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 16, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON FOR NO REASON.
Suspension, Feb 15, 2019
VEHICLE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT LOW SPEED OF LESS THAN 10 MPH. COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED AS SEEN IN THE PHOTOS ATTACHED TO THIS WRITING. COIL SPRING FAILURE FOLLOWS A SIMILAR PATTERN TO THE COIL SPRINGS IN THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2011, WHICH WAS RECALLED OVER THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS FAULTY PRODUCT HAS MADE ITS WAY INTO THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 SUPPLY CHAIN. HERE IS A LINK TO A WEBSITE LISTING OTHER HYUNDAI 2012 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME FRONT COIL SPRING ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/ELANTRA/FRONT-SUSPENSION-COIL-SPRING-PROBLEMS.PHP IF THIS FAILURE WERE TO OCCUR AT SPEED, PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD HAPPEN. IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT DEADLY, TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL COULD OCCUR AT SPEED.
Engine, Feb 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN HYUNDAI (3675 SHERIDAN DR, AMHERST, NY 14226, (716) 992-6536) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 15444915. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Feb 3, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON AND OFF. THE LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES NOT TURN ON EXCEPT DURING IGNITION AND SOMETIMES WILL BE LT CONTINUOSLY WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. THIS ALSO OCCURS AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS, ON SURFACE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, IN ANY GEAR.
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.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2019
THE SUNROOF DOOR IS NOT WORKING GOOD
Air bags, Jan 10, 2019
AIRBAG DASH LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY.
Air bags, Jan 7, 2019
THE DASHBOARD SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON YESTERDAY AND REMAINED ON AS LONG AS MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT TURN ON AGAIN. THE DEALER'S SERVICE TECHNICIAN THINKS IT IS PROBABLY THE CLOCK SPRING BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. HE SAID TO BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. HE LOOKED UP MY VIN AND SAID MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE 15 YEAR, UNLIMITED MILEAGE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE CLOCK SPRING WHICH HYUNDAI ISSUED FOR SOME VEHICLES. HE QUOTED $140 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 4, 2019
STABILIZER WARNING LIGHT IS ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY FOUND THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR HAS SHORTED OUT.
Air bags, Dec 26, 2018
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T TURN OFF
Engine, Dec 21, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES AND GETTING ROUTINE CHECKUPS AND OIL CHANGES. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD (ALMOST ON THE HIGHWAY) AND DURING MY DRIVE MY ENGINE BLEW OUT AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. DUE TO BEING A SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, I AM NOT COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY UNDER 100K MILES. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, IT SEEM THAT BOTH HYUNDAI AND KIA HAVE ENGINE ISSUES; HOWEVER, ONLY CERTAIN MAKES/MODELS ARE COVERED WHEN ELANTRAS ALSO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES.
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.
Air bags, Dec 10, 2018
AIRBAG LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REFUSES TO LOOK INTO IT, UNLESS I PAY FEE FOR ASSESSMENT. I SEE LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING 2012 ELANTRA HAVING SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THEM HAVE OFFICIAL RECALLS, BUT MY VIN DOESN'T SHOW ANY RECALL, SO DEALER IS NOT LOOKING INTO IT WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR IT.
Air bags, Nov 20, 2018
ALL I DID WAS HIT A SPEED BUMP AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS REPORTING THE SAME.
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.
Engine, Nov 9, 2018
VEHICLE HAS HAD ENGINE TICKING NOISES STARTING AROUND 50,000 MILES. ON 3 OCCASIONS THE DEALER ADVISED IT WAS A NON ISSUE. OTHER VEHICLES FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER AND WITH THE SAME ENGINE HAVE HAD RECALLS DUE TO AN ENGINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS DEFECT. ENGINE NOISE HAS PROGRESSED FROM A SLIGHT TICKING TO A HARD KNOCKING SOUND AND DIFFICULTY IDLING UPON INITIAL START UP WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES
Air bags, Nov 6, 2018
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY BUT IS NOT DUE TO CLOCK SPRING ISSUES AS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT AND AN AIRBAG SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT WORK IS NOT A PART OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS EXPLICITLY HYUNDAI'S RESPONSIBILITY.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2018
SUNROOF EXPLODED 5AM IN THE MORNING ON HIGHWAY 405 TRAVELING TO REDMOND WA., I WAS NOT NEAR ANY UNDERPASSES, OR BRIDGES. THE WINDOW SOUND MADE A LOUD BOMB NOISE AND THEM I HEARD GLASS BREAKING. IT WAS GOING TO RAIN THE REST OF THE DAY SO I TOOK BLACK DUCT TAPE AND TAPED THE GLASS SO THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE GLASS WOULD HOLD AND NOT CONTINUE TO SHATTER AND IT WOULD NOT DESTROY MY HEAD LINER.
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
Engine, Oct 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MADE A DISTINCT TAPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AND WAS PERSISTENT FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS. JONES JUNCTION HYUNDAI (1504 BELAIR RD, BEL AIR, MD 21014) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES TO HELP IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,500.
Air bags, Sep 26, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFE ISSUE. IT HAVE TO BE RECALL TO FIX.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 14, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: MY CAR WILL REV THE ENGINE REALLY HIGH OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON ITS OWN RATHER THAN IDLE WHILE IN PARK. ALSO WHILE IN DRIVE AND THE BREAK PRESSED, THE ENGINE WILL REV ON ITS OWN LIKES ITS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS NOT JUST WHAT IS NOTED BELOW.
Air bags, Sep 12, 2018
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RESET OR GET THE AIRBAG SENSOR TO TURN OFF. IT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, I WAS NOT IN A ACCIDENT. IT IS FAULTY. THE DEALER GAVE ME A REPAIR QUOTE THAT WAS RIDICULOUS - OVER $3000. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM (SEE ONLINE), THIS SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE I THOUGHT I WOULD SEND A MESSAGE.
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
Engine, Sep 5, 2018
INTERMITTENT ENGINE IGNITION FAILURE. ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK AND KEY IS PROPERLY INSERTED AND TURNED. GRINDING NOISE AND ENGINE DOES NOT START. PROBLEM OCCURS UP TO FIVE TIMES PER WEEK UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR. THE ISSUE BEGAN IN APRIL 2018 AND IS ONGOING ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THE DEFECT HAS RESULTED IN UNRELIABLE TRANSPORTATION. I REPLACED THE IGNITION COILS AND IGNITION PLATE WAS CLEANED. PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. MECHANIC CANNOT IDENTIFY THE DEFECT. SIMILAR ISSUES HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH HYUNDAI SONATAS, RESULTING IN A RECALL. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT INTERMITTENT HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 IGNITION FAILURE CAN BE FOUND ONLINE.