10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,387 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #53

Jun 202024

Elantra

  • miles
Hyundai has an active recall with a remedy for the ABS system on Hyundai Elantra. The local Hyundai dealership has zero appointments available to repair this for me for many months.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #52

Sep 222023

Elantra

  • miles
Recall 23V651000 was issued over 8 MONTHS AGO and there is STILL NO REMEDY other than to not park our cars in the garage. Maybe they are hoping our cars will rust and we'll dispose of them before they have to fix the problem. Why is NHTSA allowing this to go on for so long" What is it that you are not telling consumers? Does NHTSA have any teeth"

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #51

May 092024

Elantra

  • miles
Since day 1. Brakes have failed. First recall took years. They -??updated my software -?? brakes still failed. They failed to believe me -??Couldn-??t find a problem -?? there-??s no warning lights no nothing. Out of nowhere. The Brake goes to the floor. Makes a grinding sound and your either going towards on coming traffic or a ditch. Brakes failed at numerous intersections. How I-??m alive is beyond me. The best part, either the seat belt is too baggy or strangles you there-??s no in between. My entire steering system is junk. wasted money on tires alignments brake pads brake censors. Dealership has another recall on these brakes with no remedy. I-??ve sadly driven this car over 10 years with failing brakes. I drive with my right hand on the e brake ready to yank it at any given times. I-??m honestly traumatized by this car. Engine and transmission are junk. Nightmare

- Oxford, MA, USA

problem #50

Jan 082024

Elantra

  • miles
On January 8, 2024, we experienced total brake failure with the brake pedal going all the way to the floor. The lack of braking occurred suddenly with no prior issues or warning. The car was transported to a Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. The dealer service department reported they could not find any issues with the braking system. The brakes apparently worked once the vehicle arrived at the dealership. Due this issue suddenly occurring without warning and a braking system recall already in effect for this vehicle, we no longer felt safe driving the vehicle and purchased a new vehicle.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #49

Jan 202024

Elantra

  • miles
See attached document for complaint

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #48

Apr 132024

Elantra

  • miles
NHTSA: #23V651000 I need to know when I can get this major problem fix. This is a safety issue that needs attention. The vehicles anti-lock brake system module could leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short. An electrical short could result in significant overcurrent in the ABS module, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving or parked. [XXX] I was contacted took my vehicle in and was told a fuse would be ordered and I would be called back in to to get this safety issue fixed. I just spoke with the Service Manager in Terrell and he said the remedy was taken away on [XXX], one day after I was a the dealership and ALL ordered were canceled. Please see my invoice from [XXX] in attachment. This is a BIG problem for me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Kaufman, TX, USA

problem #47

Feb 062024

Elantra

  • miles
The brake line started leaking and I almost lost braking ability. I was told by mechanic that metal brake line had rusted out and developed a hole. I luckily saw the leaking fluid and stopped driving car. I saw that this problem has been seen in Canada and a recall was issued there. Is there any investigation open in the USA?

- Glenview , IL, USA

problem #46

Mar 102024

Elantra

  • miles
Good afternoon abs module has a major recall on this vehicle how is it possible were a remedy has not been found as of this date. i do not have the liberty on not using the vehicle as its the only transportation i have to get around. This needs to be repaired ASAP as this puts the driver in an uncomfortable situation i have to take this vehicle in on the 13th of this month to fix the other two recall i feel i should get a loaner vehicle until the ABS id fixed on this vehicle Please get back to me on the current situation thank you

- Avenel, NJ, USA

problem #45

Feb 242024

Elantra

  • miles
Hyundai's recall 251 regarding the ABS system and potential for unexpected fire has gone unresolved for too long. I am unable to park my car so that it is safe and there is a concern there can be damage to other's property. Even if I park on the street away from structures, other people park their cars next to mine and I have no way of preventing this.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #44

Jan 092024

Elantra

  • miles
Problem with the braking system brakes fail! PiƱon is junk Wipers shot Engine has always sounded like it was its last ride Won-??t shift then the rpm-??s go up Sometimes gotta use the safety lock key to get it in gear

- Oxford, MA, USA

problem #43

Nov 092023

Elantra

  • miles
Car went off the road in the snow and was totalled. Brakes did not lock or vibrate to alert that the car was starting to slide

- Wells , ME, USA

problem #42

Nov 062023

Elantra

  • miles
How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk" This recall states that at any moment my engine can catch fire and that I cannot drive the vehicle until further notice. What am I to do in the meantime for basic needs like driving to work, groceries, kids, etc."

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #41

Oct 242023

Elantra

  • miles
Brake failure caused by corrosion on rear brake lines. Also significant corrosion on front crossmember. There appears to be a recall in Canada for brake lines but I don't see one in the US.

- Budd Lake, NE, USA

problem #40

Jun 122023

Elantra

  • miles
The car was driven by my family. They narrowly missed a collision with another automobile. The breaks went out. The car was taken to a repair garage and, upon inspection, found the break line was rusted completely into allowing the break fluid to escape. I had the car towed to a Hyundai dealer in Clearwater Florida and got the same report. Hyundai has a service recall for underbody corrosion and has recalled nearly 300,000 vehicles in Canada to replace this problem. But now Hyundai is telling me this isn-??t covered by them. This is a server safety problem with no brakes and a possible gas line explosion. I would like this problem correct before possible lives are destroyed. I hav email correspondence to back up this claim. Hyundai case number [XXX]. MARCH 14, 2023 -?" A Hyundai brake line recall involves more than 295,000 vehicles because the brake lines under the vehicles can corrode, fail and leak brake fluid. A driver may suddenly find out their brakes aren't working correctly, or maybe not at all. The current Hyundai brake line recall has been announced for Canada only and includes these models and model years. 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra 2011-2016 Hyundai Equus 2009-2014 Hyundai Genesis 2010-2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe 2010-2011 Hyundai Tucson 2012-2017 Hyundai Veloster Transport Canada didn't announce more details about the brake line leak recall, and to date a Hyundai brake line recall has not been announced for U.S. vehicle owners. Hyundai didn't say when the brake fluid leak recall will begin, but Hyundai dealerships will inspect the underbody brake lines and apply an anti-corrosion treatment. However, it's possible Hyundai may need to replace the brake lines. Canadian owners who have questions about the Hyundai brake line recall should call [XXX] and ask about Transport Canada recall number [XXX]. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Clayton, IN, USA

problem #39

May 252023

Elantra

  • miles
Start out brake pedal is very stiff and have to push pedal to much to engage gear selector, then as you are driving when let off accelerator pedal vehicle slows down to fast like something is engaging the brakes on the rotor.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #38

Aug 302022

Elantra

  • miles
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 #37

Nov 272019

Elantra

  • miles
I honestly believe I was ripped off for this vehicle I-??ve been having to replace one thing after another since I-??d gotten it. The brake system on the front passenger side seems to keep grabbing when I-??m not even touching the brake. every time I change the brakes only the front passenger side gets worn down way more then the others. I was thinking it was brake drag, but I litteraly greased my brakes and guide pens then it started making the squeeking noise again when I wasn-??t touching the brake. It also compromises my engines functions. my engine lags out and I have a feeling it-??s putting more torque into the engine and transmission than it was supposed to, and now is causing problems in them. It causes safety issues because the brakes are one of the most important systems on a vehicle it can cause me a bad accident if the caliper becomes to worn from heat damage, because it excessively is putting pressure on it. I haven-??t taken it to the dealership to recreate the issue yet, but I did mention it in the very beginning because I had suspicions of my vehicle having problems, but they said they couldn-??t find anything when they ran the vin. They didn-??t actually test my vehicle which was what I needed. My check engine light has been on.

- Dexter, NM, USA

problem #36

Nov 012020

Elantra

  • 184,000 miles
1 month after purchasing the car brakes messed up then rodors then bearings. Airbag and engine light came on and wheel light. I put over 1000 and $200 in this car within four months

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #35

Dec 232017

Elantra

  • 90,071 miles
Each time I hit the brakes then release I hear a clicking sound from the brake paddle that makes me nervous that something may be wrong. This happens every time I use the breaks when driving.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #34

Sep 182020

Elantra

  • 100 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving and then depressing the brake pedal, it went to the floorboard causing the distance to be extended. As a result, the contact rear-ended another vehicle. No warning light illuminated. The contact and the other driver did not sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to tow impound lot due to the radiator was leaking and was unable to drive. The dealer nor manufacture were contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

- Irvington, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »