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: electrical system
129 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 3, 2017
SOLD A LEMON LAW BUYBACK CAR WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND I WAS TO SIGN A DOCUMENT STATING THAT I NEW THAT I WAS PURCHASING A LEMON LAW BUYBACK CAR. I DID NOT FIND OUT UNTIL I WENT TO GET THE PLATES FOR MY CAR AND THEY SHOWED ME THE TITLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND BASICALLY MY LOSS THEIR GAIN. MAY 2015 HAD TO REPLACE HOSE AND HAVE A/C RECHARGED COSTING ALMOST $300 JULY 2015 HAD TO HAVE BOTH FROM WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ALONG WITH TIRES COSTING ME $800 JUNE 2016 HAD TO HAVE END LINKS ON SWAY BAR AND CV JOINT AND SHAFT REPLACED. THIS WAS UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY STILL IN PLACE ON THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. WHEN TESTED SAID IT WAS AN O2 SENSOR. THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK STICKS. SO I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK IT FOR MY KEY FOB TO LOCK ALL OF THE DOORS. TODAY WAS JUST TOLD I NEED WHEEL BEARINGS AND TIRES ON THE FRONT END. I BELIEVE THIS CAR HAS TOO MANY ISSUES BEING A NEWER CAR. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH THIS MANY ISSUES. ESPECIALLY A NEWER CAR. I CANNOT GET OUT OF THE LOAN BECAUSE IT IS A LEMON LAW BUYBACK AND THE RESALE ON IT IS HORRIBLE. I CANNOT AFFORD THE UPKEEP ON THE PROBLEMS IT KEEPS HAVING. SOMETHING IS WRONG THIS CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ENGAGED, THE OPPOSITE SIGNAL WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AFTER THE TURN WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 22, 2016
RANDOM NO START. PUSH BUTTON START WILL JUST MAKE ONE CLICK SOUND AND NOT START (THIS IS NOT A LOW BATTERY CLICKING SOUND). AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE WILL START. ONE TIME IT TOOK OVER 10 MINUTES OF PUSHING THE START BUTTON ON AND OFF TO FINALLY GET IT TO START. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT RANDOM TIMES. IT WILL START FINE FOR MONTHS AND THEN JUST RANDOMLY NOT START. IT HAPPENED IN THE PAST AN JUST STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK AGO.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 14, 2016, crash
ON NOVEMBER 8TH, 2016, SAINT PAUL, MN, MY CAR WOULD NOT START UP. NO WARNING SIGNALS CAME ON AND JUST MADE A "CLICKING" NOISE". I CALLED HYUNDAI'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHEN THEY ARRIVED HE TOLD ME TO TRY TO START IT UP. THE CAR THEN CAME ON WHICH WAS APPROX. A 45 MINUTE WAIT. IN OCTOBER 2015- EAGAN, MN, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I FELT DIZZY, NAUSEOUS AND HAD A PANIC ATTACK. I TRIED PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE STEPPING ON BREAKS, THE CAR KEPT PULLING TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE GRASS THAT WAS SURROUNDED WITH GRAVEL. I ENDED UP HITTING AND STOPPING AT A GUARDRAIL. THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS BLOWN AND ALONG THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOOR WAS SCRATCHED, THERE WAS ALSO SOME FRONT END DAMAGE WHICH GOT REPAIRED. IN APPROX. MARCH 2015- WEST SAINT PAUL, I JUST GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER. I STARTED IT UP, PRESSED ON THE GAS AND ENDED UP REAR ENDED THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. IN 2014, MAPLEWOOD, MN,I WAS AT A RESTAURANT'S DRIVE-THRU AND MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STEERING FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES. I CALLED HYUNDAI'S ROADSIDE'S ASSISTANCE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. IN 2014, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I CALLED HYUNDAI'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO REPORT THE INCIDENCE. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR STARTED UP AND NO LONGER NEEDED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE'S TOWING SERVICE.
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2016
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO START IT. ACCORDING WITH NUMEROUS REVIEWS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE INHIBITOR SWITCH (RANGE SWITCH).
Electrical system, Aug 1, 2016
MY ELANTRA LIMITED 2012 UNLOCK MY DOORS OR START THE CAR UNLESS I PUT THE KEY UP TO THE START BUTTON. I DON'T HAVEAN IGNITION MY CAR ONLY STARTS WITH A PUSH BUTTON,BOTH KEY FABS WON'T WORK, I'VE RESEARCHED AND ALOT IF CUSTOMER HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES SOMEONE MENTIONED THE HAD RANGE SHAFT OR SOMETHING REPLACE AND IT WORKS BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM
Electrical system, Jun 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ISSUES STARTING SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, ALMOST ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL EXCEPT THE PARKING INDICATOR. IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Electrical system, Apr 15, 2016
THE ODOMETER IS COMPLETELY UNREADABLE. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS STRANGE, THE ONLY TIME I CAN SEE IT COMPLETELY CLEAR IS IN COLD FALL WEATHER IN THE EARLY MORNING. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR QUITE A WHILE. IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER LIGHTING THAT WOULD FIX IT. THIS IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MANY MILES WE HAVE ON IT UNTIL THE WEATHER IS RIGHT FOR VIEWING. I KNOW I HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE ON FORUMS BEFORE. IT SHOULD BE A RECALLED PART.
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2016
CRANKS BUT DOES NOT START. BATTERY IS FINE, CAR ONLY HAS 28000 MILES ON IT.
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2016
BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL FIRST RIGHT SIDE REAR THEN ALL FAILED INCLUDING THE THIRD LIGHT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2016
MY CAR ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ME PRESSING ON THE GAS RANDOMLY. SOME DAYS IT DRIVES NORMALLY AND OTHER DAYS I CAN FEEL THE CAR ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. IT WAS SO BAD 2 DAYS AGO THAT WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A RED LIGHT. I HAD BY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WAS REVVING TO 5000 RPMS. I TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI WHO COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM BUT CHARGED ME $250 TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY.
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2016
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA RANDOMLY WILL NOT START. WE REPLACED THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH AND ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AFFECTED BY WEATHER. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT SINCE IT STARTS WHEN IT IS THERE, THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I WOULD SAY IN THE YEAR AND A HALF THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR IT HAS STRANDED ME 4 TIMES AND NOT ON THE FIRST TURN OVER ANOTHER 15. I USUALLY TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND TRY AGAIN. AFTER A COUPLE TRIES IT USUALLY STARTS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 19, 2016
CAR WON'T START. AT FIRST, WE THOUGHT IT'S THE BATTERY SO WE GOT OUR BATTERY JUMP STARTER. BUT IT WASN'T THE CASE. LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL WORKS BUT THE CAR STARTER WON'T TURN OVER. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WENT TO DEALER TO CHECK IT AND THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. DEALER'S MECHANICS STILL HASN'T SEEN IT YET THAT DAY. THERE MIGHT BE SOME LOOSE WIRING OR INHIBITOR SWITCH PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 18, 2016
MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH STARTING. THE PROBLEM ISN'T ALL THE TIME. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE TRIGGER IS, BUT ONE OR TWICE A WEEK, IT WON'T START. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT IT'S NOT. I CHANGED IT AND STILL GIVING ME ISSUES. I READ ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IT MIGHT BE THE RANGE SWITCH BECAUSE PEOPLE THAT HAS THIS ISSUE HAD THEIR RANGE SWITCH REPLACED AND NO MORE ISSUE. BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE RANGE SWITCH, THEY RECOMMENDED TO PUT IN "N" POSITION BEFORE START, WHICH I DID AND IT WORKED FOR A WHILE. NOW, I HAVE TO PUT THE E-BRAKES ON BEFORE IT CRANKS. THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, I HAVE ISSUES WITH LOCKING MY CAR. NEITHER THE ELECTRONIC PUSH BUTTON ON THE DOOR NOR REMOTE WORKS. I HAD TO MANUAL LOCK IT WITH THE KEY. BUT THIS ISSUE ISN'T ALL THE TIME EITHER. IT ONLY HAPPENED 6 TIMES SO FAR.
Electrical system, Jan 10, 2016
CAR JUST WOULD NOT START 2 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS WITH NO WARNINGS. I GOT IT JUMPED BOTH TIMES, AND IT WAS OK. I HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER CHECKED AND THEY WERE ALL OK. I WENT ON A FORUM ABOUT IT AND MANY PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. MANY PEOPLE WERE SAYING IT WAS THE RANGE SWITCH THAT NEEDS REPLACED. PLEASE RECALL THIS. THANK YOU! *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2015
CAR IS PARKED AND WHEN TRYING TO TURN ON IT WON'T START. HAPPENED FOUR TIMES THIS WEEK AND TODAY IT HAD A BAD/BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. LOOKS LIKE A FUSE WENT OUT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2015
CAR WAS PARKED AND WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT ON IT WON'T START AND GIVES ME ERROR "BATTERY DISCHARGE" IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES THIS WEEK. TODAY CAR HAD A BAD/BURNED ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE.
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2015
INTERMITTENT START FAILURES. CAR FAILS TO START SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT CHECKED OK. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER. THE SHIFTER SEEMS TO THINK THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK, BUT IS IS. SWITCHING IT BACK AND FORTH OUT OF PARK SOMETIMES WORKS, BUT NOT ALWAYS. VERY FRUSTRATING. UNRELIABLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY "CORRECTED A GROUNDING ANOMALY". FAILED TO START AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. ONLINE REPORTS HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN SEEING HOW WIDESPREAD THIS PROBLEM IS. IF HYUNDAI DOESN'T RECALL THIS PROBLEM, THEIR RISING REPUTATION WILL BE DASHED. I WISH I HAD NOT BOUGHT THIS CAR.
Electrical system, Nov 9, 2015
I PARKED MY CAR AT HOME AND SHUT IT OFF. I IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE CAR'S POSITION, AND FOUND THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, BUT NOT THE ENGINE. 3 DASH LIGHTS--ENGINE, BATTERY, AND I DON'T REMEMBER THE THIRD ONE--REMAINED LIT. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (10/19), AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER.
Electrical system, Oct 13, 2015
DOES NOT START ALL THE TIME.THE PANEL LIGHTS COME ON WHEN YOU TURN THE IGNITION ON BUT IT WILL NOT START ALL THE TIME.AFTER 5TO 20 MINUTES AND MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER IT MAY START.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 4, 2015
FAILURE TO START; CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK AND IT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING, EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK. CAR CANNOT BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK OR PUT BACK IN SOMETIMES AFTER IT IS STARTED AND IDLING. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, VERY FRUSTRATING. HAVE BYPASSED THE SITUATION BY TAKING THE SAMLL CLIP FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE OFF, THEN DEPRESSING TRANSMISSION ENGAGER AND MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THEN BACK INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN START. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN FOR THIS VERY SAME SITUATION, I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL HYUNDAI?
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 1, 2015
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN PUSHING THE PUSH START. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING THIS IS NOT SAFE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, MY SAFETY COULD BE IN JEOPARDY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2015
WHILE THE VEHINCLE BEING IN PARK AND TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE IT DID NOT START. IT DOES SOME CLICKING AND AFTER TURNING ON AND OFF THE KEY THE VEHICLE STARTS. IT HAS AGGRAVATED MORE OVER THE COURSE OF THESE PAST TWO WEEKS AND ITS DOING IT ALMOST EVERY OTHER TIME I TRY TO START THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THE BATTERY AND ALSO TAKEN IT TO AUTOZONE AND CONFIRMED THE BATTERY IS OK BUT THE VECHILE STILL DOES NOT START. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS COMING 9/21/15 FOR THE DEALER TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT BUT REVIEWING ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A COMMON TREND OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. HAVE NOT SEEN THE EXPERIENCE OF THE VEHILCE STALLING ON ME DURING THE HIGHWAY BUT BECAUSE OF THE DAILY TRAFFIC I TAKE TO COMMUTE HOME-WORK I JUST HOPE I DONT GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE MY SAFETY GETS COMPROMISED. DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS NEED TO OCCURR BEFORE HYUNDAI DOES SOMETHING TO SOLVE THE ISSUE AND REALLY PREVENT A MAJOR SAFETY ONE.
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2015
I TURN THE KEY AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURN ON. THE RADIO TURNS ON ALSO. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE DOESN'T START. THERE IS NO NOISE WHERE YOU SHOULD HEAR THE STARTER. JUST SILENCE.