2012 Hyundai Genesis
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 69 of 259 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 122 in 2011 to 259 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–4,100 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,850–4,100 | 2,850–4,100 | 2,950–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–24 | 20–24 | 19–24 | 19–24 | 18–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–21 / 25–30 | 17–21 / 24–30 | 16–21 / 25–30 | 16–21 / 25–29 | 15–19 / 23–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–468 | 370–444 | 370–468 | 375–495 | 406–495 | |
| Complaints filed | 88 | 122 | 259 | 126 | 22 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 12 | 8 | 14 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 6 | 5 | 16 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
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 Genesis have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Hyundai Genesis?
Engine: 69 of 259 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Genesis get?
EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Hyundai Genesis?
EPA estimates $2,850–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 18 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 29 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg | 27 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 69 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 49 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 63 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 32 | 1 | 0 | 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 (2)
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 16V117000 · Feb 29, 2016
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured August 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, and 2011-2013 Equus vehicles manufactured July 10, 2011, to June 12, 2012. The windshield wiper motor cover seal on the affected vehicles may degrade allowing corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function.
Consequence: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID · Campaign 13V489000 · Oct 30, 2013
Defect: Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, through March 28, 2012. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).
Consequence: If the module corrodes, reduced brake effectiveness may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and instruct them to bring their vehicle to a dealer for service. Hyundai will inspect the HECU module for proper operation, and will replace the modules as necessary. Hyundai will replace the factory brake fluid in those vehicles that have not previously had the factory brake fluid replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 or by email at consumeraffairs@hmausa.com. Hyundai's recall number is 114.