2012 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 675 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 49 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 47 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electricalJul 2, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
Campaign 20V393000 on NHTSA.gov
Electronic stability control (ESC)Dec 23, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
Campaign 15V871000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Campaign 13V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
143 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Sep 6, 2021
Engine- drive chain and running tough pet Firestone there’s a engine recall on 2012 Elantra
Engine, Aug 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the mechanic could not diagnose the failure. The mechanic replaced the battery, tires, and performed a tune up however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Engine, Aug 6, 2021, crash
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WHILE BEING DRIVEN 1-2 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A PARKING SPOT BARRICADE, INTO A FEILD, AND CRASHED INTO A BOLDER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WENT INTO SHOCK. SUFFERED A CUT ON THE HAND REQUIRING STITCHES. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED AN AUTO IMMUNE DISEASE, SEVERE BODY PAINS, AND DEVELOPED INFLAMMATION REQUIRING TREATMENT WITH PREDNISONE.
Engine, Feb 28, 2021
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR A COUPLE WEEKS AGO FOR MY DAUGHTER. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT START. TRIED JUMPING IT. CHANGED BATTERY IN KEY. GAS TANK WAS FULL. FINALLY LOOKED ON INTERNET AND FINALLY LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND A LOT OF OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID TO PUSH THE CAR FROM THE REAR. WE DID AND IT STARTED. AFRAID MY DAUGHTER WILL BE STUCK AT NIGHT LEAVING WORK.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 7, 2021
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
Engine, Dec 20, 2020
MOTOR TICKS VERY LOUD USES A QUART AND A HALF OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES IS NOT LEAKING IT OUT BUT BURNING IT OCCASIONALLY MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND DOESN'T WANT TO START.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 6, 2020
A FEW WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA (114,000 MILES ON IT) AND IT STARTED TO SPUTTER AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THERE HAD BEEN A SIMILAR INTERMITTENT PROBELM PRIOR TO THIS. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY DEALER AND ENDED UP WITH A REPLACED COIL PACK ON ONE CYLINDER. ON 11/4/20, I WAS RUN OFF THE INTERSTATE BY A SEMI BECAUSE AS I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY, I COULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20, AND THEN 40 MPH AND THE TACOMETER REGISERED 0. I TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER WHERE THEY SAID THAT THE "TECH RESET ADAPT.VALUES" ("VALVES" IS WHAT THEY TOLD ME VERBALLY). WELL I LEFT WITH THE CAR AFTER THE SUPPOSED "FIX" AND 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE SAME DE-ACLLERATION OCCURED, AND THIS TIME WHEN I WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP THE MANAGER HAD THE TECH RUN THE DIAGNOSTICS ON ORIGINAL PROBLEM ON HIS IPAD AND TECH SAID THE COIL PACK WAS FINE. THE MANAGER THEN HAD THE TECH RUN ALL SYSTEM COMPUTER CHECKS AND THE SECOND TIME AROUND, AN ERROR POINTED TO THE CRANKSHAFT SO THEY RAN ALL THE COMPUTER UPDATES, WHICH TOOK A GOOD 20 MINUTES, AND SAID THAT LIKELY FIXED THE ISSUE. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS FIXED BUT TODAY, TWO DAYS LATER, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT A FEW MILES AND I NOTICED AGAIN THAT THE TACOMETER WAS NOT WORKING. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I ASKED THEM WHY THEY DIDN'T RUN UPDATES WHEN THE CAR IS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND HE SAID THEY ONLY DO SO WHEN A PROBLEM IS NOTED. THE INITIAL ISSUE ALMOST GOT ME KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY. AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, OTHER DRIVERS OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED IF THIS SAFETY ISSUE ISN'T RESOLVED. THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AS OF TODAY, 11/6/2020 REGARDLESS OF WHAT PRIOR SVC REPORTS UPLOAD STATES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 4, 2020
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 2, 2020
CAR WAS PARKED AND COMPLETELY OFF. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT PARTWAY. ALL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND HEADLIGHTS CAME ON. I TURNED THE KEY ALL THE WAY AND IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A LOUD RYTHMIC CLICKING AND EACH TIME IT CLICKED ALL THE ELECTRONICS FLICKERED. JUMPING THE BATTERY DID NOT WORK.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 26, 2020
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 24, 2020
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES FROM MY SPEED CONTROL. IT MOVES SLOW ON IT OWN REGARDLESS OF HOW HIGH THE METER SAYS. WHEN BRAKING THE CAR SHAKES AND THEN ON ITS OWN IT GOES OFF AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON RECENTLY AND NOW MY CAR VIBRATES/ SHAKES WHEN IDLE OR WHEN IT STARTS.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER PARKED ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED AND JUMPED STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DRIVER HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIORITY HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 1499 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 420-5450 HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DRIVER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V393000 (EQUIPMENT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Air bags, Engine, Aug 21, 2020
MY CAR IS RATTLING WHEN AN IDOL. IT SOUNDS CLUNKY, THAT'S THE BEST WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT. IT DOES IT AT A STOP SIGN, STOP LIGHT, IN PARK AND IN PLACE.
Air bags, Engine, Jul 3, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ENGINE HAS A CONTINUAL LOUD TICKING NOISE SUCH AS LIFTERS NOTED APPROPRIATELY 60,000 MILES . VEHICLE IS STILL COVERED BY 10/100,000 WARRANTY YET DEALER DENIES ANY ISSUES WITH THE MOTOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN CALIFORNIA WITH A PENDING CLASS ACTION LITIGATION, BUT NOT HERE IN NYS
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 30, 2020
THE VEHICLE IS RATTLING IT STALLS OUT OF NO WHERE ITS VERY LOUD IN THE ENGINE. IT STALLS AT STOPS AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE NOISE IS CONSTANT. *TR
Suspension, Engine, Jun 28, 2020
WHEN I'M DRIVING AND I COME TO A STOP MY CAR WOULD MAKE CLANKING NOISES I TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WOULD STOP. WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE I CHANGED MY OIL AND ONE NIGHT I'M DRIVING HOME AND IT MAKES THE CLANKING NOISE AGAIN ALONG WITH A BURNT SMELL I PULL OVER TURN MY CAR OFF TURN BACK ON IT STILL CLANKING AND HAS CLANKED EVER SINCE. I TOWED MY CAR HOME AND HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT AGAIN BECAUSE WHEN INSPECTING IT, WE NOTICED MY OIL LEVEL WAS PERFECT BUT TIMING CHAIN WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND METAL SHAVINGS IN MY OIL.
Engine, Dec 15, 2019
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.
Engine, Dec 12, 2019
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 (669 THORNTON RD, 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 MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 6, 2019
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.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 3, 2019
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..
Engine, Sep 20, 2019
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 ALSO THIS LEFT ME STRANDED IN FREEZING WEATHER ON A COUNTRY ROAD WITH MY BORN AND SHE GOT RSV
Engine, Sep 1, 2019
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 13, 2019
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 CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 15986313. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,607.
Engine, Jul 10, 2019
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 TO HYUNDAI OF SOUTH BRUNSWICK NJ ON 7/3/19 NO ONE CALLED ME UNTIL 7/9/19 I CALLED EVERYDAY 3-4 TIMES A DAY AND KEPT BEING TRANSFERED TO LEAVE VOICE MAILS, I LEFT MESSAGES AND NO ONE CALLED ME BACK. ON 7/9/19 I WAS CALLED AND TOLD IT WOULD COST ME 6,766.00 TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE WHEN THEY'RE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED JUST STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING AND THE NOISE GOT LOUDER EACH DAY.
Engine, Jun 11, 2019, fire
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. LAVADERO, HORMIGUEROS, 00660, PUERTO RICO, 1 787-849-6000 AND HAD BEEN MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.