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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,519 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #15

Jun 122023

Elantra

  • miles

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

The car was driven by my family. They narrowly missed a collision with another automobile. The breaks went out. The car was taken to a repair garage and, upon inspection, found the break line was rusted completely into allowing the break fluid to escape. I had the car towed to a Hyundai dealer in Clearwater Florida and got the same report. Hyundai has a service recall for underbody corrosion and has recalled nearly 300,000 vehicles in Canada to replace this problem. But now Hyundai is telling me this isn-??t covered by them. This is a server safety problem with no brakes and a possible gas line explosion. I would like this problem correct before possible lives are destroyed. I hav email correspondence to back up this claim. Hyundai case number 21706044. MARCH 14, 2023 -?" A Hyundai brake line recall involves more than 295,000 vehicles because the brake lines under the vehicles can corrode, fail and leak brake fluid. A driver may suddenly find out their brakes aren't working correctly, or maybe not at all. The current Hyundai brake line recall has been announced for Canada only and includes these models and model years. 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus 2009-2014 Hyundai Genesis 2010-2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe 2010-2011 Hyundai Tucson 2012-2017 Hyundai Veloster Transport Canada didn't announce more details about the brake line leak recall, and to date a Hyundai brake line recall has not been announced for U.S. vehicle owners. Hyundai didn't say when the brake fluid leak recall will begin, but Hyundai dealerships will inspect the underbody brake lines and apply an anti-corrosion treatment. However, it's possible Hyundai may need to replace the brake lines. Canadian owners who have questions about the Hyundai brake line recall should call 888-216-2626 and ask about Transport Canada recall number 2023125. Thanks

- Clayton, IN, USA

problem #14

Nov 172022

Elantra

  • miles
Please find below a description of the malfunction in my Hyundai Elantra, as this is the reason I'm requesting inclusion in a recall. Since the week of Thanksgiving 2022, I've had several instances of my vehicle stalling without warning before engaging the transmission; for example, my car once stopped moving completely on the freeway while entering the onramp at 55 mph. Since then, the problem has only gotten worse, stalling up to seven or nine times per week. Because of the severity of this issue, I-€™ve had it inspected multiple times and would gladly submit it to another one if requested. Obviously, a defect of this magnitude with no obvious cause not only puts me at risk as the driver, as I can-€™t prepare for a sudden stop, but all road travelers around me are also subject to this issue. As you know, a sudden halt could lead to collusion involving numerous people. To date, an independent service provider has not been able to identify the issue or recreate the problem, as it occurs randomly with no warning lights or signals to prepare me for what-€™s about to happen. Should you need further details, I may be reached at susanramsey1@gmail.com.

- Laguna Woods, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 232022

Elantra

  • miles
Car accelerated/surged when foot released from the gas pedal. Happened three separate instances. Last instance smashed into wall and damaged front bumper. Car so scary to drive we towed it to dealer. Replaced throttle sensor for $400. Related to NTSA OID 11439675

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #12

Oct 082012

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles

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

All of these issues occur in any weather or if the car is warmed up or not. They don-€™t occur all the time but about half the time. -From a standing stop (like when entering an intersection or turning on to a road) lightly pressing on gas pedal will get car moving then in 2-3 seconds it will stall out for 2 or 3 seconds, almost to the point of the engine stopping. At that point, moderately pressing on the gas again will cause the car to accelerate suddenly & forcefully. It is terrifying when a car is coming at you & you don-€™t know if it-€™s going to start accelerating or just die. -Driving and maneuvering in a parking lot is quite a risky adventure. At these slow speeds the car will randomly stall, lurch, hesitate & accelerate suddenly & forcefully with just a light touch on the gas pedal. Not the best performance when trying to park or maneuver around closely packed cars. -I have taken the car to the dealership at least 5 times to remedy this problem & they either said this behavior was not detectable or it was operating as designed. I have documentation consisting of service invoices. They obviously weren-€™t being truthful, considering the Recall & Class Action Lawsuit that has subsequently been issued dealing with this issue, revealing that HYUNDAI knew about this problem. Can I finally get my car to operate properly & SAFELY? [XXX] -€ƒ THIS IS THE TRANSCIPT FOR THE PHONE CALL FROM HYUNDAI ON OR AROUND 9-14-21 ON ANSWERING MACHINE (It didn-€™t identify which recall it was referring to): This is the HYUNDAI Recall Resolution Team contacting you about a safety recall on your HYUNDAI vehicle. HYUNDAI has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in in your vehicle. Please do not delay in contacting us. Your HYUNDAI dealer will fix the recall at no cost to you. This free repair should take less than an hour to complete but your HYUNDAI dealer may require your vehicle for a l INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Clyde, MI, USA

problem #11

Oct 232020

Elantra

  • 146,817 miles
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.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #10

Jul 022020

Elantra

  • 180,000 miles
Since the day I purchased this car with zero miles it would randomly cut off and it would do that even when in drive like it wasnt getting gas. It would not turn over then after 20-30 min it would start right back up and this started right away and has done that ever since. I also had the O2 censor replaced as well. The tires are awful the suspension is even worse then my air bag light cut on out of nowhere and now my steering column is totally messed up. Directly behind the airbag. It clacks back N forth as you move the steering wheel even ever so slightly. If I hit my brakes the wheel shakes and the column rattles and clacks, if I go over bumps in the road or rr tracks same thing, the entire steering wheel shakes violently and rattles and clanks. I have been told by three different shops that this is a common issue with this car and design. The steering column was poorly designed and is going to break if I dont have it replaced. The cost to have this done is almost $1000 and it shouldnt be an issue I have to pay for bc of the poor design. There has been nothing done to the car on my end to cause this and I need help asap bc its my only car and I do not have $1000 to pay to fix a bad steering column that shouldnt be breaking to begin with!

- Hopewell, VA, USA

problem #9

Jan 082020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles

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

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.

- Monticello, NY, USA

problem #8

Aug 232018

Elantra

  • 99,514 miles
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.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #7

Oct 102017

Elantra

  • 72,000 miles
My 2012 Hyundai Elantra began having acceleration problems for the past 6 to 9 months. As I step on the gas at approximately 30 to 40 mph the automobile kicks, bucks and does not accelerate as intended. My Hyundai dealer replaced the fuel pump/assembly ($700) and it seemed to get worse.failure to accelerate as expected is a danger if you are trying to enter a busy highway or trying to get out of the way of another speeding vehicle. This seems to occur at speeds up to 65 mph when stepping on the gas. This happens on a regular basis but not every day.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #6

Nov 302016

Elantra

  • 66,432 miles
While driving engine light came on and car started running very rough. Took car to dealer and they found multiple cylinders injectors leaking down fouling plugs. Needed fuel induction kit and a fuel injector kit. Total cost $548.85.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #5

Feb 162016

Elantra

  • 51,000 miles

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

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 #4

Oct 272015

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Car would not start at all from overnight rest in our driveway. Called the Hyundai assurance line, they sent a tow truck for a battery jump, tow truck driver started the car without a jump by repeatedly pressing the gas pedal as he turned the key. He said it looked like the car was not getting enough gas and that he'd seen this many times before on runs for Elantras. Research suggests this is the 2nd leading cause of complaints for this model / year. Thank you.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #3

Jan 172015

Elantra

  • 67,000 miles
Car would not start. After multiple attempts at turning key, it finally started. Lights and horn functioned properly, but I replaced the battery anyway. Car would still not start on first few attempts. Engine would not turn over at all, then after several attempts at turning key, it would start, as if nothing was wrong. Brought it to dealer, they said they cleaned out some parts of the engine and updated the computer. The next day I had the same problem again. Brought it to the dealer, and they said they changed some fuses. Less than a week later, still the same problem. There are multiple incidents of this happening for other owners of this car which I found online when I was looking to diagnose the problem.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

problem #2

Nov 272012

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
I have had multiple instances where my car has trouble starting, or will not start at all. Beginning in 2012, when the car had to be towed to the local dealer (tustin Hyundai - patterson's) as it wouldn't start. The dealer had the car for roughly three weeks straight, and could not find a problem, so they decided to replace the fuel pump system. Then again in February 2013, my car still had issues starting properly, and the dealer and corporate headquarters were contacted. Additionally, on October 4th, my car would not start once again, and finally, after three times, it started. It is currently at glendale Hyundai for the same issue. I purchased this car brand new in 2012, and have had nothing but trouble. From the issues with starting, to my windows not rolling up. The start issue is a major problem and safety malfunction. As a young woman, I do not feel safe driving my car alone at night or long distances as I cannot count on it being reliable. Hyundai needs to issue a recall, as a simple google search brings up multiple others who have had similar issues, only to be told there is not a resolution.

- Newport Beach, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 162012

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 20 miles
I bought a brand new 2012 Hyundai Elantra on Feb. 10, 2012. Within several weeks I noticed the gas disappearing so quickly so I began filling the tank and taking pictures. I bought this particular vehicle due to the fact it advertised 40 mi. Gal on highway and 29 city. I took it to the dealership, I was told to fill car and reset trip and drive on highway. I did as they said on several occasions before going back. The trip continued to read 18 mph and approximately (as low as 10.9 and as high as 24.8 mpg) one of the mechanics (I guess he was a mechanic) took it for a ride, I waited; he was gone an hour. When he got back he said he drove 47 miles and got it to read 33 mpg in which he said he combined city and highway together. I have never got it to do that and I have been tracking it closely since I bought it. Also, the steering wheel squeals, I told them; they said it is nothing. The brakes (alloyed wheels) squeal after it rains, they said it is nothing. I smelled something coming from cabin filter, they said it is a big job to take apart to see what the smell is and they said they believed it is a dead animal in which I would have to pay for, I told them to forget it. They told me even though I only had about 1000 mi. On car after 3 mo. Went by they needed to change my oil so I had it changed. Everything is documented. I hope someone can help me. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Meriden, CT, USA

Not what you are looking for?