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2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring: True Cost, Problems & Verdict

655 NHTSA owner complaints · 1 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.

Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
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Owner complaints: 655 filed with NHTSA

Complaints per year on the road: 46.79

Engine134Electrical System126Air Bags123Service Brakes96Steering90Unknown Or Other68

What owners say

Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.

The brake pedal stopper pad broke and fell off which resulted in the brake lights remaining illuminated the entire time the car was driving, which is very hazardous. I am not sure how long it had been broken for before I realized that this dangerous condition was occurring. The brake lights remained on even after the car was turned off. I had to tape a piece of cardboard to the brake arm where it hits the brake light…
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and air bag warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the…
Unknown I have two urgent recall warnings on my vehicle and am unable to park near building structures according to the recall instructions.

Recalls: 1 campaigns

2014
CampaignComponentSummary
14V310000Structure:Frame And MembersHyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through M…

True cost of ownership

EPA combined 26 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,350

Fuel (your region) $2,350
Maintenance band (your region) $0$1,976
Estimated running cost this year (age 14) $4,326

Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.

02468101214$4,511vehicle age (years)
fuel/energy + maintenance band (annual, USD, estimate)

Run your own numbers in the true-cost calculator →

FAQ

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring?

The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (134 complaints in our indexed sample).

Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring a good used car to buy?

Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 39/100, computed from 655 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.

Does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring, 0 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 10/06/2014. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

What will a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring really cost YOU per year?

Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.

Open the true-cost calculator

Data sources

Complaints & recalls: NHTSA · Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov · Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements. Last updated: 2026-08-20.

39RELIABILITY / 100
AVOID
  • 655 NHTSA complaints on record (46.8/yr of exposure)
  • 1 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems

How this score is computed →

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