Problems · by component

2012 Hyundai Elantra power train problems

43 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra cite power train, 6% of all 676 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
43
6% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked and suddenly experienced unintended acceleration along with the speedometer increasing. The accelerator pedal was released and the brake pedal was depressed to slow the vehicle in speed. The contact merged to the side of the road. The contact attempted to continue to drive the vehicle but the failure persisted. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2024Power trainODI 11604469
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11515529
“The same issue that caused recall of these vehicles for several models years, such as this campaign: 2013-2014 Hyundai Elantra (MD/UD, JK, GD) Brake Pedal Stopper Replacement (Recall Campaign 170), is occurring in this 2012 vehicle, which does NOT yet have this recall. The Brake Pedal stopper Pad has deteriorated. I am reprinting the language of the above referenced recall as it exactly explains the safety issue with this vehicle. "The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2022Power train, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11482119
“CASE # [XXX]Oct. 7, 2021 HYUNDAI RECALL RESOLUTION TEAM CONTACTING ME ON A SAFTY RECALL ON MY HYUNDAI VEHICLE (on phone answering machine) NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS SETLEMENT FOR HYUNDAI ELANTRA (Brown et al. v. Hyundai Motor America et al.) (Received booklet in mail) Description of adverse performance of 2012 Hyundai Elantra– VIN [XXX]: All of these issues occur in any weather or if the car is warmed up or not. They don’t occur all the time but about half the time. -From a standing stop (like when entering an intersection or turning on to a road) lightly pressing on gas pedal will get car moving then in 2-3 seconds it will stall out for 2 or 3 seconds, almost to the point of the engine stopping. At that point, moderately pressing on the gas again will cause the car to accelerate suddenly & forcefully. It is terrifying when a car is coming at you & you don’t know if it’s going to start accelerating or just die. -Driving and maneuvering in a parking lot is quite a risky adventure. At these slow speeds the car will randomly stall, lurch, hesitate & accelerate suddenly & forcefully with just a light touch on the gas pedal. Not the best performance when trying to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2021Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11435944
“I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR 4 YEARS. AND THE LAST THREE YEARS IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES. HARD SHIFTING AND SHAKING AT RANDOM TIMES ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP COUNTLESS TIMES AND ONLY RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A DIAGNOSED WITH A TRANSMISSION SENSOR READING TOO HOT. BEFORE THAT EVERY MECHANIC SAID THEY COULDN'T SEE ANY ISSUE . I FIND IT ALARMING THOUGH BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY KNOW IF IT'S THE SENSOR OR ACTUALLY THE TRANSMISSION AND IT'S FRUSTRATING THAT NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE HAD ANY ANSWERS FOR THE LAST SO MANY YEARS. IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A VERY COMMON ISSUE. AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE PINPOINTED AND RESOLVED MUCH SOONER. A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN IT WOULD SHIFT ABRUPTLY IT WAS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD. CURRENTLY IT'S NOT LUNGING AS DRAMATICALLY. HOWEVER IT'S STILL DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I HAVE KEPT UP ON ALL THE MAINTENANCE RELIGIOUSLY INCLUDING FLUSHING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND REPLACING IT AS DIRECTED. I DEFINITELY THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE EVERYONE I KNOW THAT HAS A HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. AND IT DEFINITELY COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS ESPECIALLY FOR INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2019Power trainODI 11203601
“TAKATA RECALL CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START AND STRUGGLES TO DO SO. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY AND KEY FOB BATTERIES. THIS HAS TO BE A STARTER ISSUE, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. SAYS "KEY OUT" WHILE I'M DRIVING IT HALF THE TIME. I AM AFRAID IT WILL CUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING IT! I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS! BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2018Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11119974

Showing 6 of 43 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.