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2012 Hyundai Elantra electrical problems

126 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 51,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
126
of this car's complaints
19%
typical mileage
51,000
crashes
4
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Ignition
    1
  • Horn
    1
  • Alternator/generator/regulator
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Hyundai Elantra electrical problems in other years

19921995200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fire or smoke 18Warning lights 17Key fob 8

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2012 Hyundai Elantra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Electrical · NC

Apparently a VERY common crankshaft angle sensor malfunction caused the engine to stall out at a stoplight, putting me in harm's way

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Electrical · 66,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable and failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

Driver side wheel baron was scrubbing together and brake fluid was leaking I lost speed can't go over 35 miles on the speedometer my airbag light is on on the dashboard, abs, the car with 2 lines and tire along with engine sign is on I look up for recall and it listed everything my 2012 Hyundai Elantra is doing I took it to Hyundai dealership in Orlando Florida on West colonial drive and 2 hours they called said it was ready they didn't do anything all the the same lights still on on the dashboard still leaking brake fluid and wheel baron and my brakes still scrubbing against each other speed reduction they claim they did the recall would not look at it again said they did it nothing changed I'm taking a risk of fire starting from brake fluid hitting the electrical box and wheel coming of and again All the lights on the dashboard is still on my name email address and everything is wrong on the paperwork except my phone number and I gave him my license with my information on it I'm asking the advisor how can he tell me that the work was done and recall doesn't necessary fix the problem but he knew my car remember everything that's impossible I told him why the lights still on and nothing changed also I asked him how do he know it's repaired he showed me no parts came off my car to say it was replaced nothing was replaced

Filed Oct 30, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I went to start my car and it would not turn over. All the lights were on, the vehicle wouldn't move out of park, and the security system kept going off. The last time this happened I had the starter replaced and the neutral safety switch and it was fine for a bit but now it's happened again. This is at least the 3rd time I've had this issue. Please help! I know I'm not the only one. I had to have AAA come and pick my car up and bring it to a garage.

Filed Oct 20, 2024 · Electrical · IL

A while ago the airbag light starting coming on intermittently and I originally thought it was the sensor detecting weight in the passenger seat or not and perhaps the sensor was a little off but did not investigate. Over time the light become on constantly but I didn't notice this shift until the horn stopped working recently too. After some troubleshooting of the fuse and relay, an independent shop determined that the clock spring is the issue. After researching online I discovered there is an extended warranty for the clock spring on my vehicle of which I was unaware. I do not recall receiving a letter about this [XXX] ), although the warranty extension was announced years before my vehicle showed signs of an issue. I also saw from other posts that the clock spring is a common issue possibly impacting the reliability of the airbags and horn and dealers have been hesitant to replace the clock spring until the issue reaches a certain degree of severity. Now I wonder if the airbags in my vehicle have not been ready to deploy in case of an accident since the seatbelt light started coming on and driving without a functioning horn adds more risk of an accident. I'm surprised that a recall was not previously issued as both the airbags and horn impact the safety of the vehicle. Apart from the concern of the part reliability itself, the lack of communication around the safety bulletin vs how recalls are communicated seems it could have put many at risk of malfunctioning airbags that would increase the severity of injury in an accident and a malfunctioning horn that would increase the chances of an accident. How is a faulty part that impacts functionality of the airbags and horn not a safety-related defect that merits a recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 25, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

the federal safety agency: #23V651000 I need to know when I can get this major problem fix. This is a safety issue that needs attention. The vehicles anti-lock brake system module could leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short. An electrical short could result in significant overcurrent in the ABS module, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving or parked. [XXX] I was contacted took my vehicle in and was told a fuse would be ordered and I would be called back in to to get this safety issue fixed. I just spoke with the Service Manager in Terrell and he said the remedy was taken away on [XXX], one day after I was a the dealership and ALL ordered were canceled. Please see my invoice from [XXX] in attachment. This is a BIG problem for me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 4, 2024 · Electrical · FL

It’s been happening recently everyday when going to start the car it doesn’t start and I have to pop the hood, open the fusebox cover and lift the wire attached to the fusebox and then when starting the car it starts. It’s been happening every other day and sometimes a week after.

Filed Dec 15, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · 135,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while depressing the brake pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was a short circuit in the engine wiring. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking while driving above 50 MPH. The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 31, 2023 · Electrical · CA

I complied with Hyundai's voluntary recall of my 2012 Elantra, supposedly designed to deter theft with some sort of software update. Four weeks after this, four teenager rolled up to my house in a stolen Hyundai Sonata. One of them jumped out of the car, smashed my car's back window, and stole my car. This whole process took place in broad daylight, in front of multiple witnesses, over approximately 30 seconds. I contend that Hyundai's "voluntary recall" was 1) fraudulent, in that it does not do anything to fix the actual problem; 2) dangerous, in that it led owners to believe their car was safe when it fact it was not; and 3) a waste of taxpayers' time, as it caused me to take several hours off of work. Hyundai should be compelled to 1) ACTUALLY fix these vehicles; 2) compensation any Hyundai owners whose vehicles were stolen. While I have insurance protection on this vehicle, I will almost certainly need to pay more money than that to replace this car with one of comparable utility to me.

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Please find below a description of the malfunction in my Hyundai Elantra, as this is the reason I'm requesting inclusion in a recall. Since the week of Thanksgiving 2022, I've had several instances of my vehicle stalling without warning before engaging the transmission; for example, my car once stopped moving completely on the freeway while entering the onramp at 55 mph. Since then, the problem has only gotten worse, stalling up to seven or nine times per week. Because of the severity of this issue, I’ve had it inspected multiple times and would gladly submit it to another one if requested. Obviously, a defect of this magnitude with no obvious cause not only puts me at risk as the driver, as I can’t prepare for a sudden stop, but all road travelers around me are also subject to this issue. As you know, a sudden halt could lead to collusion involving numerous people. To date, an independent service provider has not been able to identify the issue or recreate the problem, as it occurs randomly with no warning lights or signals to prepare me for what’s about to happen. Should you need further details, I may be reached at [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Questions about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra electrical

Does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 126 complaints about the electrical of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, 19% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Elantra electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 51,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Hyundai Elantra have the most electrical problems?

The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most electrical complaints are 2013 (155 complaints), 2012 (126 complaints) and 2017 (112 complaints).

Other 2012 Hyundai Elantra problems

Engine 141Airbags 124Brakes 99Steering 88Driver assistance 47Suspension 45Transmission 40Acceleration 27Visibility 19Fuel system 18Lights 17Wheels 17Body 16Tires 16Seat belts 6Seats 2

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