Reliable Auto DB

2012 Hyundai Elantra reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 674 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra over 15 years — 39 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Elantra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 23. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Electrical, and Electronic stability control (ESC).

2012 Hyundai Elantra
Photo by SsmIntrigue, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

674

Per year

39

Recalls

4

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (140 of 674), then Electrical system (129) and Air bags (128). Those filings include 49 that report a crash, 12 that report a fire, and 32 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Elantra has 1,329 complaints, 116 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Hyundai Elantra. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000
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.
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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Recall equipment, electrical 2020-07-02 · NHTSA campaign 20V393000
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.
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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
Recall Electronic stability control (ESC) 2015-12-23 · NHTSA campaign 15V871000
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.
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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
Recall air bags, side and window 2013-04-01 · NHTSA campaign 13V115000
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.
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's recall campaign number is 109.

Complaints by component (674 total)

Engine
140
Electrical system
129
Air bags
128
Steering
90
Service brakes
59
Suspension
51
Electronic stability control (ESC)
44
Powertrain
43
Hydraulic brakes
40
Speed control
27
Wheels
19
Exterior lighting
18
Tires
18
Structure
17
Fuel and propulsion system
15
Visibility and wipers
12
Visibility
7
Seat belts
6
Equipment
4
Engine and engine cooling
3
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Forward collision avoidance
2
Seats
2
Back-over prevention
1
Fire-related
1
Show 17 more Show less
Crash-flagged

49

Fire-flagged

12

Injury reports

32

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

52011282012302013532014632015832016512017532018802019542020372021232022442023482024102025122026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-20
  • "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…"
    Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-08-03
  • "Apparently a VERY common crankshaft angle sensor malfunction caused the engine to stall out at a stoplight, putting me in harm's way"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-07-14
  • "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…"
    Air bags, Speed control · filed 2026-06-11
  • "*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…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-06-01

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Hyundai Elantra 2 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2012 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Early Release 4 stars 3 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2012 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Later Release 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring 5 HB FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Elantra 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 28 38 32 MPG $2050
Elantra 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 28 38 32 MPG $2050
Elantra Touring 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 4-speed Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Elantra Touring 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500

Specs and fitment

5th generation (MD), 2012–2016
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 (1.8L and 2.0L per manual) , 4.2 qt capacity
Tire size 205/55R16 to 225/45R17 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 17V769000. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature. If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.

Compare

Next year 2013 Hyundai Elantra See every Hyundai Elantra model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Owners have filed 674 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra over 15 years — 39 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Elantra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 23. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Electrical, and Electronic stability control (ESC).

What are common problems with a 2012 Hyundai Elantra?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (140 of 674), then Electrical system (129) and Air bags (128). Those filings include 49 that report a crash, 12 that report a fire, and 32 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Elantra has 1,329 complaints, 116 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Hyundai Elantra been recalled?

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners have filed 674 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Hyundai Elantra get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra is 29 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Elantra take?

5W-20 or 5W-30 (1.8L and 2.0L per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-769 cover on the Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA campaign 17V769000.

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?

5th generation (MD) (2012-2016).