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: steering
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Oct 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS CLICKING WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING TO VEER FROM CENTER WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WENT OVER BUMPS IN THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER OFF INTO THE OTHER LANE. THE CONTACT CALLED TAMERON HONDA (1675 MONTGOMERY HWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35216, (205) 236-5414) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Steering, Aug 6, 2020
WHEN COMING TO A STOP A PULSATING MOTION, SIMILAR TO A WARPED BRAKE ROTOR, WAS FELT. THE STEERING FLEX COUPLER PARTIALLY DISINTEGRATED CAUSING APPROX. 1/4 TURN SLACK IN STEERING WHEEL. COUPLER WAS REPLACED ON 8/5/2020. I DID NOT SUFFER ANY DAMAGE,BUT I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT THIS DESIGN IS FAR MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE TOYOTA AIR BAG DESIGN.
Steering, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 29, 2020
SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH ZERO MILES IT WOULD RANDOMLY CUT OFF AND IT WOULD DO THAT EVEN WHEN IN DRIVE LIKE IT WASNT GETTING GAS. IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER THEN AFTER 20-30 MIN IT WOULD START RIGHT BACK UP AND THIS STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND HAS DONE THAT EVER SINCE. I ALSO HAD THE O2 CENSOR REPLACED AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE AWFUL THE SUSPENSION IS EVEN WORSE THEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT CUT ON OUT OF NOWHERE AND NOW MY STEERING COLUMN IS TOTALLY MESSED UP. DIRECTLY BEHIND THE AIRBAG. IT CLACKS BACK N FORTH AS YOU MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN EVER SO SLIGHTLY. IF I HIT MY BRAKES THE WHEEL SHAKES AND THE COLUMN RATTLES AND CLACKS, IF I GO OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR RR TRACKS SAME THING, THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND RATTLES AND CLANKS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND DESIGN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND IS GOING TO BREAK IF I DONT HAVE IT REPLACED. THE COST TO HAVE THIS DONE IS ALMOST $1000 AND IT SHOULDNT BE AN ISSUE I HAVE TO PAY FOR BC OF THE POOR DESIGN. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE TO THE CAR ON MY END TO CAUSE THIS AND I NEED HELP ASAP BC ITS MY ONLY CAR AND I DO NOT HAVE $1000 TO PAY TO FIX A BAD STEERING COLUMN THAT SHOULDNT BE BREAKING TO BEGIN WITH!
Steering, Jul 14, 2020
SLACK IN THE STEERING WHEEL, WITH VEHICLE RUNNING OR TURNED OFF. MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNED EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 13, 2020
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENS TO ME. THE EPS LIGHT TURNS ON, THE STEERING WHEEL GETS TIGHT. SO THE POWER STEERING DISCONNECTS FROM THE ENGINE. YOU LITERALLY CAN'T STEER. THIS LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING DOWN A GRADE AT NIGHT. IF INCOMING TRAFFIC WOULD OF BEEN COMING I WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THEM OR GO DOWN THE CLIFF. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED ONCE BY DEALER ALREADY LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. THIS CAR IS UN SAFE AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT ANY MORE. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT IN NEUTRAL TO THE SHOULDER ONCE I PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR SHOOK AND IT SHUT DOWN.
Steering, Jul 9, 2020
CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE BEING STATIONARY AS WELL AS IN MOTION. THERE IS A MINOR BIT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL. AFTER RESEARCHING IT APPEARS TO BE THE STEERING WHEEL FLEXIBLE COUPLER. I WILL BE REPLACING IT AND GIVING FEEDBACK ON THE OUTCOME.
Steering, Mar 24, 2020
STEERING CLICKS
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 10, 2020
SO MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED MAKING A STRANGE POPPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. EVERYTIME I WOULD TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AT A CERTAIN ANGLE THE WHEEL WOULD POP. AS I DROVE THE CAR IT WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS AWFUL NOISE UNTIL ONE DAY IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT POPPED AND THE STEERING JERKED MY CAR OUT OF THE LANE . DRIVING HOME THE WHEEL WAS RATHER STIFF AND I WORRIED CONSTANTLY ABOUT GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT . MY REASON FOR THE STEERING ISSUE IS I WORRY SOMEONE WILL BE DRIVING THE CAR AND IT JERK THEM INTO A CAR COMING FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH WILL RESULT IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. SECOND ISSUE IS THE ELECTRONICAL SYSTEM IN GENERAL. EVERYTIME I START MY CAR IT DOESNT START ALL THE WAY AND IT DIES OUT MID DRIVING ., I ENDED UP PULLING OUT OF AN UP HILL PARKING LOT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AT THE STOP SIGN BECAUSE THE CAR DIED OUT AFTER I HAD IT IN DRIVE. I HAD TO PULL UP AND BUMP THE CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. I AM NOT SURE IF ITS DEALING WITH THE IGNITION IN GENERAL BUT THAT WOULD DEFINATLEY BE A SAFTEY CONCERN. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. AFTER A CERTAIN MILAGE THE LIGHT CAME ON AND I CAN NOT GET ANY MECHANIC TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX IT OVER FEAR OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND HAVING TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE UPON REPAIR. I AM SERIOUSLY TERRIFIED IF I GET INTO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS WONT GO OFF AT ALL AND IT WILL RESULT IN EITHER A REALLY SEVERE INJURY OR EVEN BE FATAL FROM AIRBAG FAILURE .
Steering, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Feb 28, 2020
CLICKING/THUMBING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL EITHER WAY. WAS TOLD STEERING COUPLING ISSUE, COST APPROX. $600 TO REPAIR. IT LOOKS LIKE NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED. SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NOW, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE DEALERSHIP STATES IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE!! NUMEROUS LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, WAS TOLD IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE! AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH ON.
Steering, Jan 4, 2020
THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. MAY NEED TO REPLACE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IN CASE IT GOES OUT.
Steering, Dec 13, 2019
MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS STARTED WITH LOOSE STEERING AND A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EACH TIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER WAY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY IS NOT COVERED. I HAVE READ A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHER OWNERS. I HAVE ALSO ASKED MULTIPLE OF MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE SAID THE SAME THING THAT HYUNDAI ELANTRAS ARE KNOW FOR STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $135.00 TO LOOK AT IT, I'M SURE IT'S A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED OR COVERED. THIS OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. IF YOUR ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT A HIGH SPEED IT FEELS UNSAFE AND YOUR PUTTING YOUR FAMILY AT RISK.
Steering, Oct 31, 2019
WHEN TRYING TO STEER STRAIGHT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE SLIGHT AMOUNT NECESSARY TO CONTINUE GOING STRAIGHT.
Steering, Oct 6, 2019
NOISY STEERING.PLAY IN WHEEL . NOISES AS TURED LEFT AND RIGHT. EITHER STILL OR ON MOTION. CLICKING/CLUNKING SOUND. SAW VIDEO ABOUT STEERING COUPLING. THAT SEEMS TO BE THE SOUND ...TO MY UNTRAINED EAR.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 3, 2019
HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 GLS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED OR AT STOPPED, STOPPING, LOOSING CONTROL OF YOUR CAR AT LOW SPEED NO BREAKS OR STEERING WHEEL, OR SPEEDOMETER AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON..
Steering, Air bags, Electrical system, Sep 17, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE POPPING NOISES AND THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE EXPENSIVE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOISES WORSENED AND THE VEHICLE'S HORN NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER BEGAN TO REVERSE INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SOUND THE HORN, BUT IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SETTLED THE MATTER THROUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DAY AFTER THE CRASH, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE AIR BAG FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V115000 (AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Steering, Sep 10, 2019
MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS STARTED WITH LOOSE STEERING AND A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EACH TIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER WAY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY IS NOT COVERED (64,000 MILES). I HAVE READ A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHER OWNERS. THEY WANT $135.00 TO LOOK AT IT, I'M SURE IT'S A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED OR COVERED. THIS OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
Steering, Jul 19, 2019
WITH THE ENGINE STARTED AND IN PARK YOU CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT AND IT HAS A THUMPING NOISE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE STEERING BUT THIS IS THE CAR MY WIFE DRIVES AND IT MAKES HER VERY NERVOUS. IT MAKES YOU VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
Steering, Apr 30, 2019
STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING LOUD THUD AND CLICKING NOISES. I UNDERSTAND THE RUBBER COUPLING MAY BE TO BLAME AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO PAY FOR COST OF REPAIR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT'S PLACING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER. I DRIVE WITH MY 1-YEAR-OLD SON IN THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT'S APPALLING THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 18, 2019
AS I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING PLACE AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR IN REVERSE TO CHECK THE AREA BEHIND ME, THE CAR STALLED OUT COMPLETELY, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND AND SEEMED STUCK. I PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF, THEN FINALLY ON THE THIRD TRY, THE ENGINE ENGAGED AND I HAD CONTROL OF THE CAR, MOVED BACK INTO THE PARKING PLACE AND THEN MANAGED TO BACK OUT NORMALLY AND PROCEED.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 1, 2019
TAKATA RECALL FOR MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012. FOUND THE RECALL ON CREDIT KARMA. BRAKES
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 28, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. WHEN DRIVING UP TO 40 MPH MY STEERING WHEEL STARTS MAKING SOME FUNNY NOISE AND IT SHAKES REALLY BAD AT THE SAME TIME.
Steering, Jan 27, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING NOISES WHEN TURNING AND HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN TOUGHER TO TURN AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED.
Steering, Dec 17, 2018
BEEN TAKING TO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS A FEW TIMES WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM. TOOK CAR TO SEARS THEY INFORMED ME OF A 'RECALL' FOR THIS ISSUE. IT'S IN FACT NOT A RECALL JUST SOMETHING HYUNDAI ADDED TO THE WARRANTY. I HAD TO HAVE SEARS TELL ME SO I CAN TELL THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR IS AT 99,000 MILES AND I BELIEVE DEALERSHIP WAS WAITING FOR 100K TO TELL ME THE PROBLEM SO THEY COULD CHARGE ME. DESCRIPTION BELOW: THE MDPS (MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A FLEXIBLE RUBBER COUPLING WHICH MAY WEAR OVER TIME RESULTING IN A SLIGHT "CLICKING" OR "THUD" TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. WEAR OF THE COUPLING DOES NOT AFFECT THE ABILITY TO STEER OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE.
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Sep 11, 2018
MY CAR HIGHLIGHTS HAS WENT OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND THEY STILL GOES OUT . AND THE BRAKES LIGHTS GOES OUT, AND NOW MY RACK PINYON IS GONE OUT. THIS CAR HAS COST ME MORE MONEY THAN ITS WORTH