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2012 Hyundai Azera

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Azera do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 26.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

43 reports with mileage · 31 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.

  • Steering. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2024
EnginePower Train

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11614557

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

My engine failed after only 104k miles. I took my car in to get an oil change and it had rod knock which randomly started when I had oil already in the engine. This was just a random failure because it was completely find the day before and then the next day it started when I knew i was going to put more oil in in just in case a…

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My engine failed after only 104k miles. I took my car in to get an oil change and it had rod knock which randomly started when I had oil already in the engine. This was just a random failure because it was completely find the day before and then the next day it started when I knew i was going to put more oil in in just in case and it failed.

NHTSA ODI #11584723

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2023
Engine

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 the engine itself.

NHTSA ODI #11562123

91,000 miles · Dec 8, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal noises. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a lifter noise on cold startup. The vehicle was then taken to Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai (2871 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy, Hillsboro, OR 97123) ho…

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The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal noises. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a lifter noise on cold startup. The vehicle was then taken to Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai (2871 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy, Hillsboro, OR 97123) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai informed the contact that authorization from the manufacturer was needed before servicing the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the noises coming from the vehicle were normal. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #11496578

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2022
Engine

The engine started knocking while I was driving. The car experienced sluggish performance afterwards, and hesitancy in acceleration. Hyundai has recalled other vehicles for engine knocking, but not the Azera.

NHTSA ODI #11477515

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2021
Engine

The engine failed in this vehicle as I was driving down the road. It immediately started knocking violently without warning. I was left stranded with my 4 children and had to pay for towing. The problem still persists upon starting. The vehicle had been inspected numerous times prior to incident due to a ticking noise upon crank…

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The engine failed in this vehicle as I was driving down the road. It immediately started knocking violently without warning. I was left stranded with my 4 children and had to pay for towing. The problem still persists upon starting. The vehicle had been inspected numerous times prior to incident due to a ticking noise upon cranking and I was informed by dealer that this is normal. Upon incident there was no warning lights or inclination that this was going to happen. I have since been told by multiple mechanics that the crank rod is faulty in this 3.3L Hyundai engine and that in order to replace it you must buy a refurbished engine with an aftermarket part due to the faulty manufacturer part.

NHTSA ODI #11444976

116,000 miles · Mar 3, 2020
Engine

WHEN STARTING THE CAR YOU HEAR A LOUD CLATTERING NOISE. AND IT DOESN'T GO AWAY. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A OIL CHANGE, OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED. THE NOISE WAS STILL HAPPENING TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEN WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TIMING TENSION BELT. WASTED MY MONEY BECAUSE THE ISSUE STILL WASN'T FIXED. AND NOW WHEN I START MY CAR IT A …

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WHEN STARTING THE CAR YOU HEAR A LOUD CLATTERING NOISE. AND IT DOESN'T GO AWAY. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A OIL CHANGE, OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED. THE NOISE WAS STILL HAPPENING TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEN WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TIMING TENSION BELT. WASTED MY MONEY BECAUSE THE ISSUE STILL WASN'T FIXED. AND NOW WHEN I START MY CAR IT A LOUDER NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE AND WHILING DRIVING MY CAR STALLS REALLY BACK AND WHILE DRIVING I CAN STILL HEAR THE NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11315800

121,000 miles · Dec 29, 2019
Engine

KNOCKING NOISE WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR THEN SUDDENLY LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. THEN SUDDENLY A ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THEN ENGINE LOCKING UP.

NHTSA ODI #11291840

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2019
Engine

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

NHTSA ODI #11166481

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2018
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #11142539

Official recalls

2

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.

13V264000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Jun 25, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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

1

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.