2012 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems
- 98
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 98 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 4 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine light · 10 records
- failure mileage · 8 records
- ticking noise · 6 records
- under warranty · 6 records
- wouldn start · 6 records
- engine started · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 33 |
| 30–60k mi | 27 |
| 1–30k mi | 17 |
| 100–150k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
The engine started making a significant knocking sound , the vehicle only has 111000 miles on it, and the repair quotes are $6,500 which is almost what the vehicle was worth.
ODI 11289147
Engine · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
Hyundai elantra 2012 gls shutting off while driving at low speed or at stopped, stopping, loosing control of your car at low speed no breaks or steering wheel, or speedometer after turning the car on..
ODI 11265942
Engine
I purchased the vehicle from a person not dealer. Hyundai was mint condition. Drives smooth. Its kept up and only serviced at hyundai..144,000 miles. My 3rd day having this car the engine ticks and knocks. When checking the engine i literally burned my finger touching the engine it was so hot i had a blister the car ran for 1 minute not even. I researched this and thousanda od consumers have had engine and knocking…
1 injury
ODI 11256830
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 hyundai elantra. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to thornton road hyundai ([redacted], lithia springs, ga) where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 1420002. No further assistance was offered. The failure…
ODI 11288596
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 hyundai elantra. When the accelerator pedal was engaged, the vehicle hesitated and only accelerated to 20 mph. The vehicle also stalled while at a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but a failure code could not be found. The mechanic cleaned all the sensors; however, the failure was not corrected. The mechanic stated that the throttle body was…
ODI 11243592
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Exterior Lighting
This vehicle i have to the mechanic several times this year and it fixed the yellow light goes off for two months or so and comes back on again. This has been going on for the past year.
ODI 11278494
Engine
My 2012 hyundai elantra started making a ticking/ knocking noise in the engine. I googled the problem and found that many people were having the same issue. It was a missed step when building the engine. The noise is called piston slap. It's happening to a lot of hyundai's from 2011-2016 elantra and sonatas. Hyundai didn't do a recall because they don't want to foot the cost of replacing the engines. I took my car…
ODI 11230821
Engine
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the engine caught on fire due to unknown reason. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. A police report was filed. The vehicle had not been moved and continued to be parked at contact's residence. The contact called to the local dealer hyundai de hormigueros located at carr #2 km 165.7 bo.…
Fire reported
ODI 11219235
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Car is jerking while driving. Esc light comes on. Hesitates, low power.
ODI 11208458
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
As i backed out of a parking place and attempted to stop the car in reverse to check the area behind me, the car stalled out completely, the engine stopped and the brakes would not respond and seemed stuck. I put the car back in park and turned it off, then finally on the third try, the engine engaged and i had control of the car, moved back into the parking place and then managed to back out normally and proceed.
ODI 11197216
Body · Engine
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 hyundai elantra. A few minutes after the vehicle was parked in the driveway after a trip, the sound of a horn was heard from the vehicle. Someone looked outside and saw the front end of the vehicle on fire. The fire was extinguished by a family member. There was no warning indicator illuminated. Neither a fire nor a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and declared totaled by…
Fire reported
ODI 11190044
Engine
I have 2012 hyundai elantra gls with 1.8 l dohc engine. When cold started, the engine produces ticking/knocking noise which quiets down after running for 15 minutes. But, i observed that it is getting louder and louder and the noise is also not getting reduced as it used to be. I went to northtown hyundai and they found metal shavings in the oil pan. Hyundai refused to replace the engine for free even though they…
ODI 11191716
Engine · Unknown Or Other
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
ODI 11193685
Engine
I have a 2012 elantra, i am 2nd owner of the car, it just turned 67,000 miles and began making a loud ticking noise coming from the engine, i took it to my mechanic who did an oil change and discovered that there were pieces of metal in the oil pan and suggested i take it to hyundai dealership. Upon inspection at dealership they stated i need a new engine. The car is no longer in warranty so they dealer sent the…
ODI 11182095
Engine
I am the 2nd owner of the vehicle. This vehicle started the infamous 'ticking or knocking' sound in january this year when it was very cold. At first i thought it would go away after the engine warms up but it continued to get worse with time. The ticking sound became very loud and annoying. I took it to couple of reliable mechanics to take a look and get an idea of what's wrong with the engine. They both told me…
ODI 11209309
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 hyundai elantra. While driving 30 mph, there was a ticking noise coming from the engine. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to northtown hyundai ([redacted], amherst, ny 14226, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided…
ODI 11175697
Engine
After 110,000 miles, engine started hesitating, not running smooth, anymore. Brought to valley stream, ny dealer on 1/8 and they claimed no trouble found, sent me away and 2 mos. Later, the engine died. They "confiscated" my vehicle for safety concerns, but never said what, specifically.
ODI 11190274
Engine
My vehicle has less than 100k miles on it. I have been driving it without any issues and getting routine checkups and oil changes. I was driving my vehicle down the road (almost on the highway) and during my drive my engine blew out and the car immediately stopped. Due to being a second owner of the vehicle, i am not covered under the factory warranty under 100k miles. After much research, it seem that both hyundai…
ODI 11162907
Engine
TICKING NOISE AT 78000 MILES.
ODI 11189915
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Takata recall: my car will rev the engine really high over and over again on its own rather than idle while in park. Also while in drive and the break pressed, the engine will rev on its own likes its trying to move forward without me pressing the gas pedal. This is dangerous. This has happened on multiple occassions not just what is noted below.
ODI 11129458
Engine · Service Brakes · Unknown Or Other
While driving at 35 mph on left lane, engine suddenly died and car skidded a little because brake was deployed automatically or the wheel locked. It made 2 braking/skidding sound. Then suddenly i was able to steer again and position the car to the right for safety. Engine wont turn on. Burning smell and some smoke maybe from locked brake? Car towed to nearest hyundai shop.
ODI 11122081
Engine
Vehicle has had engine ticking noises starting around 50,000 miles. On 3 occasions the dealer advised it was a non issue. Other vehicles from the same manufacturer and with the same engine have had recalls due to an engine manufacturing process defect. Engine noise has progressed from a slight ticking to a hard knocking sound and difficulty idling upon initial start up with no diagnostic codes
ODI 11150309
Engine
While sitting at light the car begins to jerk like it wants to cut off.yes this happens at stop signs in the country and city streets in town.
ODI 11252675
Engine
Vehicle stalled twice while driving. Once while merging from a highway on to a surface street. Hyundai is aware of this issue involving 2012 elantras and other years as well. This issue was also present in the sonata, and ultimately was settled with a class action law suit. Speaking with an attorney we are also aware of instances where vehicles have caught on fire as a result of these defective engines.
ODI 11118890
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 hyundai elantra. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the engine made a distinct tapping noise. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions upon starting the vehicle, and was persistent for the past three months. Jones junction hyundai ([redacted], bel air, md 21014) was made aware of the failure and was unable to locate any diagnostic…
ODI 11140030