One of the worst Elantra years
Owners filed about 2.2 times as many complaints as a typical Elantra year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 67,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Elantra years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 654 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (141, 22% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the electrical system. That ranks 3rd of 13 Elantra years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
Get recall alerts for your 2012 Elantra
Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.
Add it to My GarageStart a free car search
Tell us what you want in a 2012 Elantra and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.
Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2012 Hyundai Elantra before you buy.
Engine and cooling
141 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed crankshaft sensor. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 151,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that around 4:00 o'clock in the morning, she was awoken by the sound of her dogs barking; she then discovered that her vehicle had caught fire and had burned to the ground. The fire spread, which caught fire to a nearby mobile home and a 4-wheeler. The authorities were called…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
133 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 59,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the contact exited the vehicle. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 210,672 miles
Rear metal brake line is heavily corroded and leaking. Failed approaching intersection and had to use emergency brake to avoid crash.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
126 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Apparently a VERY common crankshaft angle sensor malfunction caused the engine to stall out at a stoplight, putting me in harm's wayOwner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable and failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 66,000 miles
Air bags
124 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 101,000 miles
Car accident. My car was T-boned on the passenger side, the side airbag did deploy. The impact from the accident pushed my car into on coming traffic and I hit 2 other cars. One in the front grill and the other in the left rear quarter panel. The front airbag did not deploy and my chest hit the steering wheel. My car was totaled and I…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Steering
88 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly after the steering wheel briefly jerked back and forth, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Steering wheel locks up when trying to start car. Have to jiggle steering wheel to get it unlocked. While driving steering wheel make clicking sound and catches back and forth while drivingOwner complaint, filed 2024
Suspension
45 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact initially received a recall notification from Hyundai Motors of America for an underbody corrosion preventative service. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was provided a list of repairs that needed to be performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 29,586 miles
On 10/30/2019 as I was driving down the highway at 75 mph, my front right coil spring broke and punctured my tire. Fortunately, I was able to get to the side of the road but was not in a safe area, putting others at risk. The faulty coil spring breaking and puncturing my tire could have caused a dangerous accident. Given my high rate of…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 29,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked and suddenly experienced unintended acceleration along with the speedometer increasing. The accelerator pedal was released and the brake pedal was depressed to slow the vehicle in speed. The contact merged to the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 186,000 miles
I've had my car for 4 years. And the last three years it started having issues. Hard shifting and shaking at random times engine light coming on and off. I've taken it to the shop countless times and only recently was given a diagnosed with a transmission sensor reading too hot. Before that every mechanic said they couldn't see any issue…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 115,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
36 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
My car was parked in front of my house on street. I found rear hatch glass shattered from the inside. There was glass several feet away from car on road. There are no rocks etc. inside or outside of car. This is the second time this has happened. The first time was June 2021 at an event I was attending. Same thing, glass exploded…Owner complaint, filed 2021
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 [VIN]. The contact unplugged the fuse box in order for the brake lights to turn off. The dealer was…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 104,339 miles
Wheels and tires
29 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I have had my car since 201. I brought it brand new. In that time, I have had to replace the tire sensors (TPMS) on my tires multiple times. They keep failing or something is wrong with the system. Even after brand new tires (and sensors) the warning fault light on the dash illuminates intermittently. Sometimes after 45 miles, it goes…Owner complaint, filed 2026
2012 hyundai elantra. Consumer would like to know when parts will be available to perform tire mobility kit (tmk) safety recall. The consumer stated there was an appointment set to have the recall performed. Once the consumer arrived, the dealer advised the parts were not available.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
27 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
My wife was driving down the road, traction control light came on & one of the brakes locked up and she nearly avoided an accident. I took the vehicle to a local shop & they pulled a C1283 code. I was told it was part of a recall & take it to the dealership. I took it Hanania Hyundai & they told me it's not part of the recall. I have the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My 2012 Hyundai Elantra has been subject to various recalls, such as number 20V393000, "12V outlet may overheat", but that seems trivial compared to a safety issue I've been experiencing. There are buttons on the Elantra steering wheel that control radio settings, cruise control, etc. For the past several years, these buttons have been…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Fuel system
18 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Car accelerated/surged when foot released from the gas pedal. Happened three separate instances. Last instance smashed into wall and damaged front bumper. Car so scary to drive we towed it to dealer. Replaced throttle sensor for $400. Related to NTSA OID 11439675Owner complaint, filed 2022
While driving engine light came on and car started running very rough. Took car to dealer and they found multiple cylinders injectors leaking down fouling plugs. Needed fuel induction kit and a fuel injector kit. Total cost $548.85.Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 66,432 miles
Body, doors and structure
16 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (11).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that after having the vehicle serviced at a local service station, while driving 55 MPH, the hood inadvertently flew open. The contact stated that she was driving on a back road and was able to safely pull into a yard where she was assisted with securing the hood. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 15,905 miles
Failure to provide campaign service Took car in for rust corrosion campaign and inspection on may 18th. I was told there was corrosion and they would send info to Hyundai for approval. Car was not inspected, and was denied loaner vehicle after being told on phone one would be provided. Forcing me to drive an uninspected corroded vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
. During the accident on February 1, 2025, at the moment of impact, the passenger seat belt suddenly unlatched and became stuck on my right hand. As a direct result, I suffered a fracture in my right hand at the exact point where the belt got caught, as well as fractures in my foot, ribs, back, and multiple other injuries. This seat belt…Owner complaint, filed 2025
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…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 45,000 miles
Driver assist systems
3 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera intermittently failed while the vehicle was in reverse. The contact stated that the screen failed to and provide an image when the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The contact called larson hyundai (7601 s. Tacoma way, tacoma, wa 98409…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 67,000 miles
Good afternoon abs module has a major recall on this vehicle how is it possible were a remedy has not been found as of this date. i do not have the liberty on not using the vehicle as its the only transportation i have to get around. This needs to be repaired ASAP as this puts the driver in an uncomfortable situation i have to take this…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Hyundai Elantra complaints by year
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2012 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Hyundai Elantra | Among the worst years | 4 |
| 2012 Toyota Corolla | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2012 Honda Civic | About average | 3 |
| 2012 Mazda Mazda3 | Among the worst years | 1 |
2012 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Brakes Control unit / modulePark outside until fixed
- 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.
Full recall 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
- 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.
Full recall 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
- 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.
Full recall 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.
Air bags
- 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.
Full recall 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.
2012 Hyundai Elantra questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra are the engine and cooling (141 complaints), the brakes and stability control (133 complaints) and the electrical system (126 complaints).
Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra a good year to buy?
One of the worst Elantra years. Owners filed about 2.2 times as many complaints as a typical Elantra year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 67,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Elantra years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The most recent, from Sep 2023, covers the control unit / module. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 67,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 59,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?
The Elantra years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2017. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model