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, Aug 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated and turned off after 6 seconds. The contact also stated that the tire pressure system warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The contact stated on August 26, 2021, while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Air bags, Aug 11, 2021
As with many people have reported my 2012 airbag light has come on. It appears to be the clock spring as other's have mentioned and airbag won't deploy unless fixed.
Engine, Aug 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the mechanic could not diagnose the failure. The mechanic replaced the battery, tires, and performed a tune up however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Engine, Aug 6, 2021, crash
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WHILE BEING DRIVEN 1-2 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A PARKING SPOT BARRICADE, INTO A FEILD, AND CRASHED INTO A BOLDER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WENT INTO SHOCK. SUFFERED A CUT ON THE HAND REQUIRING STITCHES. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED AN AUTO IMMUNE DISEASE, SEVERE BODY PAINS, AND DEVELOPED INFLAMMATION REQUIRING TREATMENT WITH PREDNISONE.
Steering, Jul 28, 2021
The steering wheel became stiff and car was undrivable and I almost crashed.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 25, 2021
We purchased the four (4) weeks ago. On July 25, 2021 about 5:53 P.M. My step daughter was driving about 10 miles per hour making a left turn and the driver and passenger airbags deployed without a collision or impact of any kind. I contacted Hillsborough County Sheriff and we after inspection, the airbags deployed and the seat belts were locked. Therefore, we had to park the car at the Hillsborough Sheriff Office, located at 7202 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, FL 33625, Phone number (813) 247-0330. As per the officer advise we could not drive the car. The dealer has been notified of the incident. We can be reached at [XXX] [XXX]
Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2021
My car need fixed
Air bags, Jun 11, 2021
For no reason, the driver-side airbag light has come on (and stays on) in our 2-door 2012 Hyundai Elantra. It puts our daughter and son at risk, as the two drivers of the car, because the airbag may be defective and not deploy in the event of an accident. That is unacceptable. This is an auto-maker safety issue, and the consumer should NOT be responsible for having to get this repaired on their dime. Yet everything I read online is other Hyundai drivers have gotten this and the dealers are gouging them on the repairs. We will take it into the dealer, but in no way, shape or form should we have to pay for this repair! Please pay attention - many Hyundai drivers are reporting this same issue online, even if they are not reporting it directly to you at NHTSA!
Suspension, May 10, 2021
I WAS DRIVING HEARD A LOUD BANG THEN I GOT HOME AND LOOKED THE STRUT COIL FRACTURED AND SNAPPED OFF AND WAS HANGING THERE
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 28, 2021
WHEN PUTTING THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISITOR DOWN AT FIRST IT WOULD JUST MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. THEN ONE DAY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY BACK UP. WHEN I CHECKED , ABOVE THE MIRROR ON RIGHT HAND SIDE BY THE ARM, THE WHITE PLASTIC TRIM FOR THE VISOR IS BROKEN SO THE VISOR IS JUST KIND OF HANGING. SOMEWHAT BLOCKS VISION.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 31, 2021
LOSS OF POWER WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 80MPH. VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO INPUT ON GAS PEDAL, AND ENGINE PRODUCED MINIMAL POWER. NO LOSS OF ELECTRONICS OR STEERING. FROM A STOP, VEHICLE PRODUCED LIMITED POWER AND SPEED REACHED MAXIMUM SPEED OF 15-20MPH. AFTER 30MIN, VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED DURING OR AFTER INCIDENT. REASON FOR FAILURE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
Steering, Mar 31, 2021
STEERING IN THIS CAR INTERMITTENTLY GOES IN AND OUT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR
Air bags, Mar 21, 2021
AFTER I TURN MY CAR ON, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS GO OFF EXCEPT FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. IT CONTINUOUSLY STAYS ON WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN ANY FORM OF MOTION. OCCASIONALLY, IT WILL GO OFF FOR A SECOND OR TWO WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED BUT IT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON AND REMAINS LIT.
Air bags, Mar 3, 2021
AIRBAG LIGHT WARNING STAYING ON
Engine, Feb 28, 2021
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR A COUPLE WEEKS AGO FOR MY DAUGHTER. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT START. TRIED JUMPING IT. CHANGED BATTERY IN KEY. GAS TANK WAS FULL. FINALLY LOOKED ON INTERNET AND FINALLY LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND A LOT OF OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID TO PUSH THE CAR FROM THE REAR. WE DID AND IT STARTED. AFRAID MY DAUGHTER WILL BE STUCK AT NIGHT LEAVING WORK.
Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 20, 2021
1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR BRAKES MESSED UP THEN RODORS THEN BEARINGS. AIRBAG AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEEL LIGHT. I PUT OVER 1000 AND $200 IN THIS CAR WITHIN FOUR MONTHS
Air bags, Feb 16, 2021
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME THAT SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SEAT OR A PERSON. IT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING OR SITTING AT THE LIGHT. MOST OF THE TIME, IT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN I FIRST START THE VEHICLE. IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE SEVERAL YEARS AND THAT WAS $350.00. THAT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME. I THINK IT IS A MFG DEFECT.
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 13, 2021
I LIVE IN MISSOURI WHERE THEY STILL HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTIONS TO RENEW TAGS FOR LEGALLY DRIVING. GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND STARTED IT I THEN TRY TO USE THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS TO CHANGE RADIO STATION WOULD NOT WORK THEN TRIED THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A PHONE CALL AND IT WOULDN'T WORK THEN I TRIED THE HORN AND IT WOULD NOT WORK. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND WHAT I FOUND IS THAT IT'S WHATS CALLED THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING SO THERE FOR THE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT I HAVE RESEARCHED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE AND WITH THIS ISSUE IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MY STATE
Steering, Feb 13, 2021
THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME POWER STEERING DEFECT AS OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES COVERED UNDER HYUNDAI RECALLS. THE STEERING WHEEL DECOUPLES WITH THE POWER STEERING DUE TO A DISINTEGRATING RUBBER COMPONENT. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND DEATH OF THE OCCUPANTS IS POSSIBLE. PROBLEM MANIFESTS AS A 'CLICKING' OR 'CLINKING' IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNED, WITH WORSENING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2021
WHEN I TURNED ON MY CAR ON IN SEP. 19 2018, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED AND STAYED LIT. NOW, I HAVE THE ISSUE OF MY AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY WHEN IN A ACCIDENT. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT EVER, AND NOW I HAVE THIS PROBLEM THAT IT CAN BE ONE OF TWO THINGS. THE COCK SPRING NEEDS TO BE RESET OR A COMPUTER BOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REPROGRAMMED. ALSO, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IS NOT SAFETY CONCERN TO NEITHER THE HYUNDAI MANUFACTURE OR NHTSA. IN REGARDS TO THAT, WHEN I HAD A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT IT HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD THAT TURNED ON. ALSO, WHEN TOOK MY ACCENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE COST RELATED TO THAT WAS $2,800 TO FIX THE ISSUE. I FEEL THAT IF IT HAPPENED TO MORE THEN ONE HYUNDAI CAR MODEL THE ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESS AND FIXED.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 22, 2021
ONE DAY I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. ONE ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A MINOR ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION (BECAUSE MY FLAT TIRE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR YEARS AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN I REALLY HAVE A FLAT), SO I IGNORED IT UNTIL I WENT TO USE MY HORN TO ALERT AN APPROACHING VEHICLE OF MY PRESENCE, AND IT DIDN'T WORK. IT HASN'T WORKED PROPERLY SINCE. IF I USE MY KEYS TO LOCK THE DOOR IT WILL BEEP, BUT IF I ATTEMPT TO USE THE HORN ITSELF I GET NOTHING.
Air bags, Jan 18, 2021
THE AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF NOW AFTER MY BATTERY DIED AND WAS RE-CHARGED. I'VE BEEN INFORM THAT THE ISSUES IS SOMETHING WITH THE CLOCK SPRING. MOST OTHER ELANTRAS FROM THIS TIME PERIOD ARE COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WARRANTY AND I BELIEVE THE SAME EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD BE APPLIED TO MY TOURING. THANKS!
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 7, 2021
MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WOULD STALL AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. IT WOULD STOP AND START AGAIN.. I WENT TO HYUNDAI TO CHECK IT OUT AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING OFF THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STALLED OUT AND WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PRESS. USING ALL MY WEIGHT I GOT IT TO COME TO A STOP. IT WOULD NOT CRANK. I TRIED ABOUT THREE TIMES TO CRANK IT WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE GAS. IT EVENTUALLY ALLOWED ME TO CHANGE GEARS REALLY QUICK AND TAKE OFF. I MADE IT 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD TO THE HOUSE BUT IT STALLED AS I PARKED. NOW IT WON'T CRANK AT ALL. FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS I'VE BEEN TRYING TO CRANK IT. I'VE HAD THE FUEL PUMP, THE SPARK PLUGS, THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CHANGED AND IT STILL ISN'T CRANKING
Air bags, Jan 7, 2021
AFTER DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY TURNED ON. THE LIGHT STAYS ON. I WENT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE ISSUE RESOLVED, BUT THEY ARE CHARGING CLOSE TO $400. I AM WORRIED THAT MY AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.
Service brakes, Jan 2, 2021
EACH TIME I HIT THE BRAKES THEN RELEASE I HEAR A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE BRAKE PADDLE THAT MAKES ME NERVOUS THAT SOMETHING MAY BE WRONG. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I USE THE BREAKS WHEN DRIVING.