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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND POWER STEERING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI OF NEW PORT RICHEY (3936 US HIGHWAY 19, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652, (727) 359-0633), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,863.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 3, 2018
WELL I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND LATER FOUND OUT IT HAD A RECALL ON IT.... SOMETIMES WHEN I PRESS THE BREAKS IT SEEM LIKE IT FLOODING AND BE PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND MAKING NOISES UNDERNEATH NEAR TIRES.. IT ALSO HAVE A SENSOR LIGHTS ON.
Steering, Aug 1, 2018
WHILE DRIVING CAR STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND. CALLED HYUNDAI WAS TOLD TO CALL SERVICE LET SERVICE DEPARTMENTS KNOW THE PROBLEM IS TXX7 MDPS CUPPLING. ADVISED NOT SURE IF COVERED WITH MY100,000 WARRANTY ASK SERVICE DEPT. CASE #1484920
Steering, Jun 7, 2018
STEERING WHEEL IS WOBBLY. MY MECHANIC SAID HE COULDN'T FIX. NEED TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Apr 15, 2018
STEERING WHEEL CLICKS WHEN MOVED EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, EVEN WHEN NOT MOVING.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 27, 2018
MY STEERING IS LOOSE AND THE WHEEL CLUNKS AND RATTLES. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL COME RIGHT OFF. I CAN HIT THE SLIGHTEST BUMP AND IT WILL RATTLE AND SHAKE LIKE I RAN OVER A HUGE POT HOLE. ALSO, WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN AND WHINE LIKE I HIT THE BRAKES EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN I HIT THE GAS BUT THE CAR DECIDED IT WANTED TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN A FEW SECONDS LATER. THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG HERE. THE ENGINE IS ALSO MAKING A TICKING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN WARMING UP. THIS HAPPENS DAILY.
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, Dec 12, 2017
THE STEERING IN MY 2012 ELANTRA STICKS WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ON STRAIGHT ROADS AT SPEEDS OVER 40-50 MPH. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING AND IT FEELS LIKE A MAGNET BREAKING FREE FROM A METAL SURFACE WHEN TRYING TO NAVIGATE. A RESISTANCE IS ALWAYS PRESENT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. CONSTANT CORRECTION IS MANDATORY OR I FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T BREAK FREE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HYUNDAI ADVISED REPLACING THE MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING COLUMN AT MY COST OF $1300 PARTS AND LABOR. I HAVE HAD THE STEERING COUPLER REPLACED FOR $100. THIS IS NOT THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CLOCKSPRING ISSUE IS ALSO NOT A FIX. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE ON THE FORUMS. THIS IS PRESENT ON SEVERAL MODEL YEARS WITH LOW AND HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLES.
Steering, Nov 27, 2017
STEERING IS LOOSE - HARD TO HANDLE
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.
Steering, Suspension, Aug 28, 2017
WHEN DRVING THE 2012 ELANTRA OVER A POT HOLE, A MAN HOLE OR ANY OTHER UNEVEN SURFACE OR IMPERFECTION ON THE ROAD THE ELANTRA SWAYS IN AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE MANNER, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIRM GRIP IN THE STEERING WHEEL YOU CAN DEFINATELY LOOSE CONTROL AND HAVE OR CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HYUNDAI SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THERE ARE SO MANY OWNERS COMPLINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, May 30, 2017
CLICKING NOISE WHEN MOVING STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. BOTH STOPPED AND WHILE DRIVING. NO RECALL YET BUT WITH THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE, IT SHOULD BE. REPAIR ESTIMATE 425.00.
Steering, May 3, 2017
THERE IS A LOT OF GIVE AND PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU TURN IT THAT IT DOES NOT ACTUALLY TURN YOUR WHEELS.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND SEEMED TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 11, 2017, crash
I JUST CRASHED THIS CAR YESTERDAY, 01/09/2017 ON RT. 724 BETWEEN BIRDSBORO, PA AND GIBRALTAR, PA. I WAS DRIVING WITH A 50-55 MPH ON A 55 MPH ROAD GOING TO WORK WITH ALMOST NO TRAFFIC. I WAS DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN IT HAPPENED, I WAS NOT EVEN TURNING.THE SKY WAS CLEAR AND NO DISTRACTIONS. SUDDENLY, THE CAR WHEELS WENT LEFT AND RIGHT AND THEN ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT TAKING ME TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CRASHING THE CAR IN A DITCH THEN FLIPPING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE(I ATTACHED PICTURES). MY TRIALS TO TURN IT BACK TO THE RIGHT ALL FAILED. EMT CAME AND WERE ABLE TO GET ME OUT. I ALMOST GOT KILLED. I DON'T DRINK OR SMOKE. I HEARD OF SEVERAL INCIDENTS LIKE THIS ABOUT THE STEERING IN ELANTRA. THE CAR HAS ONLY 56000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS WITH STEERING. I FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO STEERING AT ALL. HYUNDAI MOTORS SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR SUCH FAULTS IN THEIR CARS AND AFFECTED OWNERS SHOULD BE COMPENSATED. I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE HYUNDAI AGAIN. (THE PICTURE SHOWING THE TIRE MARKS WAS TAKEN A FEW HOURS AFTER THE CRASH. IT SHOWS THAT THE ROAD WAS CLEAR AND CLEAN). *TR
Steering, Dec 31, 2016
STEERING GETS STICKY OR STUCK. IT'S NOT LIKE IT GETS COMPLETELY STUCK THAT YOU CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL, BUT THERE'S A NOTICEABLE RESISTANCE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND WANTING TO CHANGE LANES. LEFT OR RIGHT IT DOES IT BOTH WAYS.
Steering, May 16, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED SHOULDER THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRICAL STABILITY CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,294.
Steering, Service brakes, Apr 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT INSTEAD OF DRIVING STEADY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
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.
Steering, Feb 27, 2016
THE STEERING STICKS WHEN DRIVING RELATIVELY STRAIGHT, ALL SPEEDS, AND APPLYING SMALL CORRECTIVE MOVEMENT. THE DEALERS CLAIM THAT THIS IS CAUSED AS THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST "IDLES" WHEN THE SENSORS SAY THE CAR IS GOING STRAIGHT, HOWEVER, WE ALL KNOW SMALL CORRECTIONS ARE REQUIRED ON STRAIGHT ROADS. VERY SCARY WHEN YOU HAVE TO MOMENTARILY FIGHT YOUR STEERING TO CORRECT FOR A POTHOLE OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT.
Steering, Sep 22, 2015
SINCE WE HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, IT CONTINUALLY PULLS AND DRIFTS TO THE LEFT. WE HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD AT ALL TIMES. SO FAR THE SWAY BAR (LINK) HAS BEEN REPLACED IN THE FRONT AND NEW TIRES PUT ON. ALL THIS HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY TO NO AVAIL. THERE ARE SEVERAL VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE THAT SHOW THIS EXACT PROBLEM PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH THIS SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR HYUNDAI!! APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND THE WIND IS BLOWING ACROSS THE INTERSTATE. ALSO, WHEN WE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT WITH ONE OF OUR OWN MECHANICS, AND NOT THE DEALERSHIP'S MECHANICS, HE PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT AND COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEELS. HE COMMENTED THAT THE STEERING WAS AS TIGHT AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS A TRUCK!! THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THE STEERING THAT COULD EASILY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Suspension, Engine, Apr 7, 2015
AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR NEW WITH ALL OF 31 MILES ON IT I NOTICED ON MY 350 MILE DRIVE HOME FROM ANCHORAGE TO FAIRBANKS ALASKA THAT THE REAR END OF THE CAR WOULD SKIP AROUND UNPREDICTABLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR WHEN I HIT AN ICY PATCH OF ROAD (AND AS A RESULT OF THE SKIPPING AROUND, THE REAR TIRES WEAR/CUP RIDICULOUSLY FAST, WHICH MAY ALSO BE DANGEROUS BUT IS MOSTLY ANNOYING AND EXPENSIVE). DESPITE A FEW ATTEMPTS BY THE DEALER AT REPAIRING THE STEERING COLUMN IT STILL DOES IT, 30K MILES LATER. AS FAR AS SPEED, IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED ABOVE ABOUT 35 MPH . IT IS BAD ENOUGH IN THE SUMMER TO FEEL LIKE THE REAR END IS LEAVING THE ROAD, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE WINTER WHEN TRACTION IS ALREADY TENUOUS AT BEST. SOONER OR LATER THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. *TR
Steering, Tires, Wheels, Mar 10, 2014
POTHOLE INDUCED TIRE FAILURE - TORN SIDEWALL. THE LIMITED EDITION OF THIS CAR IS FITTED WITH 17" RIMS -- STOCK TIRE IS A 215.45.17. WITH APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MILES OF DRIVING, WE HAVE DESTROYED THREE TIRES ON POTHOLES, FORTUNATELY ALL WERE AT LOW SPEED AND THERE WAS NO LOSS OF CONTROL. HOWEVER, HITTING A POTHOLE OR OTHER BREAK IN THE PAVEMENT AT HIGH SPEED COULD EASILY DESTROY THE TIRE AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. THE ASPECT RATIO IS SIMPLY TO SMALL FOR SAFETY. A REVIEW OF AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR HYUNDAI ELANTRAS WITH 17" RIMS. I WAS HESITANT TO LET MY CHILDREN DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. AT OUR OWN EXPENSE WE HAVE REPLACED THE STOCK WHEELS AND TIRES WITH A 16" WHEEL AND LARGER ASPECT TIRE. *TR
Steering, Feb 21, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNSTABLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES, WHO PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AND REPLACED THE AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,638....UPDATED 03/25/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN A AUTOMOBILE COLLISION ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2013, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Oct 22, 2013
WANDERING ALL OVER THE ROAD. PULLS RIGHT MOST OF THE TIME. CURRENTLY HAVE 19000MILES, 7 ALIGNMENTS, NEW SET OF TIES. AFTER ALIGNMENT VEHICLE WILL DRIVE STRAIGHT FOR 15-20 MIN. THEN STARTS PULLING AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE DAY 1. *TR