Problems · by component
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring electrical system problems
126 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring cite electrical system, 19% of all 655 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
126
19% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“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.…”
“NHTSA: #23V651000 I need to know when I can get this major problem fix. This is a safety issue that needs attention. The vehicles anti-lock brake system module could leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short. An electrical short could result in significant overcurrent in the ABS module, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving or parked. [XXX] I was contacted took my vehicle in and was told a fuse would be ordered and I would be called back in to to get this safety issue fixed. I just spoke with the Service Manager in Terrell and he said the remedy was taken away on [XXX], one day after I was a the dealership and ALL ordered were canceled. Please see my invoice from [XXX] in attachment. This is a BIG problem for me.”
“It’s been happening recently everyday when going to start the car it doesn’t start and I have to pop the hood, open the fusebox cover and lift the wire attached to the fusebox and then when starting the car it starts. It’s been happening every other day and sometimes a week after.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while depressing the brake pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was a short circuit in the engine wiring. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking while driving above 50 MPH. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
“I complied with Hyundai's voluntary recall of my 2012 Elantra, supposedly designed to deter theft with some sort of software update. Four weeks after this, four teenager rolled up to my house in a stolen Hyundai Sonata. One of them jumped out of the car, smashed my car's back window, and stole my car. This whole process took place in broad daylight, in front of multiple witnesses, over approximately 30 seconds. I contend that Hyundai's "voluntary recall" was 1) fraudulent, in that it does not do anything to fix the actual problem; 2) dangerous, in that it led owners to believe their car was safe when it fact it was not; and 3) a waste of taxpayers' time, as it caused me to take several hours off of work. Hyundai should be compelled to 1) ACTUALLY fix these vehicles; 2) compensation any Hyundai owners whose vehicles were stolen. While I have insurance protection on this vehicle, I will almost certainly need to pay more money than that to replace this car with one of comparable utility to me.”
Showing 6 of 126 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.