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2012 Hyundai Genesis

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Genesis years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis are substantially higher than the model-year median of 109.

About this comparison →
259Owner complaints

Model-year median: 109

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
234
200988
2010122
2011259
2012126
201322
2014290
2015
Compare all Genesis years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine
68Electrical System
49Power Train
39Service Brakes, Hydraulic
33Unknown Or Other
31
All reported categories
Service Brakes
28Exterior Lighting
24Steering
15Vehicle Speed Control
12Fuel/propulsion System
9Visibility/wiper
9Air Bags
8Suspension
8Wheels
6Seat Belts
4Seats
4Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Structure
2Visibility
2Back Over Prevention
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Equipment
1Forward Collision Avoidance
1Fuel System, Other
1Parking Brake
1Tires
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

210 reports with mileage · 49 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 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

24 reports
Clear category filter
22,085 miles · Dec 3, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HYUNDAI GENESIS SEDAN W/TECH PACKAGE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A POORLY LIT ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, I ACTIVATED MY RIGHT TURN BLINKER TO TURN RIGHT AT AN UPCOMING INTERSECTION. AS SOON AS I SELECTED THE TURN SIGNAL, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT FOR A PERIOD OF 1 - 2 SECONDS, THEN CAME BACK ON. SINCE THE ROAD WAS DARK, I WAS LIT…

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HYUNDAI GENESIS SEDAN W/TECH PACKAGE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A POORLY LIT ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, I ACTIVATED MY RIGHT TURN BLINKER TO TURN RIGHT AT AN UPCOMING INTERSECTION. AS SOON AS I SELECTED THE TURN SIGNAL, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT FOR A PERIOD OF 1 - 2 SECONDS, THEN CAME BACK ON. SINCE THE ROAD WAS DARK, I WAS LITERALLY DRIVING BLIND AND COULD HAVE ENDED IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE HAS APPARENTLY BEEN A FEW GENESIS SEDANS REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. WHEN I GOT HOME, I NOTICED THAT MY HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THERE IS ALSO THE AUTO POSITION. WHEN IN ON, I COULD DUPLICATE THE ISSUE RANDOMLY BY SELECTING THE TURN SIGNALS, THOUGHT IT WASN'T CONSISTENT. WHEN IN AUTO, I COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554669

34,000 miles · Nov 9, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY TURN OFF FOR AROUND A SECOND WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED OR DISENGAGED. PROBLEM HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND HAS ONLY BEEN OBSERVED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE IN THE ON, NOT AUTO MODE. THIS SUDDEN AND BRIEF, UNEXPECTED LACK OF VISIBILITY AT NIGHT IS DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551610

20,851 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND I ENGAGE A TURN SIGNAL, BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURN-OFF FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. THIS CAN BE DEADLY WHEN TRAVELING AT A SIGNIFICANT SPEED DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551394

600 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A CONVENIENCE THREE BLINK TURN SIGNAL FEATURE THAT DID NOT ALLOW FOR TURN SIGNAL BLINKS TO BE CHOSEN BETWEEN ONE, TWO OR THREE BLINKS; LIKE THE REST OF THE CONVENIENCE FEATURES USUALLY FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A CONVENIENCE THREE BLINK TURN SIGNAL FEATURE THAT DID NOT ALLOW FOR TURN SIGNAL BLINKS TO BE CHOSEN BETWEEN ONE, TWO OR THREE BLINKS; LIKE THE REST OF THE CONVENIENCE FEATURES USUALLY FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE CONVENIENCE TURN SIGNAL FEATURE ON, THERE WAS NO OPTION TO CANCEL THE TURN SIGNAL AFTER HE HAD REALIZED THERE WAS NO NEED FOR TURNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL BLINKED THREE TIMES EVEN AFTER HE HAD THE FEATURE IN LOCK POSITION AND SELECTED TO CANCEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ UPDATED 8/31/2012 *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY CANCEL POSTION A TURN SIGNAL IMMEDIATELY. POSITION B'S 1.8 SECOND ACTIVATION IS TOO LONG AND DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS NO WAY TO CHANGE FROM 3 BLINKS TO 1 OR 2. UPDATED 09/4/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10462437

Official recalls

2

16V117000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Feb 29, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured August 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, and 2011-2013 Equus vehicles manufactured July 10, 2011, to June 12, 2012. The windshield wiper motor cover seal on the affected vehicles may degrade allowing corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.

13V489000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Oct 29, 2013

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, through March 28, 2012. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the module corrodes, reduced brake effectiveness may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and instruct them to bring their vehicle to a dealer for service. Hyundai will inspect the HECU module for proper operation, and will replace the modules as necessary. Hyundai will replace the factory brake fluid in those vehicles that have not previously had the factory brake fluid replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 or by email at consumeraffairs@hmausa.com. Hyundai's recall number is 114.

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

PE13033 · Brake Hydraulic Control Module Failure

Opened Oct 17, 2013 · Closed Apr 4, 2014

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

On October 28, 2013, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect in the braking system of approximately 43,500 model year (MY) 2009 through 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedans (NHTSA Recall No. 13V-489).The Hyundai report indicates that the recalled vehicles may contain brake fluid that does not sufficiently inhibit corrosion on the zinc plating of control valve armatures in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module. The DIR indicated that, over time, the build-up of corrosion products may affect operation of HECU control valves, resulting in a low/soft brake pedal with reduced brake effectiveness, which may increase the risk of a crash.In October 2011, the HECU supplier notified Hyundai that the brake fluid used in production plants was causing corrosion of valve armatures in the control module.The supplier changed the coating of the valve armatures in late March 2012 to correct the problem in production vehicles.Hyundai's recall includes Genesis vehicles produced prior to the implementation of the HECU change.In March 2013, Hyundai initiated a Service Campaign (TL6) to replace brake fluid in the subject vehicles with brake fluid with better corrosion resistance properties.According to Hyundai's DIR letter, after PE13-033 was opened, the company noted that some of the vehicles serviced in the TL6 campaign subsequently required HECU replacement.This was an indication that internal corrosion had progressed enough to affect valve operation and brake performance, prompting Hyundai to conduct a safety recall.Hyundai's repair procedures for 13V-489 require brake system flushing and replacement in all recalled vehicles with a new fluid containing the necessary corrosion inhibitor.In addition, for vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010, dealers will perform an inspection procedure to verify that the HECU is functioning properly and replace units that do not meet the test requirements.Hyundai indicated that, based on analysis of claim data, only vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010 have been in service long enough to require the additional inspection/replacement of the HECU. Analysis of failure data reported to NHTSA and provided by Hyundai in response to ODI's information request letter for PE13-033 identified 756 complaints and 1,683 warranty claims for 30,114 subject vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010, resulting in a complaint rate of 25.1 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) and a claim rate of 5.6 percent.The MY 2009 vehicles, with the longest exposure times, experienced the highest complaint (33.5 IPTV) and warranty (7.0 percent) rates.For the 45,639 subject vehicles produced after June 1, 2010, ODI identified 13 complaints and 34 warranty claims, resulting in a complaint rate of 0.3 IPTV and a warranty claim rate of 0.1 percent, indicating that the brake fluid corrosion concern had not progressed far enough to result in significant rates of brake system performance symptoms in those vehicles.This investigation is closed.ODI will continue to monitor complaints to evaluate the effectiveness of Hyundai's recall.The VOQs noted in the Failure Report are: 10569231, 10560898, 10560495, 10559360, 10558279, 10558264, 10556964, 10556631, 10556577, 10556322, 10554988, 10554802, 10554122, 10552958, 10551817, 10551157, 10551110, 10551092, 10550791, 10550773, 10550431, 10549750, 10549634, 10549629, 10549567, 10549402, 10549376, 10549270, 10549228, 10549186, 10549021, 10548903, 10548823, 10548791, 10548737, 10548722, 10548716, 10548705, 10546565, 10544803, 10543663, 10542962, 10541959, 10541741, 10538208, 10537934, 10536652, 105354

Additional source detail variants (3)

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

On October 28, 2013, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect in the braking system of approximately 43,500 model year (MY) 2009 through 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedans (NHTSA Recall No. 13V-489).The Hyundai report indicates that the recalled vehicles may contain brake fluid that does not sufficiently inhibit corrosion on the zinc plating of control valve armatures in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module. The DIR indicated that, over time, the build-up of corrosion products may affect operation of HECU control valves, resulting in a low/soft brake pedal with reduced brake effectiveness, which may increase the risk of a crash.In October 2011, the HECU supplier notified Hyundai that the brake fluid used in production plants was causing corrosion of valve armatures in the control module.The supplier changed the coating of the valve armatures in late March 2012 to correct the problem in production vehicles.Hyundai's recall includes Genesis vehicles produced prior to the implementation of the HECU change.In March 2013, Hyundai initiated a Service Campaign (TL6) to replace brake fluid in the subject vehicles with brake fluid with better corrosion resistance properties.According to Hyundai's DIR letter, after PE13-033 was opened, the company noted that some of the vehicles serviced in the TL6 campaign subsequently required HECU replacement.This was an indication that internal corrosion had progressed enough to affect valve operation and brake performance, prompting Hyundai to conduct a safety recall.Hyundai's repair procedures for 13V-489 require brake system flushing and replacement in all recalled vehicles with a new fluid containing the necessary corrosion inhibitor.In addition, for vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010, dealers will perform an inspection procedure to verify that the HECU is functioning properly and replace units that do not meet the test requirements.Hyundai indicated that, based on analysis of claim data, only vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010 have been in service long enough to require the additional inspection/replacement of the HECU. Analysis of failure data reported to NHTSA and provided by Hyundai in response to ODI's information request letter for PE13-033 identified 756 complaints and 1,683 warranty claims for 30,114 subject vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010, resulting in a complaint rate of 25.1 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) and a claim rate of 5.6 percent.The MY 2009 vehicles, with the longest exposure times, experienced the highest complaint (33.5 IPTV) and warranty (7.0 percent) rates.For the 45,639 subject vehicles produced after June 1, 2010, ODI identified 13 complaints and 34 warranty claims, resulting in a complaint rate of 0.3 IPTV and a warranty claim rate of 0.1 percent, indicating that the brake fluid corrosion concern had not progressed far enough to result in significant rates of brake system performance symptoms in those vehicles.This investigation is closed.ODI will continue to monitor complaints to evaluate the effectiveness of Hyundai's recall.The VOQs noted in the Failure Report are: 10569231, 10560898, 10560495, 10559360, 10558279, 10558264, 10556964, 10556631, 10556577, 10556322, 10554988, 10554802, 10554122, 10552958, 10551817, 10551157, 10551110, 10551092, 10550791, 10550773, 10550431, 10549750, 10549634, 10549629, 10549567, 10549402, 10549376, 10549270, 10549228, 10549186, 10549021, 10548903, 10548823, 10548791, 10548737, 10548722, 10548716, 10548705, 10546565, 10544803, 10543663, 10542962, 10541959, 10541741, 10538208, 10537934, 10536652, 105354

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

On October 28, 2013, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect in the braking system of approximately 43,500 model year (MY) 2009 through 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedans (NHTSA Recall No. 13V-489).The Hyundai report indicates that the recalled vehicles may contain brake fluid that does not sufficiently inhibit corrosion on the zinc plating of control valve armatures in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module. The DIR indicated that, over time, the build-up of corrosion products may affect operation of HECU control valves, resulting in a low/soft brake pedal with reduced brake effectiveness, which may increase the risk of a crash.In October 2011, the HECU supplier notified Hyundai that the brake fluid used in production plants was causing corrosion of valve armatures in the control module.The supplier changed the coating of the valve armatures in late March 2012 to correct the problem in production vehicles.Hyundai's recall includes Genesis vehicles produced prior to the implementation of the HECU change.In March 2013, Hyundai initiated a Service Campaign (TL6) to replace brake fluid in the subject vehicles with brake fluid with better corrosion resistance properties.According to Hyundai's DIR letter, after PE13-033 was opened, the company noted that some of the vehicles serviced in the TL6 campaign subsequently required HECU replacement.This was an indication that internal corrosion had progressed enough to affect valve operation and brake performance, prompting Hyundai to conduct a safety recall.Hyundai's repair procedures for 13V-489 require brake system flushing and replacement in all recalled vehicles with a new fluid containing the necessary corrosion inhibitor.In addition, for vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010, dealers will perform an inspection procedure to verify that the HECU is functioning properly and replace units that do not meet the test requirements.Hyundai indicated that, based on analysis of claim data, only vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010 have been in service long enough to require the additional inspection/replacement of the HECU. Analysis of failure data reported to NHTSA and provided by Hyundai in response to ODI's information request letter for PE13-033 identified 756 complaints and 1,683 warranty claims for 30,114 subject vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010, resulting in a complaint rate of 25.1 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) and a claim rate of 5.6 percent.The MY 2009 vehicles, with the longest exposure times, experienced the highest complaint (33.5 IPTV) and warranty (7.0 percent) rates.For the 45,639 subject vehicles produced after June 1, 2010, ODI identified 13 complaints and 34 warranty claims, resulting in a complaint rate of 0.3 IPTV and a warranty claim rate of 0.1 percent, indicating that the brake fluid corrosion concern had not progressed far enough to result in significant rates of brake system performance symptoms in those vehicles.This investigation is closed.ODI will continue to monitor complaints to evaluate the effectiveness of Hyundai's recall.The VOQs noted in the Failure Report are: 10569231, 10560898, 10560495, 10559360, 10558279, 10558264, 10556964, 10556631, 10556577, 10556322, 10554988, 10554802, 10554122, 10552958, 10551817, 10551157, 10551110, 10551092, 10550791, 10550773, 10550431, 10549750, 10549634, 10549629, 10549567, 10549402, 10549376, 10549270, 10549228, 10549186, 10549021, 10548903, 10548823, 10548791, 10548737, 10548722, 10548716, 10548705, 10546565, 10544803, 10543663, 10542962, 10541959, 10541741, 10538208, 10537934, 10536652, 105354

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

On October 28, 2013, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect in the braking system of approximately 43,500 model year (MY) 2009 through 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedans (NHTSA Recall No. 13V-489).The Hyundai report indicates that the recalled vehicles may contain brake fluid that does not sufficiently inhibit corrosion on the zinc plating of control valve armatures in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module. The DIR indicated that, over time, the build-up of corrosion products may affect operation of HECU control valves, resulting in a low/soft brake pedal with reduced brake effectiveness, which may increase the risk of a crash.In October 2011, the HECU supplier notified Hyundai that the brake fluid used in production plants was causing corrosion of valve armatures in the control module.The supplier changed the coating of the valve armatures in late March 2012 to correct the problem in production vehicles.Hyundai's recall includes Genesis vehicles produced prior to the implementation of the HECU change.In March 2013, Hyundai initiated a Service Campaign (TL6) to replace brake fluid in the subject vehicles with brake fluid with better corrosion resistance properties.According to Hyundai's DIR letter, after PE13-033 was opened, the company noted that some of the vehicles serviced in the TL6 campaign subsequently required HECU replacement.This was an indication that internal corrosion had progressed enough to affect valve operation and brake performance, prompting Hyundai to conduct a safety recall.Hyundai's repair procedures for 13V-489 require brake system flushing and replacement in all recalled vehicles with a new fluid containing the necessary corrosion inhibitor.In addition, for vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010, dealers will perform an inspection procedure to verify that the HECU is functioning properly and replace units that do not meet the test requirements.Hyundai indicated that, based on analysis of claim data, only vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010 have been in service long enough to require the additional inspection/replacement of the HECU. Analysis of failure data reported to NHTSA and provided by Hyundai in response to ODI's information request letter for PE13-033 identified 756 complaints and 1,683 warranty claims for 30,114 subject vehicles produced prior to June 1, 2010, resulting in a complaint rate of 25.1 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) and a claim rate of 5.6 percent.The MY 2009 vehicles, with the longest exposure times, experienced the highest complaint (33.5 IPTV) and warranty (7.0 percent) rates.For the 45,639 subject vehicles produced after June 1, 2010, ODI identified 13 complaints and 34 warranty claims, resulting in a complaint rate of 0.3 IPTV and a warranty claim rate of 0.1 percent, indicating that the brake fluid corrosion concern had not progressed far enough to result in significant rates of brake system performance symptoms in those vehicles.This investigation is closed.ODI will continue to monitor complaints to evaluate the effectiveness of Hyundai's recall.The VOQs noted in the Failure Report are: 10569231, 10560898, 10560495, 10559360, 10558279, 10558264, 10556964, 10556631, 10556577, 10556322, 10554988, 10554802, 10554122, 10552958, 10551817, 10551157, 10551110, 10551092, 10550791, 10550773, 10550431, 10549750, 10549634, 10549629, 10549567, 10549402, 10549376, 10549270, 10549228, 10549186, 10549021, 10548903, 10548823, 10548791, 10548737, 10548722, 10548716, 10548705, 10546565, 10544803, 10543663, 10542962, 10541959, 10541741, 10538208, 10537934, 10536652, 105354