.jpg){kind=link}
Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2012AVOIDSerious complaints 4.7× usual, mostly steering and engine Extended coverage
71 serious complaints of 74, the most about steering (38) and engine (10); 4.7× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2012 vehicles. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“2012 hyundai azera, vehicle has 64,000 miles. Has developed a clicking/clunking sound in the steering column when turning the steering left, right, and when hitting bumps. The issue can be replicated sitting still or when driving via a prominent clicking/clunking sound. Steering has become sloppy and dangerous.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Feb 2021
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Dec 2021
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Certain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. In an effort to… (Z01, May 2026)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18… (26-BE-011H, Apr 2026)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
74 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 23 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2012
- New trim: Base
- Trim dropped: GLS
- Trim dropped: Limited
2012 Azera trims
| Base | |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| Starting MSRP | $32,000 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.3L GDI DOHC V6 with Dual CVVT |
| Horsepower | 293 hp |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC Manual Shift Mode |
| Gears | 6 |
| Drivetrain | Fwd |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 23 mpg |
| Size and capability | |
| Seats | 5 |
| Tech | |
| Touchscreen | 7 in |
| Audio | Optional |
| Driver assistance | |
| Parking sensors | Optional |
| Comfort | |
| Seats | Leather |
| Heated seats | Front, Second Row |
| Ventilated seats | Optional |
| Driver seat memory | Optional |
| Climate zones | 2 |
| Exterior | |
| Sunroof | Optional |
| Wheels | 18 in + option |
Packages and options (12)
| Base | |
|---|---|
| Technology Package $4,000 | Optional |
| Black Onyx | Optional |
| Bronze Mist | Optional |
| Hyper Silver | Optional |
| Midnight Blue | Optional |
| Porcelain White | Optional |
| Silver Frost | Optional |
| Smoke Gray | Optional |
| Venetian Red | Optional |
| Camel Leather | Optional |
| Chestnut Brown Leather | Optional |
| Graphite Black Leather | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem press release. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3.3L 6-cyl, 293 hp | FWD | 22–23 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 12 | Steering (5) | Yes |
| 2016 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–23 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 15 | Air bags (3) | Yes |
| 2015 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 22–23 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 9 | Vehicle speed control (4) | Yes |
| 2014 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 23 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 49 | Service brakes, hydraulic (18) | No |
| 2013 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 23 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 112 | Steering (33) | No |
| 2012 | 3.3L 6-cyl | FWD | 23 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 74 | Steering (38) | No |
| 2011 | 3.3L 6-cyl 3.8L 6-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 20 | Power train (10) | No |
| 2010 | 3.3L 6-cyl 3.8L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–21 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 8 | Service brakes (2) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Azera 2015–2018 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 1 | 12 |
| 2016 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 1 | 15 |
| 2015 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 9 |
| 2014 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 49 |
| 2013 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 112 |
| 2012 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 74 |
| 2011 | Hyundai Azera 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2010 | Hyundai Azera 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Azera | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2017 | Azera Limited | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 22 |
| 2016 | Azera | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2016 | Azera Limited | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 22 |
| 2015 | Azera | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2015 | Azera Limited | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 22 |
| 2014 | Azera | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2013 | Azera | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2012 | Azera | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L | 23 |
| 2011 | Azera | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L |
22 |
| 2010 | Azera | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L |
20–21 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.