The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 143 of 676 complaints (21%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (37) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 462 in 2011 to 676 in 2012.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 676
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,950–$2,400
- Combined MPG
- 26–32
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,400 | 1,950–2,400 | 1,950–2,400 | 1,950–2,100 | 2,000–2,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–29 | 26–32 | 26–32 | 30–32 | 27–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–26 / 30–35 | 23–28 / 30–38 | 23–28 / 30–38 | 26–28 / 37–38 | 24–27 / 32–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 306–342 | 278–342 | 278–342 | 284–301 | 285–328 | |
| Complaints filed | 455 | 462 | 676 | 1,337 | 394 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 49 | 21 | 49 | 95 | 35 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 13 | 9 | 13 | 31 | 16 | |
| Injuries reported | 53 | 13 | 47 | 68 | 31 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
Engine: 143 of 676 NHTSA complaints (21%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 26–32 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
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EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 278 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 278 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 342 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 342 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 143 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 43 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 129 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 133 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| Steering | 90 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 78 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 130 | 29 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 30 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 19 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 37 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 73 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Defect
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Consequence
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
- Defect
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
- Consequence
- An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Defect
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
- Consequence
- If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
- Defect
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
- Consequence
- If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 117.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW; STRUCTURE
- Defect
- Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
- Consequence
- If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.