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2012 Hyundai Azera Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20262 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2012 Hyundai Azera Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2012 Hyundai Azera has 82 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve steering and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.9/ 10

Based on 82 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

STEERING

38 46.3%

ENGINE

10 12.2%

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 9.8%

AIR BAGS

7 8.5%

SERVICE BRAKES

4 4.9%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is STEERING, accounting for 46.3% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 14 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2012 Hyundai Azera

The 2012 Hyundai Azera has 82 owner complaints in this dataset. STEERING is the most common complaint category, representing about 46% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2012 Hyundai Azera are STEERING (38), ENGINE (10), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (8).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 71 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2012 Hyundai Azera?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2011 Azera complaints2013 Azera complaints2014 Azera complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 14 of 14 systems

STEERING

38 Reports46% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

2012 HYUNDAI AZERA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO PULL TO THE RIGHT, WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED, IT WAS TILTED TO THE LEFT, AS THERE WAS ALSO A SLIGHT PULL TO THE LEFT.

12/6/2012

ON THREE SEPERATE OCCASIONS, THE EPS LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP AND THE STEERING WOULD GET EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF LOCKING UP. AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT ON JAN. 22ND, MY WIFE REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR. OUR LOCAL DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO OTHER REPORTS OR BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. AFTER A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN ISSUE AND THAT A NEW POWER STEERING UNIT WOULD BE INSTALLED. *TR

1/27/2014

36 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

10 Reports12% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

AFTER MY VEHICLE HAS SIT FOR A ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE WHEN STARTED THEIR IS A LOUD CLATTERING RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT A FEW SECONDS AND IT GOES AWAY. TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND I KEEP BEING TOLD ITS NOTHING. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN APRIL 2017 AND HAPPENS EVERYDAY.

10/25/2018

KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR SUDDEN LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING ,SUDDEN ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING

1/11/2019

8 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/5/2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/7/2023

6 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

7 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

AT THAT TIME THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, MY WIFE TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL BY MY CAR. ACCORDING TO MY WIFE, WHEN SHE ALMOST PARKED THE CAR IN PARKING LOT OF SCHOOL, SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN TO BE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PUSHING ACCELERATE PEDAL. SHE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY, BUT IT NEVER WORKED. CAR TURNED RIGHT WITH FULL SPEED, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE BEHIND THE CAR AND STOPPED. IN CRASH, RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG BURST OUT AND FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR WAS FULLY BROKE UP. MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER WERE SO SHOCKED AND FRIGHTENED. FOR A WHILE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING AND MY WIFE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE ANY MORE. *TR

10/5/2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

2/16/2017

5 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

4 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I JUST READ WHERE HYUNDAI'S GENESIS MODEL HAS BRAKE ISSUES. I HAVE A 2012 AZERA THAT HAD BRAKE ISSUES LAST WINTER WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. THE BRAKES GRAB AS SOON I GET THE CAR GOING. FOR EXAMPLE, IF MY CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT AND I PULL TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY TO LEAVE IN THE MORNING, THE BRAKES WILL SUDDENLY GRAB AS I DEPRESS THEM. THIS ONLY HAPPENS THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME I BRAKE AND AFTER THE CAR GETS GOING THE BRAKES WORK FINE. I'VE COMPLAINED TO MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG, IT'S PART OF THE VEHICLE'S STARTUP PROCESS WHICH IS CRAZY. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. THANKS. *TR

10/21/2013

WITH 5 WEEKS I HAD BOTH FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIBER UNITS FREEZE UP AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO WORK. WHEN IN MOTION THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS BEING RETARDED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED BADLY AND I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE VIBRATION OCCURRED AT BOTH LOW AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND OCCASIONALLY AFFECTED STEERING THE FRONT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED AND THE PADS WERE WARPED BY EXTREME HEAT FROM THE FRICTION OF THE CALIBERS BEING LOCKED. THE FIRST EPISODE WAS IN LATE MARCH 2017, THE MOST RECENT WAS 5/3/2017

5/6/2017

2 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

3 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

2012 HYUNDAI AZERA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO PULL TO THE RIGHT, WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED, IT WAS TILTED TO THE LEFT, AS THERE WAS ALSO A SLIGHT PULL TO THE LEFT.

12/6/2012

THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN BAD ON THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. MY TIRES WORE OUT AT 28000. THE OUTER EDGE OF THE TIRES ARE BOLD WHEN I FIRST TOOK IT IN THEY BLAMED THE ROADS. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL TIME TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR IN AFTER MY TIRES WORE OUT AND THEY CHARGED ME $99 FOR AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH I WAS HAPPY TO PAY IF THEY COULD FIX IT. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK, I HAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR BACK, THEY MADE A SMALL ADJUSTMENT BUT ARE NOW BLAMING THE ROAD AGAIN. THEN THEY SAID THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON MY WHEEL WHICH I RECENTLY GOT AND THEY BLAMED THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE ON THAT. THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE FOR THE FIRST 27000 MILES. I LIKE HYUNDAI. I HAVE A SANTA FE AND I USED TO OWN ANOTHER ONE BUT I HAVE A FEELING I AM GOING TO BE SELLING MY 2012 AZERA IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. *TR

2/22/2014

1 more complaint is available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Sunroof will open, but will not close. Navigation quit working after a few years.

6/14/2023

Vehicle Recall issued. No remedy is being provided within a reasonable time.

12/27/2023

1 more complaint is available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

2 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO THE REVERSE POSITION AND IT JERKED INTO THE POSITION VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NECK AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS ON FIVE OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

6/13/2013

In 2023, Hyundai approved to pay for repairs of vehicles that suffer premature engine failures due to issues such as low oil, metal debris and/or fire in the engine. These issues were predominately found in the GDI engines in Kia and Hyundai vehicles. This suit failed to take into account the Hyundai Azera model and the 3.3 GDI engine. Same engine maker as the 2.2 and 2.4 models. My car stalled out in the middle of traffic with no warning lights for low oil or engine issues. The car was serviced previously with no coded issues noted accept excessive oil burning which was noted with all Hyundai models from the last decade. The GDI 3.3 has the most noted issues and is the most expensive to replace from the dealer. The engines are failing before the car is broken in the manufacture is making money on the replacement engines from customers who are still trying to pay the car off.

9/14/2024

SEATS

2 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINE ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT INPUT FROM DRIVER NOW STUCK IN FULL RECLINE POSITION AND MOVES SEAT IN REVERSE WITHOUT INPUT FROM DRIVER

9/22/2018

On January 19,2023 my air bag light and check engine light came on in my Azera 2012 I took my car to the Hyundai dealership center in Salisbury Maryland they said after doing the diagnostic my car was going to need seat cushion for airbag light and for the door latch and will cost me with having a warranty 3265.00 dollars . There is no recall on the car however the Hyundai Motor Company recalled my make and year as of May 22 2012 for occupant detection system may fail to properly differentiate whether the front passenger seat occupant is an adult or a child or a child restraint seat since my car was manufactured in May 14 of 2012 it does not fit in that recall however, what if my car isn’t recalled they say it could be recalled later my concern is I would like it to be covered under that recall for my car as of May 22, 2012 I feel that my car was not built up in those airbags in the standard that should be since my car was manufactured seven days before the actual recall date I would like Hyundai motor company to take care of all expenses for the the safety, and the fixing of the seat cushion as well as the door latch I feel that there is a safety issue while driving with the light going on and off and the dashboard blinking specially without the passenger side door latch and seat not working right, it wont detect a problem, or possibly the airbag could come out , it has been confirmed by the dealership Pohanka Hyundai Of Salisbury , Maryland, that the components were inspected and they were no insurance or police. Just a code popped up in the car dash in the car dashboard computer. I would ask that you guys would look into this and see that the manufacture independently conducts a safety recall on this and pays all costs of the safety recall and please fix it I can be contacted at 757-894-8324. Again thank you .

1/25/2023

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

AT THAT TIME THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, MY WIFE TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL BY MY CAR. ACCORDING TO MY WIFE, WHEN SHE ALMOST PARKED THE CAR IN PARKING LOT OF SCHOOL, SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN TO BE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PUSHING ACCELERATE PEDAL. SHE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY, BUT IT NEVER WORKED. CAR TURNED RIGHT WITH FULL SPEED, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE BEHIND THE CAR AND STOPPED. IN CRASH, RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG BURST OUT AND FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR WAS FULLY BROKE UP. MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER WERE SO SHOCKED AND FRIGHTENED. FOR A WHILE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING AND MY WIFE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE ANY MORE. *TR

10/5/2012

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

AT THAT TIME THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, MY WIFE TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL BY MY CAR. ACCORDING TO MY WIFE, WHEN SHE ALMOST PARKED THE CAR IN PARKING LOT OF SCHOOL, SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN TO BE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PUSHING ACCELERATE PEDAL. SHE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY, BUT IT NEVER WORKED. CAR TURNED RIGHT WITH FULL SPEED, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE BEHIND THE CAR AND STOPPED. IN CRASH, RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG BURST OUT AND FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR WAS FULLY BROKE UP. MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER WERE SO SHOCKED AND FRIGHTENED. FOR A WHILE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING AND MY WIFE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE ANY MORE. *TR

10/5/2012

TIRES

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI AZERA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES OPTIMA H426, SIZE P245-40R19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOUR TIRES FAILED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A POT HOLE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES BLEW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50.

11/20/2012

WHEELS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

STEERING WHEEL HAS A POPPING SOUND EITHER SET PARK OR DRIVE., VEHICLE ALSO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND A VIBRATION IN HIGH WAY SPEEDS.

9/5/2017

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The low oil warning was illuminated. The contact had to leave the vehicle at the side of the road. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact stated that before the failure, the vehicle was consuming oil at a rate requiring her to add one quart of oil weekly. The contact stated there was no evidence of a leak from the oil pan. The contact was also hearing an abnormal ticking noise coming from the engine compartment before the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

12/27/2024

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Azera?

The most reported complaint category for the 2012 Hyundai Azera is STEERING, with 38 owner reports. That is about 46% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include STEERING, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Are complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Azera a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 71 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2012 Hyundai Azera?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Azera severe?

71 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Hyundai Azera: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
82
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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