Hyundai Elantra Complaints (2012)

654 consumer complaints on file.

#11679620August 9, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
Seatbelt failed passenger was thrown forward hitting windshield afterwards airbag deployed throwing passenger upwards hitting roof of vehicle Issue: Delayed airbag deployment Issue: Seatbelt failure
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11674664July 18, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES
The brake pedal stopper pad broke and fell off which resulted in the brake lights remaining illuminated the entire time the car was driving, which is very hazardous. I am not sure how long it had been broken for before I realized that this dangerous condition was occurring. The brake lights remained on even after the car was turned off. I had to tape a piece of cardboard to the brake arm where it hits the brake light switch to get the brake lights to appropriately go off and on and to be able to relatively safely drive the car to a mechanic. The mechanic was able to determine that the broken brake pedal stopper was causing the problem. 2013 elantras were recalled for this problem but not the 2012 models. This recall may need to be expanded to 2012s.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667394June 17, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and air bag warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635758January 13, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
At first the car was fine when I bought if off some random guy and it drove a little rough but was good for the mean time. A month into driving the car I come to realize that the timing change needed to be replaced since it would keep turning off on its own in idle. As I was changing gears on the car after the a month of the repair from drive to reverse I realized the car’s gears were slipping and coming to find out we need a transmission change on the car. While looking into this cars reports using the vin number since I found it a little off putting that the transmission and timing chain is already giving out at 188,000 miles I come to find out the car may have a odometer rollback since it was last reported to have 256,500 miles and it that it was possibly altered. So the Timing chain and the transmission were the components that needed change. My safety was put as risk when the gear would not change redlining the car when driving in public roads cause me to limit my speed to be under the speed limit when realization of the issue set it of the car. The issue has not been confirmed only the time change since it was fixed at a service center. It has also not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance since I’m not sure how to report Odometer rollback fraud. There was an engine light at the time of purchase which was the timing chain and a tire pressure light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629779December 9, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown I have two urgent recall warnings on my vehicle and am unable to park near building structures according to the recall instructions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628690December 3, 2024
STEERING, WHEELS
My steering wheel started making loud rattling and clunking noise. This happened when I turned or slowed down or went over a bump. It got worse very quickly. I suddenly could not steer at all. So I ran into a pole. Thankfully it wasn't another car or a person. Many people have this same issue. This needs to be recalled ASAP. It's either the pinion and rack issue or the steering wheel issue.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626130November 19, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I took my car into Burns Hyundai (Marlton, NJ) for the ABS recall on [XXX], and while leaving the lot, my car doors began locking/unlocking when I braked or accelerated... I called them and took it back on the 10/09 and I was told they did everything correctly and I would have to PAY to have my vehicle diagnosed for THEIR error. I then took my car to Meineke (right next door to Hyundai) for other services recommended by Hyundai on 10/7 (which Meineke later told me that I DON'T need to have done at all) and Meineke told me that Hyundai DID cause the software issue when doing the ABS recall. I filed a complaint with Hyundai (Hyundai Consumer Affairs Case#: [XXX]) and the solution was again for me to take my vehicle back (Burns Hyundai in Marlton OR Hyundai in Burlington) for a diagnosis, and if THEY determine the software issue is not related to whatever they did for the ABS recall, I would have to foot the diagnosis bill. Because Burns Hyundai refused to take accountability from from the onset for their error(s) with my vehicle, my car doors now unlock/lock while I'm DRIVING my vehicle which is DANGEROUS especially if I have children in the back seat. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625251November 14, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly after the steering wheel briefly jerked back and forth, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became regular. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rubber coupling. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin 17-ST-002. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622776October 30, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I went to start my car and it would not turn over. All the lights were on, the vehicle wouldn't move out of park, and the security system kept going off. The last time this happened I had the starter replaced and the neutral safety switch and it was fine for a bit but now it's happened again. This is at least the 3rd time I've had this issue. Please help! I know I'm not the only one. I had to have AAA come and pick my car up and bring it to a garage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620913October 20, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A while ago the airbag light starting coming on intermittently and I originally thought it was the sensor detecting weight in the passenger seat or not and perhaps the sensor was a little off but did not investigate. Over time the light become on constantly but I didn't notice this shift until the horn stopped working recently too. After some troubleshooting of the fuse and relay, an independent shop determined that the clock spring is the issue. After researching online I discovered there is an extended warranty for the clock spring on my vehicle of which I was unaware. I do not recall receiving a letter about this [XXX] ), although the warranty extension was announced years before my vehicle showed signs of an issue. I also saw from other posts that the clock spring is a common issue possibly impacting the reliability of the airbags and horn and dealers have been hesitant to replace the clock spring until the issue reaches a certain degree of severity. Now I wonder if the airbags in my vehicle have not been ready to deploy in case of an accident since the seatbelt light started coming on and driving without a functioning horn adds more risk of an accident. I'm surprised that a recall was not previously issued as both the airbags and horn impact the safety of the vehicle. Apart from the concern of the part reliability itself, the lack of communication around the safety bulletin vs how recalls are communicated seems it could have put many at risk of malfunctioning airbags that would increase the severity of injury in an accident and a malfunctioning horn that would increase the chances of an accident. How is a faulty part that impacts functionality of the airbags and horn not a safety-related defect that merits a recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618077October 4, 2024
STEERING
Steering wheel locks up when trying to start car. Have to jiggle steering wheel to get it unlocked. While driving steering wheel make clicking sound and catches back and forth while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617985October 3, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine compartment had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was provided; however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. A Police report was not filed. No medical attention was needed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage junkyard. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle would be destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614108September 11, 2024
STEERING
The steering wheel is locking up and unable to turn key/ignition while parked. This has happened multiple times. I jiggle the steering wheel while trying to turn key. It takes much effort and time until it finally unlocks. The first incident happened perhaps 2 years ago. This week it has occured 3 times within the past 3 days. I do not see any warning lights on my dashboard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612327September 3, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609090August 17, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake lights stuck in the on position with no turn signal lights working. Brake light switch defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604469July 25, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked and suddenly experienced unintended acceleration along with the speedometer increasing. The accelerator pedal was released and the brake pedal was depressed to slow the vehicle in speed. The contact merged to the side of the road. The contact attempted to continue to drive the vehicle but the failure persisted. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598236July 2, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My wife was driving down the road, traction control light came on & one of the brakes locked up and she nearly avoided an accident. I took the vehicle to a local shop & they pulled a C1283 code. I was told it was part of a recall & take it to the dealership. I took it Hanania Hyundai & they told me it's not part of the recall. I have the TSB and will attach it. If my car is not part of it, I believe it should be because it describes my incident to a tee.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11596352June 25, 2024
ENGINE
I was driving my 2012 Hyundai Elantra and it suddenly stopped. I took it to be checked out and it has an excessive oil consumption issue which can cause engine failure or a fire. Hyundai refuses to acknowledge the issue or fix it. After doing some research I see that this is a common problem with this car. I have to check my oil every 1000 miles and many times less than that and refill it. They should be held responsible and fix the issue. There should also have been a recall considering not only how dangerous this is, but also how many people are experiencing this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595666June 21, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was not starting properly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595701June 21, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and scheduled an appointment; however, the dealer rescheduled the appointment and informed the contact that the system was down. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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