2012-2017 Hyundai Azera Reliability Score: 6.7 out of 10

270 NHTSA Complaints

3 Recalls

9 Fire Reports

9 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

6.7 / 10

Reliability score

About as many complaints of failed or replaced engines and transmissions as similar full-size sedans

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run well above similar vehicles and pull this score down.

Owners filed 52 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 47.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall52 complaints against about 47 for similar vehicles

6.8

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced15 complaints against about 9 for similar vehicles

5.9

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

What owners describe

Of the 15 complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit, 14 describe a failed or replaced engine; 1 describes a failed or replaced transmission. One complaint can describe more than one.

“On multiple occasions vehicle engine has failed to start with the gear selector in park. The gear selector must be moved to neutral to start the engine or sometimes the gear selector can be moved through other gears and back to park and then the engine will start.” 2013 model year

By model year

20126.7
20136.3
20147.4
2015n/a
20167.6
2017n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

GDI Lambda - II

3.3L 6-cyl / 293 hp

258 complaints 43.0 per year Gasoline

9 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering

brakes

engine

safety systems

electrical

Hyundai Azera Unidentified Engine

12 complaints 2.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering

electrical

brakes

suspension

engine

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Azera, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 91 owner complaints

Brakes: 63 owner complaints

Engine: 44 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 33 owner complaints

Electrical System: 29 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera

On a used 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (91), the brakes (63) and the engine (44). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera about the steering.
On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 63 owner complaints on the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera about the brakes.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 44 owner complaints on the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera about the engine.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera about the electrical system.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera

Recalls (3)

23V651000Sep 22, 2023serious

Service Brakes

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 brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

21V619000Aug 6, 2021serious

Latches/Locks/Linkages

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

13V264000Jun 25, 2013serious

Air Bags

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Azera vehicles manufactured May 22, 2012, through November 23, 2012. The occupant detection system may fail to properly differentiate whether the front passenger seat occupant is an adult, a child or a child restraint seat.

All Generations

1st2006-2011 2nd2012-2017

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Lexus

2001-2006

9.7/10

5 engines / 194 complaints

3 engines / 215 complaints

3 engines / 28 complaints

4 engines / 388 complaints

4 engines / 134 complaints

7 engines / 1,015 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera complaints?

Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera. The systems they name most often are the steering, the brakes and the engine.

Is the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera have?

NHTSA has 270 owner complaints on file for the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Azera?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the brakes and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Azera have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2012-2017 Hyundai Azera. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 270 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.