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: steering
301 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 18, 2026
Unknown, my ESP KEEPS Coming trying to see if it’s recall
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 29, 2025, fire
Based on what I experienced, the fire appears to have resulted from an internal mechanical or electrical failure that occurred without warning while the vehicle was in motion. No prior issues or dashboard alerts were present at the time, and there was no external impact or damage that could explain the fire.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 26, 2024, fire
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that various functions on the steering wheel including the horn, cruise control, and other electrical functions; all failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that a warranty had been placed on the vehicle for the clock spring which they linked to the failure. The steering wheel also began to stick soon after the diagnosis. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the dealer could not provide an appointment until months out. The contact then stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact began to pull over as the EPS(Electrical Power Steering) and several other warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. As the contact opened the door, a fellow motorist had also pulled over to alert the contact that the vehicle was on fire. Soon after exiting the vehicle, the entire vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames. The fire department quickly arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact was not injured, no other occupants were inside the vehicle, and the contact was unsure if a fire or police report was filed. Some of the grass and trees in the area had caught fire as a result of the failure. The remains of the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 16, 2024
The brake lights keep going off, they have been replaced several times. The passenger airbag deployed on a stop sign and cracked the entire windshield. The steering wheel feels like it’s going to come off. Please help
Steering, Dec 28, 2023
The power steering has failed to work on multiple occasions and I’m worried that it may happen during a tight manuver and possibly cause a wreck. This is very dangerous. When this power steering stops working it is way harder to turn than a car with no power at all.
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 12, 2023
Steering has a clunking/clicking sound when turning left or right. It has gotten worse from when I noticed it. At first I could hear a faint rattling sound when going over bumps in the road (more noticeable in colder time of the year). Now for the past 2-3 years it’s very noticeable and makes clunking like noise every time turning even when parked. When I first heard the faint noise my mechanic couldn’t hear it. He said I have to hear it to know for sure but said it’s possibly the steering column And at that time he priced it at $500 I’m sure it’s more now with this economy. I didn’t get it fixed bc he wasn’t sure and I didn’t want to pay to get it fixed if that wasn’t the problem. I had no idea I could file this complaint otherwise I would have done it sooner! This problem started January 2019. Also the gas gage will blink and say I have no gas even tho I filled up. The sensor to gaging the gas I believe is faulty. Hard to show a mechanic because it does it randomly starting the car, while driving, after filling up to name a few. Then the lines will fill in while driving, stopped at a traffic light/stop sign, starting the car. It will stay good for a while and act up again. This has been doing it so long I’d say it started a few years after owning so around 2015 about 45,000 miles. I’m lucky that I have jobs 5-10mins from my home I haven’t put on miles that most do. Again I would have put in a complaint if I knew of this site. Anyone driving this car could cause an accident if it runs out of gas in the middle of driving.
Power train, Steering, Aug 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle downshifted unintendedly and decelerated. The contact stated that she shifted into neutral(N). The contact pulled over to the side of the road and remained there for several minutes. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure recurred while the vehicle was being test-driven; however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the steering wheel needed to be disassembled to inspect the paddle shifters. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,300.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2023
Daughter was driving her car on interstate, doing 75, in the middle of traffic when the car would jerk and then loose power. The gas petal stopped working and the check engine light would come on. She had to make her way over to the shoulder, without causing an accident. Once car gets shut off and you wait a few minutes, you can start it and drive it home. This has happened about 4 times now. We are lucky that this hasn't caused an accident! This last time (yesterday), the check engine light stayed on and we were able to hook up the dianostic reader and it read the code for the crankshaft positioning sensor A circut. It says online that this is a common problem with that car and is very dangerous. How is this not up for a recall? My daughter is scared to drive her car.
Steering, Jan 29, 2023
Steering wheel has a clicking clunking sound when turning right and left a mechanic told me it is the yolk in the sterring problem and he was sure there was a recall about this
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 29, 2022
Power steering loses power and window between speedometer and tach goes blank. Car keeps running but no power steering and cannot take out of park. Must restart the car to solve issue. Happened several times while at idle, in park. Happened once while in drive, at idle while stopped, and was able to drive forward when I discovered no power steering. Concerned it could happen while driving.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 22, 2022
I purchased my 2012 Hyundai Sonata on 4-7-22. The car has had no mechanical work, no accidents and has less than 1000 miles. On 9-16-22 i was driving my car home and was less than five minutes away on the highway. My car began to decelerate, I attempted to stop at a red light but my car would not give me control and the brake was rock solid and would not push down. I also could not turn the car off via the start button as the car would not let me. My engine ESC light came on the dashboard in red and the engine completely halted. To get to safety as i was on the highway with oncoming traffic i steered the car to the right on the ramp .I exited the vehicle as it began to smoke ,i thought it would catch fire so i moved far away and called my boyfriend for help and a tow truck to get the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to College park Hyundai 9500 Baltimore Ave., College park, MD 20740.I looked up my car and noticed there are recalls for this engine and a few other recalls as i told the dealership. The car is currently being inspected and the dealer said they would get back to me. Once the service department received the car they told me the recall most likely will not effect my vehicle. I don't believe that to be true and i was put in danger because of this engine issue with Hyundai.
Steering, May 23, 2022
Steering mechanism is loose and is failing. The steering in my Hyundai is getting worse and sounding very bad.
Steering, Sep 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a turn, the contact heard a clicking noise when making a slight turn on the vehicle. The contact felt that the steering wheel was oversteering while making slight turns in either direction. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a steering column coupler that was worn out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering, Sep 28, 2021
Steering wheel couplet is broken causing the steering wheel to make a clanking noise when driving or going over little bumps on the road. It also makes the steering wheel and I believe tires make clanking noise when making a turn or pulling out of a driveway.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 9, 2021
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN VEHICLE WOULDN'T START DUE TO THE INTERIOR FUSE BOX GONE BAD ONCE FIXED WHILE DRIVE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET THE STEERING WHEEL BEGIN CLICK WHILE TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT AND ALMOST LOCKED ON ME THE 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA STEERING COLUMN FLEXIBLE COUPLER WENT BAD AND FROM MY RESEARCH THIS SEEM TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THERE CAR
Steering, Mar 18, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE IN REVERSE, MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE IN MANUAL STEERING MODE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI (12801 SOUTH, ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000
Steering, Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 13, 2020
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN HITTING BRAKES AND IS LOOSE. THE PASSENGER WINDOW ON ONE SIDE DOES NOT GO DOWN. THE AIRBAG SIGNAL STAYS ON.
Steering, Air bags, Nov 6, 2020
SEEMS STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE, KEEP GIVING CLANKING SOUNDS. ALSO AIRBAG WARNING SIGN KEEPS COMING.
Steering, Nov 6, 2020
CLUNKING IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN ROCKING LEFT AND RIGHT. PLASTIC STEERING WHEEL COUPLER WORN. YOU NEED A RECALL ON THIS!
Steering, Sep 24, 2020
LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. ALSO VERY AUDIBLE NOISES FROM FRONT END WHEN HITTING BUMPS. ALSO TRAVELS INTO STEERING WHEEL. STEERING FEELS UNSAFE AND LOOSE LIKE WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF.
Steering, Sep 17, 2020
STEERING WHEEL NOISE. IN ADDITION, LOUD CLANKING NOISES WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS AND BUMPY ROADS WITH VIBRATIONS COMING TO THE STEERING WHEEL. VERY SIMILAR TO THE DESCRIPTIONS ON THE NHTSA PAGES.
Steering, Aug 27, 2020
SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED FROM A RECALL, THE STEERING STARTED CLICKING AND RATTLING. WORSE ON ROUGHER TERRAIN AND THE INTERSTATE, BUT BASICALLY MAKES THE NOISE WITH ANY MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, I AM NOT SURE WHY HYUNDAI IS NOT FIXING THIS ISSUE. IT IS PRETTY BAD THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD 8 TO 10 RECALLS.
Steering, Air bags, Aug 15, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING NOISES. WHEN EVER I'M DRIVING, GOING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG STAYS ON.
Steering, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 11, 2020
THE EPS JUST CAME ON WHEN I CRUNK MY CAR UP YESTERDAY EVENING. THE SEATVELT LIGHT BEEN ON ABOUT A WEEK NOW
Steering, Aug 10, 2020
STEERING WHEEL CLICKS CONSTANTLY AND DRIVE SHAFT GIGGLES AND MAKES LOUD CLUCKING NOISES, ESPECIALLY ON ROUGH TERRAIN IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO SNAP AND I LOOSE ALL STEERING AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I WENT TO GET IT FIXED AND THE MECHANIC STATED HE COULDN'T DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF IT.