CarComplaints.com Notes: Be aware that there's a significant trend of owners complaining that the Elantra's fuel economy is significantly less than the EPA estimates.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,484 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Hyundai Elantra brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Jan 302023

Elantra

  • 127,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall for the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System; however, the failure recurred, and the ESC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

- Oxford, MA, USA

problem #43

Oct 312022

Elantra

  • 117,825 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while stopped for a traffic light and attempting to drive off after the light changed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the throttle body control, fuel injectors, fuel pump, starter, and accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle had not been taken back to the mechanic. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V871000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,825.

- Reidsville, GA, USA

problem #42

Sep 202021

Elantra

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. He stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently brake with the ESC warning light illuminated. The contact's wife drove at a slower speed once the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they were unable to diagnose the vehicle failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V871000 (Electronic Stability Control) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Mahomet, IL, USA

problem #41

Jul 112020

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the second time this happens to me. The eps light turns on, the steering wheel gets tight. So the power steering disconnects from the engine. You literally can't steer. This last time it happened I was driving down a grade at night. If incoming traffic would of been coming I would have crashed into them or go down the cliff. The power steering was replaced once by dealer already less than a year ago. This car is un safe and I refuse to drive it any more. I was able to push it in neutral to the shoulder once I put it in park the car shook and it shut down.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #40

Dec 192019

Elantra

  • 132,450 miles
Stability control malfunction, I lose control and the brake applied unexpectedly and the crash my car I am ok but I have damage in my car. I went to dealer for this recall and they did not fixed now I dont know if they are going to pay for

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #39

Dec 102019

Elantra

  • 34,700 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While the vehicle was in use, the ESC warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V871000 (electronic stability control). The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure recurred. The failure mileage was approximately 34,700.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #38

Aug 012019

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle I have to the mechanic several times this year and it fixed the yellow light goes off for two months or so and comes back on again. This has been going on for the past year.

- Brielle, NJ, USA

problem #37

May 222019

Elantra

  • 82,100 miles
Parking brake warning light indicator on the dash board display: The parking brake warning light does not always display when the parking brake is engaged. This problem is intermittent and often causes a problem with driving. When the light does not display while the parking brake is indeed "on" the driver is not alerted by the warning light and expects to be able to drive the vehicle in the drive or reverse position. The causes a dangerous situation whereby pressing on the accelerator does not move the car as intended. It will not move from a stopped position, moves very slowly or lurches.

- North Wales, PA, USA

problem #36

May 182019

Elantra

  • 84,455 miles
Car is jerking while driving. ESC light comes on. Hesitates, low power.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #35

Mar 012019

Elantra

  • miles
Takata recall for my Hyundai Elantra 2012. Found the recall on credit karma. Brakes

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #34

Dec 142018

Elantra

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Stabilizer warning light is on. Took to dealership for diagnosis and they found that the steering angle sensor has shorted out.

- New Florence, MO, USA

problem #33

Aug 262018

Elantra

  • 118,863 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 10 mph, the contact heard an abnormal clunking noise while making a right turn and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. In addition, the electronic stability control and power steering indicators illuminated. When the vehicle was restarted, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to Hyundai of new port richey (3936 us highway 19, new port richey, fl 34652, (727) 359-0633), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 118,863.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #32

Aug 012018

Elantra

  • miles
The brakes lights and front passenger lights are always going. Apparently, its happening with many Hyundai customers, there forum written online about these same issues all the time. I've had to replace over 30 bulbs in 4 years.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #31

Jun 052018

Elantra

  • miles
Well I bought the car used and later found out it had a recall on it.... sometimes when I press the breaks it seem like it flooding and be pulling to the right and making noises underneath near tires.. it also have a sensor lights on.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #30

Nov 172017

Elantra

  • 50,000 miles
While in motion, car jolts as traction control light blinks as well as the engine malfunction light. Engine then shuts off. This has happened multiple times over a 2 month period, at a variety of speeds and on both highway and city streets.

- Stratford, NJ, USA

problem #29

May 142017

Elantra

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 35 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the exterior brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto part store, but the employee could not determine what fuse the vehicle needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V871000 (electronic stability control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #28

Mar 012017

Elantra

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. When the contact started the vehicle, the ESC indicator illuminated. While driving and accelerating, the vehicle pulled to the left and right and seemed to lose power. The vehicle was taken to dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #27

Feb 162017

Elantra

  • 89,000 miles
Occasionally while traveling on the highway - any speed from 50-70 mph - the electronic stability control light will flash, even though there are no adverse conditions. While the light is flashing, I can feel that my left rear brake is applied, causing me to have to correct the course of the car. I do not feel safe in this car anymore. This did not start happening until after I received the recall service associated with campaign 137 for the the yaw sensor (which describes the exact scenario I am experiencing now). This has been going on for about 6 months so far (date noted below is most recent instance). In that time period I have had to have my rear rotors replaced, and the brake pads replaced twice. The second time I replaced the brake pads, they had heated up so much from dragging that they had fused onto the rotor, and the caliper was broken.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #26

Jan 092017

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
I just crashed this car yesterday, 01/09/2017 on rt. 724 between birdsboro, pa and gibraltar, pa. I was driving with a 50-55 mph on a 55 mph road going to work with almost no traffic. I was driving in a straight line when it happened, I was not even turning.the sky was clear and no distractions. Suddenly, the car wheels went left and right and then all the way to the left taking me to opposite side of the road and crashing the car in a ditch then flipping on the driver's side(I attached pictures). My trials to turn it back to the right all failed. Emt came and were able to get me out. I almost got killed. I don't drink or smoke. I heard of several incidents like this about the steering in Elantra. The car has only 56000 miles on it. I believe the problem is with steering. I felt like there was no steering at all. Hyundai motors should be held liable for such faults in their cars and affected owners should be compensated. I don't want to drive Hyundai again. (the picture showing the tire marks was taken a few hours after the crash. It shows that the road was clear and clean).

- Birdsboro, PA, USA

problem #25

Jan 022017

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
Sold a lemon law buyback car without my knowledge. From what I understand I was to sign a document stating that I new that I was purchasing a lemon law buyback car. I did not find out until I went to get the plates for my car and they showed me the title. I contacted the dealership and basically my loss their gain. May 2015 had to replace hose and have A/C recharged costing almost $300 July 2015 had to have both from wheel bearing replaced along with tires costing me $800 June 2016 had to have end links on sway bar and cv joint and shaft replaced. This was under the powertrain warranty still in place on the car check engine light come on and off at random times. When tested said it was an O2 sensor. The back drivers side door lock sticks. So I have to manually lock it for my key fob to lock all of the doors. Today was just told I need wheel bearings and tires on the front end. I believe this car has too many issues being a newer car. I have never had a car with this many issues. Especially a newer car. I cannot get out of the loan because it is a lemon law buyback and the resale on it is horrible. I cannot afford the upkeep on the problems it keeps having. Something is wrong this car.

- Preston, ID, USA

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