Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire
- 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.
- Consequence
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- 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.
Accessory Power Outlet May Overheat
- 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.
- Consequence
- An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
- 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.
ESC Malfunction may cause Loss of Control
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Headliner Support Bracket may cause Injury
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (653)
653 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 653 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 139 | 21.3% |
| Electrical system | 126 | 19.3% |
| Air bags | 124 | 19% |
| Service brakes | 98 | 15% |
| Steering | 88 | 13.5% |
| Unknown or other | 66 | 10.1% |
| Suspension | 45 | 6.9% |
| Electronic stability control | 44 | 6.7% |
| Power train | 40 | 6.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 27 | 4.1% |
How 2012 compares with other Elantra years
Best and worst Elantra years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 314 | 7 |
| 2009 | 254 | 4 |
| 2010 | 379 | 3 |
| 2011 | 433 | 5 |
| 2012 | 653 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1,324 | 4 |
| 2014 | 386 | 2 |
| 2015 | 262 | 3 |
| 2016 | 293 | 2 |
| 2017 | 767 | 4 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Hyundai Elantra 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,100
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 278 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 38 / 32 | $2,100 | 278 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 38 / 32 | $2,100 | 278 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Elantra for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Hyundai Elantra FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 23V651000 (brake), 20V393000 (electrical), 15V871000 (electronic stability control (esc)), 13V115000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Elantra problems?
Owners filed 653 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (139), Electrical system (126), Air bags (124) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 28 city, 38 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Hyundai Elantra get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Hyundai Elantra 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.9% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Elantra compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Hyundai Elantra model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (254) and the 2013 the most (1,324). The 2012 drew 653. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.