A fault code doesn’t yet mean the unit or sensor itself is faulty: often it’s the plug and connector leading to it.
Possible causes
- The sensor connector: corrosion, water in the cabin
- The sensor itself
- The ESC unit software (updated under a recall on the Elantra 2011–2012)
What you can do yourself
- ESP and traction control, and sometimes ABS, may not work. The brakes still work, but without electronic help — on slippery roads brake smoothly and don’t accelerate hard.
- The sensor usually sits in the middle of the car — under the center console or a seat: check its connector, especially if water got into the cabin or the console was removed.
- The sensor must be mounted level and tight: if it was removed or is loose, ESP intervenes at the wrong moments.
- The Elantra 2011–2012 had a recall: ESC could apply the brakes by itself — the yaw rate sensor was checked or replaced and the ESC software updated. Ask a dealer by VIN whether it was done.
Stop and don’t drive on if:
- The red brake light is on, or the brake pedal feels soft or sinks
- The steering became very heavy, or the car pulls to one side when braking
OOleg’s tip: check the connector
Often the cause is simple — there is no contact in the connector (plug). Look at the connector from the back: remove the rubber seal and you will see whether a wire is corroded or has come off completely. Corrosion shows up as green deposits. Ideally, gently pull each wire towards you one at a time: a sound wire stays in place, while a corroded one simply comes off — it needs to be repaired.
Unplug and inspect connectors with the ignition off.
ESC is the Hyundai and Kia stability control system (the same as ESP). This is the Hyundai and Kia meaning. On other makes this number means something else: if your car isn’t a Hyundai or Kia, change the make at the top.
Source: Hyundai Recall 137 / NHTSA 15V-871 (Elantra 2011–2012), static.nhtsa.gov
The explanation comes from the error code reference in the AvtoElektrik PRO app.