YearToAvoid

2012 Hyundai Genesis Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

86/100

#2 most-complained of 8 Genesis years

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis has a Complaint Index of 86, ranking 2nd worst out of 8 model years and earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 260 complaints, with Engine (30%) and Electrical System (25%) as the top problem areas, plus 2 recalls covering brakes and wipers.

Complaints
260
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
8 / 1
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
16.5 city / 25 hwy

Top 2012 Hyundai Genesis problems

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

  1. Engine78 (30%)
  2. Electrical System65 (25%)
  3. Brakes63 (24%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain39 (15%)
  5. Other32 (12%)
  6. Steering15 (6%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers11 (4%)
  9. Fuel System10 (4%)
  10. Airbags8 (3%)

What owners report

  • Some owners report sudden loss of braking power, where pressing the pedal produced a soft response and failed to stop the vehicle in time.
  • Owners describe the vehicle moving unexpectedly at low speed in reverse, leading to a collision.
  • In one case airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end chain collision, leaving the driver without protection and resulting in chest injuries.
  • Owners report repeated engine failures requiring multiple engine replacements, with concern about stalling risk while driving.
  • Some owners note the rear center and left seat belt anchors are positioned in a way that requires twisting the belts to connect properly, raising concern about restraint alignment in a crash.
2012 Hyundai Genesis complaints: complaints filed per quarter312011 Q42013 Q32015 Q22017 Q12018 Q42020 Q32022 Q32024 Q3
346 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q3 (31).

2012 Hyundai Genesis recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V117000Feb 29, 2016Visibility & Wipers18,700 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured August 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, and 2011-2013 Equus vehicles manufactured July 10, 2011, to June 12, 2012. The windshield wiper motor cover seal on the affected vehicles may degrade allowing corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function.

    Risk: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.

  2. NHTSA 13V489000Oct 29, 2013Brakes43,500 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:fluid

    Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, through March 28, 2012. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).

    Risk: If the module corrodes, reduced brake effectiveness may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and instruct them to bring their vehicle to a dealer for service. Hyundai will inspect the HECU module for proper operation, and will replace the modules as necessary. Hyundai will replace the factory brake fluid in those vehicles that have not previously had the factory brake fluid replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 or by email at [email protected]. Hyundai's recall number is 114.

2012 Hyundai Genesis fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
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 Genesis years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162018
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good2988320
2011Caution57122320.5
2012Avoid86260219.5
2013Caution71126020.5
2014Best1422019.5

All Hyundai Genesis years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Genesis reliable?
Compared with other Genesis model years, the 2012 ranks 2nd worst out of 8 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 86 and 260 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict.
What is the top problem area for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis?
Engine complaints make up 30% of reports (78 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 55,822.5 miles overall for the model year, followed by Electrical System issues at 25%.
Does the 2012 Hyundai Genesis have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Genesis: one for a wiper motor cover and seal issue and one for brake fluid that may not protect against corrosion in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit.
How does the 2012 Genesis compare to other years?
The 2012 model's Complaint Index of 86 is worse than 2010 (29, Good), 2011 (57, Caution), 2013 (71, Caution), 2014 (14, Best), and 2016 (43, Good), and only slightly better than 2015 (100, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis?
EPA rates the 2012 Genesis at 19.5 mpg combined (16.5 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100.

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.