Most common 2012 Hyundai Azera problems
Share of the 74 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Azera complaints by model year
Best Azera years: 2010, 2015, 2016. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007, 2013, 2012, 2008. Compare all years →
2012 Hyundai Azera recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Azera vehicles manufactured May 22, 2012, through November 23, 2012. The occupant detection system may fail to properly differentiate whether the front passenger seat occupant is an adult, a child or a child restraint seat.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the airbag system. The recall beagan on August 13, 2013. Hyundai's recall number is "Campaign 111." Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 Hyundai Azera:
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
What 2012 Hyundai Azera owners say
Steering all 38 →
The steering malfunctioned. When we tried to turn the wheel the it would slip and the car would not respond or suddenly would. It was very scary because the car could not be steered properly. We took it to the dealer who said the Steering Coupler had failed and needed to be replaced. This component has been recalled and/or warranty extended to cover in other Hyundai models for the same reason but it has not yet been recalled in the Azera. We discussed this with Hyundai Customer Service who confirmed. It was repaired by Hyundai of South Brunswick NJ for $452.34. There is a Technical Service Bulletin describing the problem. This is a common, dangerous Azera failure and should be remedied as it has been for other models.
The steering on this vehicle started to have some play in it, including some intense vibrating as I drove down the road. My analysis is that the coupler within the steering motor is made of a flimsy material that breaks down relatively easily. This issue has obviously become clear to Hyundai, as they have created an updated version of the coupler. However, the issue is serious enough that there are many people who have shared about it on forums/YouTube/etc., and is a legitimate danger to drivers, as complete failure of the part could result in failed steering while driving.
Brakes
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Winn Hyundai of Santa Maria (800 W Main St., Santa Maria, CA 93458) but no assistance was provided. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The low oil warning was illuminated. The contact had to leave the vehicle at the side of the road. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact stated that before the failure, the vehicle was consuming oil at a rate requiring her to add one quart of oil weekly. The contact stated there was no evidence of a leak from the oil pan. The contact was also hearing an abnormal ticking noise coming from the engine compartment before the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal noises. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a lifter noise on cold startup. The vehicle was then taken to Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai (2871 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy, Hillsboro, OR 97123) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai informed the contact that authorization from the manufacturer was needed before servicing the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the noises coming from the vehicle were normal. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
2012 Hyundai Azera engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Hyundai Azera a good car?
Based on 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Azera rates avoid: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Azera at the same age. It is one of the Azera years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Hyundai Azera?
The steering — 38 complaints, 51% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (12) and engine & cooling (11).
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Azera have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Azera, the most recent from September 22, 2023 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Azera?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2015 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2007, 2013, 2012 and 2008. See the full Hyundai Azera years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Azera problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.