2012 Hyundai Elantra reliability record
NHTSA consumer complaints and recall campaigns for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra from the dataset labeled 2026. The source file does not provide an exact snapshot date. Use the reported issues to guide further checks; these counts do not establish failure rates or repair costs.
- NHTSA complaints
- 917
- Dataset year: 2026; snapshot day not provided
- Top problem area
- ENGINE
- 138 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 4
- see below
- Reported harm
- 74 reported crashes · 69 injuries · 15 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesCounts are not adjusted for vehicles sold, time in service or reporting frequency. A larger count does not establish a higher chance of failure, and these comparisons do not set the maintenance budget in our calculator.
Complaint rank
#465
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Hyundai median
+649
median 268 across 168 Hyundai records
Vs 2010-2014
+625
median 292 complaints in 613 records
Top component share
15%
Engine: 138 complaints
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
Build a separate budget with your purchase price, insurance quote, mileage and maintenance estimate. Complaint counts do not enter that calculation. Unknown local taxes and fees stay listed as costs to confirm.
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. Dataset year: 2026; exact snapshot day not supplied. 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?
This complaint dataset does not measure repair prices or predict a maintenance budget for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra. Use your purchase price, insurance quotes, fuel use and a maintenance estimate in the separate five-year cost calculator. It does not convert complaint counts into repair costs, and any unknown taxes remain excluded and clearly listed.