Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
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. …
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. …
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.
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. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 30 MPH, the electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. Prior to the crash, the vehicle accelerated independently. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the tie rod was bent and the brake pad on the front passenger wheel was missing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. While attempting to park, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into some branches. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle was already in the branches. There were no injuries. The vehicle was still drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V871000 (electronic stability control); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
My car was sitting at my apartment. Went to go to the store and the car wouldn't start. The car would not turn over no matter many times I would try and start it. I had to call my dad who told me to hold gas pedal down and start the car. This happened twice. Took it to the dealership, said they couldn't do anything about it because it wasn't happening at that moment. Car starts to jerk while driving. Started off only in the mornings, then while I was driving home from work, it jerked again this time more aggressive. Have talked with Hyundai 3 times about this issue, said they couldn't do anything about it until they see it happening themselves. I am having to press the gas hard to go at least 50 MPH. Yesterday 10/19/2015. I stop to get gas. Full my tank up, get in the car and the won't start again! Press my foot on the gas, car won't start. …
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 investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Acceleration complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of the model year's 654 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Hyundai Elantra acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Elantra acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.