Model year
2012 Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 654 complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 22 complaints under ELANTRA TOURING. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (139), AIR BAGS (123), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (123). NHTSA lists 4 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA overall stars for rated variants run from 4 to 5. EPA rates it 26–32 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,100–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 197 complaints
- 2001 315 complaints
- 2002 342 complaints
- 2003 234 complaints
- 2004 182 complaints
- 2005 137 complaints
- 2006 155 complaints
- 2007 267 complaints
- 2008 314 complaints
- 2009 254 complaints
- 2010 380 complaints
- 2011 433 complaints
- 2012 654 complaints
- 2013 1,314 complaints
- 2014 386 complaints
- 2015 262 complaints
- 2016 293 complaints
- 2017 769 complaints
- 2018 284 complaints
- 2019 252 complaints
- 2020 254 complaints
- 2021 132 complaints
- 2022 102 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 55 complaints
- 2025 22 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
23V651000 · Sep 22, 2023
Park outsideSERVICE 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…
20V393000 · Jul 2, 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…
15V871000 · Dec 23, 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…
13V115000 · Apr 1, 2013
STRUCTURE; 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.
Complaints
654 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 47, fire flag on 12, injury field 44, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ELANTRA TOURING | 1 | 22 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE12012 | Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment · AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | May 10, 2012 | Sep 17, 2012 |
| EA12008 | Headliner Bracket Detachment · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW; STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS; UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Sep 13, 2012 | Dec 9, 2013 |
| DP21003 | Throttle control system vulnerabilities · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE | Nov 12, 2021 | Jun 20, 2023 |
| AQ23002 | Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Nov 17, 2023 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| 4 DR FWD Early Release | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.11 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR FWD Later Release | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.109 | NHTSA photo |
| Touring 5 HB FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra · 1.8L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 | 38 | 32 | — | — | $2,100 |
| Elantra · 1.8L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 | 38 | 32 | — | — | $2,100 |
| Elantra Touring · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Elantra Touring · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Hyundai Elantra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.