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
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 14, 2016
****BUYER BEWARE*****PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEB 2014 WITH ONLY 230MILES ON IT AND IN SEPT 2014 I PULLED OUT OF MY HOME TURNED RIGHT AND HAD NO ISSUES...ALTHOUGH ABOUT 50 FEET LATER I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A FAIRLY BUSY STREET WITH MID TO HIGH TRAFFIC, I STOPPED AND ONCE IN MOTION, IMMEDIATE MY ETS LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND MY STEERING COMPLETELY FROZE UP AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP. I WAS IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, NOT YET UP TO THE 45 SPEED LIMIT. THERE WERE CARS ALL AROUND ME AND I HAD TO PHYSICALLY FORCE MY CAR TO RIGHT WITH MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. I WAS LUCKY THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON MY WAY TO GET MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL, OR AFTER. OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SITUATION. THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION, HAS REFUSED TO BUY BACK THEIR DEFAULT DEATH TRAP OF A VEHICLE AND HAD THE NERVE TO OFFER A "MONTH CAR PAYMENT". MY LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM ME AND THEY ONLY OFFER A PAYMENT. NOT ACCEPTABLE. BUY BACK YOUR KNOWN DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD FOUR RECALLS ON THIS CAR IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS OF PURCHASE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Dec 21, 2015
THE VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF LOSING POWER COMPLETELY. AT THIS POINT I AM UNABLE TO ENTER THE CAR WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY, YOU HAVE TO DO IT MANUALLY. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE STREET. ONCE YOU PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE HORN/ALARM GOES OFF AND DOESN'T STOP. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE REVVING WHILE IT IS IN PARK. WHILE DRIVING I EXPERIENCE LITTLE POWER SURGES FROM THE CAR WHERE IT ACCELERATES WITH ME TRYING TO DO ANYTHING. THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER INSTANCE WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT START ONCE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. ONCE DISENGAGED THE CAR STARTED WITH A LITTLE HESITATION. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 30, 2015
DURING COLD WEATHER, THE 2.0 TURBO SONATA ENGINE WILL CUT POWER TO THE CAR AND GO INTO A "LIMP" MODE IF AN OVER BOOST CODE (USUALLY P0605 & P2110 ), IS TRIGGERED. THIS CAUSES AN UNSAFE SITUATION AS THERE IS VERY LITTLE POWER AVAILABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OR CAN CAUSE A REAR VEHICLE CRASH. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE TIMES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 0 DEGREE DAYS OR EVEN AT 30 DEGREES. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED IF THE BOOST PRESSURE IS EXCEEDED AND MAKES FOR A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE ECU SHOULD NOT BE CUTTING POWER OR FUEL, IT SHOULD BE REDUCING THE BOOST TO COMPENSATE FOR TEMPERATURE. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTORE THE POWER TO THE ENGINE, IS TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART.....CODES WILL STILL BE ACTIVE BUT THE POWER WILL RESTORE ITSELF.
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 18, 2015
EARLIER THAT DAY THE WRENCH WAS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD, BUT IT DISAPPEARED. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH AND THE SCREEN READ "WARNING! DO NOT DRIVE! IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO ? I CAN'T REMEMBER" IT STARTED TO FREEZE THE DRIVING. THEN I PARKED IT AND IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND HPCU. IT SCARES ME TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR APRIL 20, 2014 AND NOW CAN JUST GET 2/3'S WHAT I PAID FOR IT. SAD, BUT TRUE. WHEN I GET SOME MONEY I WILL BE TRADING THIS IN AS I AM NERVOUS DRIVING THIS CAR NOW. *TR
Electrical system, Tires, Jan 23, 2015
THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) HAS DISPLAYED ERRONEOUS TIRE PRESSURE READINGS DURING COLD WEATHER CLIMATES NUMEROUS DIFFERENT TIMES DESPITE HAVING THE CORRECT PSI OR ADDING AIR TO REACH AN ULTIMATE PSI READING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER MODELS OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES WITH THE TPMS FEATURE ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2014
STARTER AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 29, 2014
WHEN GOING TO WORK I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. WHEN I CAME OUT TO TRY TO START IT SAID CHECK BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE NOT ON, I THEN PRESSED THE BRAKES AND PUSHED THE BUTTON AND IT SAID IT NEEDED THE KEY. I PUT IT IN THE SLOT AND IT STILL SAID THE SAME THE WHOLE TIME MAKING THE SOUND WHEN IT STARTS. THE TOW NUMBER AND THE CLOSEST DEALER SAID TO HOLD THE BRAKE IN AND THE KEY AGAINST THE PUSH FOR ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS, STILL DID NOT START. THE TOW TRUCK HIRED TO COME ASKED ME TO TAKE THE KEY INSIDE THE KEY AND PUT IT IN DRIVER'S DOOR AND LOCK AND UNLOCK THEN DO THE THIRTY SECOND BRAKE WITH PUSHING THE BUTTON AGAIN STILL WOULD NOT START, TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE MANAGER ACTED LIKE HE NEVER HAD ANYONE EVER COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS BEFORE. I ASKED HIM HOW ROAD ASSISTANCE AND THE OTHER DEALER AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER KNEW. I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL I CAN GET OUT OF THIS LEASE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 30, 2014
THE CAR HESITATES DURING START UP! I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE SHOP APPROX 9 TIMES SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE CAR. THIS LAST TIME (APPROX 30K MILES) THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. I AM AFRAID THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! *TR
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2014
VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE WIRES WERE MELTING TOGETHER AND THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS IT WAS ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE NEXT THAT THE DEALERSHIP CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERHEATING. 3 TURBO'S REPLACED, THE FRONT AND REAR WIRING HARNESS, THE COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE, SOME TUBES AND HOSES AND 6 MOS LATER....THE CAR SEEMS TO BE RUNNING AGAIN BUT NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION...UGH. I TRIED TO HAVE HYUNDAI LET ME OUT OF THE LEASE SINCE I ONLY HAD A FEW MONTHS LEFT. CONSUMER AFFAIRS PASSED THE BUCK TO HYUNDAI LEASE AND VICE VERSA. IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO WORK WITH THIS CORPORATION. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND WAS ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR TWO PAYMENTS SINCE THEY HAD MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR FOR OVER 60 DAYS BUT THEY WOULD NOT LET ME OUT OF THE LEASE. WILL NEVER HAVE A HYUNDAI AGAIN BECAUSE OF HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA AND THE WAY THEY PASS THE BUCK, WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. THEY ARE A HORRIBLE CORPORATION. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 30, 2014
I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALER FOR A 30,000 SERVICE. THEY SAID THE COMPUTER HAS AN UPGRADE TO THE SOFTWARE. AFTER THE UPGRADE, THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEEDS UP BY 4 - 5 MILES PER HOUR WHEN IT IS SET. FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU SET IT AT 65 MPH, IT WILL SPEED UP TO 69 OR 70 MPH AND THEN SLOW BACK DOWN TO 65. IT DOES THIS WHEN YOU INITIALLY SET THE SPEED OR IF YOU BRAKE AND THEN HIT THE "RESUME" BUTTON. IN THE CASE OF "RESUME", IF YOU INITIALLY SET IT AT 65 MPH AND USE THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN USE THE "RESUME" BUTTON, THE CAR WILL SPEED UP TO 69 OR 70 BEFORE GOING BACK DOWN TO 65. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL DO THIS NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU INITIAL SET IT AT. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN AND THE SERVICE PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE. SO THEY SAID THEY RAN THE UPGRADE TO THE SOFTWARE AGAIN, BUT IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THE SURGE IN SPEED WAS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE TOLERANCE RANGE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER DONE THAT AND THIS CAR DID NOT DO IT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE. IT IS PRETTY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 8, 2014
FIRST LET ME TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE, THE SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] TELLING ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, REPLACED THE A/C UNIT. BLUE TOOTH FUSES HAVE BLOWN OUT SEVERAL TIMES NO RADIO, THEY REPLACED THE FUSES, THEN REPLACED THE BATTERY ... THERE IS A ELECTRICAL SHORT SOME WHERE .. THE DATE ABOVE IN OCTOBER I WAS SO MAD I WAS TRAVELING ON A INTER STATE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE, THEN MY CAR LOST POWER,, AT 67 MPH NO BRAKES NO NOTHING THANKS GOD.. I HAD TO WAIT TO POWER DOWN... I WAITED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES SHAKING ... I KEPT TRYING TO START THE CAR WITH THE PUSH BUTTON START NOTHING HAPPENED I THEN CALLED HYUNDAI ROAD SERVICE ... AFTER WAITING ... FINALLY THE CAR STARTED .. I HAD POWER BUT NO RADIO ,,, I DROVE OFF THE INTER STATE AND IT WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM THE CAR DEALERSHIP.. I WAS SO MAD ALSO MY BLUE TOOTH AND ONE LIGHT BURNED OUT.. AFTER TALKING TO THE SERVICE MGR.. HE TOLD ME TO WAIT IN WHICH I DID...2 HOURS LATER A SERVICE GUY CAME TO TALK TO ME AND SAID HE COULD NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG AGAIN.. EXCEPT THAT HE WOULD REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB... AFTER THAT I ASKED THE SALES REP TO PUT ME INTO ANOTHER CAR.. THEY SAID OK BUT FOR 50.00 MORE A MONTH AND A LOSS OF 2 YEARS PAYING FOR THE CAR ... I THEN WENT TO THE SAME OWNER DEALERSHIP AND THEY WORKED WITH ME FOR 2 DAYS I GOT A NEW CAR 20.00 MORE A MONTH AND A LOSS OF 2 YEARS IN PAYMENTS... PLEASE NOTE THAT A NEW SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID HE WORKED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME IT LOOKS LIKE THE STARTER SWITCH WAS THE PROBLEM.. AFTER SEEING THE GM RECALL I GUESS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Mar 4, 2014
TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON DRIVERS SIDE BROKE OFF FROM THE CAR, IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN WE NOTICED IT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT , NO DAMAGE OR EVIDENCE OF SOMEONE HITTING IT. LOOKS LIKE THE PLASTIC PART OF THE LIGHT HOLDING IT TO THE BOLTS JUST BROKE OFF. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE AT ALL, OF THIS HAPPENING.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 5, 2014
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES AND PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO PREVENT SHOOTING INTO A INTERSECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY THREW A NUMBER OF CODES, AND A ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM CONDITION CODE, CHECK ENGINE CODE.... DEALER TELLS ME WHEN UNLOADED OFF THE TOW-TRUCK THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AFTER 6 DAYS OF HAVING THE CAR THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER IS TELLING ME NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 7, 2014, fire
I WAS GETTING READY FOR WORK AND THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS -2 DEGREES SO I WENT TO WARM UP THE CAR FOR 20 MINS AND THEN STARTED TO HEAD OUT TO WORK. AS I WAS LEAVING NOT EVEN 5 MINS LATER I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. SO I PULLED OVER AND STARTED TO SEE SMOKE, THEN I STARTED TO LOOK AROUND TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM AND I SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BACK SEAT RIGHT BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. SO I STARTED TAKING MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER REMOVING MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS, I WENT TO THE CAR AND NOW THERE WAS MORE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR SEAT CLOSEST TO THE REAR DOOR DRIVER SIDE. SO THEN I PULLED UP THE SEAT AND I SEE FLAMES, AND THERE WERE FLAMES, I CALL 911 AND THEY CAME LIKE IN 5 MINS.I'M JUST BLESSED THAT I DIDN'T HAVE MY KIDS WITH ME. *TR
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 3, 2013
I HAVE HAD ISSUES GALORE WITH MY CAR SINCE THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. FIRST ISSUE AND STILL IS JUST GAVE UP ON BRINGING IT BACK WAS THE STEERING THAT DRIFTED. THEN I HAD A SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR THAT MADE A LOUD NOISE. I ALSO HAVE A SOUND COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF. AFTER THAT I HAD A OIL LEAK IN IT'S FIRST YEAR. MY RADIO WENT OUT, MY DRIVER WINDOW STOP WORKING. MY TURBO QUIT ON ME. BATTERY DIED. I WAS STRANDED BY THE CAR 3 TIMES. IT WOULD TURN OVER FAST BUT NOT CRANK. I CALLED ROAD SIDE ON ONE OF THOSE. MY AIR BAG LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT RATTLES LIKE CHEAP PARTS. I HAVE CALLED HYUNDAI WITH NO RESPONSE AS OF YET. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I PAY A CAR NOT FOR A CAR I DON'T TRUST TO DRIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Nov 26, 2013, fire
WALKED OUT OF STORE I HAD BEEN SHOPPING IN FOR OVER AN HOUR AND CAR WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR EXPLAINED IT AS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT STARTED AT THE MAIN ENGINE WIRE HARNESS AND MELTED THE TUBING/WIRING ALL THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DOWN NEAR PASSENGER HEADLIGHT AND THE MELTING WIRES/TUBING/RUBBER DRIPPED AND IGNITED ON A PILE OF LEAVES UNDERNEATH THE CAR IN THE PARKING SPACE. THE RESULTING FIRE AND ELECTRICAL BURN MELTED ALL RUBBER PLASTIC,EXTERNAL BELTS, WIRE HARNESS, FRONT BUMPER, INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ANY PLASTIC RUBBER,FLUID LIDS, EXTERIOR PARTS SURROUNDING OR ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Electrical system, Oct 22, 2013
ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 1, 2103, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AS I STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE. I CHECKED AND RECHECKED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT WAS OFF AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. EVERY OTHER TIME OR SO, WHEN WE USED THE CAR, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND WE ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECKED TO ENSURE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS OFF. ON OCTOBER 7, 2103, WE WENT TO THE JENKINS HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND AFTER THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR THE COMPUTER. AS WE LEFT THE PLACE, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE 20 MILE TRIP HOME. THE HYUNDAI WARRANTY STATES THAT WE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS EITHER A BRAKE PROBLEM OR A COMPUTER AND I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE IT FIXED BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 20, 2013
AFTER LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT GOING ON/OFF FOR 2 DAYS(TIRE PRESSURE WAS FINE) ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK WENT TO PICKUP "FIXED" AUTO AND WHEN STARTED CAR ALL THE LIGHTS ON DASH LIT AGAIN. ANOTHER WEEK GOES BY AND THEY "FOUND" A FAULTY SRS CONTROL MODULE (AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE) WHICH THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED. NO ISSUES UNTIL OCT 7TH WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25MPH ALL LIGHTS LIT AGAIN ON DASH AND SPEEDOMETER AND RPM'S IMMEDIATELY WENT TO ZERO EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL MOVING. HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP. THEY "FOUND" A GROUND WIRE CORRODED AT LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER. CLEANED THE CONNECTION AND REINSTALLED...DID NOT REPLACE. WENT TO PICKUP CAR AFTER NUMEROUS TEST DRIVES BY DEALERSHIP ON OCT 18TH AND AGAIN UPON STARTING ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT AND COULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE STILL AT DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2013
WESTBOUND ON I-78 NEAR HARRISBURG, PA WHILE TRAVELING ON CRUISE CONTROL VEHICLE MOTOR INCREASED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM 65MPH TO OVER 72MPH TO THE POINT OF 80MPH BEFORE SEVERAL HARD FOOT PRESSURES ON BRAKE DISENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL. CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL TAP TO DISENGAGE. CALLED DEALER WHO SUGGESTED WE NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL AND ON RETURN HAD THEM SERVICE--DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE AND RETURNED CAR. ON 8-05-13 WHICH WAS NEXT HIGHWAY TRIP ON 440W IN STATEN ISLAND, NY WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 60MPH (FLOW OF TRAFFIC) CAR SUDDENLY MADE HIGH REVVING MOTOR NOISE, LURCHED FORWARD AND INCREASED SPEED TO 0VER 70MPH--BRAKE AGAIN DID MOT DISENGAGE CAR BUT HEAVY (VERY HEAVY) PRESSING ON DISENGAGE BUTTON SLOWED CAR. CAR TO BE LOOKED AT AFTER OUR RETURN--SCHEDULED CHECK 8-13-13. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2013, fire
HAD MY SONATA FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND A HALF. I THOUGHT I SMELLED GAS IN THE CAR, BUT FIGURED I MUST HAVE SPILLED GAS ON MY SPORT COAT THE LAST TIME I WORE IT. STARTING THE CAR, I HAD TO HOLD THE START ENGINE BUTTON DOWN FOR AN EXTRA SECOND WHICH WAS WEIRD, BUT I FIGURED MAYBE I WAS LOOKING INTO THINGS. I HAD MY WINDOWS DOWN SINCE I THOUGHT I SMELLED GAS. AFTER DRIVING FOR A BIT MY CAR DIED SUDDENLY, AS I WAS PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO GET MY SON FROM HIS CAR SEAT AND THEN I SAW THAT THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 4, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 77 NORTH BOUND IN NORTH CAROLINA I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS FLICKERING BUT THERE WAS NO ONE OR NOTHING ON THE SEAT TO WARRANT THE LIGHT TURNING ON. SO I REACHED OVER AND SNAPPED THE SEAT BELT IN AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. ABOUT 10 MILES AFTERWARDS THE EPS LIGHT STARTS FLICKING AS WELL AS THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE DASH, NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND POWER STEERING GOES STIFF. I MANAGE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AVOIDING GETTING STRUCK BY A CAR OR TRUCK AND I AM NOT ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR BACK ON. I AM ABLE TO TURN ON ALL OTHER ITEMS ( RADIO, TURN SIGNALS, INTERIOR LISGHTS) I AM NOT ABLE TO USE THE BLUE LINK SERVICE SO I HAD TO CALL AAA AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP 18 MILES AWAY. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP LOOKS INTO THE ISSUE, ITS SUNDAY AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSED. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2013
THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN LOCKING AND ACTIVATING ALARM. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF AGAIN, THEN THEY SHUT OFF. I AWAKE THE NEXT MORNING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START, THE BATTERY APPEARED TO BE DEAD. AFTER A JUMP I LEFT FOR WORK AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS. THE CAR THEN ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD GET CONSIDERABLY BRIGHTER AND THEN BACK TO NORMAL LIKE A FLASH WHEN ACTIVATED THE TURN SIGNAL OCCASIONALLY. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WILL ALSO BLINK OUT FROM TIME TO TIME. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI SHOP. I GOT IT BACK YESTERDAY BUT IT STILL APPEARS TO BE DOING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVEN'T EVEN MADE MY FIRST PAYMENT ON IT YET. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2013
CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE BY HITTING CANCEL OR TURNING IT OFF. IT WOULD ONLY DISENGAGE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS ENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THE BRAKE INTERLOCK SWITCH WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE, IF IT HAD FAILED AGAIN THE ONLY OPTION WOULD HAVE BEEN TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT IT OFF. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, May 25, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND SLOWING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS FAILED. I LOST THE POWER STEERING, BRAKING AND GAS. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE CONSOLE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO ALLOW THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP ON ITS OWN - IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED, OR IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN CROSSING THE ROAD, THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH, MUCH WORSE. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED, I PUT IT IN PARK AND THE LIGHTS STAYED ON. I TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN BACK ON AND IT TURNED RIGHT BACK ON AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS IN SERVICE FOR 5 DAYS, AND THEY CLAIM TO BE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. SINCE THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE, AND LEMON LAW STATE THAT AN ISSUE MUST OCCUR 3 TIMES, I HAVE NO COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE BESIDES BUYING A NEW CAR AND TAKING ON ADDED EXPENSE, OR DRIVING THIS CAR, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE SAFE FROM DEFECT AND HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI AS WELL. *TR