Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Hyundai Genesis owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V489000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, days later the contact stated that while driving the brake pedal was depressed and felt spongy while the vehicle was coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the brake rotors were replaced on the vehicle. The contact stated that failure reoccurred approximately 25,000 miles later; however, the vehicle was not taken back to dealer for diagnosis to be repaired. The contact stated that at 35,666 miles, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was informed that the front brakes needed to be replaced. Additionally, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated that the check engine light was later illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic. The mechanic retrieved a code for a defective pressure sensor. Upon investigation, the contact discovered Manufacturer Communication Number: 16-8at-011) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the Manufacturer Communication Number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,620.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, and to an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
During normal driving conditions, the 8 speed automatic transmission will randomly hesitate to upshift from 2nd to 3rd and from 4th to 5th, causing an unpredictable loss of power. Symptoms will show up intermittently, and do not seem to be caused by certain events. This is unsafe because the unpredictability of the problem could cause power loss during moments where acceleration is needed to avoid an accident (moments which would otherwise be completely safe, i.e. merging onto a freeway, turning across incoming traffic, right turns into the direction of traffic, etc.) This problem already has a TSB issued by Hyundai. Problem has been reproduce by a technician. Component has been checked by a technician. There are no warning lights or other symptoms before failure.
The car just completely shut down. Fortunately, I had just turned for home on a 25 MPH street so I was going slow enough that I could manage to at least get the car to the side of the road. Do not know what would have happened 15 minutes earlier if it had shut down on the busy interstate I was on. It did start back up again, but now am afraid to drive it anywhere. Have contacted Hyundai, but if there follow-up is anything like it has been in the past, it will be a waste of my time. They will just say that they cannot reproduce the problem and send us a coffee mug hoping that will resolve the issue. We have had numerous previous electrical issues: such as car starting back up by itself after being shut off, the radio literally popping on and off, the radio locking on a station (you could change channels, but the same station kept playing), the nav turning on and off by itself. …
Complete failure of engine. Sensors and electrical components malfunctions. Touch screen display non responsive and keystrokes off. Gas/fuel would spew back out when filling. Windshield visibility poor. Lighting dim. Hydraulic system fail. Timing belt fail. Flang sound (ticking in engine) LED to engine fail. Electrical lights flickering was me. Vehicle stalled out completely shutting off locking up and seizing out. Components malfunctioning. Hard brake checks, high RPM rrevving, and idleing all are shown when car was traveling at 45 MPH and no change in speed. Failure of fluids cause corrosion and hecu. Engine light indicator and engine oil lamp light flickering with no distinct pattern. Proceeded to bang loud in engine. RPM rev 2-3K before speed catches. Cd player problems. Always making a sound as if it is trying to eject and then sputters out. …
The car will not start when the temp outside is ~40 degrees f or lower outside. It will crank non stop (push button start) but won't ever start. Car battery is only two months old. Cranks fine when the outside temp raises back up to around 45 degrees f and up. While driving today on the interstate, on the bridge, the car randomly lost all engine power. Trying to step on the gas pedal would result in the car studdering. I turned on the emergency signal and just cruised into the side lane out of traffic. Turned the car off and on and noticed the RPM idled at 1500 RPM which is insanely high. I put it in 1st gear and gave it gas, and nothing happened. The RPM meter wouldn't go up. After a few more times of cutting the engine on and off and the engine wouldn't start a few times also, it finally started and seemed to work normally. Now the car has a check engine light on.
Issue in which the transmission does not shift smoothly into 2nd and 3rd gear. Typically, the transmission will shift somewhat smoothly for a few days, but then shifting gets progressively rough until the car shudders to the point that it's physically painful, embarrassing, stressful, as well as dangerous! It seems to return to slightly normal shifting for a couple of days, thus restarting it's vicious cycle. I called Hyundai's customer service line and was advised that there are "no active campaigns" for my VIN in regards to the transmission. Yet, the make, model, and year is associated with TSB no. 15-at-005 "drivability problems with transmissions". Many people are having the same issues, a recall is in order. Https://www.cars.com/articles/2007-2013-Hyundai-vehicles-transmission-issues-1420681346983/
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. While at a stop light, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration. During the incident, the brakes malfunctioned and would not immediately stop the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. Moments later, the engine backfired and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (Hyundai of coconut creek in coconut creek, fl) where it was diagnosed that the engine valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 65,000.
While driving home, the car ac started blowing hot and the dash panel lit up, the engine turned itself off and I coasted to the side of the road. After stopping, I pressed on the brakes and pushed the start button and the car started right up and I drove home, no further problems. This was on a las vegas city street. This is the 6th time this has happened in less than a year, twice it was on the freeway! We just picked up the car from the dealership on Friday, today is Monday, they claimed that they couldn't duplicate the problem, but didn't know that I had documented the mileage and they did not even test drive the vehicle!
Transmission complaints in other Genesis years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Hyundai Genesis?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, 14% of the model year's 271 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Hyundai Genesis transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, though it has 5 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 Genesis transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.