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.
Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS TAKING OUT THE TRASH, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE BRAKE LIGHTS OFF, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT UNPLUGGED THE FUSE BOX IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH REFERENCE NUMBER: 16138484. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,339.
Air bags, Sep 16, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT ON, SENSOR UNDER PASSENGER SEAT DEFECTIVE. $2000 TO REPLACE! IT CAME ON AFTER STARTING.
Air bags, Sep 12, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND WILL NOT TURN OFF NOW, EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. AFTER RESEARCHING IVE SEEN THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE BUT HAVE HEARD IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX. A RECALL IS NECESSARY!!!
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.
Seat belts, Sep 10, 2019, crash
WAS TURNING OFF A HIGHWAY INTO A MINOR ROAD AND WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR. FOLLOWING THE IMPACT MY SEAT BELT (WHICH I ALWAYS SECURE UPON ENTERING MY CAR) HAD SNAPPED OPEN AND WAS JUST HANGING LOOSE ACROSS MY SHOULDER. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT FORCED THE SNAPPING DEVICE OPEN. THE RESULT WAS MORE FORCE PLACED ON MY WRIST ON THE STEERING AND A SPRAINED WRIST AMONG OTHER...
Suspension, Sep 5, 2019
WAS DRIVING CAR MADE A BANG NOISE, PULLED OVER FOUND COIL SPRING BROKE ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. HAD TO CALL TOLL TRUCK. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THANK GOD I WASN'T ON HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH. COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE COULD HAVE GOT HURT . THERE WAS NO WARNING !
Engine, Sep 1, 2019
WHILE SITTING AT LIGHT THE CAR BEGINS TO JERK LIKE IT WANTS TO CUT OFF.YES THIS HAPPENS AT STOP SIGNS IN THE COUNTRY AND CITY STREETS IN TOWN.
Air bags, Aug 29, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND HAS NOT TURNED BACK OFF
Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY A BYSTANDER THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. CAPITOL HYUNDAI (1050 CAPITOL EXPRESSWAY AUTO MALL, SAN JOSE, CA 95136, (669) 253-6081) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TO FIVE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Suspension, Aug 16, 2019
WHILE TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH, I HIT A POTHOLE WITH MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, AFTERWARD THE TIRE BURST. NOISE WAS A LOUD RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. A DEFECTIVE STRUT COIL/SPRING RIPPED AND CUT THROUGH THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. AAA TOWED MY CAR TO ONE OF THEIR REPAIR SHOPS. TOTAL COST OF NEW STRUTS AND TIRE WAS $895.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ONLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE MECHANIC CLEANED ALL THE SENSORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 15986313. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,607.
Service brakes, Aug 7, 2019
GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AFTER JUST 22000 MILES. MECHANIC SMOOTED ROTORS BUT SAID THE CALIPERS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS LATER AND IN CHECKING ONLINE FOUND LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. MOST OF US ARE CONCERNED THAT THE BRAKES CAN'T POSSIBLY BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IN PARTICULAR I TRY TO LEAVE A GREAT DISTANCE JUST IN CASE A SUDDEN STOP IS NEEDED AND THE BRAKES DON'T WORK LIKE THEY SHOULD. EVERY PERSON ON THE FORUM IS GETTING THE SAME LINE FROM THE HYUNDAI DEALERS, IT'S YOUR ROTORS AND PADS, NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, WE ARE REPLACING OUR ROTORS AND PADS ONLY TO HAVE THEM RUINED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE HYUNDAI DEALER) INSISTS THAT THE CALIPERS ARE THE PROBLEM, THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND ARE RUINING THE ROTORS AND PADS. THE CALIPERS JUST HAPPEN TO COST $700 FOR THE PART ALONE, AND I'M SURE LABOR WOULD BE STEEP. IN ADDITION, IF IT WAS THE CALIPERS, THOSE WOULD BE COVERED BY OUR WARRANTIES. IT REALLY APPEARS THAT HYUNDAI HAS BAD BRAKE CALIPERS ON IT 2012 AND 2013 ELANTRAS AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND PERHAPS ARE HOPING TO PUT US ALL OFF UNTIL THE CALIPERS ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS THERE ARE A LOT OF US OUT THERE DRIVING AROUND LIKE THIS AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN URGENT STOP IS NEEDED AND THE BRAKES DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS COULD HAVE VERY DIRE CONSEQUENCES. *JS
Air bags, Jul 29, 2019
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SPONTANEOUSLY AT ABOUT 104,000 MILES.
Suspension, Jul 29, 2019
GOING OVER A STANDARD LOW GRADE SPEED BUMP. MY DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED. THIS WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. SHOULD THEY HAVE DONE THE PASSENGER SIDE PREVENTIVELY?
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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 17, 2019
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DID MY RESEARCH AND IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL
Engine, Jul 10, 2019
MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA STARTED MAKING A TICKING/ KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT WAS A MISSED STEP WHEN BUILDING THE ENGINE. THE NOISE IS CALLED PISTON SLAP. IT'S HAPPENING TO A LOT OF HYUNDAI'S FROM 2011-2016 ELANTRA AND SONATAS. HYUNDAI DIDN'T DO A RECALL BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO FOOT THE COST OF REPLACING THE ENGINES. I TOOK MY CAR TO HYUNDAI OF SOUTH BRUNSWICK NJ ON 7/3/19 NO ONE CALLED ME UNTIL 7/9/19 I CALLED EVERYDAY 3-4 TIMES A DAY AND KEPT BEING TRANSFERED TO LEAVE VOICE MAILS, I LEFT MESSAGES AND NO ONE CALLED ME BACK. ON 7/9/19 I WAS CALLED AND TOLD IT WOULD COST ME 6,766.00 TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE WHEN THEY'RE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED JUST STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING AND THE NOISE GOT LOUDER EACH DAY.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Jun 30, 2019, crash
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA COLLISION TO DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. DRIVERS SIDE AND DRIVERS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Exterior lighting, Jun 28, 2019
UNABLE TO READ THE PART OF THE DASH THAT TELLS MILAGE DURING THE DAY. ONLY ABLE TO READ IT AT NIGHT. THEREFORE, WHEN I HAD MY OIL CHANGED TODAY, THE MECHANIC HAD TO ASK ME IF I KNEW THE MILEAGE SINCE HE WAS UNABLE TO READ IT. I TOLD HIM APPROX WHAT I HAD LAST NOTICED IT LAST NIGHT. THIS IS A PROBLEM WHEN GOING ON TRIPS AND MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM SAYS TO STAY ON A CERTAIN HWY FOR 16 MILES, FOR EXAMPLE, AND I AM UNABLE TO READ THE DISPLAY. IT ALSO MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CHECK MY MILAGE WHEN I FILL UP WITH GAS DURING THE DAY.
Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakes, Jun 28, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN 2016 AROUND THE TIME A RECAL FOR IT WENT OUT AND I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL TODAY. MY CAR SOMETIMES TAKES TWO TIMES TO ACTUALLY START. I TURN KEY AND HAVE TO EITHER HOLD IT OR STOP AND DO IT AGAIN. MY CAR HYDROPLANES EXTREMELY EASILY COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES. NORMALLY IT IS ONLY A SECOND BESIDES THE TIME I REAR ENDED SOMEONE WITH NO BAD WEATHER THEN ANOTHER WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL AND THANK GOD NO ONE WAS AROUND ME AND I AM USED TO THE VEHICLE SO I COULD GAIN CONTROL AGAIN TRULY A MIRACLE. OTHER SMALLER ISSUES I IGNORE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2019
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD FOUR INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS REPLACED DUE TO THE DISPLAY PANEL FADING IN THE HOT WEATHER. THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND IT WOULD APPEAR THAT I NOW NEED A 5TH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SURELY, THERE MUST BE SOME THING THAT HYUNDAI CAN DO TO FIX THIS ONGOING ISSUE. THE ODOMETER, MILEAGE RANGE AND GEAR POSITION DISPLAY ARE AFFECTED.
Air bags, Jun 27, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS TURNING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, MOST OF THE TIME IT IS ON.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 25, 2019
PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ON THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY: THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS DISPLAY WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND OFTEN CAUSES A PROBLEM WITH DRIVING. WHEN THE LIGHT DOES NOT DISPLAY WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE IS INDEED "ON" THE DRIVER IS NOT ALERTED BY THE WARNING LIGHT AND EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION. THE CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEREBY PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT MOVE THE CAR AS INTENDED. IT WILL NOT MOVE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, MOVES VERY SLOWLY OR LURCHES.
Air bags, Jun 16, 2019
SSRS LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T TURN OFF. IN MOTION ON THE CITY STREET
Air bags, Jun 14, 2019
DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON