Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems

Owners filed 655 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring with NHTSA between Sep 2011 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is engine (134).

Complaints
655
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
45
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
34
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine134
  2. Electrical system126
  3. Air bags123
  4. Steering90
  5. Service brakes57
  6. Suspension51
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)44
  8. Power train43
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic39
  10. Vehicle speed control26
  11. Exterior lighting18
  12. Tires18
  13. Wheels17
  14. Structure17

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20115
201228
201330
201453
201563
201683
201751
201853
201980
202054
202137
202223
202344
202448
20253

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

134 reports3 crashes5 fires
“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. The last time this happened I had the starter replaced and the neutral safety switch and it was fine for a bit but now it's happened again. This is at least the 3rd time I've had this issue. Please help! I know I'm not the only one. I had to have AAA come and pick my car up and bring it to a garage.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2024Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11622776

Electrical system

126 reports4 crashes1 fire
“A while ago the airbag light starting coming on intermittently and I originally thought it was the sensor detecting weight in the passenger seat or not and perhaps the sensor was a little off but did not investigate. Over time the light become on constantly but I didn't notice this shift until the horn stopped working recently too. After some troubleshooting of the fuse and relay, an independent shop determined that the clock spring is the issue. After researching online I discovered there is an extended warranty for the clock spring on my vehicle of which I was unaware. I do not recall receiving a letter about this [XXX] ), although the warranty extension was announced years before my vehicle showed signs of an issue. I also saw from other posts that the clock spring is a common issue possibly impacting the reliability of the airbags and horn and dealers have been hesitant to replace the clock spring until the issue reaches a certain degree of severity. Now I wonder if the airbags in my vehicle have not been ready to deploy in case of an accident since the seatbelt light started coming on and driving without a functioning horn adds more risk of an accident.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2024Electrical systemODI 11620913

Air bags

123 reports24 crashes
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and air bag warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2025Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bagsODI 11667394

Steering

90 reports9 crashes
“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. Thankfully it wasn't another car or a person. Many people have this same issue. This needs to be recalled ASAP. It's either the pinion and rack issue or the steering wheel issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2024Steering, WheelsCrash reportedODI 11628690

Service brakes

57 reports8 crashes
“The brake pedal stopper pad broke and fell off which resulted in the brake lights remaining illuminated the entire time the car was driving, which is very hazardous. I am not sure how long it had been broken for before I realized that this dangerous condition was occurring. The brake lights remained on even after the car was turned off. I had to tape a piece of cardboard to the brake arm where it hits the brake light switch to get the brake lights to appropriately go off and on and to be able to relatively safely drive the car to a mechanic. The mechanic was able to determine that the broken brake pedal stopper was causing the problem. 2013 elantras were recalled for this problem but not the 2012 models. This recall may need to be expanded to 2012s.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2025Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11674664

Suspension

51 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact initially received a recall notification from Hyundai Motors of America for an underbody corrosion preventative service. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was provided a list of repairs that needed to be performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where pictures were taken to document the severity of the corrosion on the suspension. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where a second inspection of the corrosion was performed. Pictures of the suspension were taken by the dealer and submitted to the manufacturer; and the contact was provided a priority code number by the dealer. Despite the information that was submitted to the manufacturer, the manufacturer declined the repair. The contact was provided a case number by the manufacturer. The contact had the rear brakes replaced due to the severe corrosion; however, the issue remained. The failure mileage was approximately 29,586”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2023SuspensionODI 11527882
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.