Home · 2012 · Hyundai
2012 Hyundai Azera
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
74 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2010–2014 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict, worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2012 Hyundai Azera.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Steering problems dominate (51% of complaints, typically reported near 45k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#303 of 501Among the 2012 models with a matured record, the 2012 Hyundai Azera ranks #303, scoring higher than 9% of them. See the 2012 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 Hyundai Azera, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Brakes (12) · Engine (10) · Airbags (7)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Steering
51%38 complaints · typically near 45k mi
“MDPS coupler failure similar to failure included in warranty extensions for Sonatas/Elantras. Since Azera is not part of the recall, I ended up paying for the repairs.…”
Brakes
16%12 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“This recall on the anti-lock brake system was initiated 11 months ago. I brought the Azera into the dealer 2 months ago and they said they had to order parts. I called…”
Engine
14%10 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Mechanic found metal in engine oil. Stated that the engine appeared to be "deteriorating" as the metal was not a contaminant, but instead he determined it to be from t…”
Airbags
9%7 complaints
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light indicated that the air bag was off with a passenger seated in…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 74 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 4 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Park itService Brakes, Hydraulic · 23V651000
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags · 13V264000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Azera vehicles manufactured May 22, 2012, through November 23, 2012. The occupant detection system may fail to properly differentiate whether the front passenger seat occupant is an adult, a child or a child restraint seat.
Risk: If the occupant is incorrectly classified, in the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, the airbag may deploy with greater or lesser force than appropriate, resulting in an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the airbag system. The recall beagan on August 13, 2013. Hyundai's recall number is "Campaign 111." Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Hyundai before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Hyundai Azera. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"? One is a "park it" / "park outside" order, the most serious kind, so I'd want that repair documented before I drive it.
- Owners of this model report steering problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 45k miles). Has this car shown any steering symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report brakes problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any brakes symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 Hyundai AZERA beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every Azera model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 Hyundai Azera against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.