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
675 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2014
A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WOULD NOT START. I GOOGLED THE ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS AFFECTED NUMEROUS HYUNDAI DRIVERS. THE ISSUE ENDED UP BEING THAT THE RANGE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A RECALL. THANKS. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 28, 2014
MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WILL NOT START. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO START AND IT FINALLY STARTED. ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS WILL TURN ON BUT WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION ALL THE WAY NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR. I HAD IT TOWED BEFORE TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG SINCE IT STARTED UP FOR THEM. THE ISSUE HAS ONLY EVER OCCURRED WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 25, 2014
I'VE HAD THE FOLLOWING ISSUES WITH THE 2012 ELANTRA: 1.) THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THIS ONLY HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY SO IT IS HARD TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL OCCUR AND WHERE YOU WILL BE STRANDED. ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS WILL TURN ON BUT WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION ALL THE WAY NOTHING HAPPENS. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER SINCE IT STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS NOW AND STILL TRYING TO FIGURE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. 2.) THERE ARE ALSO INSTANCE WHERE THE ENGINE STARTS BUT THE GEAR GETS STUCK IN PARK AND CANNOT SWITCH TO OTHER GEAR. I HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND TRY TO RESTART. 3.) THE BATTERY LIGHT INDICATOR BRIEFLY LIGHTS UP AT 60 MPH. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2014
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, ALL LIGHTS / ACCESSORIES WERE IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD DO NOTHING WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT NEW. AFTER RECOMMENDING A FUEL SYSTEM TREATMENT - WHICH WE HAD PREVIOUSLY UNDERGONE AT 40K - WE DECLINED. THE NET RESULT OF THIS VISIT WAS THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. AFTER EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM A FEW MORE TIMES (9/8,9/9,9/21, 9/23 ALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALLS), SOMETIMES BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES - SOMETIMES NOT. WE FIND OURSELVES AT AN IMPASS WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE TELLING US THEY WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC WITHOUT CHARGING US THE FEE - EVEN THOUGH WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I PAID IN EXCESS OF $1200 FOR THE 100000 BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Sep 22, 2014
WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC (RESTAURANT DRIVE THRU LANE), VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD; ATTEMPTED TO PUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTO PARK (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) TO CHECK THE PROBLEM; VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK OR REVERSE; WOULD ONLY GO INTO DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. HYUNDAI DEALER INSPECTED AND IDENTIFIED PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE SHIFT ASSEMBLY. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE EXPRESSING CONCERNS REGARDING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES (NOT BEING ABLE TO REVERSE VEHICLE; VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IF ENGINE DIED). VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND JUST OUT OF THE 60,000 WARRANTY PERIOD. HYUNDAI (AT THIS POINT) IS REFUSING TO REPAIR UNDER CUSTOMER GOOD WILL. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2014
WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING MY 2012 ELANTRA, I STARTED HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. DASH WOULD LIGHT UP NORMALLY, AND RADIO, ETC WORKED FINE, HOWEVER THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TRY TO TURN OVER AT ALL OR MAKE ANY NOISE WHATSOEVER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR IS NOT SENSING THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. THE DASH WILL NORMALLY DISPLAY P (FOR PARK), HOWEVER IN THESE INSTANCES THE DASH IS BLANK WHERE THE TRANSMISSION POSITION SHOULD BE DISPLAYED. THE SHIFTER IS ALSO STUCK IN PARK SO I CAN NOT MOVE TO ANY OTHER GEAR. IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, I HAVE TO USE THE SHIFT OVERIDE AND MOVE THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND THEN BACK INTO PARK. THE DASH WILL THEN DISPLAY THE P, AND I CAN START THE CAR NORMALLY. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND THEIR COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS DON'T DETECT ANY PROBLEMS. THEY SAID IF THEY CAN'T REPEAT THE PROBLEM THEN THEY WON'T CHANGE OUT ANY COMPONENTS. THIS IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY I CAN GET IT TO THE DEALER WHEN THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2014
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. ALL OF THE INTERIOR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS APPEARED TO BE WORKING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CAR STARTED. THE VEHICLE STARTED DOZENS OF TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS WITHOUT ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE TO START HAS RECURRED TWICE MORE IN THE PAST FOUR DAYS. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A BATTERY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 15, 2014
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON I GOT INTO MY CAR TO GO TO THE STORE, AND IT WOULDN'T START. I CONTINUED TO TURN THE KEY TO ON POSITION, THEN BACK OFF AND WOULDN'T START. THEN TRIED AGAIN IN THEN IT FINALLY STARTED BARELY. AGAIN I GOT INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK, AND IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I SWITCHED THE KEY BACK OFF POSITION AND ON AGAIN AND STILL NO START. TRIED IT AGAIN 2 MORE TIMES TO START AND FINALLY IT STARTED UP. I HAD THIS ISSUE ABOUT A YEAR AGO ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND GOT IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NOTHING BECAUSE IT STARTED RIGHT UP FOR THEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET THIS ISSUE FROM OCCURRING. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2014
I LEFT HOME FOR A 1,000 MILE ROAD TRIP STARTING ON THE DATE SPECIFIED ABOVE. MILEAGE INDICATED ABOVE IS A CLOSE APPROXIMATION TO WHEN THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED. ON THE FIRST DAY, I STOPPED FOR GASOLINE AT A STATION. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR BACK UP, I HAD POWER TO EVERYTHING BUT MY CAR MADE NO ATTEMPT TO START. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES, IT FINALLY STARTED AND RAN FINE. THIS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE TRIP LASTED 8 DAYS. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK IT OVER, AGAIN. I SAY "AGAIN" BECAUSE I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP LESS THAN 500 MILES PRIOR FOR WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A RELATED ISSUE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT LEAVE THE "DRIVE" POSITION WHEN I STOPPED AT ONE POINT AND NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I COULD NOT BECAUSE I COULD NOT PUT IT IN "PARK", GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS STUCK IN "DRIVE". BACK TO THE "WON'T START" ISSUE - WIGGLING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEEMS TO HAVE HELPED ME START THE CAR WHEN IT PREVIOUSLY WOULD NOT. DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE STUCK AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER. *TR
Power train, Sep 11, 2014
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAD NOTICED THAT IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT TO PARK FROM THE REVERSE AND DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS. IT SEEMED AS IF THE GEAR WOULD JAM ON SOMETHING AND AFTER A WHILE OF TRYING TO GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD IT WOULD ADVANCE TO THE PARK POSITION. NOW, JUST YESTERDAY I WAS GETTING INTO MY CAR FROM WORK AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START IT JUST SAID QUITE. EVERYTHING ELSE WORKED, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN. I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND IT WOULD NOT LET ME. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SO THAT IT WOULD RELEASE BUT IT DID NOT WORK. I MUST HAVE TRIED 10 TIMES TO START IT AND AS I WAS ABOUT TO CALL THE TOW TRUCK , I TRIED IT ONE MORE TIME AND THEN IT STARTED. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 9, 2014
THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION PERIODICALLY FAILS TO START. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AT FIRST THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON OCCASION BUT HAS SINCE BEGAN HAVING STARTING ISSUES MORE FREQUENTLY. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD OF TWO POSSIBLE ISSUES REGARDING A STOP LAMP SWITCH AND A FAULTY STARTER. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF AN ISSUE REGARDING MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE AS THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE BUT THERE ARE RECALLS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE BUT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. I FEEL THAT HYUNDAI IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS WITH THEIR WARRANTY AND I DO NOT KNOW ON A DAILY BASIS IF MY VEHICLE IS GOING TO START THE NEXT TIME I ATTEMPT IT. *TR
Tires, Sep 2, 2014
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRES ISSUE. *SMD THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FLAT ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012. UPON OPENING THE TRUNK, SHE DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE, OR A TIRE MOBILITY KIT . WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED HER THERE WAS A TIRE MOBILITY KIT IN THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WASN'T. ON APRIL 6, 2012, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ANOTHER FLAT TIRE.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 30, 2014
ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK. LIGHTS,WINDOWS,RADIO,ETC. ALL WORKED. SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND CAR STARTED. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 29, 2014
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, ON A SUNDAY, I GOT INTO MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE LOCAL KROGER AND TRIED TO START THE CAR. IT REFUSED TO START OR TURN OVER. IT DIDN'T MAKE A SOUND. THE LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC. WORKED FINE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. I CALLED A FRIEND WHO CAME OVER AND JUMPED ME OFF. I THOUGHT THIS COULD BE RELATED TO MY BATTERY, BUT FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, I HAD NO PROBLEMS. THIS PAST SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT GAVE A LITTLE HICCUP, AS IF IT WASN'T GOING TO START, BUT THEN IT STARTED ANYWAY. I MADE A SHORT TRIP INTO TOWN, STOPPED AT THE STORE, CAME BACK AND THE CAR STILL STARTED FINE. BUT THE NEXT MORNING, MONDAY, AUG. 25, IT WOULD NOT START AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. MY NEIGHBOR GAVE ME A JUMP-OFF - IT TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES, BUT FINALLY THE CAR STARTED. I ASSUMED THIS WAS DEFINITELY THE BATTERY, SO I HEADED TO AUTOZONE AND GOT A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED. SEVERAL DAYS PASSED, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 28, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I TRIED REPEATEDLY, NO LUCK. I CALLED A FRIEND, WHO CAME OVER TO JUMP IT OFF. STILL WOULDN'T START. I CALLED HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY HAD IT TOWED TO PRIDE HYUNDAI, A DEALERSHIP IN BATESVILLE, MISS. I GOT A RIDE TO WORK AND, LATER, I GOT A CALL FROM PRIDE HYUNDAI. THEY SAID THE CAR STARTED JUST FINE. THEY ALSO REPORTED THAT THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IT STARTED FOR HIM AS WELL. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY SAID THEY'D LOOK AT IT. HOURS LATER, I CALLED THEM BACK (SINCE IT WAS CLEAR THEY HAD FORGOTTEN TO CALL ME) AND THEY SAID THEY'D HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM TO KEEP IT OVERNIGHT AND TRY IT AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING. THE LADY ON THE PHONE WENT OUT TO THE LOT AND CAME BACK - SHE SAID IT STARTED FINE FOR HER AND AGAIN SHE INSISTED THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Aug 21, 2014
AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT, VEHICLE FAILED TO START FOLLOWING MORNING. ALTHOUGH ALL COMPONENTS REQUIRING POWER (WINDOWS, HEADLIGHTS, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, ETC.) SEEMED TO BE FUNCTIONING OK, JUMP STARTED VEHICLE, AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. A FEW DAYS LATER PROBLEM RECURRED; LET VEHICLE SIT FOR SOME TIME, AND VEHICLE THEN STARTED IMMEDIATELY (NO JUMP START). TODAY PROBLEM OCCURRED YET AGAIN (WAITING TO SEE IF VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY START). A QUICK REVIEW OF ONLINE FORUMS INDICATES A POSSIBLE ISSUE WITH THE SHIFT INTERLOCK, OR PERHAPS A FAULTY RAIN SENSOR. AS AN ASIDE, A LONGER-TERM SPORADIC, PRESUMABLY ELECTRICAL, ISSUE ALSO EXISTS WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW. THE WINDOW WILL GO DOWN WITHOUT ISSUE, BUT IT OFTEN TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS FROM EITHER THE PASSENGER SIDE OR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW CONTROL TO GET THE WINDOW BACK UP. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 20, 2014
THE CAR WILL NOT START ONCE IT IS TURNED OFF. IT COULD START ONCE AND GO TO THE STORE, AND THEN LOCK UP FOR A FEW HOURS. EVENTUALLY IT WILL ACT NORMAL AGAIN AD THEN START ALL OVER AGAIN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SKID AND THE CONTACT WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 10, 2014
MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WOULD NOT START THIS MORNING AND THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED STARTING IN MAY 2014. I HIT MY DOOR UNLOCK ON MY KEY FAB AND THE DOORS UNLOCKED FROM HERE I PROCEEDED START MY CAR. EVERYTHING STARTED BUT THE CAR. I TURNED BACK TO THE STARTING POSITION AND TRIED AGAIN SAME RESULTS. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN AMAZINGLY IT STARTED. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR? THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE THE FIRST TIME CALLED A TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED IT STARTED . THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO NORTH COUNTY HYUNDAI IN CARLSBAD,CA. OF COURSE THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NOTHING WRONG . AGAIN WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR? *TR
Engine, Aug 5, 2014
THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T START , IT WORKED FINE THE PREVIOUS EVENING AND IT LOCKED AS WELL . TODAY MORNING NOTHING WORKS ,I HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN THE CAR WITH THE KEY , AFTER I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION NOTHING LIGHTED UP ON THE DASHBOARD . TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES . *TR
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2014
MY 2012 ELANTRA STARTED FINE THIS MORNING AND EVERY DAY PREVIOUSLY, BUT WHEN I WENT TO START IT AFTER SHOPPING, IT WOULDN'T START. I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND NOTHING. HOWEVER, ALL OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE WORKED. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO START AND IT FINALLY STARTED. I CAME HOME AND THEN AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS, I WENT OUT TO GO SOMEWHERE AND ONCE AGAIN, IT WOULDN'T START. AFTER 3-4 TIMES OF TURNING THE KEY, IT FINALLY STARTED. I CURRENTLY HAVE IT READY TO BE PICKED UP TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I AM ASSUMING IT WILL NOT START AGAIN THE NEXT TIME. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS WELL AS VIEWING VIDEOS OF THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENING. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN JUNE OF 2012 SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING STRANDED, BUT I MAY BE REGRETTING MY DECISION. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 31, 2014
WHENEVER I TRY TO TURN ON MY CAR EVERYTHING TURNS ON EXCEPT THE ENGINE. THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING ARE FINE. THE BATTERY TESTS FINE. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. IT HAS NOT STARTED APPROXIMATELY 15-20 TIMES. BASED ON ACCOUNTS FROM OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THE ENGINE HAS ALSO STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THANKFULLY THE ISSUE HAS ONLY EVER OCCURRED WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED, BUT I'D REALLY RATHER NOT RISK IT HAPPENING ON THE ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2014
I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR LAST NIGHT AND IT DIDN'T START, LIGHTS WERE ON FULL POWER AND EVERYTHING BUT NOT A SOUND FROM THE ENGINE... TRIED MANY MANY TIMES DIDN'T START. THEN RANDOMLY IT STARTED. DROVE HOME PARKED WENT OUT THIS MORNING AND TRIED AGAIN DID NOT START. I HAVE TRIED MANY TIMES THIS MORNING BUT AGAIN IT HAS NOT STARTED. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 25, 2014
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM: CAR DIDN'T TURN OVER. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES, TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED. DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SECOND OCCURRENCE: WOULDN'T START, THEN IT DID WHEN I TRIED IT A THIRD TIME. THAT SAME DAY, CAR WAS IDLING FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AS I WAS SITTING IN IT. I HAD PUT IT IN PARK AND WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN DRIVE, IT WOULDN'T BUDGE OUT OF PARK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF (FEARING THE WORST) AND IT STARTED AND ALLOWED ME TO PUT IT IN DRIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2014
ONE DAY IN JUNE, I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THE PARK SENSOR ABOVE MY ODOMETER WOULD NOT SHOW. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE CAR WOULDN'T START AT ALL. I HAD TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO START THE CAR, BY TURNING THE KEY MULTIPLE TIMES INSIDE THE IGNITION AND PRESSING MY FOOT ONTO THE PEDAL. IT FINALLY STARTED, BUT NOT WITHOUT APPREHENSION ON MY PART. THE REST OF THE TIME, THE CAR WORKED OK FOR THE MOST PART, BUT WHENEVER I REACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT IT WOULD ACT AS IF IT WERE PARKED AND ACTED A BIT FUNNY. THE STORY ABOVE HAPPENED 8 MORE TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM, ONLY TO REALIZE THE BATTERY WAS FINE. I TRIED OTHER TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS TURNING THE KEY COMPLETELY 90 DEGREES, BUT THAT DIDN'T SOLVE IT. FINALLY, I WENT TO THE DEALER AND UPON MY STORY BEING SHARED, THE MECHANICS IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING. THEY HAD NOTICED MORE HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 CARS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. SINCE I AM UNDER THE 5 YEAR / 60,000 MILE WARRANTY, THIS ISSUE WAS FIXED AT NO COST. HOWEVER, WHILE THIS ISSUE WAS FIXED AT MY END. I WOULD HOPE THIS STORY WOULD SPUR A FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCHES ON ALL HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012S AND SEE WHAT ISSUES (IF ANY) COULD RESULT OVER A FAULTED TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2014
THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT MAY BE DUE TO THE SWITCH OVERHEATING. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT I WILL PARK MY CAR AND WHEN I RETURN A FEW MINUTES LATER AND TRY TO START THE CAR NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IF YOU GO TO YOUTUBE.COM AND TYPE 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IGNITION PROBLEM INTO THE SEARCH ENGINE YOU WILL SEE OTHER 2012 ELANTRA OWNERS POSTING VIDEOS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP WHICH STATED THERE IS NO RECALL OF THE 2012 ELANTRA. AGAIN SINCE OTHER 2012 ELANTRA OWNERS ARE POSTING THIS ON YOUTUBE THAT TELLS ME THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *TR