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: other or unspecified
68 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 3, 2019
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2012 ELANTRA 120,000 MILES CAR HAS STALLED DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALSO HAS STARTED A TICKING IN THE ENGINE I TOOK IT TO HAVE A OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS METAL IN THE OIL PAN AND I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. HYUNDAI WHO ADVISED THE SONATA HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT THE ELANTRA
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2019
THE SUNROOF DOOR IS NOT WORKING GOOD
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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA IT MAKES A HARD SHIFT AT TIMES SLIGHTLY A BIT HESITANT WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BE REAR ENDED .BEEN TO 2 MECHANICS ALREADY ONE BEING THE DEALER THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 24, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON LEFT LANE, ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED AND CAR SKIDDED A LITTLE BECAUSE BRAKE WAS DEPLOYED AUTOMATICALLY OR THE WHEEL LOCKED. IT MADE 2 BRAKING/SKIDDING SOUND. THEN SUDDENLY I WAS ABLE TO STEER AGAIN AND POSITION THE CAR TO THE RIGHT FOR SAFETY. ENGINE WONT TURN ON. BURNING SMELL AND SOME SMOKE MAYBE FROM LOCKED BRAKE? CAR TOWED TO NEAREST HYUNDAI SHOP.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 1, 2018
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2018
ON ABOUT 3/23/2016 I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-287 ON MY MORNING COMMUTE WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED, RAINING GLASS DOWN UPON ME. I ASSUMED IT WAS HIT BY A ROCK UNTIL I READ ABOUT THE EXPLODING SUNROOF PROBLEM. MY INSURANCE COMPANY (GEICO) PAID $1,323 TO REPLACE THE SUNROOF.
Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2018
RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2018
BOTH VISORS - MECHANISM INSIDE EXPLODED NOW VISORS STUCK IN ODD POSITION WHERE DOES NOT BLOCK SUN AND HITS YOU IN THE FOREHEAD IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT IT WOULD KILL YOU .. THIS IS DEFECT IN PLASTIC MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE VISOR .. I CAN SEE ONLINE THOUSANDS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.. DEFECTIVE MECHANISM IN VISOR.,
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2017, crash
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF JUMPING THE CURB RUNNING ABOUT 15 FEET AND HITTING A ROCK BEFORE I COULD STOP IT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2017
CLICKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING/ STARTING CAR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 11, 2017
MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BEGAN HAVING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST 6 TO 9 MONTHS. AS I STEP ON THE GAS AT APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH THE AUTOMOBILE KICKS, BUCKS AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS INTENDED. MY HYUNDAI DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP/ASSEMBLY ($700) AND IT SEEMED TO GET WORSE.FAILURE TO ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED IS A DANGER IF YOU ARE TRYING TO ENTER A BUSY HIGHWAY OR TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ANOTHER SPEEDING VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR AT SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS BUT NOT EVERY DAY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2017
INTERMITTENT...CAR IS STATIONARY AND I ATTEMPT TO START CAR WITH PUSH START AND THE ENGINE WILL CRANK FOR APPROX 3 SECOND AND THEN START. I TURN CAR OFF AND HEAR A TICK TICK TICK FROM ENGINE. RESTARTS WITH NO HESITATION. THIS IS USUALLY AFTER A DRIVE AROUND TOWN AND THEN I COME HOME AND MAYBE ABOUT 6 HOURS LATER I'LL GO BACK INTO MY CAR AND IT WILL SPUTTER AGAIN. NO SOLUTION AS OF YET.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2017
CAR WON'T START INTERMITTENTLY. HAD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED. LIGHTS GO ON,RADIO WORKS BUT CAR WON'T START. CAR IS USUALLY PARKED IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVEWAY. WEATHER IS NICE NOT TOO HOT OR TOO COLD.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE FLOPPING DOWN WHILE BEING ADJUSTED BY PASSENGER CAUSING WIFE TO BE STARTLED AS SHE STEERED THE CAR 2015. DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE FLOPPING DOWNWARD AS I WAS ADJUSTING IT WHILE DRIVING CITY STREET 45 MPH CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RE-GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. 2016 WE HAVE BOTH VISORS AND PARTS AND PHOTO'S. *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2016
SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS I'VE HAD NEIGHBORS TELL ME MY TRUNK HAS BEEN FOUND OPEN AND NUMEROUS TIMES I LOOK OUTSIDE AND ITS OPEN THE KEYS HUNG ON THE WALL OF MY HOUSE IT HAPPENS ANY AND EVERYWHERE GROCERY STORE ETC. ITS NOT A SAFE PLACE TO PUT ANYTHING WITHOUT THE CHANCE OF BEING STOLEN FROM TRUNK OR GIVE ACCES TO THE MAIN CABIN CAUSE THATS WHERE THE BACKSEAT RELEASE IS OPEN SEASON FOR THEFT
Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2016
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS EXPERIENCES WHERE THE VEHICLE WONT START. I WENT TO GET GAS ONE MORNING AND AFTER I PUMPED THE GAS AND GOT IN TO DRIVE OFF MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I WAITED FOR AAA AND WHILE WAITING TRIED TURNING OVER THE KEY AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. LIKE I SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT TEN TO TWELVE OR MORE TIMES. I RECENTLY CHANGED THE BATTERY BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT AS I SEE IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT NUMEROUS TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2016
VEHICLE WONT START AT TIMES. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND HYUNDAI CHANGED THE INHIBITOR SWITCH. RECENTLY STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM OF IT NOT STARTING. DEALER SHOWED ME WHERE THE RESET IS SO I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND BRING IT TO THE DEALER. AGAIN THEY CHANGED THE INHIBITOR SWITCH. I WAS TOLD THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE SWITCH AND HOPEFULLY I WON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. HYUNDAI PAID FOR THE PART BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. I'M SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2016
INTERMITTENTLY, MY CAR DOES NOT START. I TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I TRY IT AGAIN. NOTHING. I TRY IT AGAIN AND IT STARTS. IT HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS SITTING OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE. IT HAPPENED AFTER I WAS IN A STORE FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. IT HAPPENED AFTER I WAS IN ANOTHER LOCATION FOR 2 HOURS. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BECAUSE IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR THEM. (OF COURSE, IT DIDN'T!) THEN, AFTER ANOTHER COUPLE OF TIMES OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN, I RESEARCHED AND FOUND IT WAS PROBABLY SOME KIND OF SWITCH. I TOLD THAT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED SOMETHING WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR FOR FEAR I WILL BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE UNSAFE ONE DAY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2016
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MY ELANTRA HAS STALLED IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING. IT DOESNT MATTER IF THE ENGINE IS HOT OR COLD. JUST FILLED UP WITH GAS OR ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN. THE PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT. USUALLY IT WOULD THEN START ON THE 2ND OR 3RD TRY BUT HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS LEFT ME STRANDED REQUIRING A TOW. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT UNLESS THEY CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND ALL NEW SPARK PLUGS, BUT ITS STILL ACTING UP. I DONT WANT TO KEEP THROWING MONEY AT IT GUESSING WHAT COULD BE WRONG. THIS BEGAN AROUND 10,000 MILES AND IT NOW IS APPROACHING 80,000. ID LIKE FOR HYUNDAI TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2016
SUNROOF SHATTERING: WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN VIRGINIA ON 3/25/16 I HEARD A CRACK, POP, AND THEN SHATTERING. PIECES OF GLASS COULD BE HEARD SLIDING OVER THE TOP OF THE CAR AND SEEN IN THE BACK WINDOW. NO ITEM WAS SEEN INSIDE OF THE CAR TO SUGGEST AN OUTSIDE OBJECT BREAKING THE GLASS. I DROPPED OFF THE CAR AT THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN WHITE FLINT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2016
MY 2012 ELANTRA LTD EDITION HAS A KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON TO START. RECENTLY I AM HAVING PROBLEM TO OPEN THE DOORS OR START THE CARS. SOMETIMES IT STARTS THE ENGINE AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. I AM SURPRISED THIS PROBLEM IS LOT MORE COMMON IN THE FORUM AND IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE BY HYUNDAI OR NHTSA. I AM MISSING MY WORK. THIS IS MY SECOND HYUNDAI AND THIS IS IT. NO MORE HYUNDAI FOR ME. I PAID BIG BUCKS FOR IT AND NO ONE CARES. I HAVE LEFT THE MESSAGE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME. I HAD OWNED MANY CARS BEFORE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2016
THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN TWICE NOW -- TODAY AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO. BOTH OCCURRENCES WERE EXACTLY THE SAME. THEY WERE WHILE PARKING IN MY OFFICE'S PARKING LOT AFTER DRIVING 20-30 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY. AS SOON AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT WAS IF I WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT I WAS NOT. WHEN I STOPPED AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE RPM SHOT ALL THE WAY UP AND ENGINE WAS REVVING AS IF I HAD MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS DID NOT STOP UNTIL I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I THEN RESTART THE CAR AND IT IS NOT HAPPENING. THEN, WITH THE CAR STILL IN PARK, I GENTLY TAP ON THE GAS AND IT STARTS AGAIN. THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE PHYSICALLY STUCK. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER I START THE CAR AND TRY TAPPING ON THE GAS AND CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I SEE THESE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO OWN UP AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2016
CAR WON'T START UNTIL I DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND HOLD AS I START THE VEHICLE.