2012 Hyundai Elantra: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Engine · OH

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding a 2012 Hyundai Elantra equipped with the 1.8L Nu engine, which is experiencing premature internal engine damage that presents a potential safety risk. Vehicle details: Year/Make/Model: 2012 Hyundai Elantra Mileage: Approximately 134,500 miles Issue description: The engine produces a persistent ticking/knocking noise, most pronounced at cold start but now continuing even after the engine has warmed. A Hyundai dealership diagnosed the vehicle with piston slap and confirmed significant scarring on the cylinder walls, stating that the only repair is full engine replacement. Despite the presence of internal engine damage, no warning lights are illuminated. I am concerned this condition could lead to sudden engine seizure or loss of power while driving, creating a safety hazard. Additional observations include: Excessive crankcase blow-by observed when removing the oil fill cap while the engine is running Strong exhaust fumes at cold start Noise most noticeable at idle and low RPM Regular oil changes using manufacturer-recommended oil viscosity The dealership advised the condition was not repairable short of engine replacement and did not submit the concern for Hyundai corporate technical review (Techline), despite the known history of engine defects in Hyundai Nu engines. I am filing this complaint to document a pattern of premature internal engine wear that may not be adequately addressed through recalls or warranty programs, and which could result in sudden engine failure. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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 Apr 21, 2023 · Engine · NJ

This report was submitted PREVIOUSLY on April 5, 2023 with no response received by me: My 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited engine began making a tapping/ticking noise a few years ago. The noise became louder and then I discovered that my car qualified for the EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY which was granted to any 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra owner with 1.8L Nu Engine that a class action lawsuit brought against Hyundai Motor Corporation. I was never notified by Hyundai but rather a mechanic that I brought my car to that was aware of the campaign. I contacted Hyundai and was told to have the engine diagnosed by my local Hyundai Dealer. The results of the diagnosis were submitted to the Hyundai Motors Corporation Warranty department and my claim was denied as I was told that my mileage and years were past the qualifying criteria. I had brought my 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited to the Hyundai dealership that I had purchased the car as certified used Hyundai in 2014 for the engine diagnosis to determine if the engine noise was related to the Extended Powertrain Warranty granted to owners of any 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra with 1.8L Nu Engine. The borescope results and photos were sent to the Hyundai Motors Corporation Warranty department and it was confirmed that my engine did indeed have the "piston slap" problem as outlined in the class action lawsuit and all four cylinders were severely scored. Upon contacting Hyundai to request the borescope video and photos that I had paid $200 to the Hyundai dealership service department for the diagnosis, I was told if i wanted the video and photos I would have to hire an attorney to obtain them from the Hyundai warranty Department! I was never notified of this "secret" campaign! Needless to say I am extremely unhappy about this. I deserve to have this engine fixed under the extended warranty that Hyundai failed to notify me about. This is UNREAL! Please tell me what can be done here. Thank you, Douglas E Stevens

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

My 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited engine began making a tapping/ticking noise a few years ago. The noise became louder and then I discovered that my car qualified for the EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY which was granted to any 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra owner with 1.8L Nu Engine that a class action lawsuit brought against Hyundai Motor Corporation. I was never notified by Hyundai but rather a mechanic that I brought my car to that was aware of the campaign. I contacted Hyundai and was told to have the engine diagnosed by my local Hyundai Dealer. The results of the diagnosis were submitted to the Hyundai Motors Corporation Warranty department and my claim was denied as I was told that my mileage and years were past the qualifying criteria. I had brought my 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited to the Hyundai dealership that I had purchased the car as certified used Hyundai in 2014 for the engine diagnosis to determine if the engine noise was related to the Extended Powertrain Warranty granted to owners of any 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra with 1.8L Nu Engine. The borescope results and photos were sent to the Hyundai Motors Corporation Warranty department and it was confirmed that my engine did indeed have the "piston slap" problem as outlined in the class action lawsuit and all four cylinders were severely scored. Upon contacting Hyundai to request the borescope video and photos that I had paid $200 to the Hyundai dealership service department for the diagnosis, I was told if i wanted the video and photos I would have to hire an attorney to obtain them from the Hyundai warranty Department! I was never notified of this "secret" campaign! Needless to say I am extremely unhappy about this. I deserve to have this engine fixed under the extended warranty that Hyundai failed to notify me about. This is UNREAL! Please tell me what can be done here. Thank you, Douglas E Stevens

Filed Jun 14, 2022 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle, he heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that an oil change was needed. The oil change was performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for assistance since the vehicle was not under recall for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The consumer stated that their Hyundai was still under 100,000 warranty.

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 Jul 3, 2020 · Airbags, Engine · NY

Air bag light is constantly illuminated engine has a continual loud ticking noise such as lifters noted appropriately 60,000 miles . Vehicle is still covered by 10/100,000 warranty yet dealer denies any issues with the motor. This is a known issue in california with a pending class action litigation, but not here in nys

Filed Dec 15, 2019 · Engine · IA

The engine started making a significant knocking sound , the vehicle only has 111000 miles on it, and the repair quotes are $6,500 which is almost what the vehicle was worth.

Filed Sep 20, 2019 · Engine · 144,000 miles · NY · 1 injury

I purchased the vehicle from a person not dealer. Hyundai was mint condition. Drives smooth. Its kept up and only serviced at hyundai..144,000 miles. My 3rd day having this car the engine ticks and knocks. When checking the engine I literally burned my finger touching the engine it was so hot I had a blister the car ran for 1 minute not even. I researched this and thousanda od consumers have had engine and knocking also this left me stranded in freezing weather on a country road with my born and she got rsv

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Engine · 102,900 miles · NJ

My 2012 hyundai elantra started making a ticking/ knocking noise in the engine. I googled the problem and found that many people were having the same issue. It was a missed step when building the engine. The noise is called piston slap. It's happening to a lot of hyundai's from 2011-2016 elantra and sonatas. Hyundai didn't do a recall because they don't want to foot the cost of replacing the engines. I took my car to hyundai of south brunswick nj on 7/3/19 no one called me until 7/9/19 I called everyday 3-4 times a day and kept being transfered to leave voice mails, I left messages and no one called me back. On 7/9/19 I was called and told it would cost me 6,766.00 to replace my engine. I believe hyundai should be responsible for the engine when they're aware of this issue and have not done a recall. The problem happened just starting the car one morning and the noise got louder each day.

Filed May 22, 2019 · Engine · 145,000 miles · VA

I am the 2nd owner of the vehicle. This vehicle started the infamous 'ticking or knocking' sound in january this year when it was very cold. At first I thought it would go away after the engine warms up but it continued to get worse with time. The ticking sound became very loud and annoying. I took it to couple of reliable mechanics to take a look and get an idea of what's wrong with the engine. They both told me separately that one of the pistons is not working properly and in order to fix this issue I have to have my engine replaced.I was also told that this is a 'known issue' with elantras 2012-16. Anyways I took it to hyundai dealership here in chantilly, virginia. They looked at it and finally told me that it is out of warranty and it will cost me $8000 to put a new engine and about $4000 or so to replace with used engine. This is shocking given that hyundai is well aware of the faulty engine design and lots of people have already complained about the ticking problem yet there is no recall !!!

Filed Apr 3, 2019 · Engine · 118,000 miles · OH

Takata recall I have a 2012 elantra 120,000 miles car has stalled driving down the highway and also has started a ticking in the engine I took it to have a oil change and they said there was metal in the oil pan and I needed a new motor. Hyundai who advised the sonata had a recall for the same issue but not the elantra