Is the 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING reliable?

The 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING has 28 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: SUSPENSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING?

Top problems: SUSPENSION (6 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (4 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING?

The 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING is approximately $1,463/year (wagon class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING has 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 41. The most common issue is suspension problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: tire wear is excessive causing tires to wear on inside to point of dangerous. there is no adjustment in alignment to take care of this . found this to happen after 13,000 alignment. hyundai forum other people having same problem dealer just seems to think it is owner caused. need to get new tires or. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SUSPENSION

6 complaints

21%

• TIRE WEAR IS EXCESSIVE CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR ON INSIDE TO POINT OF DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT IN ALIGNMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS . FOUND THIS TO HAPPEN AFTER 13,000 ALIGNMENT. HYUNDAI FORUM OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM DEALER JUST SEEMS TO THINK IT IS OWNER CAUSED. NEED TO GET NEW TIRES OR
• WANDERING ALL OVER THE ROAD. PULLS RIGHT MOST OF THE TIME. CURRENTLY HAVE 19000MILES, 7 ALIGNMENTS, NEW SET OF TIES. AFTER ALIGNMENT VEHICLE WILL DRIVE STRAIGHT FOR 15-20 MIN. THEN STARTS PULLING AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE DAY 1. *TR
• CAR GETS BLOWOUTS, RIM DAMAGE, OR SIDEWALL BUBBLES WHEN HITTING POTHOLES. THE COMBINATION OF THE SUSPENSION AND TIRE SIZE DOES NOT WORK . THE WHEELS ARE P215/45R17. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TIRE WEAR IS EXCESSIVE CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR ON INSIDE TO POINT OF DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT IN ALIGNMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS . FOUND THIS TO HAPPEN AFTER 13,000 ALIGNMENT. HYUNDAI FORUM OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM DEALER JUST SEEMS TO THINK IT IS OWNER CAUSED. NEED TO GET NEW TIRES OR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING

Based on 27 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS10/06/2014

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 117.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,463

Full coverage / month

$122

Liability only / year

$607

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (wagon)0.95x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1463

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai ELANTRA TOURING Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2012 ELANTRA TOURING, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 28 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SUSPENSION: TIRE WEAR IS EXCESSIVE CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR ON INSIDE TO POINT OF DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT IN ALIGNMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS . FOUND THIS TO HAPPEN AFTER 13,000 ALIGNMENT. HYUNDAI FORUM OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM DEALER JUST SEEMS TO THINK IT IS OWNER CAUSED. NEED TO GET NEW TIRES OR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: 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 CONT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: PURCHASED CAR NEW JUNE 2012, CAR WAS NOT STARTED FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS TRIED TO START CAR, WOULD NOT START. I JUMP STARTED CAR TO GET IT TO THE SHOP, SAID WATER IN BATTERY LOW, ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER, SAME THING, DEALER KEPT CAR, REPLACED BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES, UNPLUGGED WIRES, CHASED WIRES FROM FRONT T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHILE ON A TRIP ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS CHEAP GAS, WHICH I JUST FILLED UP WITH MOBIL GAS. ALSO I JUST CHANGED OIL AND TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY A PINT OVERFILL. THEY MUST HAVE PUT ON COMPUTER AND ADJUSTED SPECS AND TURNED ENGINE LIGHT OFF. I LOST 5 MI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)