2012 Hyundai Elantra Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 3%of 654 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,499miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, 3% of the 654 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,499 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #10966004, filed 2017-03, 62,998 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10717833, filed 2015-05, 49,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10852546, filed 2016-03, 126,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10969566, filed 2017-03“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11267533, filed 2019-10Related service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 28 | 11% |
| 2019 | 65 | 26% |
| 2018 | 16 | 6% |
| 2017 | 23 | 3% |
| 2016 | 9 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 72 | 5% |
| 2012 | 17 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 24 | 8% |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% |
| 2006 | 38 | 25% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 13 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra
139 complaintsElectrical system
126 complaintsAir bags
124 complaintsBrakes
99 complaintsSteering
88 complaintsOther or unknown
67 complaintsSuspension
45 complaintsElectronic stability control
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology