Hyundai Elantra whining noise problems

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Steering · CA

Steering wheel has been making whining noises when turning. Previously replaced worm shaft on steering while under warranty due to malfunction when first purchased. Issue has resurfaced but no longer covered under warranty. Dealer quoted nearly $800.00 to replace worm shaft.

Filed Jul 7, 2021 · Engine · CA

I bought the car 3 years ago and during the first year I had to replace an engine coil, a few months later Inhad to replace the other 5. On July 3rd I was driving on the highway with my family and while I was stopped in traffic I heard a slight whine and then a knocking sound coming from the engine. I then started driving again and felt the steering wheel lock up and the gas tighten up and I realized the car had shut off. I had to immediately veer off the highway to avoid hitting somebody and noticed that the electronics were working. I then restarted the car and drove home through local backroads where the car kept shutting off intermittantly. I then took my car to a mechanic who notified me there was sludge in the engine and he had 3 to 4 other customers he recently has seen this happen to in regards to Hyundai Elantra’s. I tried to contact the dealership who accused me of not taking care of my vehicle. I currently have an ope case with Hyundai corporate. From what I’ve seen online Hyundai is aware of these engine issues about piston knock and wngine sludge due to piston issues yet has not offered a recall or any type of customer assistance. The engine failure could have not only grievously injured my family but any other drivers I may have hit or been hit by due to this known engine issue.

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Engine · 105,695 miles · NY

While driving the car, engine went into a loud whine sound and the car lost power. Car would not start or even try to turn over when trying to start. We have had previous problems involving the engine and even contacted hyundai because I was told by my mechanic that there was a recall on the exact engine that is involved here, but hyundai refused to acknowledge this because it wasn't the same model car involved in the engine recall. But it was the exact engine model. Attached is a letter from my mechanic

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 40 miles · FL

My steering is loose and the wheel clunks and rattles. Sometimes it feels like the steering wheel will come right off. I can hit the slightest bump and it will rattle and shake like I ran over a huge pot hole. Also, when I'm driving the car will suddenly slow down and whine like I hit the brakes even when I didn't. I was almost rear-ended when I hit the gas but the car decided it wanted to suddenly slow down a few seconds later. There is something terribly wrong here. The engine is also making a ticking/knocking noise when warming up. This happens daily.

Filed Sep 29, 2015 · Engine · 36,000 miles · WI

The car seems to idle more than it should, considering it is a 2013. I have felt it idling heavily at dead stops waiting at a red light, in which I will inch up and the idling stops. I've noticed this after only about 5k miles on the car. I bought the car new. There is also a whining build-up sound when I have a cold start. I turn on the engine and hear a slight whine for about 4-5secs. It didn't do this in the very beginning. When I first bought the car, it almost sounded like it was an electric car because it was so quiet. Now it idles and whines at start-up. The car shakes when it idles and the only time I have felt that much shaking was in my dad's old truck from the 90's.

Filed May 20, 2011 · Engine · 5 miles · CA

The 2011 hyundai elantra 1.8liter engine makes a grinding then whining noise in the first few seconds of the first cold engine start of the day. On the day of sales delivery the vehicle made this noise for at least two minutes which prompted me to alert the salesman and lift the hood for closer inspection. The sales man replied "all the new engines make this sound, it will quiet down." I have asked another owner of the same vehicle if they noticed it. They have the same exact problem upon cold start up. We both have video documentation of the issue which can be viewed on you tube by searching for 2011 hyundai elantra engine noise.

Filed Jul 12, 2004 · Suspension, Tires · NJ

A couple months after I bought the car I began to hear a very annoying "howl" coming from the front left corner of the car. Soon after the car would vibrate after accelerating to a certain point. I finally couldn't stand driving the car because of the noise so I had it towed back to the dealer. They checked and said that something was wrong with the bearings in the front left tire. For a while, it was fine but now it's starting to do the same thing again a year later in the same location it seems like. I only have 38,000 miles on this car. I don't think it should have recurring problems like this. Also, recently I've noticed that it is jumping into gears rather than making a smooth transition like it used to.

Filed Mar 9, 2004 · Suspension · 10,201 miles · DE

Vehicle had whining/grinding noise coming from both front and rear begining in aug 04 @ 10200 miles. Car has been taken to dealer 9 times for this problem. Rear brakes began clicking as they were applied. Brake cylinders were replaced. Then rear wheel bearings were replaced. Front wheel bearings where then replaced. Car was okay after 13 nov 03, but the rear wheel bearings went out again in jan 04. Vehicle was submitted for lemon law, and hyundai would not re-purchase vehicle because only "two" actual attempts were made to repair(which is a crock of crap). Vehicle has been having numerous other minor issues that the dealer has failed to fix. Vehicle is scheduled to return for bearing replacement again this month(march 04)

Filed May 30, 2003 · Engine, Suspension · 641 miles · NM

I have a 2003 hyundai elananta gt. There is a whining noise from both sides of the front of the vehicle when driving on the highway at high speeds, sometimes at 55 MPH or at 75 MPH. The dealer replaced the left front wheel bearing on 4/22/03. The noise on the left went away. The same noise surfaced on the on the right side of the car. On 5/22/03 the dealer replaced the right front engine mount, they said it was coming apart. Once I drove the car on the highway again on 5/29/03 the noise was there. I also still heard the whinning noise from the left side of the car again, but for just a couple of seconds. The right side will make noise continuously. Now I have to go back to the dealer again, wasting more of my time, money, and extra miles on my car. I live 130 miles from the nearest hyundai dealer. I have owned this car from 4/08/03 and the car has 2400 miles on it and will now be on my third attempt to have this car repaired.

Filed Apr 3, 2003 · Fuel system, Seat belts · MI

There is a terrible howling noise coming from the front end of the vehicle while driving on the highway. The rim's on the car are so flimsy that I have had to rims bent in the last 3 months. They can not handle non paved roads. Th front seat belt does not retract properly causing the seal on the door to be torn when the door is shut. The gas mileage is terrible. Supposed to be upwards of 35+ mpg on the highway and I only get approximately 24 - 26 mpg. The insurance on this vehicle is ridiculous!! You think that I had an audi. The cost of the insurance is the same. I have brought up my concerns with the dealer that I purchased the car from and they don't seem to think that there is a problem with the howling since they couldn't get it to do it while they were driving the car. The gas mileage they said would improve when the engine was broke in at about 20,000 miles. Well I am past the 20,000 and the mileage has not improved. I am not at all happy with this car. I would get rid of it in a minute if I could get out from under the payments.