2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 25,500miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring. The part named most often is suspension, with 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and electrical system (3). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 49 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Suspension6 27%
- Air bags4 18%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Other or unknown2 9.1%
- Steering2 9.1%
- Tires2 9.1%
- Wheels2 9.1%
- Engine1 4.5%
- Engine cooling1 4.5%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “I had car jumped 10-12 times, battery replaced ,alternator replaced ,if turn radio on when engine off for 15 minutes car will not start ,this has happened multiple times continue's.furthermore water leaking 2x's from,passenger side heat vent; leather steering wheel color coming off,1st 4 months of having car very bad smell I had to drive with my window open or got headache's. I was told this was normal,and would wear off. Also sway bar replaced 2's, dealer had told me Hyundai didn't want to put anymore money into my car,and just to trade it in problems continue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670709, filed 2015-01, 18,000 milesAir bags: “I was hit from behind by at super duty ford 250 going approx 50 MPH. I was stopped and was pushed a car length into a chevy silverado who was also stopped, my trunk took most of the damage but the front end was pretty bad too, but my airbags didn't deploy. Not sure of the MPH of the impact to the front of the vehicle, but both driver and passenger have neck strain and back strain; along with multiple bruises from the seat belt. I know the airbags have a sensor, but could they be messed up?”
NHTSA complaint #10541752, filed 2013-09, 39,990 milesElectrical system: “The odometer is completely unreadable. I know this sounds strange, the only time I can see it completely clear is in cold fall weather in the early morning. It has been this way for quite a while. It was not covered under warranty when I reported it to the dealer. We cannot afford to replace the cluster lighting that would fix it. This is in motion or stationary. We have no way of knowing how many miles we have on it until the weather is right for viewing. I know I have seen this issue on forums before. It should be a recalled part.”
NHTSA complaint #10855644, filed 2016-04, 20,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “When accelerating the car gets stuck between 25 and 40 MPH. It wont proceed to the next gear. I have to lay off the gas, let it drop back down and hope that it works the next time I accelerate. The transmission fluid is not low. The car is in motion while this issue happens.”
NHTSA complaint #10855643, filed 2016-04, 100,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
62% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,000 and 72,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra Touring FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Elantra Touring FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 14V310000Jun 10, 2014Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Hyundai Elantra Touring 2010–2012
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a…
Recall details for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- RQ13004Headliner Bracket DetachmentClosed · Dec 4, 2013
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 49 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038722Oct 15, 2026Back-over prevention (rear camera). Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger various DTCs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the PDW…
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Engine. Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Engine. Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles…
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026Air bags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026Air bags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo…
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025Exterior 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…
- 11000788May 10, 2024Electrical system. A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”) that had alleged that certain 2011 – 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the “Class…
- 11000314May 9, 2024Electrical system. A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”) that had alleged that certain 2011 – 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the “Class…
- 10251285Feb 14, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of…
- 10251282Feb 12, 2024Electrical system. Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition…
Other model years of the Hyundai Elantra Touring
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 42,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 22 | 25,500 | 1 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 29 | 54,000 | 3 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 75 | 54,195 | 4 | — | 26 | 93 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 32 | 75,000 | 3 | — | 26 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
All Hyundai Elantra Touring model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.
Has the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring (Elantra Touring, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,500 miles and the middle half falls between 8,000 and 72,000 miles; 62% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.