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.

4.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,833 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2012 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #12

Aug 302022

Elantra

  • miles

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

The same issue that caused recall of these vehicles for several models years, such as this campaign: 2013-2014 Hyundai Elantra (MD/UD, JK, GD) Brake Pedal Stopper Replacement (Recall Campaign 170), is occurring in this 2012 vehicle, which does NOT yet have this recall. The Brake Pedal stopper Pad has deteriorated. I am reprinting the language of the above referenced recall as it exactly explains the safety issue with this vehicle. "The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature."

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #11

Aug 182020

Elantra

  • miles
The dash console continues to go go out to the point the odometer, speed, mileage and other instrument panel information is not visible. When I purchased the vehicle they replaced the dash console and 2 yrs later is needing replacement again.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #10

Mar 092017

Elantra

  • miles
Clicking/thumbing noise when you turn steering wheel either way. Was told steering coupling issue, cost approx. $600 to repair. It looks like numerous people have reported. Should be recalled by now, especially since the dealership states it's a safety issue!! numerous lights keep going out, was told it was a wiring issue! airbag light on dash on.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #9

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 #8

Nov 152017

Elantra

  • miles
After about 60,000 miles all of my exterior lights are constantly going out completely. Within the last six months I have changed my brake lights at least 8 times. My head lights have been changed about four times and my high beams both went out at the same time. One day I was driving on the inner state and all my back exterior lights went out. Some days they may work if I have the lights position in the on position instead of automatic daylight position and vice versa. This started happening roughly around the end of 2017 and over time it has gotten worse.this is very unsafe to operate a vehicle and all your lights go out not to mention its expensive to continue to replace bulbs that won't work beyond a month.

- Norcross, GA, USA

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problem #7

Apr 012017

Elantra

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle jerked and the air bag indicator illuminated. Also, the brake lights failed to work. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (henderson Hyundai, 46 N boulder hwy, henderson, nc 89015) where it was diagnosed that the fuel injector was clogged and the vehicle had an oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #6

Mar 202017

Elantra

  • miles

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

Yes, I have been buying light bulls for my car over the last year's and they go out less than a month time, I have brought more then 10 and the people at the part store said it's a electric problem, but the people at dealership want me to pay 125 to put it on there machine. I don't think that's fair.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #5

Mar 142017

Elantra

  • 62,998 miles
I had my car for a year and 3months and haven't had this problem till now I was driving on the freeway I hit a small bump and I've hit bigger bumps and never ever have my air bag light come on, or break light may go out if I hit a bump this needs to be fixed asap and it shouldn't be a fee this is a safety issue and I'm not happy about it please fix this issue

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 052016

Elantra

  • 126,000 miles
No brake lights were working. Stop lamp switch stopped working...fuses were fine. Stop lamp switch to be replaced. Prior year models have a recall for this problem but not the 2012.

- Elizabeth City, NC, USA

problem #3

May 152015

Elantra

  • 49,000 miles
Left tail/brake light is malfunctioning. When the headlights are on, the tail light is on; however, that same light is also the brake light, and when the brake is applied, the light will not illuminate.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 122014

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
My Hyundai Elantra 2012 gls sedan was sold as having daytime running lights (drls) according to monroney sticker. NHTSA and iihs dictate that "daytime running lights (drls) are headlights that are lit whenever a vehicle is running. A low-cost method to reduce crashes, they are especially effective in preventing daytime head-on and front-corner collisions by making it easier to see vehicles, particularly as they approach from far away." However, drls do not engage automatically when my vehicle is started, against to NHTSA and iihs drls definition. In order to operate drls in my Hyundai Elantra 2012, parking lights have to be engaged. In other words, when drls are operational, amber side parking lights and the rear tail lights are also on, which obviously masks turn and stop signals and in my opinion could represent a very real road safety issue. In addition, when drls are engaged, the interior gauge lights are automatically dimmed to a night driving level, which makes it much harder to read the gauge during daytime and represents a potential safety issue as well. Contacting multiple local Hyundai dealerships and Hyundai eastern region hqs was futile, since the only answer I was getting is that this is "a new design drls" and nothing will be done to address the issue. Ironically, it looks to me the end result of this "new design" represents not an increased safety for my vehicle (according to publications dot hs 809 760 and dot hs 811 029 drls are an important safety feature), but rather an increased risk of a collision due to masking turn and stop signals, and substantial dimming of the cabin. I noticed there are multiple complaints of this nature on the NHTSA website both for 2012 and 2013 Hyundai Elantra. I would like to thank you for taking time to read my complaint, and I would ask NHTSA team to look into the situation promptly and to address this safety issue.

- Ewing Twp., NJ, USA

problem #1

Feb 282012

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
I believe that daytime running light are a great safety feature. The list of standard equipment on the window sticker shows "daytime running lights" (drl). I have found that the only way to have the drl on is to turn on the parking lights. The parking lights, light the parking lights and the tail lights. I had drl on a 2003 Chevy S-10 and they only lighted the highbeam at a low voltage, with no other lights. They were on any time the car was running. Hyundai cannot correct the problem. I have contacted the dealer and the Hyundai website. They should not list the lighting system, they have, as "daytime running lights". I know this is a minor item but it sure does bug me. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Grass Lake, MI, USA

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