Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 269 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 36 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 33 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 23 | 9% |
| Power train | 20 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 3% |
| Power train | 7 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Brake pedal has been intermittently low/spongy and has progressively gotten worse. During these events, the brake pedal goes nearly to the floorboard, and braking power is weak but will typically function after pumping t
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I am submitting this letter as a formal safety defect complaint regarding my 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 sedan, which is experiencing braking system behavior that directly mirrors the defect described in Hyundai Recall Camp
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Brake line on driver rear rusted and leaking above brake hose. Cannot drive vehicle safely with this leak. Would leak brake fluid each time I step on brake pedal. Problem magnified when car is on and brake booster is wo
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, she collided with another vehicle on the front driver's side. No air bags deployed. BM Automotive towed the vehicle, th
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact had engaged the windshield wipers during a light rainstorm and noticed that the intermittent wiper function was not working as designed. The contact stated that gradua
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
These cars has some serious engine issues they are literally defective I've had 5 different engines installed in my car I keep the maintenance up on my car but its still no luck with the engines I've risked my life from
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive powe
NHTSA complaint: Engine
During normal driving conditions, the 8 speed automatic transmission will randomly hesitate to upshift from 2nd to 3rd and from 4th to 5th, causing an unpredictable loss of power. Symptoms will show up intermittently, an
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 corros
Risk: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 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).
Risk: If the module corrodes, reduced brake effectiveness may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Hyu
| Reliability raw | 62 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 269 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 36 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 62/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2012 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.