Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2012 Hyundai Azera
The 2012 Hyundai Azera, while generally reliable, has notable recall and complaint issues affecting its brake system and airbag sensors. Prior to purchasing, ensure these critical areas are thoroughly checked and any recall work has been completed.
Known issues to inspect
ABS module may leak
How to check: Inspect for any leak around the ABS module area.
Occupant detection failure
How to check: Confirm airbag light illuminates and turns off properly.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual noises from the engine.
Red flag: Loud knocking or ticking sounds.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Watch for dashboard warning lights.
Red flag: Any warning light stays on.
- 03
City driving
What to check: Feel for smooth and responsive braking.
Red flag: Spongy or unresponsive brake pedal.
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure acceleration is smooth and steady.
Red flag: Hesitation or stalling during acceleration.
- 05
Hard braking
What to check: Confirm effective stopping without pulling sideways.
Red flag: Vehicle pulls to one side.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Have all recalls been addressed?
- Any accidents involving the airbags?
- How often were brakes serviced?
- Any major repairs undertaken?
- Current mileage on the vehicle?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair history
- Brake service records
- Accident history report
- Service and maintenance log
Generated by gpt-4o on 6/9/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2012 Hyundai Azera.