2012 Hyundai Elantra Service and Repair Manual
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra was sold with two engine choices across eight trim configurations, and the specifications and procedure sequences here are the ones Hyundai published for that exact year, engine and trim rather than a near-match borrowed from an adjacent model year.
Engines covered
- 1.8L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
- 4-door hatchback
Trims covered
- GL
- GLS
- L
- Limited
- Touring GL
- Touring GLS
- Touring L
- Touring SE
Known issues on the 2012 Elantra. Four recalls are on federal record for this model year. The first concerns the electronic stability control system: one or more of the brakes may be inappropriately applied, and control of the vehicle may be lost. The second covers the hydraulic service brakes and the antilock and traction control system, where an engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. The third is an electrical equipment recall: the 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened, and an overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire. The fourth relates to the side and window air bags, where a support bracket attached to the headliner may make contact with an occupant during a crash. Owners have filed 914 complaints for the year and Hyundai has issued 97 technical service bulletins.
Whether you are tracing an electronic stability control warning light, inspecting the brake hydraulics or keeping a Touring GLS on its service schedule, this manual keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your 2012 Elantra.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivers-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These infla
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driverside airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN),
Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows. This repair pro
In addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB 24-01-009H-1), a zinc reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade is being made available to customers upon request. This supplemental security meas
This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.
In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the an
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside th
A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (HMA) that had alleged that certain 2011 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the Class Vehicles) contain design flaws, including the fai
Showing the 8 most recent of 116 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
. During the accident on February 1, 2025, at the moment of impact, the passenger seat belt suddenly unlatched and became stuck on my right hand. As a direct result, I suffered a fracture in my right hand at the exact point where the belt got caught, as well as fractures in my foot, ribs, back, and multiple other injuries. This seat belt failure left me completely exposed to much greater danger, including the possibility of being ejected through the front windshield. If it had not been for my fe
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 wa
ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. SWITCHED LANES SUCCESSFULLY, BUT COULD NOT STRAIGHT THE STEERING BACK STRAIGHT, CAUSING CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER! AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER BOUNCING BACK OFF OF THE CONCRETE BARRIER.
WAS TURNING OFF A HIGHWAY INTO A MINOR ROAD AND WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR. FOLLOWING THE IMPACT MY SEAT BELT (WHICH I ALWAYS SECURE UPON ENTERING MY CAR) HAD SNAPPED OPEN AND WAS JUST HANGING LOOSE ACROSS MY SHOULDER. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT FORCED THE SNAPPING DEVICE OPEN. THE RESULT WAS MORE FORCE PLACED ON MY WRIST ON THE STEERING AND A SPRAINED WRIST AMONG OTHER...
I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY AT SUPER DUTY FORD 250 GOING APPROX 50 MPH. I WAS STOPPED AND WAS PUSHED A CAR LENGTH INTO A CHEVY SILVERADO WHO WAS ALSO STOPPED, MY TRUNK TOOK MOST OF THE DAMAGE BUT THE FRONT END WAS PRETTY BAD TOO, BUT MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NOT SURE OF THE MPH OF THE IMPACT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, BUT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAVE NECK STRAIN AND BACK STRAIN; ALONG WITH MULTIPLE BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. I KNOW THE AIRBAGS HAVE A SENSOR, BUT COULD THEY BE MESSED UP? *JB
Seatbelt failed passenger was thrown forward hitting windshield afterwards airbag deployed throwing passenger upwards hitting roof of vehicle Issue: Delayed airbag deployment Issue: Seatbelt failure
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA COLLISION TO DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. DRIVERS SIDE AND DRIVERS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
THIS CAR WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN MOTION ON A HIWAY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
DRIVER ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND HIT ANOTHER CAR, ALSO UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED TO PROTECT THE DRIVER CONSIDERING HOW SEVERELY THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR WERE DAMAGED. 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, CAR WAS NOT STARTING, WAS JUMPED- START AND VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO HYUNDAI SERVICE AND THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE, A CRACKED RIB AND SUFFERED SEVERAL HEADACHES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE M
ON NOVEMBER 8TH, 2016, SAINT PAUL, MN, MY CAR WOULD NOT START UP. NO WARNING SIGNALS CAME ON AND JUST MADE A "CLICKING" NOISE". I CALLED HYUNDAI'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHEN THEY ARRIVED HE TOLD ME TO TRY TO START IT UP. THE CAR THEN CAME ON WHICH WAS APPROX. A 45 MINUTE WAIT. IN OCTOBER 2015- EAGAN, MN, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I FELT DIZZY, NAUSEOUS AND HAD A PANIC ATTACK. I TRIED PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE STEPPING ON BREAKS, THE CAR KEPT PULL
ON OCTOBER 19,2012, I WAS DRIVING ON 94 E IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING FOUR VEHICLES. THE TRAFFIC WAS GOING AT A STEADY PACE AROUND 60 MPH. THE NEXT THING I SAW WAS BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. I KNEW I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND I ALSO WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. I WAS THE 3RD OF 4 VEHICLES SO MY CAR WAS DAMAGED IN THE FRONT AND THE BACK. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT AROUND $13,0
Car accident. My car was T-boned on the passenger side, the side airbag did deploy. The impact from the accident pushed my car into on coming traffic and I hit 2 other cars. One in the front grill and the other in the left rear quarter panel. The front airbag did not deploy and my chest hit the steering wheel. My car was totaled and I was taken to the hospital and had 5 CT scans. The one for my chest showed a contusion which I continue to have pain from. I also had neck sprain or strain and had
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, RIGHT ANKLE, LEFT KNEE, AND LEFT RING FINGER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WHILE BEING DRIVEN 1-2 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A PARKING SPOT BARRICADE, INTO A FEILD, AND CRASHED INTO A BOLDER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WENT INTO SHOCK. SUFFERED A CUT ON THE HAND REQUIRING STITCHES. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED AN AUTO IMMUNE DISEASE, SEVERE BODY PAINS
Showing the 15 most serious of 674 complaints filed with NHTSA.
