2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring has 22 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 60, ranking third-worst among six model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by suspension, wheels, and tires complaints (36% of total) and one recall for a headliner bracket.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #3 of 6 Elantra Touring years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (36%)
- Airbags4 (18%)
- Electrical System4 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (14%)
- Engine2 (9%)
- Other2 (9%)
- Steering2 (9%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Tires develop sidewall bulges, blowouts, or uneven wear, sometimes tied to 17-inch alloy wheels and low-profile tires.
- Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, resulting in injuries.
- Vehicles fail to start intermittently, with owners reporting repeated battery and alternator replacements.
- Steering pulls or wanders despite multiple alignments and new tire sets.
- Suspension and tire combination reportedly causes rim damage or blowouts after hitting potholes.
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V310000Jun 10, 2014Structure & Body35,000 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
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 side curtain airbag deployment.
Risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 117.
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Elantra Touring years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, it ranks third-worst of six Elantra Touring model years, with a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Elantra Touring?
- Suspension, wheels, and tires issues make up 36% of complaints, including tire blowouts and sidewall bulges, with a median failure mileage of 18,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Elantra Touring have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 14V310000) for a headliner support bracket; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 model compare to other Elantra Touring years?
- It has a complaint index of 60, better than 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2011 (80, Avoid) but worse than 2013 (20, Best) and 2009 (40, Good).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Elantra Touring?
- EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined (23 city/30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.