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: electronic stability control (esc)
44 reports, newest first. Show all
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND MADE A LOUD NOISE EACH TIME IT DROVE OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,828.
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 25, 2016
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 - SAME SITUATION 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA - ENGINE BREAKS AUTOMATICALLY WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. CAR SEEMS TO BREAK (SLOW DOWN) IN BURSTS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE EVEN ON ROADS WITH SPEEDS UNDER 40MPH. HAS BEEN A INTERMITTENT ISSUE SINCE JANUARY. DEALER AGREES IT IS AN EBS/ YAW SYSTEM PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT WITH THE RECALL OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE PROBLEM MAY BE BIGGER THAN THE ORIGINAL SCOPE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 11, 2016
RE: NHTSA 15V871000 BASED ON THE HYUNDAI SAFETY RECALL, I WENT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND STILL HAVE A GLOWING ESC DASH LIGHT AND AN UNRESOLVED SAFETY PROBLEM. EACH DID A FREE "CALIBRATION" OF A "STEERING" SENSOR AND TOLD ME A "YAW" SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE FOR OVER $1200. THE NHTSA REMEDY SAID "DEALERS WILL VERIFY THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE ESC SENSORS .... FREE OF CHARGE". PLEASE NOTE "SENSORS" IS PLURAL. SURELY IT WAS NOT THE NHTSA'S INTENTION TO HAVE HYUNDAI OPERATE A "BAIT AND SWITCH" BY DOING A FREE "CALIBRATION" ON ONE SENSOR AND CHARGING OVER $1200 TO REPLACE THE OTHER. MY FAMILY AND I ARE NOW DRIVING A CAR WITH A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN TO THE NHTSA AND HYUNDAI BUT IS APPARENTLY NOT COVERED BY A SAFETY RECALL - BASED ON HYUNDAI'S INTERPRETATION OF THE EXISTING RECALL! YOUR HELP IS NEEDED - THANK YOU. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 7, 2016, crash
THE ESC SYSTEM DID NOT HELP PREVENT AND MAY HAVE EVEN CAUSED MY CAR ACCIDENT. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A RECALL ON MY YAW-RATE SENSOR, WHICH IS THE KEY COMPONENT TO THE ESC SYSTEM...UPDATED 05-19-16 *BF ON MARCH 2, 2016, HYUNDAI NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE REFUSED THE CONSUMERS REQUEST TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED IN ITS POST ACCIDENT CONDITION. ON MARCH 26, 2016, SOUTHERN STATES HYUNDAI OF RALEIGH REPLACED THE YAW-RATE SENSOR AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. HYUNDAI SENT A LETTER TO THE CONSUMER, STATING THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THE YAW-RATE SENSOR CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED 06/13/16.*JB *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,500.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,389.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 20, 2016
TAKATA INFLATORS FIRST DAY I GOT THE CAR, I WAS DRIVING SLOW DUE TO POOR CONDITIONS (SNOW) WHEN I TRIED TO STOP BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE CAR PULLED OFF TO ONE SIDE. I CAME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO SMASHING INTO A SNOW BANK. I ASSUMED THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE I APPLY THE BREAKS, HEAR THE GRINDING NOISE AAND LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. IM VERY LUCKY AND SURPRISED I HAVENT GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. ITS EXTREMELY SCARY AND I ABSOLUTELY HATE DRIVING THE CAR IN FEAR OF THIS HAPPENING AND CAUSING A CRASH.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 18, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND ARMS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL), BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,200.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 25, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN NORMAL NON SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS, MY VEHICLES ESC LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK. UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WITHOUT MY FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, MY VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 55MPH TO 20MPH. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CEASED TO ROTATE AND TORQUE WAS LOST TO THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN AND I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ESC SYSTEM AND DROVE HOME. THAT EVENING I RECEIVED THE NOTICE RECALL FOR EXACTLY THE ISSUE I HAD ENCOUNTERED. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TWO DAYS LATER TO SANSONE HYUNDAI WHERE THEY AGREED AFTER READING THE CAR'S COMPUTER THAT THE ESC ISSUE HAD INDEED OCCURRED. THE TECHNICIAN THEN EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY "RESET THE COMPUTER AND THIS PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN". HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THERE IS NO CURRENT SOLUTION, AND I HAVE TO BE PATIENT. I APPRECIATE THE FACT A SOLUTION HAS NOT YET BEEN FOUND BUT, I AM NOW FEARFUL TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I WAS UNBELIEVABLE LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO DRIVER'S BEHIND ME AND THAT I WAS NEAR THE SHOULDER WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED. IF THOSE LUCKY CONDITIONS HAD NOT BEEN PRESENT I COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH A LOANER VEHICLE IN THE MEANTIME. I PURCHASED MY HYUNDAI BECAUSE I FELT THEY WERE SAFE, RELIABLE CARS WITH GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. MY CAR ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE THAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL WHICH ITSELF STATES THAT, "INAPPROPRIATE BRAKE APPLICATION TO ONE OR MORE WHEELS AND/OR REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH". KNOWING THIS, HYUNDAI HAS SENT ME ON WAY IN A VEHICLE WHICH CAN "INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH". I NOW HAVE TO WAIT AND BE GENUINELY SCARED OF THE VEHICLE WHICH I RELY ON. I HAVE PATIENCE TO WAIT FOR A SOLUTION, BUT I NEED A SOLUTION FROM HYUNDAI NOW. NOT WHEN SOMEONE IS ABLE TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE IN THE VEHICLE.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 23, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO SOME BRANCHES. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY IN THE BRANCHES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 22, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE AND CHEST INJURIES, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 30, 2015
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DRY SOLID ROAD WITH NO OBSTRUCTIONS OR POTHOLES. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR ACTED LIKE IT TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS, HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AND THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT WOULD NOT GO FASTER WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND FELT LIKE I LOST SOME FUNCTION CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS DONE THIS BEFORE BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. THEN THE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ALL WITH IN 2 SECONDS. WHEN I REALIZED THAT IT WAS NOT CHANGING, I TURNED THE ESC OFF AND IT WENT BACK TO DRIVING NORMALLY ALMOST INSTANTLY. ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD I FIGURED I WOULD TRY TO TURN IT BACK ON BECAUSE I REMEMBER BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP TO LEAVE IT ON. A FEW SECONDS PASSED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WHEELS LOCKED UP AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS MY CAR STARTED TO TURN SIDEWAYS. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE ESC BUTTON AND IT CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, HOWEVER, IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO READJUST AFTER HAVING THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. I HAVE AN EMAIL WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME ISSUE (SOME HAVE HAD ACTUAL ACCIDENTS) THAT I CAN SEND YOU. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL DONE ON THIS BEFORE THIS KILLS SOMEONE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 26, 2014
WHEN RIDING THE VEHICLE AT 60 -70 MPH, AND HITTING A NORMAL BUMP/HOLE IN THE ROAD, THE STABILITY CONTROL MAKES VERY AGGRESSIVE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AND MAKE YOU FEEL YOU ARE LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR. DURING WINTER/SNOWY ROADS THERE IS WEAK STABILITY IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. THIS IS REALLY SCARY!. PLEASE HELP US IDENTIFY WHAT IS THE ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THANKS *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 29, 2014
I WAS DRIVING IN DRY WEATHER AND ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE ESC LIGHT BEGIN TO BLINK FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THIS OCCURRED, AND THEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES LOCKED UP. LUCKILY, I WAS ENTERING ONTO A ON RAMP AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED TO A STOP ONTO THE SHOULDER. IF THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A NEARBY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR REVIEW OF THE ISSUE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 7, 2013
HAVE HAD 3 INSTANCES DURING WARM/HOT WEATHER THAT THE ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON (BLINKING) DURING NORMAL CITY DRIVING (AFTER A LITTLE FREEWAY DRIVING & USING THE AC) & THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE IS IMPAIRED DUE TO THE ESC (NO PWR OR INADVERTENT BRAKING W/O DRIVER BRAKING). ONLY WAY TO BYPASS THIS IS BY USING THE ESC OFF BUTTON. IT APPEARS TO GO AWAY AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF & COOLED DOWN. GUESSING THAT THIS IS SOME KIND OF HEAT RELATED PROBLEM (MAYBE A SHORT) WHICH CAUSES THE ESC TO IMPROPERLY KICK IN. *TR