2012 Hyundai Elantra

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2012 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 649 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1990	0
1991	0
1992	29
1993	24
1994	76
1995	112
1996	100
1997	115
1998	55
1999	128
2000	197
2001	315
2002	342
2003	234
2004	182
2005	137
2006	155
2007	266
2008	314
2009	247
2010	378
2011	431
2012	649
2013	1307
2014	379
2015	258
2016	286
2017	759
2018	274
2019	242
2020	240
2021	128
2022	95
2023	90
2024	52
2025	20
2026	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 21%

21% of complaints: engine — 138 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

AIR BAGS 19%

19% of complaints: air bags — 123 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. SWITCHED LANES SUCCESSFULLY, BUT COULD NOT STRAIGHT THE STEERING BACK STRAIGHT, CAUSING CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER! AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171119

ON OCTOBER 19,2012, I WAS DRIVING ON 94 E IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING FOUR VEHICLES. THE TRAFFIC WAS GOING AT A STEADY PACE AROUND 60 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121114

2012 ELANTRA WAS STRUCK IN CENTER OF HOOD BY JEEP SUV AT APPROXIMATELY 45* ANGLE. JEEP WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. ELANTRA WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. ELANTRA BUMPER CAVED IN ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE BLOCK IN THE CENTER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120730

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 122 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

STEERING 14%

14% of complaints: steering — 88 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Car went off the road in the snow and was totalled. Brakes did not lock or vibrate to alert that the car was starting to slide

NHTSA ODI report, 20231204

NHTSA ODI report, 20171119

SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 59 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Car went off the road in the snow and was totalled. Brakes did not lock or vibrate to alert that the car was starting to slide

NHTSA ODI report, 20231204

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 649

I 20120510 — PE (closed 20120917)

Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment

I 20120913 — EA (closed 20131209)

Headliner Bracket Detachment

R 20130423 — air bags, structure

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 dis

Remedy: 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

Campaign 13V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160509 — 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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V871000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200928 — equipment

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V393000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240410 — service brakes, hydraulic

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 23V651000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine issues (138 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (123 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (122 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 13V115000 (air bags, structure) has been completed.
Verify recall 15V871000 (electronic stability control (esc)) has been completed.
Verify recall 20V393000 (equipment) has been completed.
Verify recall 23V651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2017 ◆ 2011

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.