2011 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

I have a Piston/Engine Defect according to the mechanic at the car shop. Any time any acceleration is applied you can hear the knocking. I believe it should be covered through the class action alleged that 2011-2016 Elantras engines (including the Limited trim) have a piston defect leading to engine failure. A settlement offered extended warranties, engine repairs, and reimbursement. I was unaware and have already spent tons of money towards repairs to the engine over the years. Now I am aware of this lawsuit and would like some kind replacement.

NHTSA ID

11717069

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

Car stop working once I got home I notice while I was driving the car kept back firing and Jurking while driving .had a mechanic look at the car he tried to start it but it started and shut off..he even tried to jump start the car with the jumping cables but it will not start..he told me it was electrical..I have a brand new battery and a complete tune up on the car..I have not been able to drive the car in 3 weeks

NHTSA ID

11655110

Incident

Apr 16, 2025

My engine completely stop working.

NHTSA ID

11620920

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

UnKnown. When financing the vehicle through Adonis Auto Group I was unaware of the unrepaired safety recall. Also I am under the impression nothing was done to the car before purchasing it, I have had to make repairs to the car only after 10,000 - 15,000 miles of driving. For example replacing the control arm, axle, brake hardware. My point is they are selling cars without repairing them and not advising the customer upon purchase. I also asked for the repair paperwork for what has been done to the car before purchase and never received it.

NHTSA ID

11589419

Incident

Sep 29, 2023

Unknown Sensors possibly is the issue

NHTSA ID

11579468

Incident

Feb 21, 2024

They have failed to address the recall in a timely manner. Sep 22,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number251 NHTSA Recall Number23V651000

NHTSA ID

11570443

Incident

Feb 6, 2024

When I start the engine, I hear pronounced knocking sounds in the engine for approximately 1-2 seconds, and they are quite loud. As the engine warms up, the knocking persists, albeit at a lower volume. The ongoing knocks are not as loud, resembling a consistent noise similar to that of a diesel engine, although it is not a diesel-powered vehicle

NHTSA ID

11564757

Incident

Jan 10, 2024

There's a piston slap ,the engine block is damaged to the risk pin bushing ,connecting rods needs replacing the piston slap noise is in the upper end of the engine ,the gas tank want hold gas

NHTSA ID

11529486

Incident

Mar 28, 2023

10 am Sunday morning going to church I am about 2 miles away from home I started hearing trickled sound at front before entering the freeway. Then about 5 miles before my exit the noise start to get louder and I decided to go 25 mph after I exited the freeway. I stopped at AutoZone parking lot to check and didn't find anything unusual.No engine lights or anything on the dashboard. After 2 hours parked at AutoZone I drove it home at slow speed and decided not to use the freeway so I can keep moving 25 mph max. It's a scary situation and good thing is I'm the driving not my wife. It has closed to 130,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11506880

Incident

Feb 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a piston to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,500.

NHTSA ID

11502429

Incident

Dec 20, 2022

Mileage

123,500 mi

Had oil changed at Take 5 recently as always do. 2 weeks later car cut off 3 times in traffic. Engine light came on. Car started to lose power/acceleration and engine began to make a ticking/knocking sound. I checked the oil and none was in it. I added 4 quarts to see would that help. It did not.

NHTSA ID

11500778

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra false starts. I’ve changed the battery and gotten a tune up. I’ve taken it into the dealership and paid for a diagnostic, even the Hyundai dealership says they cannot explain why the car is false starting. I believe it is my engine. But why isn’t my car Included in the engine recall?

NHTSA ID

11489890

Incident

Oct 14, 2020

My car stalls while in motion without warning. While driving the vehicle will randomly speed up and rpm will fly up without command. I also experience a lot of engine power loss randomly the vehicle will bog and be slow. Occasionally when I press on the accelerator I can almost go to the floor with no response from the vehicle. Speed acceleration response is delayed approximately 30 seconds occasionally. Uncommanded acceleration and random stalling when vehicle is in motion has been a big safety risk for me. This issue has been ongoing for awhile. This issue has occurred countless times so it’s very frequent. This complaint is in compliance with the current open investigation regarding the throttle control system vulnerabilities. NHTSA Action Number: DP21003

NHTSA ID

11489212

Incident

Jul 8, 2020

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who diagnosed that the engine and battery needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11467869

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

Mileage

125,000 mi

ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE, EVEN AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT BY CAR REPAIR SHOP, ENGINE TICKS AGAIN. ALL 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA'S ENGINE TICKS UNNATURALLY.

NHTSA ID

11455799

Incident

Dec 17, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced at the dealer for an engine failure and after retrieving the vehicle the check engine light would remain illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine was again faulty and needed additional repairs. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11448842

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

Mileage

109,000 mi

ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE, EVEN AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT BY CAR REPAIR SHOP, ENGINE TICKS AGAIN. ALL 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA'S ENGINE TICKS UNNATURALLY.

NHTSA ID

11407512

Incident

Jun 19, 2013

THE BATTERY WON'T CHARGE AND CAUSING THE REMOTES TO KEEP GOING OUT AND I'M UNABLE TO START MY CAR WITH THE PUSH START REMOTE. THE BATTERY AND REMOTES WERE JUST REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2020 & IT IS NOW GIVING ME THE SAME ISSUES AGAIN. I CAME BACK TO START MY PARKED CAR & IT WON'T START.

NHTSA ID

11406793

Incident

Apr 3, 2021

MY VEHICLE DOESN'T FEEL SAFE AND THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT I MAKE. PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS MATTER. THANK YOU!

NHTSA ID

11390995

Incident

Mar 17, 2020

Mileage

103,756 mi

ENGINE HAS TROUBLE STARTING OR STALLS OFTEN. WAS TOLD TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE WHEN I WENT IN AWHILE AGO DUE TO ISSUE OF STARTING, NOISE AND OIL LEAK. TPMS SENSOR I THINK IS SHOT TO EVERY TIME I FILL UP AIR IT STILL SUGGESTS ISSUE WITH TIRES. WINDOWS ALSO GET STUCK DOWN OR UP.

NHTSA ID

11378238

Incident

Feb 16, 2019

Mileage

98,000 mi

THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE ARE MANY. WHEN IM DRIVING IT THROWS ME TO THE SIDE FOR ANY DENTS THE STREET HAS, BAD CONTROL. THE COILS ARE BAD. THE ENGINE BLOCK HAS A NOISE THAT GETS LOUDER AND LOUDER EVERY TIME I TURN THE CAR.IM NOT A MECHANIC BUT I KNOW SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY CAR CONTROL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

11373581

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

104,586 mi

WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC CAR SHUTS OFF AFTER PRESSING BREAK TOO MUCH. CAR SHUTS OFF IN REVERSE. CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE MAKING TURNS AND HITTING BREAK SIMULTANEOUSLY. GOING OVER 60 MPH CAUSES CAR TO SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES EVERY FEW MINUTES OR EVEN SECONDS. (WORST WAS 9 TIMES IN UNDER 2 MINUTES) CAR SHUTS OFF SLOWING DOWN TO RED LIGHT. HAD CAR CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES BY MECHANICS. NOONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. NO CODE COMES UP WHEN PLUGGED INTO COMPUTER AT AUTOSHOP. ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL

NHTSA ID

11365065

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

MY DAILY DRIVER BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE AND MY DASHBOARD BREAK LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED SERVICE WITH MY HYUNDAI DEALER. BUT IT DID NOT MAKE THE (2) DAYS WAIT. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE FRONT END BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY PULL TO THE RIGHT AS IF THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE WAS BEING TAPPED INDEPENDENTLY. WITHIN MINUTES ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE STALLED. I DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ELECTRICAL DID COME BACK ON BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALER, WHO SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ALL THAT WAS AVAILABLE WAS A USED ENGINE WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF 5,000.00 DOLLARS WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

11361657

Incident

Sep 18, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

KNOCKING NOISE ON ENGINE I HAVE DONE ALL THE OIL CHANGE ON TIME IT ONLY HAS 60000 MILES WHAT'S GOING ON A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING AND HYUNDAI IS NOT DOING ANYTHING I PAYED A LOT FOR THIS CAR MONTHS AGO AND NOW

NHTSA ID

11322467

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

THERE WAS TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHEN THE CAR REACHED ABOUT 80K MILES. THIS IS KNOWN FOR IN THE 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS BUT HYUNDIA HAS YET TO RECALL THE ELANTRAS JUST THE SONATAS. DESPITE CONSTANT AND FREQUENT OIL CHANGES OIL SLUDGE FORMED AND ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPLETELY RENDERING IT UNREPAIRABLE. A "NEW" ENGINE HAD TO BE PLACED BUT I WAS WARNED THE PROBLEM COULD OCCUR AGAIN BUT A RECALL STILL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE ENGINE WAS SPUTTING OUT, MISFIRING AND BLUE SMOKE WAS BEING RELEASED FROM THE EXHAUST DUE TO THIS

NHTSA ID

11315721

Incident

Jan 3, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi