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2012 Hyundai Elantra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 653 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the engine (22% of complaints, typically around 67,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Elantra model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2012 Hyundai Elantra problems
Engine
141 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles.
The vehicle in question periodically fails to start. This has been an ongoing issue with this vehicle for several months. At first the vehicle would not start on occasion but has since began having starting issues more frequently. I contacted my dealer and was told of two possible issues regarding a stop lamp switch…
Car would not start. After multiple attempts at turning key, it finally started. Lights and horn functioned properly, but I replaced the battery anyway. Car would still not start on first few attempts. Engine would not turn over at all, then after several attempts at turning key, it would start, as if nothing was…
Electrical
126 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, horn, alternator/generator/regulator.
Turn key in ignition. Nothing happens. Turn off, turn on, eventually ignition works and car turns on. This happened multiple times before first visit to dealer to try to remedy issue. First trip to dealer 5/14/14. Dealer can't recreate problem. Problem continues. 6/11/14: turn key, car won't start, turn off, turn on…
Yesterday afternoon I got into my car to go to the store, and it wouldn't start. I continued to turn the key to on position, then back off and wouldn't start. Then tried again in then it finally started barely. Again I got into my car to go to work, and it wouldn't start again. I switched the key back off position and…
Air bags
124 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
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.
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.
Brakes
98 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake pedal felt spongy while depressed. After parking the vehicle, the contact later restarted the vehicle, and the brake pedal extended to the floor while depressed. While inspecting under the hood, the contact…
Vehicle accelerated on it's own, and applying break pressure only slowed vehicle but kept accelerating. Hyundai reports no issues, yet this incident is all over the internet doing searches on Hyundai. Hyundai reports no recalls. When car placed in park mode, RPM shot to maximum of 8 and stayed there. When placed car…
Steering
88 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles.
While driving car steering wheel makes a clicking sound. Called Hyundai was told to call service let service departments know the problem is txx7 mdps cuppling. Advised not sure if covered with my100,000 warranty ask service dept. Case #1484920
Since we have purchased this vehicle, it continually pulls and drifts to the left. We have to fight to keep it on the road at all times. So far the sway bar (link) has been replaced in the front and new tires put on. All this has been absolutely to no avail. There are several videos on youtube that show this exact…
Other or unspecified
66 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles.
My 2012 Hyundai Elantra gls would not start this morning. I last drove my car home & parked it on 18th december and was home by 6pm. My car sat until the 20th of december around 9 pm when I went out to start it to check the fuel level. My car sat till 6:20 am on the 21st of december. I hit my door unlock on my key fob…
My 2012 Hyundai Elantra began having acceleration problems for the past 6 to 9 months. As I step on the gas at approximately 30 to 40 MPH the automobile kicks, bucks and does not accelerate as intended. My Hyundai dealer replaced the fuel pump/assembly ($700) and it seemed to get worse.failure to accelerate as…
Suspension
45 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at any speed over a bump in the road, the vehicle veered to the left or right. In addition, the vehicle would jerk violently and there was an abnormal noise when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where…
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 !
Stability control
44 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles.
Nhtsa campaign number: 15v871000 - same situation 2012 Hyundai Elantra - engine breaks automatically while on the interstate. Car seems to break (slow down) in bursts while trying to accelerate even on roads with speeds under 40mph. Has been a intermittent issue since january. Dealer agrees it is an ebs/ yaw system…
I just crashed this car yesterday, 01/09/2017 on rt. 724 between birdsboro, pa and gibraltar, pa. I was driving with a 50-55 MPH on a 55 MPH road going to work with almost no traffic. I was driving in a straight line when it happened, I was not even turning.the sky was clear and no distractions. Suddenly, the car…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: electrical
Risk: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received eight hyundai motor america (hyundai) and eight kia america, inc. (kia) part 573 recall reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or hydraulic electronic control units (hecu) manufactured by the equipment supplier mando. The part 573 recall reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by mando. Safety recalls included in this audit query (aq) review include: hyundai recalls 20v-520, 20v-543, 21v-161, 21v-160, 21v-303, 22v-056, 22v-810, and 23v-651. Kia recalls 16v-815, 20v-518, 20v-519, 21v
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated october 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (etc) system on certain kia vehicles resulting in the opening of dp21-003. Accordingly, model year (my) 2005-2016 kia optima/k5, my 2006-2015 kia sorento, my 2007-2016 hyundai elantra, my 2007-2016 hyundai santa fe, my 2006-2015 hyundai sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a vehicle owner questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (odi) number 11439675.on november 12, 2021, odi opened defec
Headliner bracket detachment
Summary
In march 2013, hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 hyundai elantra vehicles built in korea and sold in the u.s. (see NHTSA recall 13v-115 for more information).the recall covers vehicles built up to march 5, 2013.after that date, hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the korea-built elantra vehicles.odi has opened a recall query (rq13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 hyundai elantra touring vehicles.during ea12-008, odi found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mention
Side curtain air bag improper deployment
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (my) 2012 hyundai elantra.an inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag.the metal bracket caused a laceration to the driver's ear and other possible injuries.approximately 75,000 my 2012 hyundai elantra vehicles, built in korea and sold in the u.s., have stiffeners in the headliners while the my 2012 elantra vehicles built in the u.s. Utilize a different headliner that does not use a stiffener. Th
Questions about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (141 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); electrical (126 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles); air bags (124 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 22, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Hyundai Elantra?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Elantra model year since 2000, with 653 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.