2012 Hyundai Elantra engine problems
139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra — 21% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Aug 20, 2026
“The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that around 4:00 o'clock in the morning, she was awoken by the sound of her dogs barking; she then discovered that her vehicle had caught fire and had burned to the ground. The fire spread, which caught fire to a nearby mobile home and a…”
filed Apr 27, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine problems in other Elantra years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Elantra | 3 | 14% |
| 2024 Elantra | 8 | 15% |
| 2023 Elantra | 18 | 18% |
| 2022 Elantra | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 Elantra | 13 | 10% |
| 2020 Elantra | 105 | 42% |
| 2019 Elantra | 132 | 53% |
| 2018 Elantra | 140 | 50% |
| 2017 Elantra | 290 | 38% |
| 2016 Elantra | 111 | 38% |
| 2015 Elantra | 91 | 35% |
| 2014 Elantra | 163 | 43% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.