The 2012 Hyundai Genesis is a small car that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl and 5.0L 8-cyl engines. At 14 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Large Cars, Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Automatic 8-spd, Automatic 5-spd, Manual 6-spd, Automatic 6-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 16–21 city / 25–30 highway / 19–24 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,050–$4,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 370–468 grams per mile |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,255–5,115 lb |
| Versions tested by EPA | 8 configurations: Genesis, Genesis R-Spec, Genesis Coupe |
| Age | 14 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 2012 Hyundai Genesis. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Genesis Coupe vehicles. A return spring in the ignition lock switch may fracture, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the vehicle is started in gear, without the parking brake applied.
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak…
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Genesis Coupe vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, to June 11, 2016. The electrical harness connector for the front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) may dislodge when the seat is moved.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, the disconnected OCS would, by default, cause the first stage, and only the first stage, of the air bag to deploy, whether there is a child seat in the front
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…
Risk: Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Owners have filed 271 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Genesis with NHTSA. 8 reports involved a crash and 1 report involved a fire. Owners reported 6 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, by version tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dr, RWD | Not rated | — | — | ★★★★★ | 9.5% |
| 2 Dr, RWD | Not rated | — | — | ★★★★★ | 8.2% |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.
Manufacturers have filed 100 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2012 Hyundai Genesis. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair proce
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver's-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin P
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog l
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2012 Hyundai Genesis.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by
Brake hydraulic control module failure
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 m
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It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2012 Genesiss that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Genesis; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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