--- title: "2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra Problems and Years to Avoid" description: "5 documented problems with the 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 1 of them are serious. 4 carry a recall or TSB number." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/common-problems" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra Common Problems and Years to Avoid 5 documented problems with the 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 1 of them are serious. 4 carry a recall or TSB number. **Quick answer**: We have 5 documented problems on record for the 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra, of which 1 is serious and 4 carry a recall or service bulletin. ## 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra recalls and service bulletins | Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity | | --- | --- | --- | | NHTSA 23V-651 (Hyundai internal number similar) | ABS module internal brake-fluid leak / engine bay fire risk (recall) | major | | Hyundai Engine II class-action settlement (2022); check VIN eligibility at hma-e2settlement.com | Nu-engine oil consumption / tick and warranty-extension settlement | moderate | | NHTSA 15V-871 | Electronic stability control unintended braking (recall) | moderate | | NHTSA 13V-115 | Side curtain airbag headliner bracket displacement (recall) | moderate | Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding. ## ABS module internal brake-fluid leak / engine bay fire risk (recall) (major) The ABS module's internal circuit board can develop a short from a slow internal brake-fluid leak, which in the worst case causes an engine-compartment fire, while parked or while driving. Hyundai recalled roughly 189,000 model-year 2011-2015 Elantra/Elantra GT/Coupe vehicles in 2023; dealers inspect and replace the ABS module and a related fuse, free of charge. Most affected: 2012-2015. Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 23V-651 (Hyundai internal number similar). ## Nu-engine oil consumption / tick and warranty-extension settlement (moderate) A subset of 1.8L/2.0L Nu engines burn oil faster than spec or develop an audible tick, prompting owner complaints and a 2022 class-action settlement ("Hyundai Engine II") that extended warranty coverage for qualifying engine failures on Nu- and Lambda-family engines. It is far less severe and less common than the Theta II bearing-failure/engine-fire issue on Sonata and Santa Fe of the same years. Don't conflate the two, but it's worth checking oil level between changes on a used example. Most affected: 2012-2016 (higher-mileage examples). Typical cost: $0 (oil top-offs) to $3,000-$5,000 for an out-of-warranty short block. Recall/TSB: Hyundai Engine II class-action settlement (2022); check VIN eligibility at hma-e2settlement.com. ## Electronic stability control unintended braking (recall) (moderate) A malfunctioning ESC wheel-speed sensor can cause the brakes on one or more wheels to apply unexpectedly, increasing crash risk. Hyundai recalled 2011-2012 Elantras (carrying into early MD production); dealers reprogram the ESC module. Most affected: 2012. Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 15V-871. ## Side curtain airbag headliner bracket displacement (recall) (moderate) The support bracket that anchors the headliner during a side curtain airbag deployment can become displaced, raising the risk of an occupant laceration injury in a side-impact crash. Dealers install a reinforcement free of charge. Most affected: 2012-2013. Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 13V-115. ## Panoramic sunroof rattles and wind noise (owner-reported) (minor) Cars with the optional panoramic sunroof commonly develop rattles from the sunshade track and wind noise at highway speed as the seals age. Not a safety issue; dealer adjustment or aftermarket felt/seal kits usually resolve it. Most affected: 2012-2016. Typical cost: $0 (DIY seal kit) to $200 (dealer adjustment). Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra. Not every vehicle will experience these issues. ## Which Hyundai Elantra model years does this cover? These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Hyundai Elantra built from 2012 through 2016, the MD/UD (5th generation), compact sedan (also sold as coupe 2013-2014 and gt 5-door hatchback through 2016 on the related ud platform). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Elantra](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012) - [2013 Elantra](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2013) - [2014 Elantra](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2014) - [2015 Elantra](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2015) - [2016 Elantra](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2016) ## What changed during the 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | MD generation launch (sedan only) | | 2013 | Elantra Coupe and Elantra GT (UD platform hatchback) join the lineup with the 2.0L Nu GDI available; Elantra Sport sedan trim added | | 2014 | Facelift: revised front/rear fascias, new wheel designs | | 2015-2016 | Sedan carries over largely unchanged in its final two years before the AD redesign; GT hatchback continues into 2017 on the related UD platform after the sedan moves to AD | ## 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra problems and recalls: common questions ### What are the most common problems with the 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra? The recurring ones are: abs module internal brake-fluid leak / engine bay fire risk (recall); nu-engine oil consumption / tick and warranty-extension settlement; electronic stability control unintended braking (recall); side curtain airbag headliner bracket displacement (recall); panoramic sunroof rattles and wind noise (owner-reported). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost. ### Which 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid? The years to be most careful with are those affected by abs module internal brake-fluid leak / engine bay fire risk (recall) (2012-2015). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely. ### Are there recalls on the 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra? 4 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: NHTSA 23V-651 (Hyundai internal number similar) (abs module internal brake-fluid leak / engine bay fire risk (recall)), Hyundai Engine II class-action settlement (2022); check VIN eligibility at hma-e2settlement.com (nu-engine oil consumption / tick and warranty-extension settlement), NHTSA 15V-871 (electronic stability control unintended braking (recall)), NHTSA 13V-115 (side curtain airbag headliner bracket displacement (recall)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding. ### How much do 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra repairs typically cost? Typical figures for the issues above: abs module internal brake-fluid leak / engine bay fire risk (recall), Free under recall; nu-engine oil consumption / tick and warranty-extension settlement, $0 (oil top-offs) to $3,000-$5,000 for an out-of-warranty short block; electronic stability control unintended braking (recall), Free under recall; side curtain airbag headliner bracket displacement (recall), Free under recall. ## Sources - [AMSOIL lookup, 2012 Elantra 1.8L oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2012/hyundai/elantra/1-8l-4-cyl-engine-code-e-7/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2014 Elantra 2.0L GDI oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2014/hyundai/elantra/2-0l-4-cyl-engine-code-h-1/) - [PR Newswire, 2014 Hyundai Elantra Coupe 2.0L GDI 'Nu' engine specs (173 hp)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2014-hyundai-elantra-coupe-ups-fun-factor-232754401.html) - [NHTSA recall 23V-651, ABS module internal leak / fire risk](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=elantra&modelYear=2013) - [NHTSA recall 15V-871, ESC unintended braking](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=elantra&modelYear=2012) - [NHTSA recall 13V-115, side curtain airbag bracket](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=elantra&modelYear=2012) - [Hyundai Nu Engine class-action settlement overview, BBB National Programs](https://bbbprograms.org/programs/dr/class-action/hyundai-nu) - [Hyundai Motor America press release, 2022 Engine II litigation settlement](https://www.hyundainews.com/releases/3657) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Elantra EPA ratings (all trims)](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2013_Hyundai_Elantra.shtml) - [Edmunds, 2013 Elantra specs (curb weight, fuel tank)](https://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/elantra/2013/features-specs/) - [Hyundai/Kia OEM oil filter 26300-35505 fitment listing](https://hyundai.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/hyundai-oil-filter-2630035505) - [wheel-size.com, Elantra MD/UD OE tire and wheel fitments](https://www.wheel-size.com/size/hyundai/elantra/2013/) ## Other Hyundai Elantra generations - [2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2021-2025/common-problems) - [2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2017-2020/common-problems) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/common-problems). ## More for the 2012-2016 Hyundai Elantra - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/service-schedule) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/hyundai/elantra/2012-2016/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.