RoadVitals

2012 Hyundai Elantra Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
19
Latest Sep 30, 2025
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.
3%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 19 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 visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsSeat beltsVisibility
Filed Sep 30, 2025

I have constantly had problems with the airbag light going on & off for simply no reason driving the road. Also the windshield sensor light keeps going off making it unsafe to drive at night. I am am a senior citizen & I have to work and I keep going back & forth with my mechanic paying extensive checks on top of getting the problem resolved. I don't have money like that. I live along surviving off of one income.

NHTSA ID
11690526
Incident
Dec 5, 1960
BrakesEngineVisibility
Filed Jan 9, 2024

Problem with the braking system brakes fail! Piñon is junk Wipers shot Engine has always sounded like it was its last ride Won’t shift then the rpm’s go up Sometimes gotta use the safety lock key to get it in gear

NHTSA ID
11564377
Incident
Jan 9, 2024
Visibility
Filed Oct 24, 2022

While turning right at an intersection,sunvisor popped and dropped obstructing my view of the roadway. From initial view to sunvisor obstruction a motorcyclist turn across my intended direction ,due to sunvisor obstructing view,almost caused accident with motorcyclist.

NHTSA ID
11490588
Incident
Oct 24, 2022
Visibility
Filed Dec 16, 2021

My car was parked in front of my house on street. I found rear hatch glass shattered from the inside. There was glass several feet away from car on road. There are no rocks etc. inside or outside of car. This is the second time this has happened. The first time was June 2021 at an event I was attending. Same thing, glass exploded everywhere. We assumed it was due to the heat (it was in the high 80's that day). The flying glass could have hurt someone nearby. The technician who looked at the car could not explain how it happened.

NHTSA ID
11443986
Incident
Dec 15, 2021
Visibility
Filed Apr 28, 2021

WHEN PUTTING THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISITOR DOWN AT FIRST IT WOULD JUST MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. THEN ONE DAY WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY BACK UP. WHEN I CHECKED , ABOVE THE MIRROR ON RIGHT HAND SIDE BY THE ARM, THE WHITE PLASTIC TRIM FOR THE VISOR IS BROKEN SO THE VISOR IS JUST KIND OF HANGING. SOMEWHAT BLOCKS VISION.

NHTSA ID
11414361
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Mileage
99,970 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 21, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER IT RAINS, WATER ENTERED INTO REAR SIDE OF CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HYUNDAI OF AUBURN LOCATED AT 823 OPELIKA RD, AUBURN, AL 36830, (334) 321-0777, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ID
11350671
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
55,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 30, 2018

SUNROOF EXPLODED 5AM IN THE MORNING ON HIGHWAY 405 TRAVELING TO REDMOND WA., I WAS NOT NEAR ANY UNDERPASSES, OR BRIDGES. THE WINDOW SOUND MADE A LOUD BOMB NOISE AND THEM I HEARD GLASS BREAKING. IT WAS GOING TO RAIN THE REST OF THE DAY SO I TOOK BLACK DUCT TAPE AND TAPED THE GLASS SO THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE GLASS WOULD HOLD AND NOT CONTINUE TO SHATTER AND IT WOULD NOT DESTROY MY HEAD LINER.

NHTSA ID
11144164
Incident
Oct 29, 2018
Mileage
113,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 7, 2017
1 injury reported

THE SUN VISOR BROKE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOWER IT INTO POSITION WHILE DRIVING. THE PLASTIC PARTS THAT SURROUND THE ARM INSIDE OF THE VISOR BROKE. THE SOUND AND MOVEMENT OF THE BROKEN VISOR CAUSED ME A MOMENT OF STARTLED, DISTRACTED DRIVING UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER AND TRY TO DEAL WITH IT. THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP OR DOWN. IT HANGS IN MY LINE OF VISION AND CREATES A DRIVING HAZARD. IT ALSO HANGS TOO CLOSE TO MY HEAD AND CREATES A PHYSICAL HAZARD. I BUMPED MY HEAD ON IT YESTERDAY WHILE AT THE DRIVE-THROUGH PHARMACY. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT A WARNING (WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT INSIDE A TRIANGLE IN A YELLOW BOX) INDICATES THAT A CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HARM, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH IF THE WARNING IS IGNORED. THERE IS A WARNING ON PAGE 4-94 OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT STATES, "WARNING FOR YOUR SAFETY, DO NOT OBSTRUCT YOUR VISION WHEN USING THE SUNVISOR." HYUNDAI KNOWS THAT OBSTRUCTING ONE'S VISION WITH THE SUNVISOR MAY RESULT IN HARM, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. HYUNDAI KNOWS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES, AS THEY HAVE ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS IN THE PAST (08-01-029, HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN T64) FOR THE SAME ISSUE. HYUNDAI KNOWS THAT THIS CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL ELANTRA, SANTA FE, ACCENT, SONATA, AND OTHER OWNERS. A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH WILL SHOW SEVERAL RESULTS: HTTP://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/MD-2011-2016-ELANTRA-SEDAN-COUPE/130049-BROKEN-SUN-VISOR.HTML HTTP://WWW.CARSAFETYREFERENCE.COM/HYUNDAI-SONATA-2007/VISIBILITY_WIPER/ HTTP://WWW.HOWTOMENDIT.COM/ANSWERS.PHP?ID=157121 THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE REPLACEMENT SUNVISOR WILL COST OVER $100 WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR CHARGES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND/OR EXTENDED WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
11003543
Incident
Jun 7, 2017
Mileage
78,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 15, 2016

WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE FLOPPING DOWN WHILE BEING ADJUSTED BY PASSENGER CAUSING WIFE TO BE STARTLED AS SHE STEERED THE CAR 2015. DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE FLOPPING DOWNWARD AS I WAS ADJUSTING IT WHILE DRIVING CITY STREET 45 MPH CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RE-GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. 2016 WE HAVE BOTH VISORS AND PARTS AND PHOTO'S. *TR

NHTSA ID
10935529
Incident
Dec 15, 2016
Mileage
47,400 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 14, 2016

WHEN OUTSIDE TEMP. DROPS BELOW 20 DEGREES F THE WASHERS WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE UESD FLUID FROM DEALER AND AUTO ZONE AND OTHER VENDERS INCLUDING -35 DEGREE FLUID TO NO AVAIL. ABOVE 20 THE WASHERS WORK

NHTSA ID
10935303
Incident
Dec 14, 2016
Mileage
62,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 30, 2015

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PER MECHANIC, THIS PART IS NOT AVAILABLE "AFTER MARKET" AND IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM HYUNDAI. FOR THIS REASON, THE MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH IS WHY THE PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM HYUNDAI.

NHTSA ID
10807463
Incident
Nov 3, 2015
Mileage
63,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 24, 2015

WINDSHIELD WASHER STOPPED WORKING. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID
10775931
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
25,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 21, 2015

THE SUN VISOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS BROKEN AND WILL NOT STAY UP BLOCKING VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
10717889
Incident
May 19, 2015
Mileage
53,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 27, 2015

SUNROOF SHATTERED TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH IN VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC, HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON TOP OF CAR. SOON REALIZED BY THE WIND NOISE THAT THE SUNROOF HAD BROKEN. PULLED OFF AT NEXT EXIT, OBSERVED SHATTERED SUNROOF GLASS. CONCERNED THIS IS A DEFECT - AS THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AROUND TO THROW ANYTHING INTO THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN AFTER PASSING UNDER AN OVERPASS. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679090
Incident
Jan 15, 2015
Mileage
49,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 14, 2015

INABILITY OF HYUNDAI MANUFACTURED WIPERS TO CLEAR RAIN, AND ADDED STREAKS. DRIVING IN RAINSTORM BECAME VERY DANGEROUS. AM FILING COMPLAINT NOW, HOWEVER, HAVE HAD WIPERS REPLACED ON 2 OCCASIONS IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10672377
Incident
Jan 2, 2015
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed May 24, 2012

THIS CAR HAS LARGE BLIND SPOTS CAUSED BY BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT PILLARS. THE POSITIONING OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ONLY MAKES THE RIGHT BLIND SPOT LARGER AS THERE IS ONLY THE SPACE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE MIRROR TO THE RIGHT PILLAR TO VIEW OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AS A RESULT, I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE CROSSING THE STREET FROM MY RIGHT TO MY LEFT. THANKFULLY, I SAW THEM IN TIME TO APPLY MY BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WITH THIS CAR. AND, AT INTERSECTIONS WHERE THERE IS A FOUR-WAY STOP OR, WHEN I AM ENTERING THE LANE, I CAN OFTEN NOT SEE A CAR COMING FROM EITHER DIRECTION. I FULLY ANTICIPATE THAT THIS CAR WILL BE INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS. THE ELANTRA DRIVER WILL BE AT FAULT BUT NO ONE WILL LOOK TO THIS "DEFECT" IN THE CAR AS THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10459506
Incident
May 1, 2012
Mileage
2,500 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Jan 14, 2012

THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 IS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND REAR SEAT WARMERS. THE SWITCH FOR THE FRONT SEATS RESETS TO OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE SWITCH FOR THE REAR SEATS, HOWEVER, REMAINS IN THE ON POSITION. THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON, THE REAR SEAT WARMERS WILL BE ACTIVATED AGAIN UNTIL THEY ARE MANUALLY DEACTIVATED. A CAVEAT IN THE HYUNDAI MANUAL STATES: "WITH THE SEAT WARMER SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION, THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE SEAT TURNS OFF AND ON AUTOMATICALLY DEPENDING ON THE SEAT TEMPERATURE." THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS TO PREVENT INJURY TO SOMEONE USING THE SEAT. MY CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL HAZARD THE REAR SEAT WARMERS POSE WHEN THEY ARE NOT BEING USED BY A PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE THEY ARE ACTIVATED. ON COLD WINTER DAYS THE REAR SEAT WARMERS COULD BE HEATING AT MAXIMUM WATTAGE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON, UNBEKNOWNST TO THE DRIVER. WITH THIS BEING A SEATING AREA OFTEN USED BY CHILDREN, I BELIEVE THERE IS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT THESE SWITCHES COULD BE LEFT IN THE ON POSITION FREQUENTLY AND FOR LENGTHY PERIODS OF TIME. THIS POSES BOTH A HEALTH RISK, AS WELL AS, UNDUE WEAR ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND REAR SEAT COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443774
Incident
Jan 13, 2012
Mileage
1 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 27, 2011

I HAVE HAD TWO WINDSHIELDS CRACKS IN A 6 WEEK PERIOD OF TIME. THE DIAMETER OF THE IMPACT ON THE INITIAL IMPACT ON 11/911 WAS THE SIZE OF A PEA AND LEFT A HORIZONTAL CRACK THAT WAS ABOUT 12". THE SECOND IMPACT, ON ANOTHER BRAND NEW WINDSHIELD, LEFT AN IMPACT THE SIZE OF A PIN HEAD AND A CRACK 18" LONG. I BELIEVE THESE ARE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS, I DID NOT EVEN HEAR THE IMPACT ON THE SECOND WINDSHIELD. BY THE TIME I SAW THE CRACK AND PARKED MY CAR THE CRACK WAS ALMOST 6" LONG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10441405
Incident
Nov 9, 2011
Mileage
4,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 12, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOW SHIELD TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDES OF THE WINDOW BLOCK HIS VISION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,700.

NHTSA ID
10424735
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
1,700 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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .