2012 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (93) · Air Bags (90) · Steering (75)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
426 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-22 · campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
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.
Equipment:electrical 2020-07-02 · campaign 20V393000 · 272,126 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2015-12-23 · campaign 15V871000 · 155,000 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Structure 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V115000 · 186,250 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (122)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-08-26 · 26-BE-022H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original & subsequent owners.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Showing the 6 most recent of 122 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-16 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 210,672 mi · 🔥 fire“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 contact not…”
2026-09-28 · Service Brakes“rear metal brake line is heavily corroded and leaking. failed approaching intersection and had to use emergency brake to avoid crash.…”
2026-08-20 · Engine · 151,000 mi“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 repaired; …”
2026-08-03 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 59,000 mi“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 discovered that there was no brake flui…”
2026-07-14 · Electrical System“apparently a very common crankshaft angle sensor malfunction caused the engine to stall out at a stoplight, putting me in harm's way …”
2026-06-11 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“i was going down the bridge on settlers landing road the yellow school bus was in the right turning lane with right turning signal on .as i approached the light in the middle straight lane to keep toward the landing (hotel) on settlers landing hampton va the bus some what merged back towards the middle lane and that when the bus crashed into the …”
2026-06-01 · Service Brakes“*wife litely drives this car avg 4k miles a year* she left the house for the grocery store the other day and after the first stop light, noticed the brakes were engaging on their own. luckily she called me before going any further and damaging the pads and rotors, or worse - causing a fire or having an accident. i slowly drove it home and inspected…”
2026-04-27 · Engine · 🔥 fire“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 to the scene…”
2026-04-06 · Engine · 80,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact’s son owns a 2012 hyundai elantra. the contact stated that while the contact’s son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled, and the rear of the vehicle caught fire. the contact’s son pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, and the fire extinguished on its own. no fire or police report was filed. t…”
2026-03-31 · Air Bags · 101,000 mi“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 manufacturer was no…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.