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.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
46,250 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. jerks intermittently (1 reports)
  3. repair, replace engine (1 reports)
2012 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #5

Dec 012023

Elantra Limited 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 104,021 miles

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

A couple of months back while traveling about 60mph the engine started a VERY loud ticking noise. It was so loud that I pulled over and shut it off. Waited about 15 minutes, started it up and the very loud ticking was not near as bad. It's always been noisy (ticking) when first started but nothing like that and it hasn't done that again. It's ticking, sometimes louder that others but never as loud as it was when I pulled over.

- Vaughn B., Iron River, MI, US

problem #4

Nov 302017

Elantra Limited V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

Car only has 46000 miles, took it to the dealer Holler Hyundai in Winter Park Fl. They said we would need a new transmission to fix the rattle noise at start up, cost at $3500.00 WTF!!!

Said intermittent jerking that comes and goes would need all the spark plugs replaced (remember there is only 46,000 miles on this car ) and 2 coils replaced for a total of $650.00

I took the car to my mechanic which questioned the spark plugs having to be replaced and there is no check engine light to diagnose which if any of the coils are bad! I am contacting Hyundai USA for further evaluation.

- robbyrobertson1, Apopka, US

problem #3

Mar 102017

Elantra Limited 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

I have a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited and have about 78k on it. This week, I have noticed a loud clicking (tapping or clacking) noise upon startup and continues for about 10 minutes coming from the engine. The noise is loud and can be heard inside the passenger compartment. It (the noise) tends to subside after 10 minutes or so after the engine is warmed up. The rate of the noise changes as the RPM changes. I took my car into Hyundai of Frederick, Md. to have them look over it on 3/10/17. The first thing the dealer rep. asked is if I was using an Hyundai oil filter and oil, as non OEM filters may have a different flow rate. Before they even look at my car, I had to agree to a $113 inspection, if in the event that they don't find anything wrong, the inspection doesn't fall under Hyundai's warranty--only if they find a reparable warranty, do they cover the inspection. The next morning, I get a call from the rep. and he tells me that the will have to replace to engine oil and filter (OEM oil/filter oil chang, $35.00) to see if that clears up the noise. Several hours later, I get a call back from the rep. and he advises that the noise is still there. Now, the rep. advises that they will now have to tear-down the engine to get a better idea as to what is going on, and then check with Hyundai USA to see if they will cover it if something is wrong. This will take a good part of a week, say Wednesday or Thursday next week, before I hear back. I will keep everyone up to date as to my progress with this and to the quality of Hyundai's warranty service.

To continue....

03/16/17 update:

Well, I'm back with an update. It's almost a week later (03/16/17) and I have some good and bad news. I got a call this after noon from the service department who explained that the engine was trashed, not in those words, but kaput! He stated that metal shavings were found in the area of the valves, the oil pan, and timing chain--lots and lots of metal shavings! He told me that he now has to contact Hyundai USA for approval to do the work and that someone would call me tomorrow to advise if it would be covered. About an hour later, I received another call from the same service employee, who said that Hyundai approved the work and was going to cover the repair and the provide me with a rental for the time while the car was being repaired (maybe four weeks or longer).

I asked the service representative what caused the damage but he was not able to give me a definitive answer. The inspection consisted the removal of the valve assembly, which revealed metal flakes. They then checked the oil pan and found more flakes; along with flakes in the area of the timing chain (say what!?). At that time, they then declared the engine dead and started the approval process; not finding what the root cause was. Perhaps they will later. It was only a matter of time that the engine was going to fail in a big way. So far, I am very happy with the way Ideal Hyundai of Frederick and Hyundai USA has handled this situation. They've kept me informed throughout the process and moved quickly on repairs and provide me with a rental car. If everything turns out the way it should, this will go along way for me to consider buying another Hyundai product, Hyundai stands behind its product. This is going to be a very expensive repair/replacement for an engine with 78K and it shouldn't have failed at a relatively low mileage, but at least it is covered!!!

Major takeaways so far: 1) Keep excellent records of your oil changes and servicing. Stick with the recommended service intervals or sooner; however, be consistent where you take your car for its service (this helps with record keeping). 2) You don't have to take it to the dealer, just make sure you are consistent and the place you take it to, uses the manufacture specified "like quality parts w/ same tolerances" (non-OEM oil and filters are OK)--they don't have to be Hyundai parts, just places that use exact similar parts (e.g. Midas, Jiffy Lube, etc.). The easiest though, is just taking to the dealer, because they obviously use OEM part and keep unquestionable records. And 3) They seemed to focus on any engine repairs to the vehicle not done by a dealer. Mine was never repaired, so this was not an issue, but they did check. This may be used to red-flag the vehicle. All-in-all, pretty good so far!

- Dan B., Frederick, MD, US

problem #2

Aug 012011

Elantra

  • Manual transmission
  • 1,500 miles

ONLY MAKES THE NOISE WHEN IT STARTS AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT.

- hitechrr, East Islip, NY, US

problem #1

Dec 232011

Elantra GLS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,485 miles

Whenever I am starting up the car, it seems to make an awful noise from the engine which I was not sure what it was. I wonder if others are noticing this issue. Thanks.

- Mike F., Chicago, IL, US

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