Are there open safety recalls?
4 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 674 owner complaints, and gets about 32 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2012 Hyundai Elantra
- Engine 4-cyl 1.8L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Midsize Cars
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
47 injuries reported
47 of 674 reports (~7%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 20103recalls
- 20115recalls
- 2012 · this car4recalls
- 20134recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2012 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Later Release · 3 versions tested
Open safety recalls
4 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
23/12/2015
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Air Bags
01/04/2013
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Equipment
02/07/2020
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic
22/09/2023
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 2010453reports
- 2011460reports
- 2012 · this car674reports
- 20131,327reports
674 owner reports on file
49 crash mentions 12 fire mentions 47 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 674 total reports.
- AIR BAGS 108 of 674
I was going down the bridge on settlers landing road the yellow school bus was in the right turning lane with right turning signal on .as I approached the light in the middle straight lane to keep toward the landing (hotel) on settlers la
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 104 of 674
Apparently a VERY common crankshaft angle sensor malfunction caused the engine to stall out at a stoplight, putting me in harm's way
- STEERING 90 of 674
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 anot
- ENGINE 73 of 674
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an ind
- SERVICE BRAKES 59 of 674
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake pedal felt spongy while depressed. After parking the vehicle, the contact later restarted the vehicle, and the brake pedal extended to t
- SUSPENSION 45 of 674
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact initially received a recall notification from Hyundai Motors of America for an underbody corrosion preventative service. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was provided
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Sold in 2 versions
They range from 26 to 32 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201029mpg
- 201132mpg
- 2012 · this car32mpg
- 201332mpg
$1,900
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 28 mpg
Highway driving 38 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 32 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $1,500 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 96 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 15 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 1.8L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 6-spd
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.8L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.8 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the electronic stability control (esc)). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2012 Hyundai Elantra listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra? +
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, including the electronic stability control (esc). See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 Hyundai Elantra at 32 mpg combined (28 city / 38 highway), about $1,900 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2012 Hyundai Elantra 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra? +
Owners have filed 674 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, including 49 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
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