The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
62 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Toyota Avalon 522012 Chevrolet Impala 572012 Nissan Maxima 47
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2012 Hyundai Genesis
- Engine stalling51 complaintsmostly at 42,000–86,000 miles (68,000–138,000 km)
- Headlights21 complaintsmostly at 22,000–56,000 miles (36,000–89,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion15 complaintsmostly at 49,000–74,000 miles (79,000–120,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 260 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,500 and 36,000 miles (12,000–58,000 km) (the middle half of the 52 complaints, of all 62 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V117000 (visibility) and 13V489000 (brakes) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Hyundai sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed shift- gds analysis”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hyundai's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 62 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 35K miles (12K to 58K km) on the car (52 of all 62 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
At night with headlights on when you use turn signals the headlight go out for a moment.
2012 Hyundai Genesis owner · NHTSA complaint 10575839
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed shift- gds analysis
- If you are servicing a vehicle with a ?Check Engine light?
- When servicing a vehicle with a ?Check Engine light?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Visibility · recall issued 2016
The windshield wiper motor cover seal on the affected vehicles may degrade allowing corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board.
- Brakes · recall issued 2013
The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Hyundai Genesis recall, all years · All Hyundai recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake hydraulic control module failure2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Genesis 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Hyundai Genesis 2 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
Every Hyundai Genesis year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-genesis/?y=2012" title="Hyundai Genesis reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/hyundai-genesis/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Hyundai Genesis reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Hyundai Genesis reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 165; 100 is average, lower is better). The Hyundai Genesis year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Genesis problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (24%), lights (21%) and transmission & drivetrain (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Genesis have?
2 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Genesis get?
19 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Genesis problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,500 and 36,000 miles (12,000–58,000 km) (the middle half of the 52 complaints, of all 62 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Hyundai Genesis have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Hyundai Genesis cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Hyundai Genesis have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Hyundai Genesis year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works