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: electrical system
234 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2013
THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WHEN USED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEN REPLACED A HEADLAMP SWITCH. AFTER THIS, THE RADIO BEGAN TURNING COMPLETELY OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUED TO ACT ERRATICALLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT REPLACED THE RADIO. SEVERAL MORE TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND RADIO. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE CAR AGAIN AND FOUND LOOSE PINS IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE FUSE BOX. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 16, 2012
DISHONEST MILEAGE CLAIMS: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA."ADVERTISED: 26/35" - ACTUAL 24/25...NOT EVEN CLOSE. CLASS ACTION SUIT IN CA BUT, INEXPLICABLY, ONLY 'CERTAIN' MODELS. I'VE NOT HEARD ONE SONATA OWNER 'HAPPY' WITH THEIR MILEAGE. ITS FRAUDULENT AND MISLEADING AT BEST. HYUNDAI IS SENDING AN ENGINEER TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BUT IF THEY'RE ON HYUNDAI PAYROLL WHAT KIND OF RESULT DO YOU THINK I'LL GET? *TR
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUSE BOX WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ON HIS ALARM WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Electrical system, Oct 9, 2012, crash
THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND ALL THE ELECTRONICS SHUT DOWN. I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS CAN NOT SEE ON THE COMPUTER OR FIGURE OUT. FIRST THE SERVICE TECH SAID IT WAS A FUSE NOT PLUGGED IN ALL THE WAY THEN THEY SAY IT WAS THE BATTERY.. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE IN THIS CAR AND WILL NEVER DRIVE IT AGAIN. IF I WERE IN A CROSS WALK I WOULD HAVE HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR I COULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD OR GOING THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURIES. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER FEELS I SHOULD DRIVE THIS CAR. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OK BEFORE AND I ENDED UP HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR HAS AN ELECTRONIC DEFECT. THEY DO NOT PUT ANY VALUE ON LIVES. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2012
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER STATES CONCERN WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE LACK OF AN ENGINE KILL SWITCH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD NO WAY OF SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE IF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ACCELERATED OR IF HE ENCOUNTERED A STUCK GAS PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW, THAT HE HAS A POSITIVE MEANS OF MANUALLY SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF THE PUSH BUTTON ENGINE STAR/STOP SWITCH. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS IT A COMPUTER FUNCTION OR A MANUAL ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT TO THE VEHICLES ELECTRONICS. ALSO, IF IT IS A COMPUTER FUNCTION, WILL THE DEALER INSTALL A MANUAL TOGGLE SWITCH UNDER THE DASH THAT WILL KILL ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HYUNDAI SENT HIM A LETTER, ADVISING HIM TO REFERENCE HIS OWNERS MANUAL. HOWEVER, THE MANUAL DID NOT ADDRESS HIS PRIMARY CONCERN. THE MANUAL ONLY TALKED ABOUT HOW TO OPERATE THE SWITCH. UPDATED 11/13/12
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2012
AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR ONE MONTH (980 MILES), MY CAR LOST POWER STEERING, AIR, AND ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING. A WARNING CAME ON THAT SAID, "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM." IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I REFUSED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK UNTIL A DISTRICT PARTS AND SERVICES MANAGER CAN LOOK AT IT. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION WHO DIDN'T SEEM TOO CONCERNED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2012
VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIT AND ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UPON STARTING THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT LET ME SHIFT IT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH THEM CONSULTING WITH HYUNDAI. THEY REPLACED SOME CONTROL MODULE TO REPAIR IT. -------------------------- TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. IDIOT LIGHTS WERE ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR,BUT I COULD NOT SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK. DEALERSHIP SWEARS ITS A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND THEY ARE CONSULTING HYUNDAI YET AGAIN. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK NOW AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHEN I'LL GET IT BACK. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLUE TOOTH DEVICE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HIS PHONE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. THE VIN WAS UNAVILABLE.