CarComplaints.com Notes: Be aware that there's a significant trend of owners complaining that the Elantra's fuel economy is significantly less than the EPA estimates.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,828 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Hyundai Elantra steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #84

May 092024

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since day 1. Brakes have failed. First recall took years. They -??updated my software -?? brakes still failed. They failed to believe me -??Couldn-??t find a problem -?? there-??s no warning lights no nothing. Out of nowhere. The Brake goes to the floor. Makes a grinding sound and your either going towards on coming traffic or a ditch. Brakes failed at numerous intersections. How I-??m alive is beyond me. The best part, either the seat belt is too baggy or strangles you there-??s no in between. My entire steering system is junk. wasted money on tires alignments brake pads brake censors. Dealership has another recall on these brakes with no remedy. I-??ve sadly driven this car over 10 years with failing brakes. I drive with my right hand on the e brake ready to yank it at any given times. I-??m honestly traumatized by this car. Engine and transmission are junk. Nightmare

- Oxford, MA, USA

problem #83

Jul 302022

Elantra

  • miles
The steering coupler is damaged and is causing unstable steering while driving. It-??s causing the wheel to be wobbly with uncontrolled pulling which causes the car to suddenly pull to either side of the lane abruptly when driving. It is causing issues with the stabilizer bar and severe uneven wear of the tires; the right front passenger wheel feels like it will fly off at any time. The car isn-??t safe to drive right now because it has progressively gotten worse with time. I-??ve been advised by our mechanic that it is a wide range problem that is known about and should have been classified as a recall because it-??s not safe. I am on a fixed income and cannot afford to get this fixed fight now so my car is sitting inoperable.

- Gwynn Oak, MD, USA

problem #82

Dec 012023

Elantra

  • miles
This problem, the imminent failure of a component connecting the steering wheel to the power steering assist, causes the steering wheel to travel about one inch before the front wheels even move. Then when they do, feedback to the steering wheel is a sloppy, shakey movement. This problem began as a small hesitation at the steering wheel which has increased over the past few miles. No warning lamps nor error codes were evident. I have read similar complaints, especially for 2013 Elantras, noting significant safety concerns were the part to fail completely, rendering the vehicle unsteerable. I plan to (slowly) drive my vehicle to a Hyundai dealer as I believe it to be unsafe. I'll ask their service department to save the failed part(s).

- Wickenburg, AZ, USA

problem #81

Sep 012023

Elantra

  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while depressing the brake pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was a short circuit in the engine wiring. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking while driving above 50 MPH. The contact then 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Elmhurst, NY, USA

problem #80

Nov 092023

Elantra

  • miles
Car went off the road in the snow and was totalled. Brakes did not lock or vibrate to alert that the car was starting to slide

- Wells , ME, USA

problem #79

Aug 182023

Elantra

  • miles
It started around a month ago it's a thumping clicking sound in my steering wheel it's getting worse everyday when driving on the road and I hit a bump in the road it wants to jerk out of my hands it's very hard to drive and keep from swerving around it sometimes feels like it's trying to stick or lock up I fear for my life and others life as well. I do know if it locks up it will cause me to lose control and wreck my car possibly ending in death for myself or others out on the highway. My horn doesn't work and I don't know if steering is the cause of that. I don't have any warning light that come on to check anything except the tire pressure light stays on and they are new tires. I keep a check on my car to keep it serviced and everything my tires aren't low at all I checked my oil on a daily basis and it read no oil on the stick so 2 quarts were added then I keep checking to see if I have an oil leak and there isn't one. I have spoken with multiple mechanics and have been told that unless they get into tearing it down and looking at it they couldn't give me an exact solution, but sounds like either an Intermediate steering shaft or a steering coupler bushing (MDPS) I have spoken with a dealership that stated there is no recalls but calling the recall number I have multiple ones. But haven't seen any on the steering. I have no documentation on manufacturer dealings or anything else.

- Pulaski, TN, USA

problem #78

Aug 042023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rubber coupler in the steering column has failed and is causing play in the steering wheel. This was diagnosed by a third-party service center, not a Hyundai dealer. When this was reported to the dealer's service center, they said that Hyundai would only replace this component under warranty for vehicles with a milage under 100,000.

- Auburn, CA, USA

problem #77

Feb 212023

Elantra

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the steering wheel made abnormal clunking sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #76

Apr 102023

Elantra

  • miles
Steering wheel clunks side to side, then at 40 mph it vibrates bad. This is a major driving hazard. from what I have read the manufacture is aware and is not recalling the motor driven power steering.

- Stamping Ground, KY, USA

problem #75

Dec 202022

Elantra

  • miles
The issue is a thump in the steering column as you turn the steering wheel slightly from left to right and vice versa. Appears to be the steering column coupling. I have seen several videos on the issue and recalls for similar Hyundai vehicles. Unsure if this is a safety risk. The issue has not been confirmed by a dealer. There are no warning lights associated with this issue. The has not been inspected by anyone. Thank You.

- Augusta , GA, USA

problem #74

Jan 052022

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving/start my car, the steering making sound and loosen as if the steering wheel is not stable. I took the car to a mechanic shop, I was told that they have had lots of complain about the same issue, that I need to take it to Hyundai dealer, they are the only one that can fix the problem.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #73

May 032021

Elantra

  • miles
Bought vehicle in 2020 and Power steering failure occurred in May 2021. Mechanic confirmed the problem and said it would be $1100 to repair. The EBS light is always on and it was not on prior to the power steering being lost. Having no power steering is putting everyone at risk. This vehicle is the only one we have for our family and commute to work takes a little over an hour.

- Bangor, ME, USA

problem #72

Sep 012021

Elantra

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a steering delay after the steering wheel was turned with the TPMS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #71

Jul 072022

Elantra

  • miles
My steering column makes a clicking noise and the cruise control comes on when it wants to also the horn won't work on the steering wheel, and I was in an accident where I got hit in the front and the airbag didn't even deploy

- Holcomb , KS, USA

problem #70

Feb 212022

Elantra

  • miles
The sterring wheel makes a noise and sounds crazy every time you tuen it back and fourth the windows wont go down on there own and i replaced the fuse so that electric the gas goes down everytime i fill up its goes down to half tank like its eating the gas

- Hartford , CT, USA

problem #69

Apr 012022

Elantra

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made clicking sounds while turning the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #68

Jul 212021

Elantra

  • miles
The steering wheel became stiff and car was undrivable and I almost crashed.

- Kendall Park , NJ, USA

problem #67

Mar 012021

Elantra

  • 179,000 miles
Steering in this car intermittently goes in and out making it impossible to steer the car

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #66

Sep 152020

Elantra

  • 145,000 miles
I live in Missouri where they still have vehicle inspections to renew tags for legally driving. Got in the vehicle and started it I then try to use the steering wheel controls to change radio station would not work then tried the other side of the steering wheel to make a phone call and it wouldn't work then I tried the horn and it would not work. I looked up the problem and what I found is that it's whats called the airbag clockspring so there for the airbag in the steering wheel will not deploy in the case of an accident I have researched that my vehicle is not the only one and with this issue it is very unsafe and will not pass inspection in my state

- Ava, MO, USA

problem #65

Feb 102021

Elantra

  • miles
This vehicle has the same power steering defect as other Hyundai vehicles covered under Hyundai recalls. The steering wheel decouples with the power steering due to a disintegrating rubber component. Loss of vehicle control and death of the occupants is possible. Problem manifests as a 'clicking' or 'clinking' in the steering wheel when turned, with worsening loss of control of the vehicle.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

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