2012 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 675 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 49 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 47 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electricalJul 2, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
Campaign 20V393000 on NHTSA.gov
Electronic stability control (ESC)Dec 23, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
Campaign 15V871000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Campaign 13V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
128 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Nov 20, 2018
ALL I DID WAS HIT A SPEED BUMP AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS REPORTING THE SAME.
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2018, crash
THE STREING WHEEL MAKING NOISE. SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. IT SOUND LIKE THIS WHEN DRIVING.
Air bags, Nov 6, 2018
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY BUT IS NOT DUE TO CLOCK SPRING ISSUES AS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT AND AN AIRBAG SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT WORK IS NOT A PART OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS EXPLICITLY HYUNDAI'S RESPONSIBILITY.
Air bags, Sep 26, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFE ISSUE. IT HAVE TO BE RECALL TO FIX.
Air bags, Sep 12, 2018
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RESET OR GET THE AIRBAG SENSOR TO TURN OFF. IT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, I WAS NOT IN A ACCIDENT. IT IS FAULTY. THE DEALER GAVE ME A REPAIR QUOTE THAT WAS RIDICULOUS - OVER $3000. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM (SEE ONLINE), THIS SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE I THOUGHT I WOULD SEND A MESSAGE.
Air bags, Jul 17, 2018
THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THE CLOCKSPRING FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND OFF WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. HYUNDAI CHARGED FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHICH REVEALED A "B1346 DRIVER AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH (1ST STAGE)" CODE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING UNDER WARRANTY. ON HYUNDAI'S OWN WEBSITE THEY DESCRIBE THE REASON FOR THE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY AS: "THE CLOCK SPRING IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WHICH ROTATES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE AIRBAG UNIT. HYUNDAI'S SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHEN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE INCREASES, WHICH CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO BY USAGE PATTERNS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS." AND IN REGARDS TO WARRANTY EXTENSION: "HYUNDAI IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY TO 15 YEARS, UNLIMITED MILEAGE, FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL DELIVERY OR DATE OF FIRST USE. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATIC; THERE IS NO ACTION NEEDED ON YOUR BEHALF." I WOULD LIKE HYUNDAI OF AMERICA TO REPLACE THE PART AS PROMISED, AS I CAN'T AFFORD TO DO MORE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES, AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, May 18, 2018, crash
EARLY SUNDAY MORNING, ON MARCH 23, 2013, JUST THREE DAYS BEFORE I AM TO HAVE AN ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY AND FUSION (WHICH IS THE RESULT OF A PREVIOUS AUTO ACCIDENT) A DRUNK DRIVER RUNS A RED LIGHT. T-BONING OUR 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE IMPACT CAUSES THE 2012 ELANTRA TO SPIN THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, COMING TO REST IN ITS ORIGINAL DIRECTION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STREET, JUST A FEW FEET SHY OF A LARGE TREE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
Air bags, May 18, 2018, crash
IN JUNE 2012 A TRUCK MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS T-BONED BY ME IN A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE TRUCK WAS HIT SO HARD IT ROCKED OVER ONTO ITS DRIVER SIDE WHEELS BEFORE COMING TO REST ON ALL FOUR. I LEARNED LATER THE IMPACT BROKE THE REAR AXLE. THAT SAID, MY FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Air bags, Seats, Apr 21, 2018
I BOUGHT USED CAR WITH AIR BAG LIGHTS ON. NO ACCIDENT ON THE CAR AND AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. I CHECKED WITTH MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CHECKED AND TOLD ME SENSOR ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS BAD AND NEED TO REPLACE SEAT
Air bags, Feb 14, 2018, crash
MY VEHICLE WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT ON 2/13/18, WAS HIT WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET WITH SUCH A FORCE THAT THE CAR WAS PUSHED ACROSS MEDIAN STRIP ONTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY?
Steering, Air bags, Jan 24, 2018
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD COME ON AND OFF AT FIRST, BUT NOW IT STAYS ON THE WHOLE TIME THE CAR IS ON. CAR SHAKES EXCESSIVELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IDLE.
Steering, Air bags, Nov 19, 2017, crash
ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. SWITCHED LANES SUCCESSFULLY, BUT COULD NOT STRAIGHT THE STEERING BACK STRAIGHT, CAUSING CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER! AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER BOUNCING BACK OFF OF THE CONCRETE BARRIER.
Air bags, Nov 8, 2017
IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE TO NOT COVER SAFETY CONCERNS AS IT IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH HYUNDAI'S MANUFACTURING.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Engine, Oct 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HENDERSON HYUNDAI, 46 N BOULDER HWY, HENDERSON, NC 89015) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS CLOGGED AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Air bags, Sep 25, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. LOOKED ONLINE AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 25, 2017
AIRBAG LIGHT AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I TURNED ON MY CAR. IT DOES GO OFF AFTER DRIVING A FEW MINUTES, BUT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON
Air bags, Jun 4, 2017
IN MY ELANTRA 2012 THE LIGHT OF THE AIRBAG IS ON, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT SUFFERED ACCIDENTS OR STRONG BLOWS, AND HAS FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER (FOLLOWING THE MANUAL), (95K MILES). THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT MAY COME ON BECAUSE SOME OF THE SENSORS ARE DAMAGED; THE COST OF THE REPAIR CAN RANGE FROM $ 250 UP TO $ 3000. WITH THIS LIGHT ON, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. HYUNDAI HAS A GOOD REPUTATION, AND SAFETY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE VAST MAJORITY OF ELANTRA OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. (GOOGLING). THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS A RECALL.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 29, 2017
THE CLOCK SPRING HAS WORN AFTER ROUGHLY 55K MILES AND JUST BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER REPLACEMENT IS $300 AND AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT REPAIR. THIS BEGAN AFTER GOING OVER ROUGH BRICK PAVERS AND THE LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY ON, PROBABLY ABOUT 80-90% OF THE TIME. AS I UNDERSTAND IT THE VERACRUZ AND SANTA FE MODELS HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE A FEW YEAR PRIOR (11-01-052) AND ONLINE SEARCHES SHOW THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH (AT LEAST) EARLY PRODUCTION ELANTAS. WHILE OWNER DIY REPLACEMENT IS POSSIBLE, IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO SRS SYSTEM IMPORTANCE AS WELL AS LACK OF ABILITY TO RECALIBRATE SOFTWARE.
Air bags, May 24, 2017
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. CLAY COOLEY HYUNDAI DEALER IN ROCKWALL, TEXAS DIAGNOSIS WAS THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDING REPLACEMENT. HYUNDAI TOLD ME "NO DEALER IN THE COUNTRY HAS THIS PART RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER MUST MAKE NEW PARTS THAT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE 2017." I WAS SENT AWAY AND TOLD THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. MEANWHILE, MY AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVATED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH
Air bags, Mar 23, 2017
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH REMAINED ON AFTER START, WENT OUT FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS THEN HAS REMAINED ON. IS REMAINING ON AFTER MULTIPLE RESTARTS.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 15, 2017
I HAD MY CAR FOR A YEAR AND 3MONTHS AND HAVEN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM TILL NOW I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I HIT A SMALL BUMP AND I'VE HIT BIGGER BUMPS AND NEVER EVER HAVE MY AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON, OR BREAK LIGHT MAY GO OUT IF I HIT A BUMP THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP AND IT SHOULDN'T BE A FEE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE
Air bags, Jan 24, 2017
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CLOCKSPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES AFFECTED, NOT JUST MINE. MY FRIEND WITH A 2011 SONATA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WON'T DO A RECALL...
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 20, 2017
ALL OF THE ISSUES I AM HAVING APPEAR TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE COMPONENTS OF/ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO MY STEERING WHEEL. THE RED AIRBAG "ERROR" LIGHT CAME ON (INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST) ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX 64K MILES ON IT. OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING (ANOTHER POTENTIALLY LARGE SAFETY ISSUE), AND THE BUTTONS THAT CONTROL THE UPWARD VOLUME AND RADIO STATION BROWSING HAVE BEEN WAVERING BETWEEN WORKING SOMETIMES AND NOT WORKING AT ALL. I DID SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE AIRBAG AND HORN PROBLEMS, AND THERE WERE MANY STORIES FROM OTHER OWNERS OF HYUNDAI ELANTRAS OF VARIOUS YEARS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. IN ADDITION, THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH DEALERS SOUNDED VERY MUCH LIKE MINE IN THAT THEY (THE DEALER(S)) WANT TO CHARGE A SUM OF MONEY TO FIRST INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEN CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR(S). BECAUSE THE AIRBAG AND HORN PROBLEMS ARE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS, I FELT THE NEED TO REPORT THESE CONCERNS. I AM ATTACHING A PICTURE THAT I TOOK WITH MY CELL PHONE ON 8/17/16 FOR REFERENCE. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Dec 20, 2016
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LIMITED. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED RANDOMLY AT FIRST THEN REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. OVER TIME, FUNCTIONALITY OF ALL STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CONTROLS FOR CRUISE CONTROL, TRIP COMPUTER, BLUETOOTH, AUDIO SYSTEM, AND HORN WERE LOST. I DISASSEMBLED THE STEERING COLUMN TO ACCESS AND REMOVE THE AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING. I TESTED THE CONNECTIONS FOR CONTINUITY WITH A HANDHELD METER AND FOUND NONE ON ANY TERMINAL. THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED.
Air bags, Dec 12, 2016
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE CLOCK SPRING. TOTAL COST $429.75. *TR