Hyundai Azera Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Hyundai Azera options? We analyzed 10 model years (2009–2018) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Hyundai Azera? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Hyundai Azera has 325 owner complaints and 19 safety recalls across model years 2009–2018. The most reported issue area is STEERING. 2013 drew the most complaints; 2010 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Azera
- Model years analyzed
- 2009–2018 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 325
- Safety recall campaigns
- 19
- Crash-related complaints
- 14
- Fire-related complaints
- 11
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2013 (112 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2010 (8 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STEERING
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Hyundai Azera: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe HYUNDAI AZERA has 325 NHTSA complaints and 19 recalls on record. 14 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 325 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 19 federal recall campaigns
- 14 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
19 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SUSPENSION:REAR
SUSPENSION:REAR
SUSPENSION:REAR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2009–2018. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 325 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
325 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Engine has a timing belt issue since 70,000 miles where it will rattle when it starts Transmission is going out BEFORE 100,000 miles
This is happened too many times even though in frequent and it is very unsafe when it happens on the open road as the steering will be completely unavailable most likely relative to the eps. No incident yet but that is only because I’m a good driver, but it sure is unsafe and scary and something needs to be done as I’ve read many online people having the same issue with this vehicle
I have made sure that the oil was changed on my 2015 Hyundai Azera. It has consistantly used oil. And now , I noticed a disturbing sound under the hood. Now, i have found metal shavings in my oil. This is a Theta engine. 6 cylinder. And according to the internet. Since 2011, Hyundai engines have been consistantly complained about and this engine needs to be added to the recall list for having the exact same manufacturing defect of metal shavings in the oil, like so many millions of other Hyundai cars. Thank you, Nicol Richards
My Vehicle has no warning signs lights that it has an problem/issue to warn. When driving to 30mpg the vehicle does a forceful jerk forward to a stop causing whiplash effect to driver and passengers. When vehicle comes to a near stop to traffic or light it creates the same effect. This is a constant through the entire driving trip. I have taken it to several mechanics and they have accurate or certain solution. In the attempt to find isssue transmission service, oil change, and spark plugs have been changed. Brakes have been check as well from professional service mechanics
When traveling at speeds above 50 mph, my steering has a dead-spot, on-center. At this steering position when trying to keep the car straight on the road or highway, the steering wheel sticks and requires force to keep my car heading straight.
HIT A BUMP IN ROAD AND LOST CONTROL OF CAR. UNSTABLE BOUNCING ?IN MOTION
Read 14 more owner reports
VEHICLE HARD TO PLACE IN REVERSE. THEN WHEN IN DRIVE, RPM WOULD GO UP WHEN STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. THEN THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY SLAM INTO GEAR AND LUNGE FORWARD. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAN ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET A CODE WHEN THEY SCANNED THE COMPUTER. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TRANSMISSION IS OUT AND WILL REPAIR IT FOR $7,7700 DOLLARS. VEHICLE COMES WITH 100K MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY UNLESS YOU ARE THE SECOND OWNER WHICH I AM SO THAT MEANS THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE TO HONOR THEIR 100K MILE WARRANTY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING COMPUTER NOT COMMUNICATING WITH TRANSMISSION PROPERLY CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT STEPS OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING AND AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER RIGHT LEG AND BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER BUT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS INCOMPLETE.
WINDSHIELD WIPER JETS FAILED. RENTED FROM AVIS AT DEN
Sudden unintended acceleration apparently caused by an electronic malfunction of throttle control. There were no warning signs. It is not known if vehicle was inspected by the insurance company.
ON 9.19.2019 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. IT STARTED EVERY TIME WITHOUT PROBLEMS, IT DID NOT STALL AGAIN ON THE RETURN TRIP. THE TRIP WAS ABOUT 50 MILES EACH WAY. OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAD ENGINE STARTING PROBLEMS 5 TIMES, MOSTLY ON HOT DAYS AND WHEN STOPPING FOR A SHORT PERIOD, E.G. STOPPING FOR GAS, AFTER WAITING FOR +- 10 MINUTES THE ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY. THE 'ENGINE CHECK' LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING REPAIR INFORMATION.
ON THREE (3) DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN 2018 THE ENGINE OF MY AZERA, WITH A LITTLE OVER 21,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, SUDDENLY STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. I CONTACTED VALLEJO HYUNDAI TO LOOK AT IT AND DO THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BUT I WAS GOING TO BE CHARGED FOR IT AND I REFUSED TO PAY. EVENTUALLY, I ACCEDED TO THEIR DEMAND FOR PAYMENT. IT
NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 18V-026 SAYS THE AZERA ABS ELECTRONICS CAN COLLECT WATER AND SHORT OUT CAUSING A FIRE WHILE THE CAR IS IN A GARAGE OR NOT BEING USED. BUT FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONICS BECAUSE OF WATER LEAKING INTO THE SYSTEM ALSO AFFECTS THE OPERATION OF THE ABS WHERE IT CANNOT WORK WHEN NEEDED. THE RECALL ADDRESSES REWIRING THE ABS SO NO POWER IS PRESENT IN THE WATER LEAKING ABS MODULE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATING AND PARKED BUT DOES NOT ADDRESS FAILURE OF THE ABS WITHOUT FIRE FROM WATER LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE ALL AZERA ABS SYSTEMS THAT ARE PRONE TO WATER LEAKAGE TO PRECLUDE THE ABS SYSTEMS NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN AND DURING BRAKING EMERGENCIES. UNATTENDED VEHICLE FIRES ARE ONE THING, ABS FAILURE TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED BECAUSE OF WATER LEAKAGE DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING RISKS MY LIFE AND THOSE OF OTHERS. THE FAULTY COMPONENTS SHOULD BE REPLACED TO PRECLUDE ABS FAILURES WHEN EMERGENCY ABS BRAKING IS NEEDED.
2011 AZERA LIMITED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*JS
CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE AT 42,200 MILES RENDERING VEHICLE IMMOBILE AND PRESENTING A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZZARD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PLENTY OF ENGINE OIL, PROPER MAINTENANCE TOO. APPEARS TO BE IMPROPER DESIGN AND/OR IMPROPER MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY. MAY BE RELATED TO HYUNDAI SONATA 2.0 AND 2.4 ENGINE FAILURES RECENTLY ANNOUNCED BY HYUNDAI.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI AZERA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES ALSO STOPPED OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB BOSS HYUNDAI IN GLEN BURNIE, MD, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S STARTER FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WOULD DISPLAY THE INCORRECT GEAR POSITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE STEVENSON HYUNDAI OF LONGMOUNT WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED AND THE SENSOR THAT COMMUNICATED TO THE ENGINE WHERE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOTHING RESULTED FROM THE ENCOUNTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
ON 03/02/16 - I WAS DRIVING ON GEORGE 400 EXPRESSWAY AND I SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE AN EXIT AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER; THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAD TO ROLL TO THE SHOULDER AND TURN MY FLASHERS ON. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED BACK UP. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A SAFE LOCATION. THIS ALSO OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY (I-285). I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT LOST POWER. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I DRIVE A LOT ON THE FREEWAY AND TO BE DRIVING 55-70 MPH AND TO LOSE POWER FOR NO REASON IS QUITE FRIGHTENING. I LOVE MY VEHICLE, BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT COULD EASILY OCCUR WHEN MY DAUGHTER, A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER, IS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS AND HOW CAN IT BE RECTIFIED? NOTE THAT THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, I HAD A LOT LESS MILES ON MY VEHICLE.
I WAS DRIVING UP TO A BUSY INTERSECTION WHERE THERE WAS A RED LIGHT. I WAS JUST STARTING TO BRAKE WHEN MY STEERING GOT STIFF AND MY CAR WASN'T FOLLOWING THE CURVE OF THE STREET. I LOOKED AT THE DASH AND ALL MY LIGHTS WERE ON. MY CAR HAD TURNED OFF. I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS TOO LOW ON GAS BUT THE GAS LIGHT WASN'T ON. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE IGNITION, WHICH STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION AND FILLED UP THE TANK. I DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE UNTIL TODAY, 9-9-15, WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL GOING ABOUT 40 GETTING READY TO GET INTO THE TURN LANE WHEN AGAIN THE STEERING GOT STIFF AND I LOOKED DOWN AND REALIZED ALL MY LIGHTS ON THE DASH WERE ON. I HAD HALF A TANK OF GAS AT THE TIME...BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART IT WITHOUT A PROBLEM. BOTH TIMES HAVE BEEN ON BUSY STREETS WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR.... THIS IS AN ISSUE!! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR AND SINCE THEY WERE CLOSE TO CLOSING ENDED UP NOT HELPING ME. I WILL CALL THEM AGAIN TOMORROW TO FIND OUT WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON....
08/25/2015 I WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH, WHILE SLOWING FOR A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY. ONE WEEK LATER WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH SLOWING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ENGINE SHUT-DOWN AGAIN, LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.
Showing 20 of 325 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Hyundai Azera
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Hyundai Azera, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Hyundai Azera has 325 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Hyundai Azera has 19 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 14 of the Hyundai Azera's 325 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Hyundai Azera vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Hyundai Azera vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Hyundai Azera has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Hyundai Azera by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Hyundai Azera.
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Keep researching before you buy
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Hyundai Azera reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai Azera reliable?
Poor. The Hyundai Azera has 325 NHTSA owner complaints and 19 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STEERING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Hyundai Azera years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2013 (112 complaints), 2012 (74 complaints), 2014 (49 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Hyundai Azera problems?
Top reported issues: STEERING (97 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (72 complaints); ENGINE (53 complaints).
Does the Hyundai Azera have recalls?
Yes — 19 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Hyundai Azera. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.