2012 Hyundai Elantra Steering Problems

NHTSA component category: STEERING · data through 07/14/2026

88Steering complaints

13.5%Of all 650 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How steering ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE138 · 21.2%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM123 · 18.9%

AIR BAGS123 · 18.9%

STEERING88 · 13.5%

Unspecified / other66 · 10.2%

Share of the 650 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra overview page.

What owners report

“POTHOLE INDUCED TIRE FAILURE - TORN SIDEWALL. THE LIMITED EDITION OF THIS CAR IS FITTED WITH 17" RIMS -- STOCK TIRE IS A 215.45.17. WITH…”NHTSA complaint 10568232 — filed 03/10/2014

“CAR WILL PERIODICALLY NOT START - ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THERE IS A HUMMING SOUND. OFTEN OCCURS WHEN WHEEL IS ON AN ANGLE…”NHTSA complaint 10513467 — filed 05/24/2013

“I HAVE THE 2012 ELANTRA AND FROM THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT I NOTICED IT WAS HARD TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE OUT ON…”NHTSA complaint 10505514 — filed 04/03/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Steering complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra have steering problems?

Steering is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra: 88 of 650 complaints on file (13.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra have in total?

650 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 47 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, 44 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's steering category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STEERING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.