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, Seats, Apr 21, 2018
I BOUGHT USED CAR WITH AIR BAG LIGHTS ON. NO ACCIDENT ON THE CAR AND AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. I CHECKED WITTH MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CHECKED AND TOLD ME SENSOR ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS BAD AND NEED TO REPLACE SEAT
Engine, Apr 18, 2018
CHANGED OIL AND BRIGHT GOLD LOOKING METAL FLAKES ARE IN THE OIL. MECHANICS SAY THEY ARE PARTS OF THE MAIN BEARINGS. ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW UP. 62,303MILES
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Apr 15, 2018
STEERING WHEEL CLICKS WHEN MOVED EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, EVEN WHEN NOT MOVING.
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, Mar 22, 2018
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT DAMAGES AND UNABLE TO LOCATE REPLACEMENT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS BADLY WORN. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE MATS CAN NOT BE SOLD SEPARATELY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE. *JS
Engine, Mar 6, 2018
ALL OIL CHANGES FOR THIS CAR HAS BEEN DONE AT A DEALERSHIP SINCE MY STEPFATHER BOUGHT THIS CAR. UPON HIS DEATH, THE CAR HAD 111,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ME. COLD WEATHER WAS APPROACHING AND I WANTED TO GET AN OIL CHANGE DONE. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET ME IN FOR A WEEK AND EVEN CANCELLED AN APPOINTMENT I HAD TO I WENT TO EXHAUST PRO. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOT TO 20 BELOW ZERO WIND CHILL THE ENGINE STARTED TICKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM CHANGE OIL BUT THE TICKING PERSISTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT TICKING NOISE AND WAS INFORMED THERE ARE METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL AND ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED COSTING $9400. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 AND 2013 ELANTRA BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE LIKE THE SONATA. I FEEL THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE AT NO COST TO ME. IT MAY NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE BUT HYUNDAI KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND NOT THE CONSUMER.
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.
Engine, Feb 20, 2018
WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLD THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE BLOCK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND TO CONTACT HYUNDAI SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 ELANTRA. FYI: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER HAS COME ON FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, Feb 15, 2018
THE POWER TRAIN DOES NOT SHIFT AT TIMES, STICKS IN 3RD GEAR, POPS IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH.
Air bags, Feb 14, 2018, crash
MY VEHICLE WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT ON 2/13/18, WAS HIT WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET WITH SUCH A FORCE THAT THE CAR WAS PUSHED ACROSS MEDIAN STRIP ONTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY?
Vehicle speed control, Jan 28, 2018
I'VE BEEN FEELING THE CAR PULLING FORWARD FOR A WHILE NOW. IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN ONLY PRESS ON THE PEDAL A LITTLE SO IT'S DOESNT SPEED UP TO FAST. WHEN THE CAR IS GOING UP HILL IT STARTS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND WHEN YOU LET GO OF THE BREAKS YOU CAN FEEL IT ACCELERATING WITHOUT GIVING IT ANY GAS.
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.
Engine, Dec 12, 2017
PERIODICALLY (INCLUDING TODAY) MY ELANTRA WILL NOT START. ALL ELECTRONICS TURN ON AND THE BATTERY, ENGINE, OIL INDICATORS APPEAR ON THE DASH. AS MANY OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED I WAIT 5-10 MINUTES AND TRY MY CAR AGAIN IT WILL WORK JUST FINE. HAD A FEW DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE DEALER SUSPECTED BATTERY OR OIL CHANGE BUT I'VE HAD SEVERAL BATTERIES SINCE OEM AND KEEP UP TO DATE ON SYNTHETIC OIL. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING RANGE SHIFT BEING THE CULPRIT. EITHER WAY I'LL BE TAKING IT TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE IT GETS ANY WORSE/WILL NOT START AT ALL.
Power train, Dec 1, 2017
INHIBITOR OR RANGE SWITCH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR IT ONLY MAKES A SINGLE CLICK AND THE DISPLAY DOES NOT ALWAYS SHOW THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. SOMETIMES SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ALLOWS FOR A START. SOMETIMES WIGGLING GEAR SHIFT WHILE IN PARK ALLOWS FOR A START. SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN'T WANT TO START. MECHANIC WON'T REPLACE ANY PART IF THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE (2012) AS WELL AS THE 2011 AND 2013 MODELS. THIS CAN SERIOUSLY CAUSE PEOPLE TO BECOME STRANDED!!!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 27, 2017
WHILE IN MOTION, CAR JOLTS AS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BLINKS AS WELL AS THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT. ENGINE THEN SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER A 2 MONTH PERIOD, AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS AND ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS.
Steering, Nov 27, 2017
STEERING IS LOOSE - HARD TO HANDLE
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.
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2017
THIS IS A PUSHBUTTON START VEHICLE. INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE BUTTON IS PUSHED, THE CAR WON'T START. THIS OCCURS WITH A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY, FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, ETC. THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH MY LOCAL DEALER PROFESSED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF IT. CONSENSUS ONLINE IS THAT IT IS A FAULTY "RANGE SWITCH", RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE TO SENSE THAT IT IS IN PARK. DEALERS CLAIM THAT THEY "CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM", AND SO CAN'T FIX IT.
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.
Air bags, Nov 8, 2017
IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE TO NOT COVER SAFETY CONCERNS AS IT IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH HYUNDAI'S MANUFACTURING.
Suspension, Oct 27, 2017
THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND CAME INTO CONTACT WITH MY TIRE. THE COIL STARTED TO RUB AGAINST MY TIRE UNTIL IT WAS PUNCTURED. I THINK THIS MAY RELATE TO THE RECALL FOR THE 2011 ELANTRA (15V629000).
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Engine, Oct 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HENDERSON HYUNDAI, 46 N BOULDER HWY, HENDERSON, NC 89015) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS CLOGGED AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Engine, Oct 15, 2017
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON AND OFF THE SPEED SENSORS IN TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE FAILED
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2017
CLICKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING/ STARTING CAR