VehicleVerdict

2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

28

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Elantra Touring years?

Elantra Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted95 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 48 complaints2010: 95 complaints2011: 41 complaints2012: 28 complaints2013: 19 complaints
Elantra Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra Touring years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension621%
Tires & Wheels414%
Airbags414%
Transmission311%
Electrical System311%
Steering27%
Other27%
Engine27%
Body & Structure14%
Lighting14%

Does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V310000Body & StructureJune 10, 2014 · 35,000 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“IN THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION, THE TRAILING ARM BROKE OFF WHERE THE ANTI-ROLL BAR IS MOUNTED, TO WHERE THE ANTI-ROLL BAR IS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE SUSPENSION. THE CLUNKING NOISE THAT RESULTED FROM THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED IN EARLY MARCH 2019, AND OCCURS WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE DATE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 1, 2019

“I PURCHASED 4 TIRES ON 6/14/2013, AND HAD TO REPLACE THEM ALL OF THREE OF THEM ON 8/11/2014. FOR BELT SEPARATION. THE COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT STAY ON THE ROAD. I CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE ON 8/20/2014, TO REPORT THE 3 FAULTY TIRES, AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK WITH ME. I HAVE REACHED OUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 11, 2014 · fire

“I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY AT SUPER DUTY FORD 250 GOING APPROX 50 MPH. I WAS STOPPED AND WAS PUSHED A CAR LENGTH INTO A CHEVY SILVERADO WHO WAS ALSO STOPPED, MY TRUNK TOOK MOST OF THE DAMAGE BUT THE FRONT END WAS PRETTY BAD TOO, BUT MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NOT SURE OF THE MPH OF THE IMPACT TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 30, 2013 · crash

“WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR GETS STUCK BETWEEN 25 AND 40 MPH. IT WONT PROCEED TO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAVE TO LAY OFF THE GAS, LET IT DROP BACK DOWN AND HOPE THAT IT WORKS THE NEXT TIME I ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS NOT LOW. THE CAR IS IN MOTION WHILE THIS ISSUE HAPPENS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 14, 2016

“THE ODOMETER IS COMPLETELY UNREADABLE. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS STRANGE, THE ONLY TIME I CAN SEE IT COMPLETELY CLEAR IS IN COLD FALL WEATHER IN THE EARLY MORNING. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR QUITE A WHILE. IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2013

2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring — common questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 Elantra Touring problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (6 complaints), airbags (4 complaints), tires & wheels (4 complaints).

Does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Elantra Touring years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra Touring years to avoid are 2010. The cleanest record among Elantra Touring years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.