Is the 2012 Hyundai GENESIS reliable?

The 2012 Hyundai GENESIS has 362 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Hyundai GENESIS?

Top problems: ENGINE (69 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (60 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (49 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Hyundai GENESIS?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. 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 GENESIS?

The 2012 Hyundai GENESIS gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Hyundai GENESIS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Hyundai GENESIS is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize 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 GENESIS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Hyundai GENESIS has 362 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 161. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: in 2011 i leased a 2012 hyundai genesis. on january 25.2013 when my car suddenly stopped. i called aaa, they came out and did a diagnostic check on my battery and told me it was fine, that something in the computer, most likely the alternator was draining the battery. on june 9th 2013 while driving. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 5 crash reports 4 injuries

362

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

69 complaints

19%

• IN 2011 I LEASED A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. ON JANUARY 25.2013 WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. I CALLED AAA, THEY CAME OUT AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON MY BATTERY AND TOLD ME IT WAS FINE, THAT SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER, MOST LIKELY THE ALTERNATOR WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. ON JUNE 9TH 2013 WHILE DRIVING
• THE COMMON DENOMINATOR FOR WHAT I EXPERIENCED HAS BEEN THAT THE CAR IS MOVING SLOWLY, 5-20 MPH (7TH OR 8TH GEAR), AND YOU FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR WHILE CHANGING THE LANE (TO MERGE QUICKLY). ALL THAT HAPPENS FOR 1-2 SECONDS IS THAT THE CAR COASTS AT THE SPEED YOU WERE GOING (ABSOLUTELY NO POWER IS APPL
• MY 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS 6 CYLINDER SEDAN HAS STALLED SINCE I BOUGHT IT (LEASED) NEW TWO YEARS AGO. EACH TIME I GO TO THE DEALER (OIL CHANGES, ETC.) AND ASK THEM ABOUT IT THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND SINCE THEY CANNOT RECREATE IT WHEN THEY DRIVE THE CAR THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“IN 2011 I LEASED A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. ON JANUARY 25.2013 WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. I CALLED AAA, THEY CAME OUT AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON MY BATTERY AND TOLD ME IT WAS FINE, THAT SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER, MOST LIKELY THE ALTERNATOR WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. ON JUNE 9TH 2013 WHILE DRIVING”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Hyundai GENESIS

Based on 301 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 56K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

116

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Earlier than typicalmedian 35K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 36K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Reported earliermedian 56K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Reported earliermedian 42K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 61K mi · 62 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 (2)

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR29/02/2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured August 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, and 2011-2013 Equus vehicles manufactured July 10, 2011, to June 12, 2012. The windshield wiper motor cover seal on the affected vehicles may degrade allowing corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function.

Risk: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Hyundai GENESIS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/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 GENESIS

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

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai GENESIS 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 GENESIS, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 362 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: IN 2011 I LEASED A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. ON JANUARY 25.2013 WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. I CALLED AAA, THEY CAME OUT AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON MY BATTERY AND TOLD ME IT WAS FINE, THAT SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER, MOST LIKELY THE ALTERNATOR WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. ON JUNE 9TH 2013 WHILE DRIVING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS FOR OVER 20 YEARS, NOW I HAVE TWO FENDER BENDERS - REAR END COLLISIONS. THE FIRST ONE, 10/07/11, WAS AT LESS THAN OR ABOUT 5MPH AND I REMEMBER BRAKING AS USUAL BUT IT FAILED TO STOP AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. ONLY MINOR DAMAGES DUE TO THE SPEED INVOLVED. NEXT, TODAY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: BACK UP CAMERA DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE. BACK UP CAMERA CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE AND STAYED ON FOR A BLOCK OR SO WHILE CAR WAS DRIVEN FORWARD. GPS MAP THEN WAS ACTIVATED, BUT DISPLAY FROZE, THEN ENTIRE SCREEN WENT BLANK. VIDEO SYSTEM THEN RE-BOOTED ITSELF. THIS W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: VERY BAD KNOCKING WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS OCCURRED WHILE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DISENGAGED AND TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. *JS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)