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, Suspension, Aug 31, 2014
UPON EXITING HIGHWAY RAMP, WHILE STEERING A LEFT TURN OFF OF THE RAMP, I HEARD A FAIRLY LOUD THUD SOUND. ONCE I CAME OUT OF THE TURN THE SOUND DISAPPEARED. THIS NOISE WAS STARTLING, AS I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR. I REVIEWED THE CARFAX AND DID NOT NOTE ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE REPORTS AND THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER WITH A PERSONAL LEASE. I HAVE HAD CONTROL ARM PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH MY PONTIAC GRAND AM AND THIS SOUND WAS VERY FAMILIAR TO ME. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS ISSUE AND ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THIS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS IF THE CONTROL ARM BREAKS AND PULL FROM THE AXLE. *TR
Steering, Aug 27, 2014
I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND POINTED OUT TO THE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS A "CLICKING" WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT IT WAS LOOSE. HE STATED TO ME THAT THIS WAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND THAT IT WOULD GET PROGRESSIVELY WORST. I THEN ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND HE SAID NOT YET. I WOULD HAVE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED AND POSSIBLY AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Steering, Aug 10, 2014
WHILE IN TRANSIT VEHICLE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THIS IMMEDIATELY CAUSED A DIFFICULT OPERATING EXPERIENCE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Mar 4, 2014
VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN STRAIGHT LINE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 70 MPH. STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK IN CURRENT POSITION, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO TURN. IT IS AS IF THE STEERING IS HELD IN POSITION BY A MAGNET AND THE MAGNETIC FIELD HAS TO BE BROKEN IN ORDER TO TURN THE WHEEL. STEERING THEN "JUMPS" TO NEW POSITION INSTEAD OF TURNING SMOOTHLY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO GET WORSE THE LONGER IT IS DRIVEN AT HIGH SPEED. *TR
Steering, Feb 16, 2014
VEHICLE DRIFTS LEFT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM BUT NOW THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED WITH A SLOP IN STEERING OR A DEAD ZONE TWO INCHES OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, WHERE THE CAR DRIFTS AND YOU HAVE TO CORRECT CONSTANTLY, CAUSING AN UNSAFE OVER CORRECTION TO STAY IN YOUR LANE OF TRAVEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 70 MPH AND GETS WORSE THE LONGER YOU DRIVE IT ONE HOUR OR MORE. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING LINKAGE DIS-CONNECTS AND THEN ENGAGES. *TR
Steering, Jan 2, 2014
IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE CAR DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO OVER CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT IS VERY HARD TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE. I FEEL LIKE THE CAR CONSTANTLY WANDERS AND NOW WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN WE ARE CORRECTING THE CAR THE WHEEL IS STARTING TO STICK. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND I WORRY FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS MY FOUR YEAR OLD AND MY WIFE'S. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I KNOW WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES HAVING THIS ISSUE! *TR
Steering, Dec 31, 2013
MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, IT IS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTIONS. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DOES NOT WANT TO STAY IN ITS LANE. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, ONCE FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND ONCE FOR CHANGING THE SETTING FOR THE ELECTRIC STEERING. I INFORMED HYUNDAI OF AMERICA ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE CAR SHOULD BE WORKING AS IT SHOULD AND THAT IS ALL THEY CAN DO. *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
Steering, Nov 8, 2013
CAR HAS BEEN WANDERING ALL OVER FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND ALL ROADS. 2ND SONATA IN THREE YEARS BOTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE STEERING TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. *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
Steering, Jul 30, 2013
CAR VEERED RAPIDLY TO THE LEFT WHEN STEERING WHEEL RELEASED. DEALER CHANGED SHOCK IN REAR. NOW CAR WANDERS EXCESSIVELY AND IS HARD TO KEEP IN LANE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR HAS BEEN "REALIGNED " 3 TIMES IN 16 MONTHS TO NO AVAIL. VEHICLE IS TIRING ON LING TRIPS. *TR
Steering, Jul 24, 2013
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS REQUIRES CONSTANT STEERING INPUT TO TRACK STRAIGHT DOWN INTERSTATE. LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT. THIS IS AN UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITION. STEERING IS WAY TOO SENSITIVE. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO DISENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CAN NOT REPLICATE THEREFORE CAN NOT REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Jun 17, 2013
WE PURCHASES THIS VEHICLE IN 2012. WE NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING WE HAVE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY TIGHT TO STAY IN HIGHWAY LANES. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING PULLS RIGHT AND LEFT CAUSING US TO WANDER REALLY CLOSE TO OTHERS LANES. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX IT. WE FEEL VERY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND FEAR AN ACCIDENT IS WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Steering, Jun 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TIGHTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. *TR
Steering, Jun 15, 2013
AS A RESULT OF THE WANDERING STEERING ISSUE, I HAVE CONCLUDED MY 2012, HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED 2.0T IS UNSAFE. UP UNTIL THIS REPORT, I HAVE TOLERATED THE STEERING. ON JUNE 14, 2013, I NEARLY CROSSED OVER THE CENTER OF A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY NEARLY HITTING AN 18-WHEEL SEMI TRUCK HEAD ON. THE STEERING IS NOT SAFE. DUE TO THE VERY LIGHT NATURE OF THE STEERING AND LACK OF PROGRESSION JUST OFF CENTER, THERE IS TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE CENTER OF THIS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THIS PLAY RESULTS IN A SLIGHT DELAY IN RESPONSE TO SMALL STEERING INPUTS. ALONG WITH A POOR FACTORY SUSPENSION SETUP THAT IS TOO STIFF, THE CAR EASILY BEGINS TO WANDER ON EVEN THE SMOOTHEST OF ROADS. AN EXAMPLE IS NOTED. CAR MOVES RIGHT. I RESPOND WITH LEFT INPUT. CAR MOVES LEFT. HOWEVER, DELAY IN STEERING RESPONSE TO CENTER CAR RESULTS IN OVERSHOOTING CENTER POSITION OF THE LANE. THEN HAVE TO PROVIDE RIGHT STEERING INPUT, AGAIN WITH DELAY IN RESPONSE TO INPUT. AS A RESULT, THE CAR BECOMES STUCK IN A LEFT TO RIGHT OSCILLATION. EVEN IF I LIGHTEN UP ON THE INPUTS, I CANNOT ELIMINATE THE OSCILLATION BECAUSE NO ROAD IS PERFECTLY FLAT. ADD IN CROSSWINDS, IT ONLY GETS WORSE. I AM AWARE OF NUMEROUS REPORTS CONCERNING THE WANDERING STEERING OF THE HYUNDAI SONATA. I AM ALSO AWARE OF SOME OWNERS HAVING THE STEERING MODE CHANGED TO SPORT, BUT I AM NOT CONVINCED THIS WILL HELP MUCH IF I CHOOSE TO HAVE THIS DONE. THE POOR SUSPENSION (TOO MUCH DAMPING) ALONG WITH THE LOW PROFILE TIRES WILL STILL BE THERE, AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY CAN GET THE STEERING TO WORK WELL WITH THE SUSPENSION. OVERALL, THE LIGHT, SLOW TO RESPOND STEERING AND A TOO STIFF SUSPENSION ARE NOT A GOOD MATCH FOR EACH OTHER UNDER DAILY DRIVING. THE STEERING IS PROGRESSIVE DURING MORE AGGRESSIVE DRIVING, EVEN THOUGH IT LACKS GOOD FEEDBACK. *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
Steering, Apr 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED FULL FORCE APPLIED TO THE WHEEL IN ORDER TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STEERING WHICH FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
Steering, Service brakes, Apr 8, 2013, crash
THERE ARE ACTUALLY 2 ISSUES GOING ON. FIRST OFF, I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2011 (TO REPLACE A GM LEMON) AND EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT. SECOND ISSUE, I LEFT WORK PULLING ONTO THE ROAD, DROVE A COUPLE OF BLOCKS WHEN TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED AT THE UPCOMING LIGHT; THEREFORE I HAD NOT COMPLETELY BUILT UP SPEED TO THE SPEED LIMIT (40) WHEN I HAD TO STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND DID NOT COMPLETELY STOP BEFORE HITTING THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN FRONT OF ME, I FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, THE CAR STARTED TO STOP BUT THE BRAKES KEPT GOING FURTHER DOWN TO THE FLOOR, WITH NO FEELING OF STOPPING. THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANY( GM) SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES SO I TOOK IT TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER, WHO DID FIND THAT MY BRAKE LINES HAD AIR IN THEM. I DON'T KNOW HOW SINCE I HAD NEVER HAD THEM WORKED ON AND IT'S A SEALED SYSTEM. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN CALLED HYUNDAI, THEY ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER. WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED, I MENTIONED THAT THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT SO THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT ON IT, SINCE IT WAS A FRONT END CRASH. THEY DID NOTICE THE PULLING BUT THE ALIGNMENT DID NOT HELP AND THOUGHT I MAY HAVE A BAD TIRE, BUT WITH 21,000 MILES, WOULD NOT REPLACE IT. I GET MY TIRES ROTATED FAITHFULLY AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOLD THEY ARE WEARING OUT. THIS IS THE FIRST FOREIGN CAR I'VE OWNED AND (AS PREV. NOTED) GOT IT TO REPLACE A GM LEMON, NOW I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND I HAVE TO USE IT TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE STATE. BETWEEN THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. DID I GET ANOTHER LEMON? SINCE I CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANY SATISFACTION,I'M CONTACTING YOU, I'M TIRED OF CALLING THE HYUNDAI DEALER SINCE THEY SAY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I DON'T WANT TO GET SATISFACTION, ONLY AFTER MY FAMILY IS WRITING MY OBITUARY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jan 26, 2013
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2012 SONATA LIMITED TURBO. I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY LOYAL TO THE HYUNDAI SONATA BRAND, THIS BEING MY FOURTH SONATA. I PURCHASED 2 OF THEM USED (BOTH 2006'S) AND THE OTHER TWO BRAND NEW (2009 & 2012). UNTIL THIS MOST RECENT NEW VEHICLE, I HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE THREE OTHERS. THEY ARE PRETTY AMAZING CARS, IF YOU ASK ME. THEY ARE A WORLD AWAY FROM HYUNDAI?S FIRST IMPORTS OF THE EXCEL IN 1986. VIN NUMBER IS[XXX]. HAVING DRIVEN THE CAR A SHORT TIME, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THE CAR WANDERED EXCESSIVELY AND ALWAYS FELT ON THE PARKWAY THAT YOU WERE DRIVING ON THE CREST OF THE ROAD. AT 65 MPH AND ABOVE, MY IMPRESSION IS THAT THIS CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I WROTE TO HYUNDAI ON FEBRUARY 15TH, 2012 WHEN THE CAR HAD 475 MILES ON IT. I WAS GIVEN CASE NUMBER [XXX]. L THOUGHT IT WAS ALIGNMENT PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE WANDERING CONDITION. WHEN PICKING IT UP, I ASKED ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THERE WAS AN AIR PRESSURE PROBLEM. NO ALIGNMENT WAS DONE. ON A WINDING ROAD, IT IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I WROTE AGAIN TO HYUNDAI ON JULY 19ST. I WAS GIVEN CASE NUMBER [XXX]. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD BE CONTACTING THE SERVICE MANAGER. I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM HYUNDAI. I'D LIKE A FACTORY REP OR ZONE MANAGER TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND THEN EXAMINE IT TO DETERMINE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO THIS CAR TO EITHER FIX IT, OR REPLACE IT. I?D ALSO LIKE TO DRIVE AN IDENTICAL 2012 TURBO TO SEE IF IT IS PERHAPS, JUST MY CAR THAT IS PROBLEMATIC. THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN THREE DIFFERENT TIMES TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. BOTH SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, HOWEVER, INDEPENDANT SHOPS AND OTHER PEOPLE DRIVING THIS CAR CORNFIRM THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAYS. IF YOU WERE TO LOSE CONCENTRATION FOR EVEN A MOMENT, YOU WOULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Dec 29, 2012
BOUGHT CAR AS NEW WITH 6172 MILES, CAR HAS CONSISTENT PULL TO RIGHT, WHEN TRYING TO MAKE CORRECTION, CAR STARTS TO PULL HARDER. DROVE CAR ON SNOWY ROADS AND WAS UNABLE TO KEEP CAR IN LANE AT A SAFE DRIVING SPEED WITH TRAFFIC, CAUSING ME TO SLOW AND BECAME A HAZARD ON ROADWAY. HAVE TAKEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS 4 TIMES BEING TOLD "THAT THIS A NORMAL CONDITION AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG". HAVE TAKEN TO THIRD PARTY REPAIR SHOP, WHO HAS DOCUMENTED A PULLING PROBLEM, BUT UNABLE TO REPAIR DUE TO WHAT THEY DIAGNOSE AS A COMPUTER POWER ASSIST PROBLEM. DRIVE CAR ONLY ON DRY ROADS AND NOT BEING USED FOR DAILY USE DUE TO THIS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STEERING CONDITION. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Dec 28, 2012
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR STEERING ISSUE. CAR PULLS TO RIGHT NO MATTER ROAD CONDITIONS, TYPE OF ROAD, OR SPEED OF VEHICLE. CAR SHOWED EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AROUND 3500 MILES. IN TOTAL CAR HAS BEEN ALIGNED FIVE TIMES, FOUR NEW TIRES PUT ON CAR, NEW STRUTS AND MOUNTS, AND NEW SHOCKS. HAD INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DRIVE VEHICLE AFTER VEHICLE "REPAIRED" FIFTH TIME AND HE SAID THERE IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY TO INFORM THEM THAT THEIR LAST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FAILED. THEY BASICALLY BLEW MY HUSBAND OFF AND TOLD HIM THE CAR IS FIXED. HOWEVER, CAR IS STILL PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND HE IS EXPERIENCING ARM FATIGUE FROM THE PULLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Dec 21, 2012
SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS. IT TRACKS CONSTANTLY TO THE LEFT AND IS EXHAUSTING HOLDING THE WHEEL IN LINE ON LONGER TRIPS. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY HAVE GIVEN A VARIETY OF REASONS/EXCUSES. THE FIELD MANAGER CAME OUT AND WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, ALL THEY SAID WAS IT WAS FINE AND NOTHING WAS DONE. IT IS WEARING THE TIRES. I SAW THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF FIX FOR THE 2011, BUT CLEARLY THIS NEEDS A FIX. *TR
Steering, Dec 5, 2012
SINCE THE FIRST DAY I LEASED THIS VEHICLE I'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING. I WAS TOLD THAT ONLY HAPPENED IN THE 2011 SONATA AND IT HAS BEEN CORRECTED. THE DEALER TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG! SURELY THERE IS! THE CAR HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN WHEN DRIVING. IT IS ALL OVER THE ROAD, WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKE IT GOES OFF TO THE LEFT. I HAD TO REACT FAST IN A SITUATION, AND I TRULY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO FLIP OVER DUE TO THE STEERING. THE 2012 SONATA IS A VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT COMES TO THE STEERING. *TR
Steering, Sep 22, 2012, crash
WHILE BRAKING HARD TO AVOID A COYOTE, VEHICLE PULLED HARD RIGHT EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRYING TO STEER LEFT. WAS PULLED OFF ROAD TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A DRIVEWAY. CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO UNDER CARRIAGE AND BUMPER. NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP OF THE ISSUE WHILE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM. AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2011, I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM HYUNDAI BLUE LINK THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ESC (ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL). BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN ERROR WITH THE BLUE LINK SYSTEM. A MONTH LATER, ANOTHER E-MAIL, TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS AND A CLOCK WHEEL SENSOR WAS DEAD IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE ESC ADJUSTS PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE CALIPERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE IN THE SAME DIRECTION BEFORE BRAKING. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT IF A SENSOR WAS BAD IN THE STEERING COLUMN, IT WOULD AFFECT THE BRAKING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IMPROPERLY APPLY BRAKING PRESSURE THUS PULLING THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. CONTACTED INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY WERE PURSUING HYUNDAI ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 22, 2012
2012 SONATA WILL NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, IT PULLS TO THE LEFT MOSTLY BUT ALSO TO THE RIGHT. BASICALLY THE CAR SWERVES ALL OVER THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME ALL FOREIGN CARS DRIVE LIKE THIS. THEY ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR. HYUNDAI ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO FIX THE 2011 SONATAS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, WHY CAN'T THEY JUST DO THE SAME FOR THE 2012S? *TR