Home · 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Complaints

What 269 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (269)Crash / fire / injury (10)Engine (71)Brakes (65)Electrical system (49)Transmission & drivetrain (39)Lights (25)Steering (15)Speed control (14)Visibility & wipers (11)Fuel system (10)Airbags (8)

Newest first · 269 complaints · page 2 of 11

Feb 11, 2023Electrical system

I am reporting an electrical problem w my 2012 hyundai Genesis. My back driver's side door lock just stopped working in 2021 & a few months later , my front passenger seat door locks also stopped working. I brought it in to the dealer this morning to have both locks checked. I know the back seat door lock is the actuator & im assuming that’s the issue w the front one too. I’m waiting to hear back from the dealer what the problem is, but actuators on the 2012 genesis are defective or it’s an electrical problem. No accidents happened bc of it, I was just told to report this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11506782

Dec 28, 2022Brakes

Brakes are spongy and do not engage properly

NHTSA ODI 11499272

Sep 20, 2022Brakes

2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 13V-489. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE. WHILE BRAKING. ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE MADE A WHINE NOISE AT COLD STARTS. TRANSMISSION ASSMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11485385

Sep 13, 2022Brakes

ECBM Electronic Control Brake Module malfunctioned at 78,500 miles and dealer could not fix because computer would not read anything. Cold have caused a serious accident if it had happened when driving.

NHTSA ODI 11484208

Sep 10, 2022Electrical system

The rear view camera continues to not work properly. The camera screen will either display a black or scrambled view or none at all. This happens periodically from month to month. When the screen becomes scrambled, it creates a major safety issue. If there was an person or object directly behind the car when backing up, you would not be able to see it. There are no warnings or notifications from the car when this happens.

NHTSA ODI 11483801

Sep 1, 2022Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V489000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, days later the contact stated that while driving the brake pedal was depressed and felt spongy while the vehicle was coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the brake rotors were replaced on the vehicle. The contact stated that failure reoccurred approximately 25,000 miles later; however, the vehicle was not taken back to dealer for diagnosis to be repaired. The contact stated that at 35,666 miles, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was informed that the front brakes needed to be replaced. Additionally, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission and front brakes were replaced. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle after picking it up from the dealer, he heard a popping sound. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was informed to reinstall the old transmission. The transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified and case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482397

Aug 18, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

When on the road the Transmission stall's, especially when the Transmission heat up. It's as if the Transmission is ready to explode.

NHTSA ODI 11480084

Aug 17, 2022Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving, attempting to slow down, or making turns at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 11479762

Jul 6, 2022Electrical system

While turning at low speeds, the vehicle will turn off completely. This kills all power steering and brakes. This has occurred on several occasions and is documented on the web and genesis forums by other Hyundai owners as well, so this is not an isolated case. There was no warning of any kind that the car would be shutting down. The problem has not been reproduced by the dealer and that is the problem....you never know when it's going to happen and is extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11472629

May 25, 2022Engine

I bought the car new, it has 39k miles on it. 5k miles ago while repairing the water pump under the 10 year powertrain warranty, I reported to the dealership the engine was making bad knocking/grinding sounds at startup and the oil consumption was high. The dealership dismissed this as "normal" for this car. 2 weeks ago the engine seized up without warning, no loss of power or harshness, no engine check light or low pressure warning. I had just left the I15 in rush hour traffic traveling at 70mph. The starter could barely turn the engine, I thought it was a flat battery. After some time I managed to restart the engine that now sounded like a machine gun and limp a few miles home. I tried replacing the oil, which I do on a regular basis, and it contained metal fragments. The warranty expired in Dec 21 but I still contacted the dealership. They have inspected the car and report engine damage requiring $3,200 of parts. Both the dealership and myself have contacted Hyundai Corp. and opened a Consumer Affairs Case on 5/25. Yesterday, 5/24, the case manager spoke to me to get details and obtain evidence I might have including original proof of ownership (documents he should already have). He told me he would have a decision in 2 to 4 weeks. I asked about leaving the car at the dealership, and he replied that it was the dealerships decision, but I would probably need to remove it. I would consider the car dangerous to drive, but the case manager does not seem to consider this and my impression is that Hyundai will refuse any responsibility for this problem. After googling this, I see you have sued Hyundai for what appears to be exactly the same manufacturing problems in other engines from the same time and wonder if these should also apply to the 5.0 liter engines. Has Hyundai acknowledged a problem with these engines and corrected it? If so, why has a recall not been issued, and I not charged for their manufacturing mistake? The dealership has rebuilt the engine and returned my car, charging me $3400.

NHTSA ODI 11466138

Mar 11, 2022Engine

All maintenance done on vehicle when needed however the vehicle stalled in traffic and almost caught on fire when driving it doesn’t take off like it should now vehicle is not drivable engine failure

NHTSA ODI 11456263

Nov 2, 2021Brakes

Brake system failure. Brake pedal and goes all the way to the floor. Hyundai dealership explained that the HECU has failed. In 2014 there was a recall on this car for this issue, Hyundai Recall 114. This recall was for "GENESIS SEDAN HECU INSPECTION AND BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT". The known issue is that the part breaks down over time and just changing the brake fluid doesn’t stop the corrosion process. The HECU part should have been replaced and not allowed to degrade further as it has now done on my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11439084

Sep 8, 2021Brakes

if the brakes are hit hard and ABS engages, the pedal immediately goes soft and stays soft braking is impared bu 50% until the ABS module resets itself randomly but only after parking the car for a while. this has happened 2X to my car and there are multiple reports on the genesis forums about the exact same issue

NHTSA ODI 11432094

May 15, 2021Electrical systemBrakesDriver assistance

WHILE IN ROUTE TO THE DEALER FOR ONE ISSUE, MY SMART CRUISE LIGHT CAME ON. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER UPON ARRIVAL AND THEY IGNORED. THEY REPAIRED ONE ITEM UNDER WARRANTY IN WHICH I THOUGH TOOK CARE OF BOTH. BY TIME I LEFT, ALLOWED THE CAR TO WARM UP; THE SMART CRUISE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP & ASKED THEM WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS 2ND ISSUE. THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND I WAS INFORMED BY THAT TIME AND VISIT; THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY $4200 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THAT THEY NOW SEE. I HAD ALSO BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT MY ABS/ESC/AUTO HOLD LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY FLASHING, NOW THEY REMAIN SOLID. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN IN REVERSE. I HAVE READ ABOUT SEVERAL RECALLS REGARDING ISSUE. THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND I WAS TOLD IT IS NOW LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOW GIVEN ME A PRICE TOTALING $7000 TO REPAIR OR PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THIS IS MONEY I CANNOT PAY AND I KNOW MY VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED WHEN THE PROBLEMS/ RECALLS STARTED. THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL DATES.

NHTSA ODI 11416665

Apr 16, 2021Brakes

APPROACHED AN EXIT FROM A PARKING LOT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GET THE BRAKES TO WORK. THE PEDAL NOW IS ABOUT HALF OF WHAT IT USED TO BE AND REQUIRES PUMPING EACH TIME THE BRAKES ARE USED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. PEDAL IS ERRATIC; SOMETIMES I HAVE ABOUT HALF PEDAL BEFORE A FIRM BRAKE PEDAL. OTHER TIMES IT IS EVEN LOWER. I HAVE NO PICTURES OR DOCUMENTATION TO INCLUDE THAT WOULD BE RELEVANT TO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11408370

Mar 24, 2021EngineFuel system

MY VECHILE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS TIMES. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN WHICH LIVES COULD BE LOST . THIS EEMS TO BE PROBLEM WITH THE GENESIS FROM 2012 TO 2016 FROM MY RESEARCH. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM . THE DEALERS CANT FIND THE PROBLEM OR WHY IT IS OCCURING . THE DEALERS GIVE YOU NUMEROUS REASONS AS TO WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY ARE NOT SURE . THIS COULD COST A CONSUMER $1000 OF DOLLARS JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS . THIS OCCURS WHEN JUST DRIVING DOWN A STREET, ON CURVES OR GOING STRAIGHT. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET! IM TRYING TO AVOID THIS .THIS OCCURS WHEN MY GAS TANK GETS LOW , THAT IS WHAT I HAVE NOTICED .

NHTSA ODI 11404651

Feb 13, 2021Electrical systemEngine

10776084,10763932

NHTSA ODI 11396086

Feb 12, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

THE HYUNDAI GENESIS HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND ROUGH SHIFTS 2-3RD GEAR AND 4-5TH GEAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THEY UPDATED SOFTWARE, NO CHANGE. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE WITH 45K ON IT. THEY WOULD NOT HONOR FACTORY WARRANTY SINCE I AM SECOND OWNER. THE TSB NO. 15-AT-005 APPLIES TO THIS PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED INSTEAD OF TSB.

NHTSA ODI 11395908

Feb 1, 2021Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V489000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT ALL STAR HYUNDAI (3950 CENTURY CT, PITTSBURG, CA 94565). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE DAY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DICK HANNAH VW OF PORTLAND (12345 E BURNSIDE ST, PORTLAND, OR 97233) WHERE THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 11391081

Jan 28, 2021EngineCrash

CAR SHUT OFF FULL POWER OFF WHILE ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND I WENT ACROSS THE ROAD UP A SLANTED SMALL HILL AND RAN OVER TREE AND YARD DEBRIS.

NHTSA ODI 11390588

Jan 28, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine1 injury

COMPLETE FAILURE OF ENGINE. SENSORS AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS MALFUNCTIONS. TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY NON RESPONSIVE AND KEYSTROKES OFF. GAS/FUEL WOULD SPEW BACK OUT WHEN FILLING. WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY POOR. LIGHTING DIM. HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAIL. TIMING BELT FAIL. FLANG SOUND (TICKING IN ENGINE) LED TO ENGINE FAIL. ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FLICKERING WAS ME. VEHICLE STALLED OUT COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF LOCKING UP AND SEIZING OUT. COMPONENTS MALFUNCTIONING. HARD BRAKE CHECKS, HIGH RPM RREVVING, AND IDLEING ALL ARE SHOWN WHEN CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH AND NO CHANGE IN SPEED. FAILURE OF FLUIDS CAUSE CORROSION AND HECU. ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR AND ENGINE OIL LAMP LIGHT FLICKERING WITH NO DISTINCT PATTERN. PROCEEDED TO BANG LOUD IN ENGINE. RPM REV 2-3K BEFORE SPEED CATCHES. CD PLAYER PROBLEMS. ALWAYS MAKING A SOUND AS IF IT IS TRYING TO EJECT AND THEN SPUTTERS OUT. IN 2 DAYS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WENT FROM NO LIGHTS DISPLAYING NO KNOCKING SOUND. 94K MILES TOTAL

NHTSA ODI 11390586

Jan 28, 2021Electrical systemEngine

COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL POWER SUPPLY AND TOTAL MECHANICAL SYSTEM/ENGINE NO LONGER OPERATIONAL

NHTSA ODI 11390589

Jan 15, 2021Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

NAVIGATION DISPLAY FAILURE RESULTING IN NO BACK-UP CAMERA, NO A/V FUNCTIONS, AND HVAC CONTROL MALFUNCTION. DEALER REPLACED WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. SYSTEM HAS FAILED AGAIN AND CORPORATE ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER AND WE WAITED FOR A REPLACEMENT PART FOR 8 MONTHS. NOW CORPORATE HAS ADVISED THAT THE PART, A-V MONITOR ASSEMBLY PART #965633M851, IS UNAVAILABLE/DISCONTINUED. NO WAY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PART. VEHICLE HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. SUNROOF FAILED WITHIN FIRST 20,000 MILES AND WAS SEALED TO AVOID EXPENSIVE REPAIR. MOST RECENTLY THE CAR DIED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STATIONARY. IN FOR EVALUATION NOW. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A CHRONIC PROBLEM SINCE WE FIRST PURCHASED IT AND CORPORATE HAS TOLD US THAT WE ARE AT A DEAD END REGARDING THE A/V MONITOR ASSEMBLY - THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. A/V MONITOR ASSEMBLY ISSUE OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11388368

Dec 16, 2020Brakes

BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE PUMPED TO COMPLETELY DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND STOP THE CAR. THIS ISSUE PERSISTS THROUGHOUT USE OF THE VEHICLE AND NO MATTER WHETHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IN TOWN. THE ISSUE BEGAN SUDDENLY AND HAS BEEN CONSISTENT WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THAT POINT. THE BRAKES NOT BEING FULLY FUNCTIONAL RENDER THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND CRUISE CONTROL IS FEQUENTLY UNAVAILABLE ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11383664

Aug 15, 2020Airbags

THE OUTLINE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SEA AIRBAG SEEMS TO BE OPENING AS THOUGH THE AIRBAG WILL COME OUT AT ANY MOMENT. THERE ARE 2 PERFECT CUTS ON THE DASHBOARD WHERE THE AIRBAG IS AS THOUGHT THE AIRBAG IS TRIED TO DEPLOY BUT COULDN'T. I NOTICED ONE LINE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND THE OTHER LINE TODAY 8/15/20

NHTSA ODI 11349604

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Working with the data? Download all 269 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe verdict →