2012 Hyundai Accent: engine knocking or ticking

Filed May 28, 2026 · Engine · VA

While traveling at highway speeds on [XXX] with three passengers, the vehicle suddenly suffered a catastrophic internal engine failure (severe rod knock), forcing an emergency deceleration in active traffic that put all occupants at risk of a rear-end collision. The sudden breakdown was immediately preceded by a flashing Check Engine Light and violent metallic knocking, despite the vehicle being regularly serviced and having a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update completed just one month prior at Motor Mile Hyundai in Christiansburg. The catastrophic failure and the immediate need for a complete engine replacement have since been confirmed verbally by the Hyundai service center. Actual milage on engine is approx. 145000 (Because of replaced instrument cluster by previous owner it shows approx. 195000) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 13, 2023 · Engine · NC

Purchased in January 2023 with 99k miles. Performed oil change on day 1. Checked fluid levels every 1500 miles, noticed oil was low, ( no smoking, no burning oil smell, no idea where oil was going?) began adding oil, and checking every 500 miles. Always about 1/4 quart low. Changed oil, and filter every 3000 miles. At approximately 119k, started hearing a small ticking sound, was told to use better gas, so began using premium gas. Didn't change the ticking. At 120k tick became a loud knock, after new oil/filter change (I changed oil early at approximately 1800 miles to try to alleviate tick. Decided to drive to mechanic shop when engine light came on and showed knock sensor code. I bought a knock sensor and replaced old one. Shop says rod bearing is causing to noise, and asked to see old oil which I keep in new oil containers.after I change, to dispose of at auto store. Bottom of oil containers was full of fine metal. Tell me the engine might have recall. However 2012 accent 1.6 gdi I not on recall, but 2012 veloster is, among others that use the same engine. I believe the recall on other vehicles is due to exactly what's happed to mine. Why is the 2012 accent gs not included in the recalls for engine replacement? I've emailed huyndia of America, and they say I am responsible for fixing the engine? I feel no amount of maintenance would have kept this from happening. I've thought maybe if check engine light had come on when ticking first started I could have taken car to dealer and that tick might not have became rod bearing clanking, and knocking? Please help to add 2012 accent to recall. Ive read many other stories describing the same problem. Thank you

Filed Dec 28, 2022 · Engine · UT

Loud ticking and engine knocking. Car starts to stall and overheat, car does not shift properly. Was told it was failing coils. Replaced all coils and spark plugs, this remedied the flashing ck engine light. Check engine light still on and still says the coil is not responding. Tech says it is a stuck lifter but can't be manually unstuck. Road hazard is car will stall and engine will fail without warning. Car has received regular oil change maintenance.

Filed Jul 1, 2022 · Engine · 116,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that after receiving an oil change on the vehicle and driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a metal-on-metal sound. There was an air temperature sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with an oil control valve failure. The oil control valve was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2020 · Engine · 130,000 miles · WA

2012 hyundai accent 4dr sedan knocking in the engine compartment, engine light comes on and code is stored, the code is for knock sensor needing to be replaced...the true reason for this to put out code for knock sensor fauilare are that the connecting rod bearing is going out and that little bit of play between the rod and crank makes the knock sensor code come up it knocks moving or not this is a serious proublem the engine could have a serious engine failuare and at mid speed it can and will be life treating, fire, parts being thrown threw fire wall hitting occupants in car or outside it started the knocking at 130000 miles I am a mechanic of over 40 years

Filed Aug 1, 2019 · Engine · 25,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 hyundai accent. While the vehicle was stopped, the contact heard knocking noises coming from the engine compartment. Once the vehicle accelerated, the contact heard a ticking noise in the engine and the check engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 92,500 miles · DC

Driving on the highway I heard a knocking in the engine. The check engine light came on. I took the vehicle to get the light checked for a code and was told the knock sensor needed replacing. Took the car to the dealer I purchased it from and dealer said there was no code and no history of a code so they could do nothing about it after I told them how to replicate the knocking. Dealer released the car. Two days later while driving on the highway the light came back on and the engine continued knocking. I took it straight to the dealer again and they were able to replicate the issue and find a code. The dealer contacted the manufacturer about the code and the manufacturer recommended applying a patch to the knock sensor and, according to the dealer "see what happens". The dealer performed the patch and released the vehicle to me. The very next day I was driving home after work on the highway and the odometer went from 3000rpm's to 0. While I could try to engage the accelerator and could hear the engine rev no rpms registered. The vehicle went into an idle state and would not react. Causing many near accidents I was able to get the car to the shoulder before it became stationary. Attempted to restart car a dozen times and the RPM's would not register still.car has now been with the dealer who has not been able to replicate the issue and has not reached out to the manufacturer. The cause and effect of an issue happening after applying a computer patch is not being investigated nor discussed with the manufacturer.

Filed Mar 11, 2019 · Acceleration · 107,115 miles · MD

Burns off 1/2 qt of oil every 1500 miles. Po326 (knock sensor) trouble code on chilli mornings. P050a (cold start) trouble code while driving.

Filed May 20, 2018 · Driver assistance · 80,100 miles · PA

Check engine light for knock sensor keeps coming on and off. This is constance issue that I have been having. I have notify the dealership but they arr saying that therr is no recall regarding knock sensor on a 2012 hyundai accent gls.

Filed Jan 15, 2018 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NJ

At about 80,000 miles, the vehicle started making a loud and constant knocking sound in the engine. The hyundai dealership service department determined that: "internal rods are making knocking sound - engine must be replaced." this very loud knocking happens all the time whether the vehicle is stationary or moving. The vehicle is not safe to drive. This issue is identical to the 2015 recall of many other hyundai vehicles from the same model year (I.e. The federal safety agency campaign number: 15v568000). Hyundai denied this claim since the vehicle is out of warranty. Hyundai consumer affairs case#: 10847090.