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2012 Hyundai Elantra

Safety ratings, recalls, and consumer complaints from NHTSA

NHTSA Safety Ratings

2012 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Later Release

Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★☆
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★☆

2012 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Early Release

Overall
★★★★☆
Front Crash
★★★☆☆
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★☆

2012 Hyundai Elantra 2 DR FWD

Overall
Not Rated
Front Crash
Not Rated
Side Crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated

Recalls(4)

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.

Campaign: 15V871000

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

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.

Campaign: 20V393000

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.

Campaign: 23V651000

Consumer Complaints(674 total, showing 10)

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 failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed crankshaft sensor. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty because the mileage was 3,000 miles over the mileage limitation. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test with the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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. While inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that there was no brake fluid inside the brake fluid reservoir. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), and a fuse was replaced. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.

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

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 (hotel) on settlers landing Hampton va the bus some what merged back towards the middle lane and that when the bus crashed into the car it went under the bus it’s totaled the windshield and my sunroof collided the airbags did not deploy something needs to be done about that that was dangerous.I got glass in my face my right hand had glass my head hit the steering wheel my body jerked. I hit my legs my whole body is hurting and very sore all over I can’t hardly walk my hand is swollen. Liability suit of airbag default needs to happen

Crash reported5 injuries

SERVICE BRAKES

*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 any further and damaging the pads and rotors, or worse - causing a fire or having an accident. I slowly drove it home and inspected fuses, brake fluid and checked online resources for anyone with similar issue. Turns out this is common? Very dangerous. Have never experienced this issue with any other car make. I had the car towed to HQ Hyundai (local dealer in Sanford FL) to address 2 open recall bulletins on this car. They immediately forced me to accept a 200 inspection fee (key ransom) just to do the recalls - siting safety of staff!?! They were informed that the brakes were remaining engaged and that they needed to disconnect the battery, but they left it in the tow yard over the weekend. I am sure they will try to sell us a battery now. Very upset with the response to this extremely unsafe issue, that we didn't cause from excessive, hard driving.

ENGINE

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. The fire spread, which caught fire to a nearby mobile home and a 4-wheeler. The authorities were called to the scene, and the fire department managed to extinguish all three fires. No injuries were reported, and a police report was not filed. A neighbor's Ring doorbell camera captured the footage of the fire, which showed that the fire had started from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The vehicle was a total loss and remained in the contact's possession. The failure mileage was unknown.

Fire reported

ENGINE

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 caught fire. The contact’s son pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, and the fire extinguished on its own. No fire or police report was filed. The contact was informed by local police that a trail of oil had leaked from the contact’s son’s vehicle while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and refused to replace the engine under an unknown related engine recall. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Fire reported

AIR BAGS

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. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

ENGINE

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding a 2012 Hyundai Elantra equipped with the 1.8L Nu engine, which is experiencing premature internal engine damage that presents a potential safety risk. Vehicle details: Year/Make/Model: 2012 Hyundai Elantra Mileage: Approximately 134,500 miles Issue description: 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, stating that the only repair is full engine replacement. Despite the presence of internal engine damage, no warning lights are illuminated. I am concerned this condition could lead to sudden engine seizure or loss of power while driving, creating a safety hazard. Additional observations include: Excessive crankcase blow-by observed when removing the oil fill cap while the engine is running Strong exhaust fumes at cold start Noise most noticeable at idle and low RPM Regular oil changes using manufacturer-recommended oil viscosity The dealership advised the condition was not repairable short of engine replacement and did not submit the concern for Hyundai corporate technical review (Techline), despite the known history of engine defects in Hyundai Nu engines. I am filing this complaint to document a pattern of premature internal engine wear that may not be adequately addressed through recalls or warranty programs, and which could result in sudden engine failure. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

ENGINE

Car check engine light illuminated and car began shaking and stalled at 79284 miles. Local mechanic said engine was dry and would need full replacement, no dashboard lights indicating oil level or engine issues prior to this point.

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