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
675 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Feb 12, 2020
MY AIRBAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND HASN'T DISAPPEARED SINCE. I STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE HEAR SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS AS WELL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND NO ONE WILL EVEN TOUCH MY CAR FOR THIS REASON.
Wheels, Feb 10, 2020
ONE TPMS SENSOR FAILED DECEMBER 2018, NOW THE OTHER 3 FAILED IN THE SPAN OF THE LAST 6 WEEKS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ITEM. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THE TIRE IS REALLY LOW WHEN DRIVING, OTHER THAN A VISUAL OR AN AIR GAUGE. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING, ON THE LAST 3, THE CODE SHOWED ON START-UP
Air bags, Jan 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START UP THE AIR BAG WARNING ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Steering, Jan 4, 2020
THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. MAY NEED TO REPLACE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IN CASE IT GOES OUT.
Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 21, 2019, crash
STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION, I LOSE CONTROL AND THE BRAKE APPLIED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CRASH MY CAR I AM OK BUT I HAVE DAMAGE IN MY CAR. I WENT TO DEALER FOR THIS RECALL AND THEY DID NOT FIXED NOW I DONT KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,700.
Suspension, Dec 20, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH THE CAR WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP AND DRIVER FELT AN ODD VIBRATING FEEL FROM THE CAR. THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE VISIBLE IN REAR VIEW MIRROR BEHIND THE CAR. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT COIL SPRING HAD BURST THRU THE STRUT MOUNT AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. DRIVER REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE DOUGH NUT SPARE TIRE, WHICH WAS SMALL ENOUGH TO AVOID THE EXTENDED SPRING, AND CAREFULLY DROVE HOME. DRIVER REPLACED THE STRUT HIMSELF AS CAR HAD 170K MILES AND OUT OF WARRENTY.
Engine, Dec 15, 2019
THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A SIGNIFICANT KNOCKING SOUND , THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 111000 MILES ON IT, AND THE REPAIR QUOTES ARE $6,500 WHICH IS ALMOST WHAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORTH.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2019, crash
I WAS SLOWLY GOING INTO MY PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD. I TRIED TO BRAKE, DIDN'T SEEM TO DO ANY GOOD. IT HIT CONCRETE PROTECTING A STREET LIGHT AND WAS SMASHED UP AND STOPPED. IT WAS TERRIFYING. I THE CAR DID THIS ON IT'S OWN. I KNOW WHERE MY FEET WERE AND I WAS IN GOOD SHOES. I'M A CLASSICALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL BALLET DANCER AND I KNOW WHERE MY FEET ARE IN SPACE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I DID NOT ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID IT ON ITS OWN LIKE THAT AMOS EPISODE IN DOCTOR WHO. IT WAS TERRIFYING, THIS CAR SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. IT HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES, BUT IT DID IT AND THEN STOPPED. THIS TIME IT STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE OBJECT. THE CARS I HAD BEFORE NEVER DID THIS. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND I WAS LUCKY I WAS IN A SAFE PLACE.
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.
Engine, Dec 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THORNTON ROAD HYUNDAI (669 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1420002. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Air bags, Nov 16, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WON'T SHUT OFF. HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NOT HAVE I HIT ANY POT HOLES. NO EXPLAINATION
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 6, 2019
THIS VEHICLE I HAVE TO THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR AND IT FIXED THE YELLOW LIGHT GOES OFF FOR TWO MONTHS OR SO AND COMES BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST YEAR.
Air bags, Nov 1, 2019
STATE INSPECTION FAILED DUE TO AIRBAG LIGHT THAT CAME ON DAY OF INSPECTION 11/1
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.
Air bags, Oct 29, 2019
ON 10/28/19 I WAS DRIVING WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD TURNED ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT TURNED OFF AND THEN IT TURNED BACK ON. I WASN'T IN ANY CAR ACCIDENT AND I'M CURRENTLY USING MY CAR WITH THE LIGHT ON. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, I ALSO HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR A CLINKING NOISE WHEN STEERING AND THE DEALERSHIP SWORE TO NEVER HEAR THE NOISE NOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT STILLS MAKING THAT NOISE. IT WAS THE SAME NOISE IT MADE WHEN THE RIGHT AXLE IN MY CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. AS WELL, AS CHANGING THE HARNESS ON MY REAR LIGHTS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT BURNING OUT AND I WAS CONSTANTLY CHANGING THEM OUT.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT ON EVEN WHEN IN MOTION.NO INCIDENT OR ACCIDENTS HAPPEN.IT WONT TURN OFF EVEN AFTER MINUTES OF START UP.
Air bags, Oct 22, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT NOR DID I DRIVE OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IT GOES OFF, THEN COMES BACK ON AGAIN.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 9, 2019
AFTER ABOUT 60,000 MILES ALL OF MY EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT COMPLETELY. WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS I HAVE CHANGED MY BRAKE LIGHTS AT LEAST 8 TIMES. MY HEAD LIGHTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND MY HIGH BEAMS BOTH WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE INNER STATE AND ALL MY BACK EXTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT. SOME DAYS THEY MAY WORK IF I HAVE THE LIGHTS POSITION IN THE ON POSITION INSTEAD OF AUTOMATIC DAYLIGHT POSITION AND VICE VERSA. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ROUGHLY AROUND THE END OF 2017 AND OVER TIME IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE.THIS IS VERY UNSAFE TO OPERATE A VEHICLE AND ALL YOUR LIGHTS GO OUT NOT TO MENTION ITS EXPENSIVE TO CONTINUE TO REPLACE BULBS THAT WON'T WORK BEYOND A MONTH.
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..
Air bags, Sep 28, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AT 197,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
Suspension, Sep 24, 2019
THE BACK END SWAYS SIGNIFICANTLY BACK AND FORTH WHENEVER THE CAR GOES OVER AN UNEVEN BUMP IN THE ROAD (AS LONG AS BOTH SIDES DON'T HIT AT THE EXACT SAME TIME). I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS/FORUMS ALL REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL LEADING TO CRASHES, WHICH I DO NOT FIND HARD TO BELIEVE. IT TAKES AN EFFORT, WITH GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM SWERVING. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW EASY IT WOULD BE TO LOSE CONTROL AND GO INTO A SPIN DURING RAINY OR SNOWY CONDITIONS.
Engine, Sep 20, 2019
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PERSON NOT DEALER. HYUNDAI WAS MINT CONDITION. DRIVES SMOOTH. ITS KEPT UP AND ONLY SERVICED AT HYUNDAI..144,000 MILES. MY 3RD DAY HAVING THIS CAR THE ENGINE TICKS AND KNOCKS. WHEN CHECKING THE ENGINE I LITERALLY BURNED MY FINGER TOUCHING THE ENGINE IT WAS SO HOT I HAD A BLISTER THE CAR RAN FOR 1 MINUTE NOT EVEN. I RESEARCHED THIS AND THOUSANDA OD CONSUMERS HAVE HAD ENGINE AND KNOCKING ALSO THIS LEFT ME STRANDED IN FREEZING WEATHER ON A COUNTRY ROAD WITH MY BORN AND SHE GOT RSV
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.