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2012 Hyundai ElantraProblems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)

Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, ranked by the component that failed most.

Complaints on file

674

Recalls issued

4

Crashes reported

49

Fires reported

12

What breaks most

  • Engine140 complaints · 20.8%
  • Electrical System129 complaints · 19.1%
  • Air Bags128 complaints · 19%
  • Service Brakes99 complaints · 14.7%
  • Steering90 complaints · 13.4%

Recalls on this model year

  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

    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 r

    Campaign 15V871000 · reported 23/12/2015 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer

  • Air Bags › Side/Window

    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.

    Campaign 13V115000 · reported 01/04/2013 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer

  • Equipment › Electrical

    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 prolong

    Campaign 20V393000 · reported 02/07/2020 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer

  • Park outsideService Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module

    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 B

    Campaign 23V651000 · reported 22/09/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer

What owners report

Engine

  • 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
  • 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 f
  • 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 caugh

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
  • 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 diag
  • Driver side wheel baron was scrubbing together and brake fluid was leaking I lost speed can't go over 35 miles on the speedometer my airbag light is on on the dashboard, abs, the car with 2 lines and

Air Bags

  • 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 t
  • 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 contacte
  • 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

Service Brakes

  • 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 ve
  • *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 call
  • Driver side wheel baron was scrubbing together and brake fluid was leaking I lost speed can't go over 35 miles on the speedometer my airbag light is on on the dashboard, abs, the car with 2 lines and

Steering

  • My steering wheel started making loud rattling and clunking noise. This happened when I turned or slowed down or went over a bump. It got worse very quickly. I suddenly could not steer at all. So I ra
  • 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 steeri
  • 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 driving

Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.

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