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, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 9, 2012
CAR LURCHED, ENGINE SHUT OFF. CAR BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP. EVENTUALLY MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WHERE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO PLACE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL BUT CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. OCCURRED AGAIN 800 MILES LATER AFTER "REPAIR" BOTH INCIDENTS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2012
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUT OF COMPLETELY. ELECTRICAL, ENGINE, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND SHUTDOWN. I WAS FORCED TO MANUALLY FORCE THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM TRAFFIC/INTO SAFETY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 2 WEEKS! THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAD REPLACED THE PCM/ECM. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THIS IS COMPLETELY INEXCUSABLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2012
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED (AS IF I HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD) COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. DASH, RADIO, NAVIGATION, POWER STEERING WENT DEAD. A FEW SECONDS LATER POWER CAME BACK WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL ROLLING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART BY DEPRESSING BRAKE AND "START/STOP" BUTTON. A FEW MINUTES LATER WHILE TRAVELING AT LOWER SPEED, THE EVENT REPEATED. THIS TIME POWER WOULD NOT RETURN. CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO EMERGENCY SHOULDER. CAR WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL SO EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED TO PREVENT ROLL BACK. POWER GONE, UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS, ACTIVATE SUNROOF, RADIO OR ANYTHING REQUIRING POWER. WHILE CALL WAS BEING MADE TO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND AFTER 10 MINUTE WAIT ON HOLD, DASH ILLUMINATED POWER AND CAR WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED WITH START/STOP BUTTON. DECISION WAS MADE TO LEAVE INTERSTATE AND TAKE BACK ROADS TO AVOID FATALITY IN EVENT OF REPEAT. FAILURE EXPERIENCE 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES. WAS ABLE TO VIDEO TAPE FAILURE: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XN9BPQ9FOGM&LIST=FLE9MKXPPKTQATS9TX4ZU9FQ&FEATURE=MH_LOLZ *TT
Electrical system, Visibility, Jan 14, 2012
THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 IS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND REAR SEAT WARMERS. THE SWITCH FOR THE FRONT SEATS RESETS TO OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE SWITCH FOR THE REAR SEATS, HOWEVER, REMAINS IN THE ON POSITION. THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON, THE REAR SEAT WARMERS WILL BE ACTIVATED AGAIN UNTIL THEY ARE MANUALLY DEACTIVATED. A CAVEAT IN THE HYUNDAI MANUAL STATES: "WITH THE SEAT WARMER SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION, THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE SEAT TURNS OFF AND ON AUTOMATICALLY DEPENDING ON THE SEAT TEMPERATURE." THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS TO PREVENT INJURY TO SOMEONE USING THE SEAT. MY CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL HAZARD THE REAR SEAT WARMERS POSE WHEN THEY ARE NOT BEING USED BY A PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE THEY ARE ACTIVATED. ON COLD WINTER DAYS THE REAR SEAT WARMERS COULD BE HEATING AT MAXIMUM WATTAGE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON, UNBEKNOWNST TO THE DRIVER. WITH THIS BEING A SEATING AREA OFTEN USED BY CHILDREN, I BELIEVE THERE IS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT THESE SWITCHES COULD BE LEFT IN THE ON POSITION FREQUENTLY AND FOR LENGTHY PERIODS OF TIME. THIS POSES BOTH A HEALTH RISK, AS WELL AS, UNDUE WEAR ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND REAR SEAT COMPONENTS. *TR