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2012 Hyundai Genesis

Sedan · 2010–2016 · Genesis, Genesis Coupe

2010–2016 Hyundai Genesis — 2010–2016 pictured. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2016The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad Be careful2012More problems; check the recalls were done

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.

2012CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and power train Extended coverage

189 serious complaints of 270, the most about engine (71) and power train (39); 1.5× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2012 vehicles. 2 recalls. NHTSA investigation PE13033: brake hydraulic control module failure.

What owners report

“The contact owns a 2012 hyundai genesis. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the first attempt, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Dec 2016

“The contact owns a 2012 hyundai genesis. While driving 25 mph, the contact approached a traffic light and the vehicle shut off. All the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. After waiting a few minutes, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive home. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Jul 2019

Fixes and extended coverage

Extended coverage The windshield wiper motor may either function intermittently or stop functioning. (5NP-H9U9W, May 2016)
Repair program In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. (23-01-034H, Apr 2023)
Repair program Hyundai Motor America is conducting a Service Campaign to install warning labels on the driver's and/or passenger's seat belt assemblies on 2009-14 Model Year Genesis sedan and 2011-16 Equus vehicles. (5NP-E3P6N, Dec 2017)
Repair program Hyundai Motor America is changing the Genesis sedan applicable model years to 2011-14 for service campaign T2R. (5NP-T5L2W, Jan 2018)

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.

270 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–24 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features

Every Genesis year's verdict →

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

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Genesis Genesis Coupe

What changed for 2012

Starting prices: +$1,200 to +$1,500 (2 trims; hover for each)
New trim: 5.0
New trim: 5.0 R-Spec
Engine: 4.6L DOHC V8 → 4.6L Tau V8 (4.6)
Gears: 6 → 8 (4.6, 3.8)
Fuel economy (combined): 19 mpg → 20 mpg (4.6)
Heated seats: Front → Front, Second Row (4.6)
Engine: 3.8L DOHC V6 → 3.8L GDI V6 (3.8)
Horsepower: 290 hp → 333 hp (3.8)
Torque: 264 lb-ft → 291 lb-ft (3.8)
Fuel economy (combined): 21 mpg → 22 mpg (3.8)

2012 Genesis trims

	3.8	4.6	5.0	5.0 R-Spec
Price
Starting MSRP	$34,200	$44,500	$45,500	$46,500
Powertrain
Engine	3.8L GDI V6	4.6L Tau V8	5.0L Tau GDI V8	5.0L Tau GDI V8
Horsepower	333 hp	385 hp	429 hp	429 hp
Torque	291 lb-ft	333 lb-ft	376 lb-ft	376 lb-ft
Transmission	8-Speed SHIFTRONIC	8-Speed SHIFTRONIC	8-Speed SHIFTRONIC	8-Speed SHIFTRONIC
Gears	8	8	8	8
Drivetrain	Rwd	Rwd	Rwd	Rwd
Fuel economy (combined)	22 mpg	20 mpg	20 mpg	19 mpg
Size and capability
Seats	5	5	5	5
Trunk	15.9 cu ft	15.9 cu ft	15.9 cu ft	15.9 cu ft
Length	196.3 in	196.3 in	196.3 in	196.3 in
Curb weight	3,971 lb	4,132 lb	—	4,154 lb
Tech
Touchscreen	—	8 in	8 in	8 in
Audio	Optional	Lexicon	Lexicon	Lexicon
Speakers	Optional	17	17	17
Driver assistance
Lane keeping	Lane Departure Warning	Lane Departure Warning	Lane Departure Warning	Lane Departure Warning
Parking sensors	Optional	Front, Rear	Front, Rear	Front, Rear
Comfort
Seats	Optional	Leather	Leather	Leather
Heated seats	Front + option	Front, Second Row	Front, Second Row	Front, Second Row
Ventilated seats	Optional	Front	Front	Front
Driver seat memory	Optional	Driver Seat	Driver Seat	Driver Seat
Climate zones	2	2	2	2
Exterior
Sunroof	Optional	Tilt/Slide Moonroof	Tilt/Slide Moonroof	Tilt/Slide Moonroof
Wheels	—	—	—	19 in

Packages and options (32)

	3.8	4.6	5.0	5.0 R-Spec
Adaptive Front Lighting System (Auto-Cornering)	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
High Intensity Discharge Xenon Auto-Leveling Headlights	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Power Tilt-and-Slide Sunroof with One-Touch Open / Close and Sliding Sunshade	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Cooled Driver Seat	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Heated Rear Seats	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Integrated Memory System (Driver Seat, Side Mirrors, Steering Wheel)	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Power Rear Sunshade	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Power Tilt-and-Telescopic Steering Wheel	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
In-Dash 6-Disc CD Changer	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
In-Dash 6-Disc DVD Changer	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Lexicon Premium Surround Sound Audio with 14 Speakers	Optional	—	—	—
Lexicon 7.1 Discrete 528-Watt Premium Surround Sound Audio System with 17 Speakers	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Navigation System with 7-Inch Touchscreen Display and XM NavTraffic (90 Day Trial)	Optional	—	—	—
Ultimate 8-Inch Navigation System with Driver Information System, Multimedia Controller and XM NavTraffic (90 Day Trial)	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Auto-Defogging Windshield with Humidity Sensor	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Front and Rear Parking Assistance Sensors	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Rearview Backup Camera	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Premium Leather Seating Surfaces	Optional	Standard	Standard	Standard
Black Noir	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Cabernet Red	Optional	Optional	—	—
Champagne Beige	Optional	Optional	—	—
Platinum	Optional	Optional	—	Optional
Titanium Gray	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Twilight Blue	Optional	Optional	—	—
White Satin	Optional	Optional	Optional	—
Cashmere	Optional	Optional	—	—
Jet Black	Optional	Optional	—	—
Cashmere (Premium)	Optional	Optional	Optional	—
Jet Black (Premium)	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional
Saddle (Premium)	Optional	Optional	—	—
Saddle	Optional	Optional	—	—

Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "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
2016	3.8L 6-cyl, 348 hp 5.0L 8-cyl manual available	AWD, RWD	18–22 mpg	5 of 5	5	102	Electrical system (30)	—
2015	3.8L 6-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl manual available	AWD, RWD	18–22 mpg	5 of 5	6	306	Electrical system (114)	—
2014	2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.8L 6-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl manual available	RWD	18–22 mpg	Not rated	0	23	Engine (7)	—
2013	2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.8L 6-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl manual available	RWD	19–24 mpg	Not rated	0	195	Engine (66)	—
2012	2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.8L 6-cyl 4.6L 8-cyl 5.0L 8-cyl manual available	RWD	19–24 mpg	Not rated	2	270	Engine (71)	—
2011	2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.8L 6-cyl 4.6L 8-cyl manual available	RWD	20–24 mpg	Not rated	3	145	Unknown or other (29)	—
2010	2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.8L 6-cyl 4.6L 8-cyl manual available	RWD	19–24 mpg	Not rated	5	156	Service brakes (35)	—

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…

Head-up display AWD or 4WD Adaptive cruise with stop and go Blind-spot monitoring Heated front seats Heated second-row seats Ventilated (cooled) seats Heated steering wheel Leather seats Remote start Sunroof or moonroof Panoramic roof

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2016	Hyundai Genesis 2 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	95
2016	Hyundai Genesis 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	Optional	3	95
2016	Hyundai Genesis 4 DR RWD	5	Optional	Optional	3	95
2015	Hyundai Genesis 4 DR AWD	5	Optional	Optional	9	306
2015	Hyundai Genesis 4 DR RWD	5	No	No	9	306
2015	Hyundai Genesis 2 DR RWD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	9	306
2014	Hyundai Genesis 2 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	3	43
2014	Hyundai Genesis 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	0	23
2013	Hyundai Genesis 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	4	195
2013	Hyundai Genesis 2 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	4	195
2012	Hyundai Genesis 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	270
2012	Hyundai Genesis 2 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	No	5	270
2011	Hyundai Genesis 4 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	3	122
2011	Hyundai Genesis 2 DR RWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	6	145
2010	Hyundai Genesis 4-DR w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	5	156
2010	Hyundai Genesis Coupe w/SAB (Later release)	Not Rated	No	No	5	156
2010	Hyundai Genesis Coupe w/SAB (Early release)	Not Rated	No	No	5	156

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2016	Genesis AWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L	19
2016	Genesis Coupe	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	19
2016	Genesis RWD	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L	18–22
2015	Genesis AWD	Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	19
2015	Genesis Coupe	Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	19
2015	Genesis RWD	Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L	18–22
2014	Genesis	Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	21
2014	Genesis Coupe	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	19–22
2014	Genesis R Spec	Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L	18
2013	Genesis	Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	22
2013	Genesis Coupe	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	19–24
2013	Genesis R-Spec	Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L	19
2012	Genesis	Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L	19–22
2012	Genesis Coupe	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	20–24
2012	Genesis R-Spec	Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L	19
2011	Genesis	Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L	20–21
2011	Genesis Coupe	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	20–24
2010	Genesis	Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L	19–21
2010	Genesis Coupe	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L	20–24

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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