Problems · by component
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring electronic stability control (esc) problems
44 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring cite electronic stability control (esc), 7% of all 655 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
44
7% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electronic stability control (esc)
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall for the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System; however, the failure recurred, and the ESC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. 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 127,000.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while stopped for a traffic light and attempting to drive off after the light changed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the throttle body control, fuel injectors, fuel pump, starter, and accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle had not been taken back to the mechanic. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V871000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,825.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. He stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently brake with the ESC warning light illuminated. The contact's wife drove at a slower speed once the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they were unable to diagnose the vehicle failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V871000 (Electronic Stability Control) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.”
“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENS TO ME. THE EPS LIGHT TURNS ON, THE STEERING WHEEL GETS TIGHT. SO THE POWER STEERING DISCONNECTS FROM THE ENGINE. YOU LITERALLY CAN'T STEER. THIS LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING DOWN A GRADE AT NIGHT. IF INCOMING TRAFFIC WOULD OF BEEN COMING I WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THEM OR GO DOWN THE CLIFF. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED ONCE BY DEALER ALREADY LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. THIS CAR IS UN SAFE AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT ANY MORE. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT IN NEUTRAL TO THE SHOULDER ONCE I PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR SHOOK AND IT SHUT DOWN.”
“STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION, I LOSE CONTROL AND THE BRAKE APPLIED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CRASH MY CAR I AM OK BUT I HAVE DAMAGE IN MY CAR. I WENT TO DEALER FOR THIS RECALL AND THEY DID NOT FIXED NOW I DONT KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,700.”
Showing 6 of 44 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.