The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has 1326 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag major engine failure (requiring replacement): reports of engines failing or needing replacement at low mileage (e.g., 50,000 miles/80,000 km). linked to oil consumption and rod bearing failures in certain engines (e.g., theta ii), though not all elantra engines are covered by related recalls. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 17 Elantra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 60 (1998) to 2,616 (2013). With 1,326 complaints, the 2012 Elantra sits abovethe model's median of 315.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
electronic stability control (esc)
Campaign 15V871000Hyundai 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 f…
air bags:side/window
Campaign 13V115000Hyundai 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 …
equipment:electrical
Campaign 20V393000Hyundai 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, possi…
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Campaign 23V651000Hyundai 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 T…
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. Long-term owner reports for older generations (pre-2011) with specific engines like the Beta II describe exceptional, Corolla-like reliability with examples…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Elantra. See the full Elantra owner picture and every model year.
Used Elantra listings typically run $20,931–$22,651 across 2017 to 2026 model years.
Compare every Elantra year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.