2012 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,557 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 51 involved a crash and 95 involved a fire. 38 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineDec 28, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
Campaign 18V934000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerFeb 27, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
Campaign 18V137000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerOct 4, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
Campaign 17V617000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageMar 8, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
Campaign 17V152000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchNov 16, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.
Campaign 15V759000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineSep 10, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.
Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.
Campaign 15V568000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionJul 18, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
Campaign 14V434000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowJul 24, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 12V352000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
170 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, May 29, 2018
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA (HYUNDAI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2011 SONATA VEHICLES. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) MAY SHORT CIRCUIT, PREVENTING THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS, SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND SIDE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. SAFETY RISK IF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS, SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND SIDE AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH THAT NECESSITATES DEPLOYMENT OF THESE SAFETY SYSTEMS. REMEDY REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER'S NOTES OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NAT'L HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMIN VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236(TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER, PLEASE CONTACT THE NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT: 1-888-327-4236 OR TTY: 1-800-424-9153 OR FILE AN ONLINE COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA
Air bags, May 15, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CONTACT CALLED SPRINGFIELD HYUNDAI AT 1-877-890-2094 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V137000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Apr 24, 2018
TEKATA RECALL STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BAD SOUNDS LOSE REALLY STARTED AFTER MY WARRANTY WAS UP ABD THAT'S ONLY 5 DAYS SO I PAY ALL THIS MONEY CARZY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF ALL LIGHT BULBS ON THE CAR LIKE FRONT LIGHTS ALWAYS GO OUT I HAVE TO CHANGE THEM SO MANY TIMES AND BACK LIGHTS EVEN GOT TICKETS THIS COST ME THIS HAPPEN WHY DRIVING THE CAR
Steering, Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 30, 2018
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL RELATED REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE SEAT BELT, POWER STEERING, AND AIRBAG RECALLS. *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 14, 2018
THE AIRBAGS IIGHT STAYED ON WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STOP. WHEN I ACCELERATE IT TURN OFF.
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 20, 2017
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH WHILE DRIVING DOWN STREET, ALTHOUGH APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS PRIOR I HAD TO STOP HARD SUDDENLY FOR A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT DECIDED TO JUST STOP. I HAD ALREADY TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SEAT BELT RECALL AND HAVE SINCE RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTIFICATION FOR A SEAT BELT RECALL. AIR BAG LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF WHEN PURCHASING USED CAR FROM HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN 2016. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND TOLD NO RECALL ON AIR BAGS, AND THEY DON'T KNOW IF IT HAS TAKATA AIR BAGS IN IT. I NEED TO PAY $69 TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED.
Air bags, Nov 5, 2017
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON
Air bags, Nov 4, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR THE RECALL. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL ON THE INFLATORS. IS MY VEHICLE UNDER RECALL OR NOT? THANKS!
Air bags, Oct 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. *LN CONSUMER STATED PROFILE MOTORS BLUBERRY FORD IN MACHIAS MAINE HAS NOW BEEN CLOSED DOWN THE CLOSEST PROFILE MOTORS IS NOW IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. CONSUMER COULD NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER SHE GOT IT FROM DUE TO THEM CLOSING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 7/31/18*JB
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 20, 2017
SRS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON ODMMETER GAUGES SLOW RESPOND
Electrical system, Air bags, Wheels, Aug 19, 2017
WHEN I'M DRIVING WHELL KIND OF COME OFF WHEN I TURN IT'S CLICK AT THE WHELL.. SOME REASON AIRBAG LIGHT ON.. EVERY MONTH I CHANGE MY HEAD LIGHTS OR BRAKE LIGHT IT'S TURN OFF ALWAYS I DON'T KNOW WHY BUT I THINK IT'S ELECTRICAL PROBLEM
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE AIR BAG AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE SIMPLY A NOTICE THAT AIR BAG WAS NOT ENABLED. NO PROBABLE PROBLEM! THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,580. *TR*JB
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jul 6, 2017
FIRST THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY WHILE AT WORK DURING MY LUNCH BREAK WANTED TO LEVE THE FACILITY TO PURCHASE LUNCH AND WAS UNABLE TO. THE CAR WOULDNT START. IT SAID ON DASHBOARD EPS. TRIED CRANKING SEVERAL TIMES AFTERWARDS AND STILL NOTHING.
Air bags, Jun 5, 2017
THE AIR BAG DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATOR HAS BECOME ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS WHEN BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE SONATA IS A 2012 WITH 37,000 AND HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS. HYUNDAI WANTS TO CHARGE ME $150 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC PLUS REPAIR COSTS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, May 3, 2017
FAULTY AIRBAG AS A RESULT OF FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP (DUE TO AIRBAG LIGHT), AND APPARENTLY CLOCK SPRING PART IS BACK-ORDERED. HOWEVER, DEALER AND HYUNDAI CORPORATE TOLD ME TO CONTINUE USING VEHICLE DESPITE FAULTY CLOCK SPRING, AS THE VEHICLE IS STILL "OPERABLE". EXTREMELY DISTURBED THAT HYUNDAI CORPORATE WOULD NOT ADVISE ON ESTIMATED TIME OF CLOCK SPRING ARRIVAL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE, GIVEN THE BACK ORDER, WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED ASAP, AS THERE MAY BE MORE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE - UNBEKNOWNST TO DRIVERS.
Air bags, Mar 1, 2017
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. I'M WORRIED THE AIRBAGS WON'T INFLATE IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT. 5 YEARS IS TOO EARLY FOR SENSORS TO WEAR OUT.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 1, 2017
I PURCHASED A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA FROM SMITTY'S AUTO SALES IN DES MOINES IOWA ON 2-24-2017 AND WAS TOLD CAR HAD CLEAN TITLE AND 70,000 MILES. I NOTICED THE ODO SAID 26, AND ASKED THE DEALER HE SAID IT WAS THE TRIP NOT ACTUAL MILES. I WAS SCEPTICAL ABOUT CAR SO I CALLED BACK THE NEXT DAY TO SEE IF THIS CAR HAD SALVAGE TITLE THEIR CRAIGLIST AD SAID CLEAN TITLE WHICH WAS FALSE. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS A SALVAGE BY FLOOD AND THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T WORK. I WAS ANGRY ASKED FOR MY MONEY BACK FOR FALSE ADVERTISING AND AUTO FRAUD THEY KNEW AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORKING AND THE VEHICLE HAD OUTSTANDING RECALLS AND DIDN'T DISCLOSE ANY OF THIS IN WRITING. WHAT CAN I DO?
Air bags, Feb 27, 2017
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR A WEEK AND WON'T TURN OFF WHEN CAR IS IN TURNED ON. THE LIGHT CAME ON AS I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THIS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 2012 SONATA WITH TURBO. I
Air bags, Jan 23, 2017
THE SRS LIGHT ON THE DASH TURNED 'ON' AND DISABLED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
Air bags, Engine, Jan 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL??? 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA AIR BAGS NOT WORKING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN MY 2012 SONATA (BOUGHT BRAND NEW) STAYS ON. MY CONCERN INITIALLY WAS THAT THE BAGS WOULD DEPLOY SPONTANEOUSLY BUT WHEN TAKEN INTO DEALER, I WAS TOLD "THEY WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT ALL - EVEN IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT." THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURE'S DEFECT. COULD THIS BE UNDER THE TAKATA RECAL? .
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 3, 2017
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI THEY TOLD ME TAKE A PICTURE AND SEND IT TO THEM...? ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THEN RECONNECTS TAIL LIGHTS STAY ON AIR CONDITIONER MAKES LOUD NOISES. *TR
Air bags, Sep 15, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN VEHICLE. THE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD.
Air bags, Aug 26, 2016
I HAD BEEN DRIVING AND EVERYTHING WAS OK. I GOT HOME AND HAD NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON. I STARTED THE CAR UP 10 MINUTES LATER AND MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED LIKE 70 DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE AND THEN MORE MONEY FOR LABOR. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. I COULDN'T AFFORD IT. HONDA DIAGNOSES AND COVERS STUFF LIKE THAT 100%. THEY SAY HYUNDAI HAS THE BEST WARRANTY BUT SO FAR NO PROBLEMS I'VE HAD HAS BEEN COVERED. A MECHANIC AND NEIGHBOR OF MINE SAYS THEY'VE SEEN MANY HYUNDAI AIRBAG LIGHTS AND ARE SURPRISED THERE'S NOT A RECALL.
Air bags, Aug 26, 2016
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN 6 YEARS OLD. IT STARTED WITH CLICKING IN THE WHEEL, KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND NOW MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THAT IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE SYSTEM. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING IS A MALFUNCTION THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING TO A CAR LESS THAN 6 Y/O. MY CAR STAY IN THE SHOP FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER. I CAN HONESTLY SAY I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HYUNDAI OF ANY KIND.