2012 hyundai elantra makes a whining noise when it first starts

90

Asked by Luke Jan 20, 2012 at 08:59 AM about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

my 2012 hyundai elantra makes a whining noise when it first starts.  It is not a high pitch like a belt.  It is a lower pitch.  Any ideas on what this might be?

18 Answers

310

Is this your sound? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNzbq9faLnc&feature=related Please listen to the first six seconds, I am having this problem.

27 people found this helpful.
90

yes, this noise is similar to mine. Took mine to a hyundai dealership and they said this noise was normal.

6 people found this helpful.
100

Mine does the same thing. Dealership also said it was normal. It didn't do that until two @ half months owning the car. Weird.???...

10 people found this helpful.
310

My car makes this noise since the first cold start up at home (with 30 miles aprox). I think this noise can not be normal. If you got this fixed, please post your solution.

4 people found this helpful.
7,600

this may or may not be what is going on with your car. i cant really make out the noise in the video as well as id like. i am a hyundai tech and have seen several of the elantra vehicle coming in with a rattle or tinny squeak noise on cold start ups. i have found them to be a center exhaust pipe that has seperated internally. hyndai has recently issued a technical servie bulletin to aid in diagnosing this noise.

8 people found this helpful.
90

James, my car has recently been making the rattle noise as well. Should I contact my hyundai dealership to follow-up on the technical service bulletin?. Thanks.

3 people found this helpful.
7,600

ther is no drivability concern with this just the nuisance of the noise so it really depends on how bad its bothering you how quickly you need to get back into the dealership. but i would definitely follow up with them on our next visit

4 people found this helpful.
50

I have same issue, sounds exactly like noise in video. Been to dealer over a total of 15 days (in and out). They've replaced starter and main accessory belt, but still making noise after cold startup :-/. Anyone have any updates whether James' post worked?

5 people found this helpful.
30

Mine makes the same noise as the one in the you tube video! The dealership made me feel like an idiot! So glad I'm not the only one! i have a 2013 sedan and its been making that noise and then not making the noise so its kind of confusing me. Its back to making that noise again. Two people replied the the you tube video saying what their problem was and each was different.. hmmm

3 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2013 Elantra that makes a high pitched cyclical noise between 35 and 50 mph (bought from Hertz w/18,000 miles). I took it to the Hyundai and they put in a new transmission. It still makes the noise. So guess it is back to the dealership or Hertz. Any ideas?

1 people found this helpful.
10

James, do you know anything about why the elantra may be getting crappy gas mileage, like 27 mpg highway? The dealer thinks I am nuts, and it is not giving any codes when they hook it up to diagnostic. But I have read several online complaints about the mileage. It used to get like 34-35. It is a 2012 with 42,000

1 people found this helpful.
20

Hi all, I am Hyundai Elantra 1.8 owner from Malaysia.... Many of us from Malaysia also having this problem and Hyundai always said "This is Normal"... WHY?

2 people found this helpful.
30

James... I have a 2013 Elantra, and I've had mine in the dealership multiple times as well. From horn when you lock from key fob, to back seat arm rest pulling apart at the seem, to the same squealing noise when I start it, to something ratteling under car when it wet out, to now my exhaust sounding like its leaking, and it making a popping noise out of the exhaust when you turn it off. The dealership makes me feel stupid every time I go in there, because they say its all normal!!! I truly don't think this is normal. What should I do?

3 people found this helpful.
40

the noise in the video is on 11 and 12 elantras, the fix is installing a 2013 timing cover

4 people found this helpful.

gizz07 I have a 2013 Elantra with the same noise. But it doesn't happen on every start.

295

My findings were to be the transmission oil pump cavitation as it fills the torque converter after it sets for awhile and drains back to the pan. Fix is a check valve to prevent the converter from draining statically. Or just live with it. All dealers claim its normal. Mine has been doing it since new and still does at 50K. My daughter has a 2014. It too does it since new.

5 people found this helpful.
10

yup, my elantra too. it's at 2009 and it started making it a few months after I got it. Hyundai said it's normal and nothing can be done. other garages can't seem to find the issue either, seem to be a whinning noise, mine also has a ticking until the car warms up. seems to be worse the colder it is outside. I know a few people with Hyundai's with the same problem. one of my friends got rid of his because it was driving him nuts and they couldn't find the problem. Seems to be common with these cars.

1 people found this helpful.

I have 2015 elantra makes same noise, after new engine replace too! Dealer says he cant hear anything, also have coil issues, car runs like crap, dealer knows nothing, Hyundaia are crap dealers know nothing!!!

Your Answer:

Elantra

Looking for a Used Elantra in your area?

CarGurus has 24,776 nationwide Elantra listings starting at $1,350.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2012 Hyundai Elantra

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    G. Jacob Durbin
    Reputation
    3,550
  • #2
    Taku Zhou
    Reputation
    2,940
  • #3
    Pirdman
    Reputation
    2,870
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Hyundai Sonata
810 Great Deals out of 16,837 listings starting at $611
Used Honda Civic
1,196 Great Deals out of 32,466 listings starting at $1,495
Used Toyota Corolla
1,560 Great Deals out of 24,175 listings starting at $995
Used Toyota Camry
1,986 Great Deals out of 40,108 listings starting at $1,550
Used Honda Accord
1,365 Great Deals out of 29,244 listings starting at $1,075
Used Kia Forte
654 Great Deals out of 21,139 listings starting at $2,932
Used Nissan Sentra
852 Great Deals out of 40,169 listings starting at $602
Used Hyundai Accent
169 Great Deals out of 2,424 listings starting at $2,600
Used Nissan Altima
1,221 Great Deals out of 36,154 listings starting at $900
Used Hyundai Elantra GT
59 Great Deals out of 718 listings starting at $4,000
Used Mazda MAZDA3
442 Great Deals out of 11,967 listings starting at $1,495
Used Hyundai Tucson
865 Great Deals out of 26,678 listings starting at $825

Used Cars For Sale

2024 Hyundai Elantra Limited FWD For Sale
1,122 listings starting at $24,240
2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited FWD For Sale
8 Great Deals out of 239 listings starting at $20,987
2022 Hyundai Elantra Limited FWD For Sale
7 Great Deals out of 62 listings starting at $18,700
2021 Hyundai Elantra Limited FWD For Sale
13 Great Deals out of 133 listings starting at $15,987
2020 Hyundai Elantra Limited FWD For Sale
10 Great Deals out of 151 listings starting at $10,200

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.