Owners have filed 674 safety complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra with U.S. regulators. Here's what the federal data shows, system by system.
Complaints for this vehicle report 49 crashes, 12 fires, 47 injuries. No deaths have been reported.
Complaints filed with NHTSA name the vehicle system involved. For the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, here is how reports break down by system.
"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."
"Problem with the braking system brakes fail! Piñon is junk Wipers shot Engine has always sounded like it was its last ride Won’t shift then the rpm’s go up Sometimes gotta use the safety lock key to get it in gear"
For most vehicles, complaint volume spikes early and tapers off. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra peaked later than usual, in 2016.
Across the Hyundai Elantra model years we track, the 2013 has the most complaints on file (1,328); the 2012 ranks 3 of 4.
4 recalls apply to some or all 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, with no time limit.
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.
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 re…
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 prolonge…
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 Br…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer, with no time limit. Look up your 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA site to see open recalls for your specific vehicle. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov →
NHTSA crash ratings measure how the car protects occupants in a crash — a separate question from the reliability complaints above. A vehicle can be both crashworthy and trouble-prone.
As of September 7, 2026, owners have filed 674 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA. The most-reported system is engine & cooling.
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has 4 NHTSA recalls on file. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
NHTSA gives the 2012 Hyundai Elantra an overall crash rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Crash ratings measure occupant protection in a collision; they do not measure reliability, which is what the complaint data above reflects.
All figures come from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public APIs: the Office of Defects Investigation complaint database, the recalls database, and NCAP safety ratings, retrieved September 7, 2026.
Complaints are self-reported by consumers and are not verified by NHTSA or by this site. A single complaint may cite multiple vehicle systems, so system mentions can sum to more than the complaint total. Complaint volume is influenced by fleet size, media attention, and recall notices, and is not by itself a measure of defect rates.
This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. Nothing here is repair, purchase, or legal advice. For your specific vehicle, use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and consult a qualified technician.