2012 Hyundai Elantra: check engine light

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Engine · 151,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed crankshaft sensor. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty because the mileage was 3,000 miles over the mileage limitation. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test with the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Engine · NJ

Car check engine light illuminated and car began shaking and stalled at 79284 miles. Local mechanic said engine was dry and would need full replacement, no dashboard lights indicating oil level or engine issues prior to this point.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Engine · PA

We went to a dealership to get it inspected due to a knocking noise in the engine. They used a tool and said it was most likely cylinder 3 piston slap. There was an issue with this according to Hyundai in the past. This puts my wife at risk because if it ends up blowing up, it could send shrapnel through the motor or cause her to wreck her vehicle if it happens while driving. This was diagnosed by a local dealership. No engine light is on at the time. This started a few weeks ago. The car is around 132,000 miles. Thank you!

Filed Jan 13, 2025 · TX

At first the car was fine when I bought if off some random guy and it drove a little rough but was good for the mean time. A month into driving the car I come to realize that the timing change needed to be replaced since it would keep turning off on its own in idle. As I was changing gears on the car after the a month of the repair from drive to reverse I realized the car’s gears were slipping and coming to find out we need a transmission change on the car. While looking into this cars reports using the vin number since I found it a little off putting that the transmission and timing chain is already giving out at 188,000 miles I come to find out the car may have a odometer rollback since it was last reported to have 256,500 miles and it that it was possibly altered. So the Timing chain and the transmission were the components that needed change. My safety was put as risk when the gear would not change redlining the car when driving in public roads cause me to limit my speed to be under the speed limit when realization of the issue set it of the car. The issue has not been confirmed only the time change since it was fixed at a service center. It has also not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance since I’m not sure how to report Odometer rollback fraud. There was an engine light at the time of purchase which was the timing chain and a tire pressure light.

Filed Jun 21, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · VA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was not starting properly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Mar 7, 2024 · Engine · 225,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving the vehicle, there was a smoke odor and the engine caught fire. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the road and pushed the vehicle to a safe place where the fire would not spread to other objects. The vehicle was not drivable. There were no injuries and no police or fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 225,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 16, 2024 · Engine · CA

On [XXX], I was driving on the left lane of [XXX], between [XXX] , traveling [XXX], in Oakland, California. I had only driven for a few minutes after leaving work. After braking at a stoplight, my 2012 Hyundai Elantra stopped functioning and stopped on the road while driving. The "check engine" light went on, the "check battery" light went on and a "check fluid" light all went on at the same time for over 10 minutes. During those 10 minutes, I was unable to start the car. I put my hazard lights on and desperately called 911 and AAA. I continued to try and re-start the car. After 10-15 minutes, I was able to get the car started and pulled off the road. I was later able to drive home. I later had the car evaluated by a mechanic and he could not find a reason for my experience. The battery was replaced within the last 6 months, oil was changed recently and an engine coil was recently replaced. We get the car repaired/serviced regularly. I strongly suspect that my experience is related to Hyundai Recall 251 / the federal safety agency Recall 23V651000. This is a very serious safety issue (e.g. "engine could catch on fire while driving or parked...") and Hyundai has so far not been appropriately responsive about my safety concerns. The Recall was issued in September of 2023 and no remedy has been issued to date (as of 2/16/24). Hyundai owners should not be expected to just keep driving cars that are at risk of randomly catching fire while driving or ceasing to function while driving on a busy road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) The contact wants to follow up on this complaint.

Filed Dec 15, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · 135,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while depressing the brake pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was a short circuit in the engine wiring. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking while driving above 50 MPH. The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 15, 2023 · Engine · NY

On April 23rd when traveling from Jamestown, NY to to Fredonia, NY my car started and it seemed to be running rough. I shut the car off, and restarted it. It still seem to idle differently. Drove home, stopped I planned to stop to see my youngest daughter who resides at [XXX] 600 feet away from driveway, car began to chug and the engine light came on. I put on the Hazard lights and pulled to the side of the road. A pick up truck behind me was speeding up on me, he then swerved, and crossed the line into oncoming traffic. Breaks were screeching I was terrified there was going to be an accident. Called AAA, car was towed to Ralph's Penzoil in Dunkirk. Ralph replaced the coils. The car no longer chugged, the engine light was not on, but it sounded extremely loud, like a Diesel Tractor. Ralph said it was a hole in the muffler. I brought the car for a second opinion to Arkwright Towing and Larry said it was engine noise. Either the bearings or camshaft. He said there was no repair, I would either have to replace the engine or sell the vehicle. He cautioned against replacement as this model and make of Hyundai has had many engine recalls and problems. I then stopped driving the vehicle and used my mother's vehicle, as she no longer is driving after being discharged from the hospital. I finally had the chance to take the car to Hyundai Shultz in Lakewood, NY. I had brought the car there a few months prior, because it seemed to be running loud, especially in the morning. The Service department fixed a few recalls, but noted nothing wrong with the way the engine sounded. At this time the Hyundai dealership in Lakewood, Shultz my car continues to sit. Hyundai USA has refused to help replace the engine, as they state I do not have an extended warranty. While there have been hundreds of engine safety recalls on this make and model, just not 2012. Hyundai has closed my case, with no solution or repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 18, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · OH

My motor has a knocking noise, it has not been inspected by anyone, oil has been changed, engine light is on, also my tail lights an brake lights go out an I have changed them 3 different time in the last 2 months, it could cause a accident, I have called dealership an I have no recalls. But when I look it up I see other people who own same car has the same issues.

Filed Mar 14, 2022 · Engine · PA

My engine has failed- I started with the piston slap one day when it started up engine light came on drove it right to dealership and almost didn’t even make it this is very scary and to know I only have a little over 114000 miles and not being covered being a second owner

Filed Nov 24, 2021 · Acceleration · OH

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 federal safety agency 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.