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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,685 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Nov 242022

Elantra

  • miles

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

My 2012 Hyundai Elantra has been subject to various recalls -€" such as number 20V393000, "12V outlet may overheat" -€" but that seems trivial compared to a safety issue I've been experiencing. There are buttons on the Elantra steering wheel that control radio settings, cruise control, etc. For the past several years, these buttons have been malfunctioning (having effects as if you had pressed a button other than the one you actually pressed). This is a safety hazard if 1) a driver needs to cancel cruise control, and presses the appropriate button, but some other effect happens and cruise control is not cancelled. 2) a driver does not intend to engage cruise control, and presses a button that normally would not cause that to happen, but due to this malfunction, cruise control is engaged. 𝘐 know that tapping the brake is an alternative way to cancel cruise control -€" but in an emergency driving situation, some drivers will not think of that quickly enough, and rely solely on the steering wheel buttons which are subject to frequent malfunctions. I am requesting a recall to fix this issue.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #24

Aug 022021

Elantra

  • miles
Initially it stalled while idling in my driveway on 2 different occasions. Several days later on a short errand 8/2/21, it stalled at a red light, the engine puttered, and it failed to shift gears at 20-25 mph and 40-50 mph unless I alternated between letting off and then reapplying the accelerator. Just continuing to press the accelerator made it slow down. No warning lights came on, but I took it to a local repair shop. They couldn't replicate the problem on several attempts, so I picked it up and drove it home slowly. I was afraid to use it - trying to accelerate on an entrance ramp and having it slow down would be dangerous. After it sat 2 months, my husband went to drive it a little. It stalled at a stop sign and had trouble shifting gears again. When I went to drive it to the repair shop, the Check Engine light came on immediately. I drove it carefully, and it was OK. The shop called the next day. They replaced the crankshaft position sensor because of a code, and it was ready. On the way home, it shook violently and flashed the Check Engine light the 2 times it tried to go to second gear. I had it towed to the repair shop. They couldn't replicate the problem, so they replaced the crankshaft position sensor again. As soon as I started home, it acted up again. I went back and had a mechanic ride with me. It acted up. He said he hadn't pressed the accelerator as hard as I did, he'd never seen anything like it, and to take it to a Hyundai dealer. I had it towed to a Hyundai dealer. They replaced a switch inhibitor, valve solenoid, harness, and gasket valve body cover - all in the transmission. As soon as I started home, it acted up again. I turned around and took it back. That was 11/18/21. I called on 11/23/21 and told my service writer about the NHTSA investigation opened 11/12/21 for speed control problems and said I thought my car might be having this throttle problem. He said he hadn't heard about it, and he's going to call me back tomorrow.

- Rittman, OH, USA

problem #23

Nov 272019

Elantra

  • miles
I honestly believe I was ripped off for this vehicle I-€™ve been having to replace one thing after another since I-€™d gotten it. The brake system on the front passenger side seems to keep grabbing when I-€™m not even touching the brake. every time I change the brakes only the front passenger side gets worn down way more then the others. I was thinking it was brake drag, but I litteraly greased my brakes and guide pens then it started making the squeeking noise again when I wasn-€™t touching the brake. It also compromises my engines functions. my engine lags out and I have a feeling it-€™s putting more torque into the engine and transmission than it was supposed to, and now is causing problems in them. It causes safety issues because the brakes are one of the most important systems on a vehicle it can cause me a bad accident if the caliper becomes to worn from heat damage, because it excessively is putting pressure on it. I haven-€™t taken it to the dealership to recreate the issue yet, but I did mention it in the very beginning because I had suspicions of my vehicle having problems, but they said they couldn-€™t find anything when they ran the vin. They didn-€™t actually test my vehicle which was what I needed. My check engine light has been on.

- Dexter, NM, USA

problem #22

Mar 312021

Elantra

  • 116,000 miles

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

Loss of power while vehicle was in motion on highway at about 80mph. Vehicle failed to respond to input on gas pedal, and engine produced minimal power. No loss of electronics or steering. From a stop, vehicle produced limited power and speed reached maximum speed of 15-20mph. After 30min, vehicle responded normally. No warning lights appeared during or after incident. Reason for failure unknown at this time.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #21

Sep 152020

Elantra

  • 145,000 miles
I live in Missouri where they still have vehicle inspections to renew tags for legally driving. Got in the vehicle and started it I then try to use the steering wheel controls to change radio station would not work then tried the other side of the steering wheel to make a phone call and it wouldn't work then I tried the horn and it would not work. I looked up the problem and what I found is that it's whats called the airbag clockspring so there for the airbag in the steering wheel will not deploy in the case of an accident I have researched that my vehicle is not the only one and with this issue it is very unsafe and will not pass inspection in my state

- Ava, MO, USA

problem #20

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 #19

Jun 012020

Elantra

  • 98,000 miles

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

After it rains, ( in motion or standing still ) water comes through the light above sun visor, soaks the driver's side floor front and back, and goes into dash this is causing corrosion to all electrical components in the dash could cause failure to devices and a fire hazard. The touchscreen went black, so I pulled the fuse only to notice the fuses had corrosion. My feet get soaked making the pedals slippery. I did research online only to realize I am not the only one with this problem. The water on the floor has soaked through the carpet and pad to about 1/2" of water at the highest point. This could cause mold and mildew to be circulated through the car. The car has gotten condensation on the windshield after it rains and the sun comes out. The moisture inside the vehicle is starting to cause damage to all electronics.

- Mcdonald, PA, USA

problem #18

Aug 182020

Elantra

  • miles
The dash console continues to go go out to the point the odometer, speed, mileage and other instrument panel information is not visible. When I purchased the vehicle they replaced the dash console and 2 yrs later is needing replacement again.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #17

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 #16

Oct 032019

Elantra

  • miles
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..

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #15

Aug 122019

Elantra

  • 157,607 miles

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

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.

- New Port Beach, CA, USA

problem #14

Dec 192018

Elantra

  • miles
The sunroof door is not working good

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

problem #13

Jul 312018

Elantra

  • miles
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.

- Drakes Branch, VA, USA

problem #12

Jan 032018

Elantra

  • miles
I've been feeling the car pulling forward for a while now. It's gotten to the point where I can only press on the pedal a little so it's doesnt speed up to fast. When the car is going up hill it starts accelerating on its own and when you let go of the breaks you can feel it accelerating without giving it any gas.

- Norcross, GA, USA

problem #11

Jul 132017

Elantra

  • 46,329 miles
The first trouble started when I was driving on the highway at 60 miles/hour, my car started slowing down and would not accelerate. I had to drive at the speed the car would choose to run and in a few minutes it would work fine again. But this kept happening when I would accelerate the car on highways and I took it in to the dealer who said it was sensor problems. Engine light comes on when I use air conditioning, or use the head lights. Car will randomly not turn on although battery is new and makes a humming noise as I turn the key.

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 012012

Elantra

  • 20,000 miles
2012 Hyundai Elantra limited. The airbag warning light appeared randomly at first then remained on constantly. Over time, functionality of all steering wheel mounted controls for cruise control, trip computer, bluetooth, audio system, and horn were lost. I disassembled the steering column to access and remove the air bag clockspring. I tested the connections for continuity with a handheld meter and found none on any terminal. The clock spring failed.

- Nelsonville, OH, USA

problem #9

Nov 202016

Elantra

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 30 mph, the electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. Prior to the crash, the vehicle accelerated independently. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the tie rod was bent and the brake pad on the front passenger wheel was missing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Montgomery, NY, USA

problem #8

Aug 312015

Elantra

  • 19,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While attempting to park, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into some branches. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle was already in the branches. There were no injuries. The vehicle was still drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V871000 (electronic stability control); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #7

Feb 162016

Elantra

  • 51,000 miles
My car accelerate on its own without me pressing on the gas randomly. Some days it drives normally and other days I can feel the car accelerating on its own. It was so bad 2 days ago that when I got off the highway it was trying to accelerate into the car in front of me at a red light. I had by foot on the brake and the car was revving to 5000 rpms. I took it to Hyundai who could not find a problem but charged me $250 to clean the throttle body.

- New City, NY, USA

problem #6

Oct 192015

Elantra

  • 84,000 miles
My car was sitting at my apartment. Went to go to the store and the car wouldn't start. The car would not turn over no matter many times I would try and start it. I had to call my dad who told me to hold gas pedal down and start the car. This happened twice. Took it to the dealership, said they couldn't do anything about it because it wasn't happening at that moment. Car starts to jerk while driving. Started off only in the mornings, then while I was driving home from work, it jerked again this time more aggressive. Have talked with Hyundai 3 times about this issue, said they couldn't do anything about it until they see it happening themselves. I am having to press the gas hard to go at least 50 mph. Yesterday 10/19/2015. I stop to get gas. Full my tank up, get in the car and the won't start again! press my foot on the gas, car won't start. Had to call triple a and they say my battery is low. Bought the car in 2013, shouldn't be happening. Something is wrong with this vehicle and all I get is they have to see it happening. I have taken this car to the same Hyundai dealership in South austin. I bought the car from carmax. I have no idea what else to do.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

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