to check anything except the tire pressure light stays on and they are new tires. I keep a check on my car to keep it serviced and everything my tires aren't low at all I checked my oil on a daily basis and it read no oil on the stick so 2 quarts were added then I keep checking to see if I have an oil leak and there isn't one. I have spoken with multiple mechanics and have been told that unless they get into tearing it down and looking at it they couldn't give me an exact solution, but sounds like either an Intermediate steering shaft or a steering coupler bushing (MDPS) I have spoken with a dealership that stated there is no recalls but calling the recall number I have multiple ones. But haven't seen any on the steering. I have no documentation on manufacturer dealings or anything else.

- Pulaski, TN, USA

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problem #57

Apr 012023

Elantra

  • miles
After Koons Hyundai in Woodbridge, VA did my ANTI THEFT Safety Recall, my 2012 Elantra's engine would stop working and I had to restart my engine. Often the BMW guage would malfunction/stop working, my Elantra would not accelerate past 30 mph and the engine would stop working. When I first went to Koons Hyundai for the ANTI THEFT Safety Recall, earlier this year, I DID NOT have any of these issues and I could contact Hyundai and schedule an Appointment ASAP. However, after Koons Hyundai started performing its ANTI THEFT Safety Recalls on Hyundai vehicles is has taken very, very long for Hyundai to schedule my Appointment. For instance, I called Koons Hyundai around September 6, (XXXXXXXXX) and the earliest that Koon's Hyundai could schedule me for an Appointment was October 2, 2023. In Fact, (XXXXXXXX) I traveled to my son's home in Midlothian, VA and dropped my car off with Pearson Hyundai at 11701 MIDLOTHIAN TPKE, Midlothian, VA 23113 on Labor Day, September 4, 2023 and received a call from Pearson Hyundai on September 5, 2023 that it would take three weeks before they could service my Elantra. This very, very long service delay by Hyundai NEVER EXISTED BEFORE the ANTI THEFT Service Recalls and I believe HYUNDAI IS DOING REPAIRS TO MAKE MONEY FROM ITS ANTI THEFT SERVICE RECALLS which reset its Hyundai computers causing my Elantra's computer to cause starting and BMW and slow transmission MPH issues...as if somebody was stealing my Elantra. Due to Hyundai's ANTI THEFT Safety Recall issues, I am going to have to go to Hyundai, spend tons of money to have Hyundai fix problems, that never existed before, at my expense, which basically SUCKS. I know Hyundai DID NOT want to spend money on this ANTI THEFT Safety Recall, but Hyundai SHOULD NOT RIP OFF Hyundai owners through its own inabilities to properly update safety features of its vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #56

Aug 252023

Elantra

  • miles

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

I complied with Hyundai's voluntary recall of my 2012 Elantra, supposedly designed to deter theft with some sort of software update. Four weeks after this, four teenager rolled up to my house in a stolen Hyundai Sonata. One of them jumped out of the car, smashed my car's back window, and stole my car. This whole process took place in broad daylight, in front of multiple witnesses, over approximately 30 seconds. I contend that Hyundai's "voluntary recall" was 1) fraudulent, in that it does not do anything to fix the actual problem; 2) dangerous, in that it led owners to believe their car was safe when it fact it was not; and 3) a waste of taxpayers' time, as it caused me to take several hours off of work. Hyundai should be compelled to 1) ACTUALLY fix these vehicles; 2) compensation any Hyundai owners whose vehicles were stolen. While I have insurance protection on this vehicle, I will almost certainly need to pay more money than that to replace this car with one of comparable utility to me.

- Berkeley, CA, USA

problem #55

Oct 242022

Elantra

  • miles
While turning right at an intersection, sunvisor popped and dropped obstructing my view of the roadway. From initial view to sunvisor obstruction a motorcyclist turn across my intended direction, due to sunvisor obstructing view, almost caused accident with motorcyclist.

- Peru, MA, USA

problem #54

Feb 212022

Elantra

  • miles
The sterring wheel makes a noise and sounds crazy every time you tuen it back and fourth the windows wont go down on there own and i replaced the fuse so that electric the gas goes down everytime i fill up its goes down to half tank like its eating the gas

- Hartford , CT, USA

problem #53

Oct 142021

Elantra

  • miles
Going down a hill breaks completely failed and had to go off road to avoid increased speed. Resulted in Hitting tree. By failed I mean no pressure on break pedal and with pedal pushed to floor it did nothing to slow or stop vehicle. Now breaks seem to be working again but worried this will reoccur while at faster speeds.

- Coldspring , KY, USA

problem #52

Oct 082012

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles

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

All of these issues occur in any weather or if the car is warmed up or not. They don-??t occur all the time but about half the time. -From a standing stop (like when entering an intersection or turning on to a road) lightly pressing on gas pedal will get car moving then in 2-3 seconds it will stall out for 2 or 3 seconds, almost to the point of the engine stopping. At that point, moderately pressing on the gas again will cause the car to accelerate suddenly & forcefully. It is terrifying when a car is coming at you & you don-??t know if it-??s going to start accelerating or just die. -Driving and maneuvering in a parking lot is quite a risky adventure. At these slow speeds the car will randomly stall, lurch, hesitate & accelerate suddenly & forcefully with just a light touch on the gas pedal. Not the best performance when trying to park or maneuver around closely packed cars. -I have taken the car to the dealership at least 5 times to remedy this problem & they either said this behavior was not detectable or it was operating as designed. I have documentation consisting of service invoices. They obviously weren-??t being truthful, considering the Recall & Class Action Lawsuit that has subsequently been issued dealing with this issue, revealing that HYUNDAI knew about this problem. Can I finally get my car to operate properly & SAFELY? [XXX] -?? THIS IS THE TRANSCIPT FOR THE PHONE CALL FROM HYUNDAI ON OR AROUND 9-14-21 ON ANSWERING MACHINE (It didn-??t identify which recall it was referring to): This is the HYUNDAI Recall Resolution Team contacting you about a safety recall on your HYUNDAI vehicle. HYUNDAI has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in in your vehicle. Please do not delay in contacting us. Your HYUNDAI dealer will fix the recall at no cost to you. This free repair should take less than an hour to complete but your HYUNDAI dealer may require your vehicle for a l INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Clyde, MI, USA

problem #51

Oct 072021

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
CASE # [XXX]Oct. 7, 2021 HYUNDAI RECALL RESOLUTION TEAM CONTACTING ME ON A SAFTY RECALL ON MY HYUNDAI VEHICLE (on phone answering machine) NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS SETLEMENT FOR HYUNDAI ELANTRA (Brown et al. v. Hyundai Motor America et al.) (Received booklet in mail) Description of adverse performance of 2012 Hyundai Elantra-?" VIN [XXX]: All of these issues occur in any weather or if the car is warmed up or not. They don-??t occur all the time but about half the time. -From a standing stop (like when entering an intersection or turning on to a road) lightly pressing on gas pedal will get car moving then in 2-3 seconds it will stall out for 2 or 3 seconds, almost to the point of the engine stopping. At that point, moderately pressing on the gas again will cause the car to accelerate suddenly & forcefully. It is terrifying when a car is coming at you & you don-??t know if it-??s going to start accelerating or just die. -Driving and maneuvering in a parking lot is quite a risky adventure. At these slow speeds the car will randomly stall, lurch, hesitate & accelerate suddenly & forcefully with just a light touch on the gas pedal. Not the best performance when trying to park or maneuver around closely packed cars. -I have taken the car to the dealership at least 5 times to remedy this problem & they either said this behavior was not detectable or it was operating as designed. I have documentation consisting of service invoices. They obviously weren-??t being truthful, considering the Recall & Class Action Lawsuit that has subsequently been issued dealing with this issue, revealing that HYUNDAI knew about this problem. Can I finally get my car to operate properly & SAFELY? [XXX] -?? THIS IS THE TRANSCIPT FOR THE PHONE CALL FROM HYUNDAI ON OR AROUND 9-14-21 ON ANSWERING MACHINE (It didn-??t identify which recall it was referring to): This is the HYUNDAI Recall Resolution Team contacting INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Clyde, MI, USA

problem #50

Aug 032021

Elantra

  • miles
Charging port. Doesn-??t connect to phone. Unstable power source

- Atlanta , GA, USA

problem #49

Apr 152021

Elantra

  • miles
My car need fixed

- New Britain, CT, USA

problem #48

Feb 012021

Elantra

  • 99,970 miles
When putting the driver side sun visitor down at first it would just make a clicking sound. Then one day would not go all the way back up. When I checked, above the mirror on right hand side by the arm, the white plastic trim for the visor is broken so the visor is just kind of hanging. Somewhat blocks vision.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #47

Nov 032020

Elantra

  • 197,798 miles
My 2012 Hyundai Elantra would stall at stop signs and lights. It would stop and start again.. I went to Hyundai to check it out and they said it was the fuel pump. The next day I was driving on the highway and turning off the highway my car stalled out and when I tried to pull over on the side of the road the brakes were hard to press. Using all my weight I got it to come to a stop. It would not crank. I tried about three times to crank it while holding down the gas. It eventually allowed me to change gears really quick and take off. I made it 5 minutes down the road to the house but it stalled as I parked. Now it won't crank at all. For the last couple of weeks I've been trying to crank it. I've had the fuel pump, the spark plugs, the camshaft sensor, and the camshaft position sensor changed and it still isn't cranking

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #46

Nov 032020

Elantra

  • 120,000 miles
For the past several months I have had a reoccurring issue with my 2012 Hyundai Elantra. About 1-3 times a week, my car will not start. All lights, radio, etc. Work fine when key is turned to on/start position but car will not start. It makes one click sound and then nothing. Generally, if I keep trying it will eventually start. Sometimes it takes 10 minutes and sometimes it takes a few hours. Along with this, about once a week my car will shift gears hard. It is an automatic and otherwise shifts fine. I have had routine maintenance completed on time since I bought this car in 2016. I have brought my car to my mechanic several times in the last few months and he cannot determine the problem since the car does not do this regularly. I read online that it could be the neutral safety switch (range inhibitor) so I replaced that. The problem still exists. I contacted the Hyundai dealership from which I purchased my car and they have no answers.

- Southport, NC, USA

problem #45

Oct 262020

Elantra

  • 118,000 miles
The vehicle was stationary. My tire was flat on the side of the road in a desert and I turned the car off to change my tire. I tried to start my vehicle and all accessories turn on and the car unlocks with the electric key fob but the car doesn't start. Inhibitor switch is bad is faulty. It starts sometimes and doesn't start at sometimes. Many people have become stranded due to this defect and have reported it on car guru and many other Hyundai forums. Everyone believes there should be a recall for this faulty issue.

- Alamogordo, NM, USA

problem #44

Dec 132019

Elantra

  • 81,000 miles
I was slowly going into my parking spot and the car suddenly accelerated and lurched forward. I tried to brake, didn't seem to do any good. It hit concrete protecting a street light and was smashed up and stopped. It was terrifying. I the car did this on it's own. I know where my feet were and I was in good shoes. I'm a classically trained professional ballet dancer and I know where my feet are in space and what they are doing. I did not accelerate, the car did it on its own like that amos episode in doctor who. It was terrifying, this car should be looked into. It happened two other times, but it did it and then stopped. This time it stopped when it hit the object. The cars I had before never did this. There is a problem with this car and I was lucky I was in a safe place.

- San Martin, CA, USA

problem #43

Feb 012019

Elantra

  • 118,000 miles
Takata recall I have a 2012 Elantra 120,000 miles car has stalled driving down the highway and also has started a ticking in the engine I took it to have a oil change and they said there was metal in the oil pan and I needed a new motor. Hyundai who advised the sonata had a recall for the same issue but not the Elantra

- Huber Heights, OH, USA

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