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2012 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Elantra years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

428 reports with mileage · 224 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 139 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

47 crash reports11 fire reports30 injury reports

Engine complaints

139 reports
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76,000 miles · Jul 9, 2018
Engine

DRIVING DOWN ROAD ENGINE DIED TOWED TO DEALER TOLD NEEDED NEW ENGINE HAD ONE AT 44,000 DONE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ENGINE LASTED TO 76,000 NOW NEEDS ANOTHER ENGINE. ENGINE IS SO BACKORDERED DEALERSHIP TELLING ME 6 MONTHS. SO MANY ELANTRA ENGINES BLOWING UP SHOULD BE A RECALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11110234

49,437 miles · Jul 5, 2018
EngineCrash

AFTER PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE, I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT LUNGED FORWARD SEVERAL FEET ONTO THE PAVEMENT AND UP 2 STEPS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE...THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, AT THE CURB

NHTSA ODI #11109658

95,000 miles · Jun 24, 2018
Engine

TAPPING FROM ENGINE. HAVE ASKED DEALER TO INSPECT AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO ISSUE FOR THE LAST FOUR OIL CHANGES AND INSPECTIONS. WITH THE RECALL OF OTHER HYUNDAI, I'M THINKING THIS MAYBE THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11103639

6 miles · Jun 21, 2018
EnginePower Train

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO AUTO ZONE & VIDE 0713 & P0711. I ALSO TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AAMCO WHICH VERIFY THE SENSOR IN THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE TRANSMISSION APART TO FIX. I ONLY HAVE 31,000 ON MY VEHICLE. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ALREADY OR DO YOU EXPECT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER 10…

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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO AUTO ZONE & VIDE 0713 & P0711. I ALSO TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AAMCO WHICH VERIFY THE SENSOR IN THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE TRANSMISSION APART TO FIX. I ONLY HAVE 31,000 ON MY VEHICLE. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ALREADY OR DO YOU EXPECT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER 1000,000 EVEN THOUGH I AM 2ND OWNER. THEY DID GIVE ME A CARD FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

NHTSA ODI #11103012

74,200 miles · May 14, 2018
Engine

MY ENGINE HAS VERY LOUD TICKING SOUNDS. AS WELL WHEN I GO TO SHIFT MY CAR BACK INTO PARK THE ENGINE REVS ERRATICALLY. WHILE SITTING IDLING IT GOES LOWER AND HIGHER.

NHTSA ODI #11093591

84,391 miles · Apr 26, 2018
Engine

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE 2012 ELANTRA WITH 85200 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 1 1/2 YEARS AND NOW MY SON OWNS IT (AS OF AUG 2017, MAKING HIM THE THIRD OWNER. HE LIVES WITH ME). THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED AS REQUIRED. THE TICKING SOUND THE ENGINE MADE SINCE WE GOT THE CAR HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING IN SOUND, AND OF RECENT, IT …

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I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE 2012 ELANTRA WITH 85200 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 1 1/2 YEARS AND NOW MY SON OWNS IT (AS OF AUG 2017, MAKING HIM THE THIRD OWNER. HE LIVES WITH ME). THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED AS REQUIRED. THE TICKING SOUND THE ENGINE MADE SINCE WE GOT THE CAR HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING IN SOUND, AND OF RECENT, IT IS THE WORST IT HAS BEEN. I SELL CARS FULL TIME (OUR DEALERSHIP OWNS 2 HYUNDAI STORES), AND I ALSO OWN ANOTHER 2013 ELANTRA THAT I DRIVE PRESENTLY. OUR SERVICE DEPT TOOK APART THE ENGINE (ON THE 2012) TO FIND METAL SHAVINGS WHICH LED TO THE DIAGNOSIS THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. MY SON IS 2000 MILES OUT OF HIS EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND HYUNDAI, NOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS EAGER TO FIX IT. I WAS TOLD BY OUR SERVICE DEPT THAT IN THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF, 5 ELANTRAS CAME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM NEEDING NEW ENGINES AND HYUNDAI WOULDN'T REPLACE. HYUNDAI STATES THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS BECOMING A BIGGER AND BIGGER UNIVERSAL PROBLEM WITH ELANTRA OWNERS. THE TICKING IS LOUDEST WHEN RUNNING COLD, AND/OR IN COLD WEATHER. (CAR IS IN OHIO). METAL SHAVINGS FROM THE ENGINE FOUND IN THE OIL IS NOT A 'NORMAL' ISSUE. I AM SEEKING RECOURSE WITH HYUNDAI TO FIX/REPLACE MY ENGINE. THE DATE STATED ON THIS FORM AS TO "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" IS WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP AT WORK TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE TICKING HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, BUT NEVER AS LOUD AS IT HAS BECOME. MY SON HAS HAD THE CAR AT COLLEGE, BUT I KEEP TRACK OF IT NEEDING OIL CHANGES AND HAVE DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA ODI #11090200

62,303 miles · Apr 18, 2018
Engine

CHANGED OIL AND BRIGHT GOLD LOOKING METAL FLAKES ARE IN THE OIL. MECHANICS SAY THEY ARE PARTS OF THE MAIN BEARINGS. ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW UP. 62,303MILES

NHTSA ODI #11088912

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2018
Engine

ALL OIL CHANGES FOR THIS CAR HAS BEEN DONE AT A DEALERSHIP SINCE MY STEPFATHER BOUGHT THIS CAR. UPON HIS DEATH, THE CAR HAD 111,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ME. COLD WEATHER WAS APPROACHING AND I WANTED TO GET AN OIL CHANGE DONE. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET ME IN FOR A WEEK AND EVEN CANCELLED AN APPOINTMENT I HAD…

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ALL OIL CHANGES FOR THIS CAR HAS BEEN DONE AT A DEALERSHIP SINCE MY STEPFATHER BOUGHT THIS CAR. UPON HIS DEATH, THE CAR HAD 111,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ME. COLD WEATHER WAS APPROACHING AND I WANTED TO GET AN OIL CHANGE DONE. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET ME IN FOR A WEEK AND EVEN CANCELLED AN APPOINTMENT I HAD TO I WENT TO EXHAUST PRO. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOT TO 20 BELOW ZERO WIND CHILL THE ENGINE STARTED TICKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM CHANGE OIL BUT THE TICKING PERSISTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT TICKING NOISE AND WAS INFORMED THERE ARE METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL AND ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED COSTING $9400. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 AND 2013 ELANTRA BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE LIKE THE SONATA. I FEEL THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE AT NO COST TO ME. IT MAY NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE BUT HYUNDAI KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND NOT THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA ODI #11076463

40 miles · Feb 27, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering

MY STEERING IS LOOSE AND THE WHEEL CLUNKS AND RATTLES. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL COME RIGHT OFF. I CAN HIT THE SLIGHTEST BUMP AND IT WILL RATTLE AND SHAKE LIKE I RAN OVER A HUGE POT HOLE. ALSO, WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN AND WHINE LIKE I HIT THE BRAKES EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T. I WAS ALMO…

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MY STEERING IS LOOSE AND THE WHEEL CLUNKS AND RATTLES. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL COME RIGHT OFF. I CAN HIT THE SLIGHTEST BUMP AND IT WILL RATTLE AND SHAKE LIKE I RAN OVER A HUGE POT HOLE. ALSO, WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN AND WHINE LIKE I HIT THE BRAKES EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN I HIT THE GAS BUT THE CAR DECIDED IT WANTED TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN A FEW SECONDS LATER. THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG HERE. THE ENGINE IS ALSO MAKING A TICKING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN WARMING UP. THIS HAPPENS DAILY.

NHTSA ODI #11075210

106,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Engine

WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLD THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE BLOCK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND TO CONTACT HYUNDAI SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 ELANTRA. FYI: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER HAS COME ON FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11073813

Official recalls

4

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

20V393000 · Equipment:electrical

Jul 2, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

15V871000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)

Dec 23, 2015

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.

13V115000 · Air Bags:side/window; Structure

Apr 1, 2013

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

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

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Air Bags:side/window

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

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

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

EA12008 · Headliner Bracket Detachment

Opened Sep 13, 2012 · Closed Dec 9, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window; Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Unknown Or Other

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:side/window

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Unknown Or Other

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

PE12012 · Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment

Opened May 10, 2012 · Closed Sep 17, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:side/window

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Elantra.An inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag.The metal bracket caused a laceration to the driver's ear and other possible injuries.Approximately 75,000 MY 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicles, built in Korea and sold in the U.S., have stiffeners in the headliners while the MY 2012 Elantra vehicles built in the U.S. utilize a different headliner that does not use a stiffener. Thus, the latter vehicles are not included in this investigation.Hyundai has inspected the headliner assemblies from eight Elantra vehicles (which were sold in the Korean market) with production dates in the same range as the field incident vehicle.Hyundai reported to ODI that the metal brackets from these vehicles were found to be securely attached to the headliners.Hyundai also has conducted several static deployment tests in attempts to replicate the field incident. In one test, the metal bracket detached from the headliner but the test condition did not replicate or explain the condition observed in the incident vehicle.This Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA12-008) to further assess whether incidents like the single field incident could potentially occur with other subject vehicles.In addition to the subject vehicles, ODI also will collect and review information on MY 2011 and 2013 Elantra vehicles that have headliners with stiffeners similar to those in the subject vehicles. To date, there have been no reports on the MY 2011 and 2013 vehicles.The ODI report cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Elantra.An inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag.The metal bracket caused a laceration to the driver's ear and other possible injuries.Approximately 75,000 MY 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicles, built in Korea and sold in the U.S., have stiffeners in the headliners while the MY 2012 Elantra vehicles built in the U.S. utilize a different headliner that does not use a stiffener. Thus, the latter vehicles are not included in this investigation.Hyundai has inspected the headliner assemblies from eight Elantra vehicles (which were sold in the Korean market) with production dates in the same range as the field incident vehicle.Hyundai reported to ODI that the metal brackets from these vehicles were found to be securely attached to the headliners.Hyundai also has conducted several static deployment tests in attempts to replicate the field incident. In one test, the metal bracket detached from the headliner but the test condition did not replicate or explain the condition observed in the incident vehicle.This Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA12-008) to further assess whether incidents like the single field incident could potentially occur with other subject vehicles.In addition to the subject vehicles, ODI also will collect and review information on MY 2011 and 2013 Elantra vehicles that have headliners with stiffeners similar to those in the subject vehicles. To date, there have been no reports on the MY 2011 and 2013 vehicles.The ODI report cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Air Bags:side/window

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Elantra.An inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag.The metal bracket caused a laceration to the driver's ear and other possible injuries.Approximately 75,000 MY 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicles, built in Korea and sold in the U.S., have stiffeners in the headliners while the MY 2012 Elantra vehicles built in the U.S. utilize a different headliner that does not use a stiffener. Thus, the latter vehicles are not included in this investigation.Hyundai has inspected the headliner assemblies from eight Elantra vehicles (which were sold in the Korean market) with production dates in the same range as the field incident vehicle.Hyundai reported to ODI that the metal brackets from these vehicles were found to be securely attached to the headliners.Hyundai also has conducted several static deployment tests in attempts to replicate the field incident. In one test, the metal bracket detached from the headliner but the test condition did not replicate or explain the condition observed in the incident vehicle.This Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA12-008) to further assess whether incidents like the single field incident could potentially occur with other subject vehicles.In addition to the subject vehicles, ODI also will collect and review information on MY 2011 and 2013 Elantra vehicles that have headliners with stiffeners similar to those in the subject vehicles. To date, there have been no reports on the MY 2011 and 2013 vehicles.The ODI report cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

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