RoadVitals

2012 Hyundai Elantra Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
71
Latest Jun 11, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 651 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
9

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 71 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 71, in the owner's own words

AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jun 11, 2026
Crash reported5 injuries reported

I was going down the bridge on settlers landing road the yellow school bus was in the right turning lane with right turning signal on .as I approached the light in the middle straight lane to keep toward the landing (hotel) on settlers landing Hampton va the bus some what merged back towards the middle lane and that when the bus crashed into the car it went under the bus it’s totaled the windshield and my sunroof collided the airbags did not deploy something needs to be done about that that was dangerous.I got glass in my face my right hand had glass my head hit the steering wheel my body jerked. I hit my legs my whole body is hurting and very sore all over I can’t hardly walk my hand is swollen. Liability suit of airbag default needs to happen

NHTSA ID
11743488
Incident
Jun 8, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 2, 2024

My wife was driving down the road, traction control light came on & one of the brakes locked up and she nearly avoided an accident. I took the vehicle to a local shop & they pulled a C1283 code. I was told it was part of a recall & take it to the dealership. I took it Hanania Hyundai & they told me it's not part of the recall. I have the TSB and will attach it. If my car is not part of it, I believe it should be because it describes my incident to a tee.

NHTSA ID
11598236
Incident
Jun 3, 2024
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 10, 2024

Good afternoon abs module has a major recall on this vehicle how is it possible were a remedy has not been found as of this date. i do not have the liberty on not using the vehicle as its the only transportation i have to get around. This needs to be repaired ASAP as this puts the driver in an uncomfortable situation i have to take this vehicle in on the 13th of this month to fix the other two recall i feel i should get a loaner vehicle until the ABS id fixed on this vehicle Please get back to me on the current situation thank you

NHTSA ID
11576481
Incident
Mar 10, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall for the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System; however, the failure recurred, and the ESC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

NHTSA ID
11504457
Incident
Jan 30, 2023
Mileage
127,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 25, 2022

My 2012 Hyundai Elantra has been subject to various recalls – such as number 20V393000, "12V outlet may overheat" – but that seems trivial compared to a safety issue I've been experiencing. There are buttons on the Elantra steering wheel that control radio settings, cruise control, etc. For the past several years, these buttons have been malfunctioning (having effects as if you had pressed a button other than the one you actually pressed). This is a safety hazard if 1) a driver needs to cancel cruise control, and presses the appropriate button, but some other effect happens and cruise control is not cancelled. 2) a driver does not intend to engage cruise control, and presses a button that normally would not cause that to happen, but due to this malfunction, cruise control is engaged. 𝘐 know that tapping the brake is an alternative way to cancel cruise control – but in an emergency driving situation, some drivers will not think of that quickly enough, and rely solely on the steering wheel buttons which are subject to frequent malfunctions. I am requesting a recall to fix this issue.

NHTSA ID
11494827
Incident
Nov 24, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while stopped for a traffic light and attempting to drive off after the light changed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the throttle body control, fuel injectors, fuel pump, starter, and accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle had not been taken back to the mechanic. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V871000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,825.

NHTSA ID
11492136
Incident
Oct 31, 2022
Mileage
117,825 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 26, 2022
Crash reported

My steering column makes a clicking noise and the cruise control comes on when it wants to also the horn won't work on the steering wheel, and I was in an accident where I got hit in the front and the airbag didn't even deploy

NHTSA ID
11481374
Incident
Jul 7, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 24, 2021

Initially it stalled while idling in my driveway on 2 different occasions. Several days later on a short errand 8/2/21, it stalled at a red light, the engine puttered, and it failed to shift gears at 20-25 mph and 40-50 mph unless I alternated between letting off and then reapplying the accelerator. Just continuing to press the accelerator made it slow down. No warning lights came on, but I took it to a local repair shop. They couldn't replicate the problem on several attempts, so I picked it up and drove it home slowly. I was afraid to use it - trying to accelerate on an entrance ramp and having it slow down would be dangerous. After it sat 2 months, my husband went to drive it a little. It stalled at a stop sign and had trouble shifting gears again. When I went to drive it to the repair shop, the Check Engine light came on immediately. I drove it carefully, and it was OK. The shop called the next day. They replaced the crankshaft position sensor because of a code, and it was ready. On the way home, it shook violently and flashed the Check Engine light the 2 times it tried to go to second gear. I had it towed to the repair shop. They couldn't replicate the problem, so they replaced the crankshaft position sensor again. As soon as I started home, it acted up again. I went back and had a mechanic ride with me. It acted up. He said he hadn't pressed the accelerator as hard as I did, he'd never seen anything like it, and to take it to a Hyundai dealer. I had it towed to a Hyundai dealer. They replaced a switch inhibitor, valve solenoid, harness, and gasket valve body cover - all in the transmission. As soon as I started home, it acted up again. I turned around and took it back. That was 11/18/21. I called on 11/23/21 and told my service writer about the NHTSA investigation opened 11/12/21 for speed control problems and said I thought my car might be having this throttle problem. He said he hadn't heard about it, and he's going to call me back tomorrow.

NHTSA ID
11441547
Incident
Aug 2, 2021
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. He stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently brake with the ESC warning light illuminated. The contact's wife drove at a slower speed once the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they were unable to diagnose the vehicle failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V871000 (Electronic Stability Control) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ID
11437470
Incident
Sep 20, 2021
Mileage
81,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 26, 2021

I honestly believe I was ripped off for this vehicle I’ve been having to replace one thing after another since I’d gotten it. The brake system on the front passenger side seems to keep grabbing when I’m not even touching the brake. every time I change the brakes only the front passenger side gets worn down way more then the others. I was thinking it was brake drag, but I litteraly greased my brakes and guide pens then it started making the squeeking noise again when I wasn’t touching the brake. It also compromises my engines functions. my engine lags out and I have a feeling it’s putting more torque into the engine and transmission than it was supposed to, and now is causing problems in them. It causes safety issues because the brakes are one of the most important systems on a vehicle it can cause me a bad accident if the caliper becomes to worn from heat damage, because it excessively is putting pressure on it. I haven’t taken it to the dealership to recreate the issue yet, but I did mention it in the very beginning because I had suspicions of my vehicle having problems, but they said they couldn’t find anything when they ran the vin. They didn’t actually test my vehicle which was what I needed. My check engine light has been on.

NHTSA ID
11434384
Incident
Nov 27, 2019
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 31, 2021

LOSS OF POWER WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 80MPH. VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO INPUT ON GAS PEDAL, AND ENGINE PRODUCED MINIMAL POWER. NO LOSS OF ELECTRONICS OR STEERING. FROM A STOP, VEHICLE PRODUCED LIMITED POWER AND SPEED REACHED MAXIMUM SPEED OF 15-20MPH. AFTER 30MIN, VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED DURING OR AFTER INCIDENT. REASON FOR FAILURE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID
11405864
Incident
Mar 31, 2021
Mileage
116,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Feb 13, 2021

I LIVE IN MISSOURI WHERE THEY STILL HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTIONS TO RENEW TAGS FOR LEGALLY DRIVING. GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND STARTED IT I THEN TRY TO USE THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS TO CHANGE RADIO STATION WOULD NOT WORK THEN TRIED THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A PHONE CALL AND IT WOULDN'T WORK THEN I TRIED THE HORN AND IT WOULD NOT WORK. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND WHAT I FOUND IS THAT IT'S WHATS CALLED THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING SO THERE FOR THE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT I HAVE RESEARCHED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE AND WITH THIS ISSUE IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MY STATE

NHTSA ID
11396101
Incident
Sep 15, 2020
Mileage
145,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 7, 2021

MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WOULD STALL AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. IT WOULD STOP AND START AGAIN.. I WENT TO HYUNDAI TO CHECK IT OUT AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING OFF THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STALLED OUT AND WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO PRESS. USING ALL MY WEIGHT I GOT IT TO COME TO A STOP. IT WOULD NOT CRANK. I TRIED ABOUT THREE TIMES TO CRANK IT WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE GAS. IT EVENTUALLY ALLOWED ME TO CHANGE GEARS REALLY QUICK AND TAKE OFF. I MADE IT 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD TO THE HOUSE BUT IT STALLED AS I PARKED. NOW IT WON'T CRANK AT ALL. FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS I'VE BEEN TRYING TO CRANK IT. I'VE HAD THE FUEL PUMP, THE SPARK PLUGS, THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CHANGED AND IT STILL ISN'T CRANKING

NHTSA ID
11387026
Incident
Nov 3, 2020
Mileage
197,798 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 24, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK OVER PREVENTION CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREEN FAILED TO AND PROVIDE AN IMAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT CALLED LARSON HYUNDAI (7601 S. TACOMA WAY, TACOMA, WA 98409, (253) 590-4527) AND THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE HOWEVER, INSISTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ID
11376181
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
67,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 7, 2020

AFTER IT RAINS, ( IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL ) WATER COMES THROUGH THE LIGHT ABOVE SUN VISOR, SOAKS THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR FRONT AND BACK, AND GOES INTO DASH THIS IS CAUSING CORROSION TO ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE DASH COULD CAUSE FAILURE TO DEVICES AND A FIRE HAZARD. THE TOUCHSCREEN WENT BLACK, SO I PULLED THE FUSE ONLY TO NOTICE THE FUSES HAD CORROSION. MY FEET GET SOAKED MAKING THE PEDALS SLIPPERY. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO REALIZE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE WATER ON THE FLOOR HAS SOAKED THROUGH THE CARPET AND PAD TO ABOUT 1/2" OF WATER AT THE HIGHEST POINT. THIS COULD CAUSE MOLD AND MILDEW TO BE CIRCULATED THROUGH THE CAR. THE CAR HAS GOTTEN CONDENSATION ON THE WINDSHIELD AFTER IT RAINS AND THE SUN COMES OUT. THE MOISTURE INSIDE THE VEHICLE IS STARTING TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO ALL ELECTRONICS.

NHTSA ID
11373571
Incident
Jun 1, 2020
Mileage
98,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 18, 2020

THE DASH CONSOLE CONTINUES TO GO GO OUT TO THE POINT THE ODOMETER, SPEED , MILEAGE AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL INFORMATION IS NOT VISIBLE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY REPLACED THE DASH CONSOLE AND 2 YRS LATER IS NEEDING REPLACEMENT AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11350040
Incident
Aug 18, 2020
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 13, 2020

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENS TO ME. THE EPS LIGHT TURNS ON, THE STEERING WHEEL GETS TIGHT. SO THE POWER STEERING DISCONNECTS FROM THE ENGINE. YOU LITERALLY CAN'T STEER. THIS LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING DOWN A GRADE AT NIGHT. IF INCOMING TRAFFIC WOULD OF BEEN COMING I WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THEM OR GO DOWN THE CLIFF. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED ONCE BY DEALER ALREADY LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. THIS CAR IS UN SAFE AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT ANY MORE. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT IN NEUTRAL TO THE SHOULDER ONCE I PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR SHOOK AND IT SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA ID
11339168
Incident
Jul 11, 2020
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 21, 2019
Crash reported

STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION, I LOSE CONTROL AND THE BRAKE APPLIED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CRASH MY CAR I AM OK BUT I HAVE DAMAGE IN MY CAR. I WENT TO DEALER FOR THIS RECALL AND THEY DID NOT FIXED NOW I DONT KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT

NHTSA ID
11290654
Incident
Dec 19, 2019
Mileage
132,450 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,700.

NHTSA ID
11290407
Incident
Dec 10, 2019
Mileage
34,700 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 13, 2019
Crash reported

I WAS SLOWLY GOING INTO MY PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD. I TRIED TO BRAKE, DIDN'T SEEM TO DO ANY GOOD. IT HIT CONCRETE PROTECTING A STREET LIGHT AND WAS SMASHED UP AND STOPPED. IT WAS TERRIFYING. I THE CAR DID THIS ON IT'S OWN. I KNOW WHERE MY FEET WERE AND I WAS IN GOOD SHOES. I'M A CLASSICALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL BALLET DANCER AND I KNOW WHERE MY FEET ARE IN SPACE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I DID NOT ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID IT ON ITS OWN LIKE THAT AMOS EPISODE IN DOCTOR WHO. IT WAS TERRIFYING, THIS CAR SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. IT HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES, BUT IT DID IT AND THEN STOPPED. THIS TIME IT STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE OBJECT. THE CARS I HAD BEFORE NEVER DID THIS. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND I WAS LUCKY I WAS IN A SAFE PLACE.

NHTSA ID
11288969
Incident
Dec 13, 2019
Mileage
81,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineExterior lighting
Filed Nov 6, 2019

THIS VEHICLE I HAVE TO THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR AND IT FIXED THE YELLOW LIGHT GOES OFF FOR TWO MONTHS OR SO AND COMES BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST YEAR.

NHTSA ID
11278494
Incident
Aug 1, 2019
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Oct 3, 2019

HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 GLS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED OR AT STOPPED, STOPPING, LOOSING CONTROL OF YOUR CAR AT LOW SPEED NO BREAKS OR STEERING WHEEL, OR SPEEDOMETER AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON..

NHTSA ID
11265942
Incident
Oct 3, 2019
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ONLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE MECHANIC CLEANED ALL THE SENSORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 15986313. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,607.

NHTSA ID
11243592
Incident
Aug 12, 2019
Mileage
157,607 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 25, 2019

PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ON THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY: THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS DISPLAY WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND OFTEN CAUSES A PROBLEM WITH DRIVING. WHEN THE LIGHT DOES NOT DISPLAY WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE IS INDEED "ON" THE DRIVER IS NOT ALERTED BY THE WARNING LIGHT AND EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION. THE CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEREBY PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT MOVE THE CAR AS INTENDED. IT WILL NOT MOVE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, MOVES VERY SLOWLY OR LURCHES.

NHTSA ID
11222438
Incident
May 22, 2019
Mileage
82,100 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 18, 2019

CAR IS JERKING WHILE DRIVING. ESC LIGHT COMES ON. HESITATES, LOW POWER.

NHTSA ID
11208458
Incident
May 18, 2019
Mileage
84,455 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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