NHTSA lists 653 complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, 47 of them mention a crash and 11 mention a fire. 30 complaints mention an injury, with 44 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as HYUNDAI ELANTRA.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 127 | 25.7% | 0.85 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 113 | 22.8% | 0.84 |
|---|
| loss of control | 105 | 21.2% | 0.84 |
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| restraint or airbag | 88 | 17.8% | 0.85 |
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| noise or comfort | 23 | 4.6% | 0.82 |
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| visibility or lighting | 20 | 4.0% | 0.86 |
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| unclear | 9 | 1.8% | 0.79 |
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| fire or overheating | 5 | 1.0% | 0.98 |
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| structural or corrosion | 3 | 0.6% | 0.67 |
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| fluid or fuel leak | 2 | 0.4% | 0.50 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 239 | 48.3% | 0.80 |
|---|
| low | 200 | 40.4% | 0.71 |
|---|
| high | 56 | 11.3% | 0.90 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 495 tagged complaints of 653 complaints (75.8%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2023-09-22. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: 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 re (excerpt)
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.
Date: 2020-07-02. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Remedy: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-12-23. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).
Defect: 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 instrum (excerpt)
Consequence: If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-04-01. Systems: AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE.
Defect: 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.
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 safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
4 investigations; 1 open.
AQ23002
Opened: 2023-11-17. Closed: Not listed.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
DP21003
Opened: 2021-11-12. Closed: 2023-06-20.
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007
Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA12008
Opened: 2012-09-13. Closed: 2013-12-09.
Headliner Bracket Detachment
In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforce
Systems: AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Linked campaign numbers: 13V115000.
PE12012
Opened: 2012-05-10. Closed: 2012-09-17.
Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Elantra.An inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag.The metal bracket caused a l
Systems: AIR BAGS.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
119 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 39 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 24 |
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| POWER TRAIN | 22 |
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| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 18 |
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| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 10 |
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| STEERING | 8 |
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| STRUCTURE | 7 |
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| AIR BAGS | 5 |
|---|
11036632
Date: 2026-08-26. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. Refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
11037230
Date: 2026-08-25. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. Refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
11037231
Date: 2026-08-25. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original & subsequent owners.
11032522
Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit drivera side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prio
11032523
Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivera s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the ve
11026704
Date: 2025-12-19. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, wea ve developed a new zinc-reinforced
11027033
Date: 2025-12-15. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.
11027034
Date: 2025-12-15. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
In addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB 24-01-009H-1), a zinc reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade is being made available to customers upon request. This supplemental security measure is to be installed at the ignition switch location and p
11027035
Date: 2025-12-15. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows. This repair procedure is being provided in addition to the previous Anti-Th
11025476
Date: 2025-11-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary