YearToAvoid

2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#3 most-complained of 4 Elantra Touring years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring has 22 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 33, ranking 3rd worst of 4 model years, with a verdict of Good relative to other years. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues make up 36% of complaints.

Complaints
22
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
23 city / 30 hwy

Top 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (36%)
  2. Airbags4 (18%)
  3. Electrical System4 (18%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (14%)
  5. Engine2 (9%)
  6. Other2 (9%)
  7. Steering2 (9%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report tire sidewall bulges, blowouts, and rim damage on the 17-inch wheels, sometimes triggered by hitting potholes.
  • Drivers describe the car pulling to the right or wandering on the road, with the pull returning shortly after alignments.
  • Multiple owners report the battery going dead or the car failing to start after sitting for a few days, even after battery and alternator replacement.
  • One owner reported the airbags failing to deploy in a low-speed intersection crash that caused passenger injuries.
  • An owner described the transmission slipping and a fuel economy drop after a dealer visit that did not resolve the issue.
  • Excessive and uneven tire wear was reported even after alignment work, with owners saying the dealer blamed driver behavior.
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring complaints: complaints filed per month4Dec 2012Aug 2013Apr 2014Jan 2015Feb 2018Apr 2019
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2012 to Jul 2019; peak Jan 2015 (4).

2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid10075426
2011Caution6729326
2012Good3322126
2013Best0160—

All Hyundai Elantra Touring years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?
Compared to other Elantra Touring years, 2012 ranks 3rd worst of 4 with a complaint index of 33, giving it a Good verdict relative to the model lineup.
What is the main problem with the 2012 Elantra Touring?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints are the largest category, making up 36% of the 22 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 18,000 miles.
Does the 2012 Elantra Touring have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 14V310000) covers a headliner support bracket issue on 2010-2012 Elantra Touring models built between December 2009 and May 2012.
How does 2012 compare to other Elantra Touring years?
2012 has a complaint index of 33, better than 2010 (100, Avoid) and 2011 (67, Caution), but worse than 2013 (0, Best).
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Elantra Touring?
The 2012 Elantra Touring is rated at 26 mpg combined (23 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.