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Hyundai Elantra GT knocking problems

29 of the 120 owner complaints about the Hyundai Elantra GT describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2017 model year.

owner complaints
29
worst model year
2017
typical mileage
77,170
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

Often reported together

Engine failure 12Check engine light 11Stalling 9Loss of power 4Oil consumption 3

Trouble codes mentioned

P1326 1P0366 1P0341 1P0017 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT (2.0L Nu GDI engine) has completely shut off while driving on three separate occasions: approximately June 2, 2026 (first occurrence), June 23, 2026, and September 14, 2026. The stalls happened on the highway at highway speed, while pulling into a parking spot, and on a public road at a stoplight. Immediately before each stall, all dashboard warning lights illuminated, then the engine died without further warning, causing sudden loss of power steering and power brake assist and making the vehicle extremely difficult to steer and stop. The vehicle also consumes engine oil at an extreme rate: after a full oil fill, the dipstick showed no oil within about two weeks (documented on video, September 30, 2026). An independent repair shop serviced the vehicle four times in 2026 for the same unresolved problem ($1,322.48 total), documenting diagnostic codes P0017, P0341, and P0366 and noting no oil leaks; the June 23 and September 14 shop visits correspond to two of the stall dates. This engine family is covered under Hyundai's Engine II class action settlement (2014-2020 Elantra GT, Nu 2.0L GDI) for connecting rod bearing failures that cause stalling and engine seizure. The Hyundai dealer proposed a 1,000-mile oil consumption test requiring continued driving of the vehicle, which I declined as unsafe given the repeated sudden stalls with loss of steering and braking.

Filed Aug 8, 2026 · Engine · KY

The Engine stalled completely at highway speeds. It was then towed to the dealership and was diagnosed with engine rod bearing failure. Hyundai is denying the warranty extension for this engine failure based on an incomplete 'Service Campaign 966' that does not appear on the federal safety agency public recall database, leaving consumers unnotified of safety-critical software updates."

Filed May 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

I am writing to formally log a critical safety and product reliability complaint regarding my Hyundai Elantra GT. The vehicle has suffered catastrophic engine failure characterized by severe rod knock. This failure occurred without any prior warning from the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic systems, exposing an engineering and sensor flaw that creates an immediate safety hazard.The vehicle was operating normally when it suddenly developed a distinct, heavy metallic knocking sound from the engine block, indicative of failed connecting rod bearings. Upon immediate inspection, the issue was linked to critical oil starvation or pressure drops.Crucially, the vehicle’s warning systems failed entirely to alert me to an issue:No Low Oil Pressure Warning: The dashboard oil pressure light never illuminated to warn of low pressure or critical oil level depletion.No Check Engine Light (CEL): The engine sensors failed to detect underlying mechanical distress, oil degradation, or early-stage misfires before the catastrophic failure occurred.Complete System Silence: The vehicle gave absolutely no visual or audible alerts on the instrument cluster, depriving me of the chance to pull over safely and shut off the engine to prevent total destruction.This sensor failure is an unacceptable safety risk. Total engine seizure at highway speeds can cause a sudden loss of motive power, power steering, and braking assist, endangering my life and the lives of others on the road. The failure of Hyundai’s diagnostic sensors to communicate active oil or mechanical breakdown directly directly caused this total engine loss.I request that Hyundai review this case immediately, investigate the failure of the warning systems, and provide financial remediation for the required engine replacement.I look forward to your prompt response regarding the next steps for a corporate review.

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Engine · CA

After a Hyundai dealership installed the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update to prevent engine bearing failure and potential fires in certain Theta II, Nu, and Gamma engines, my Elantra GT is stuck in limp mode and will no longer accelerate. Since it takes my car a very long time to reach safe driving speeds, I took the car back to the dealership and they conveniently blamed the catalytic converter. I went for a ride with a California BAR associate, and he agreed that the update was causing my engine to go into limp mode, and it wasn't a symptom of a plugged CAT, but he was unable or unwilling to help me. Hyundai acknowledged that the engine does qualify for the Theta II extended warranty but will not explore that possibility until I have them replace the cat for $3,300, which we both know isn't going to solve anything. I have contacted Hyundai Corporate Customer Relations, and even the BBB, who refuses to qualify my car for their Engine Replacement class action lawsuit because the engine hasn't seized up yet, which will never happen since the update is preventing it. Even lemon law lawyers refuse to assist me because the car is too old. Since this is the only car I have, I am a nervous reck whenever I have to use it. If I press the accelerator pedal just a bit too much, the engine cuts out.

Filed Jan 14, 2026 · Engine · CO

I've contacted Hyundai to try and do a recall repair on my Hyundai Elantra GT 2018 both through a local dealership (Planet Hyundai in Golden, CO) and Hyundai corporate. The engine is stalling and knocking very bad to the point where it's no longer drivable. It's burning oil non-stop and I am constantly adding oil to it. I'm getting pushback from Hyundai saying I never fixed the recall when I was actually not notified to begin with. I'm the 2nd owner of the car so if I was never notified, how can I be responsible for something I was never told about? Now they are saying this little sensor was supposed to help let you know there's a problem with the engine (sounds like a check engine light?). Hyundai has known about their engines being faulty for quite some time. I need this vehicle to get to and from my job as well as taking my grandson to multiple doctor's appointments each week because he has a disability (he's only [XXX] old). They need to take responsibility for this. Is there anything the federal safety agency can do? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 29, 2025 · Engine · DE

Bought the car used last year. The check engine light recently came on and started blinking. And stalled. The car was low in oil but there were no leaks. The engine was knocking. Had a diagnostic done and they said the engine had a death code and needed to be replaced. There is a campaign with Hyundai (#203) that we found online related to faulty piston oil rings and out symptoms matched near perfectly although our car is not associated with any claims

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Engine · TN

Y check engine light started flashing and I have a code reader and it come up p1326 wh I ch is knock sensor lost power and I checked into that and it said a lot of engines were affected by that and they had to replace thousands of engines for this and my vehicle was in the affected ones b6t I put the Vin in and it has no recalls can't even drive now

Filed May 2, 2025 · Transmission · RI

Was driving the car on a two lane road and engine shut off. Had to coast to side of road. Had car towed to deal and they say it is a bottom end knock and engine has to be replaced. It has 54,000 miles and has been serviced regularly by Hyundai dealers. Dealer can not specify what is wrong with engine other than bottom end knock and won’t drop the pan or do an oil analysis to find out more details.

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · 29,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in stop-and-go traffic, the engine light illuminated. While driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at 35-45 MPH three days later, the engine light illuminated again, and the vehicle started to decelerate. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, who performed a combustion test. The dealer requested permission for a mechanic to take the vehicle to the residence for a road test. The contact declined the request. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The contact requested a buyback. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · OH

When driving the car home from the store. The car started to vibrate, and no lights came on then then I got to a stop light and the car didn't want to go when i was pushing the gas pedal tried it a few times the check engine light came on and was flashing then the car went, and the engine light went off. Got back home and an hour later went to the car and the check engine light was on and it was vibrating and making a slight ticking noise. I am not sure what is going on with it. I change the sparkplugs a few months ago and get oil changes regularly never let things go past the needed time.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Hyundai Elantra GT knocking

Which Hyundai Elantra GT years have engine knocking or ticking problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2017 (11 complaints), 2018 (10 complaints) and 2019 (5 complaints).

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