2012 Hyundai Elantra: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2012 / hyundai / elantra
known issues	5 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-04)
complaints	674 on file (2011-09-12 → 2026-08-20)
recalls	4
investigations	4
fars	157 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Brake fluid loss and pedal-to-floor failureSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC62 complaints2020-10 → 2026-08elantra-2012-brake-fluid-loss-pedal-failure

11754439 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
11741232 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
11587212 On January 8, 2024, we experienced total brake failure with the brake pedal going all the way to the floor. The lack of braking occurred suddenly with no prior issues or warning

Airbag warning light and non-deployment in crashesAIR BAGS32 complaints2020-08 → 2026-06elantra-2012-airbag-warning-light-nondeploy

11728339 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
11501734 The airbag light came on and stays on no matter what. I have read this happens a lot with Hyundai Elantra’s made during this time frame. This is a major safety issue if the airbags are not functioning properly
11693837 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

Engine stalling, crankshaft sensor failure, and firesENGINE23 complaints2020-12 → 2026-08elantra-2012-engine-stall-crankshaft-fire

11758279 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
11721058 The engine produces a persistent ticking/knocking noise, most pronounced at cold start but now continuing even after the engine has warmed. A Hyundai dealership diagnosed the vehicle with piston slap and confirmed significant scarring on the cylinder walls
11734107 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

Electrical faults causing stalling and instrument panel lossELECTRICAL SYSTEM21 complaints2020-08 → 2026-07elantra-2012-electrical-stall-instrument-panel

11750199 Apparently a VERY common crankshaft angle sensor malfunction caused the engine to stall out at a stoplight, putting me in harm's way
11713946 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
11622776 I went to start my car and it would not turn over. All the lights were on, the vehicle wouldn't move out of park, and the security system kept going off

Steering wheel lockup and power steering lossSTEERING21 complaints2020-08 → 2024-12elantra-2012-steering-lockup-power-loss

11628690 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 ran into a pole
11625251 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
11614108 The steering wheel is locking up and unable to turn key/ignition while parked. This has happened multiple times. I jiggle the steering wheel while trying to turn key. It takes much effort and time until it finally unlocks

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
674	2011-09-12	2026-08-20	49	12	ENGINE:140; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:129; AIR BAGS:128; SERVICE BRAKES:99; STEERING:90

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
15V871000	23/12/2015	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 reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.	If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.
13V115000	01/04/2013	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.	If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.	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.
20V393000	02/07/2020	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 prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.	An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.	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.
23V651000	22/09/2023	SERVICE 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 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.	An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
AQ23002	open	Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	2023-11-17	·	·	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP21003	closed	Throttle control system vulnerabilities	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE	2021-11-12	2023-06-20	·	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can b
EA12008	closed	Headliner Bracket Detachment	AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW	2012-09-13	2013-12-09	13V115000	In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these
PE12012	closed	Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment	AIR BAGS	2012-05-10	2012-09-17	·	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Elantra.An inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag.The metal bracket caused a laceration to the driver's ear and other possible injuries.Approximately 75,000 MY 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicles, built in Korea and sold in the U.S., have stiffeners in the headliners while the MY 201

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	157	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/hyundai/elantra

@misc{wrenchpro_2012_hyundai_elantra_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Hyundai Elantra},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/hyundai/elantra}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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