2012 Hyundai Elantra reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 917
- 197 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- ENGINE
- 138 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 4
- see below
- Reported harm
- 74 reported crashes · 69 injuries · 15 fires
What owners report fails — 2012 Hyundai Elantra
- ENGINE 138
- AIR BAGS 123
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 122
- STEERING 88
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 66
4 recalls on record for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra
- NHTSA 23V651000 · 2024 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACT An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- NHTSA 20V393000 · 2020 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
- NHTSA 15V871000 · 2016 · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of
- NHTSA 13V115000 · 2013 · STRUCTURE If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2012 Hyundai Elantra
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2012 Hyundai Elantra units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
NHTSA has 917 consumer complaints on record for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra and 4 recalls. The most-reported problem area is engine (138 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2012 Hyundai Elantra units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners most often report problems with: engine (138), air bags (123), electrical system (122), steering (88). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.