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, Feb 13, 2019
I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN DECEMBER 2018 AND I WAS INFORMED TO CHECK MY STEERING FOR THE COUPLING, BUT THAT WE WOULD. IT FALL UNDER THE WARRANTY. JAN 31. 2019 WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND THEN IT STALED. I TOOK TO A MECHANIC. WHO CALLED ME AND STATED THAT MY STEERING COUPLING WAS SHAVED DOWN AND CAUSE MY STEERING NOT TO WORK WHICH ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY TIE RODS. HE TOLD ME THIS WAS A RECALL FOR CAMPAIGN 132 BUT I INFORMED HIM THAT IN 2016 ACTUAL PART. I ALSO WENT BACK AND LOOKED TO SEE IF I HAD THE COUPLING PART ON MY RECEIPTS AND THERE IS NOTHING ON IT.
Steering, Feb 12, 2019
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL THERE'S A CLUNKING NOISE. IT HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY, OR WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING. HAD A WORN STEERING COUPLER REPLACED 1-10-19. HAVING SAME NOISE. NOW THEY SAY IT'S THE STEERING SHAFT AND IT'S GOING TO COST $420. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 9, 2019, crash
THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED A STALLED ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CAR COASTED, DESPITE REPEATED BRAKING ATTEMPTS, AND JUMPED A CURB AND STOPPED WHEN IT RAN OVER ONTO A PERSON'S LAWN. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STEER AND STOP MULTIPLE TIMES. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE TWO DRIVER SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE CAR WILL BE TOWED TO A DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED.
Steering, Feb 8, 2019
STEERING COUPLER HAS DISINTEGRATED ALLOWING DANGEROUS FREE PLAY IN STEERING ACCORDING TO AUTO TECH. OCCURS WHILE STATIONARY IF WHEEL IS MOVED SIDE TO SIDE, AS WELL AS IN MOTION. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROX 6MO BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE SO IT WAS JUST TAKEN TO A PRIVATE GARAGE FOR DIAGNOSIS. I REVIEWED FOR RECALLS BUT DID NOT FIND ANY FOR THIS ISSUE WITH THIS VIN. I BELIEVE MANUFACTURE SHOULD COVER REPAIRS DUE TO NATURE OF PROBLEM.
Steering, Jan 29, 2019
STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THEN BEGAN OPERATING AGAIN WHILE IN MOTION. ALSO A KNOCKING WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT.
Steering, Jan 20, 2019
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE. RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAS BEEN TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH IS EXTREMELY COSTLY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WHILE DRIVING. AS OF DATE, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL CAMPAIGN, ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 200 COMPLAINTS REGISTERED WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA). WILL HYUNDAI ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?
Steering, Jan 12, 2019
STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO LEFT. NOISE ALSO HEARD WHEN CAR GOES OVER A SPEED BUMP OR POTHOLES
Steering, Suspension, Jan 2, 2019
MAYOR WORLD PUT NEW BALL JOINTS STEERING NEED ALIGNMENT THEY DON WANT TO DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT JOB I PURCHASE A 3 YEAR SERVICE THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX NOTHING UNDER THE CONTRACT SERVICE..
Steering, Jan 1, 2019
WHEN STARTING THE CAR, EPS CAME UP. TRIED TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY, BUT STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED.
Steering, Dec 21, 2018
CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND SHAKING STRERING COLUMN AT ALL TIMES
Steering, Dec 20, 2018
STEERING COLUMN KNOCKLNG. LOUD RATTLE NOISE WHEN TURNLNG STEERING WHEEL .SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS..STEERING COULD LOCK UP.CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.NOISE IS CONSTANT WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION
Steering, Dec 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A SHOPPING MALL, THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DAYTONA HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 901 N NOVA RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32117, (877) 365-8991) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,351.
Steering, Nov 29, 2018
STEERING COUPLING WORN OUT CLICKING NOISE AND EXCESS PLAY WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL
Steering, Nov 20, 2018
STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE, VIBRATES, CLICKS, VERY LOOSE STEERING, NOT GOOD CONTROL SEEMS THE STEERING WHEEL IS DEFECTIVE SOMEHOW BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WETHER DRIVING STRAIGHT OR TURNING.
Steering, Oct 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BOB KING HYUNDAI AT (336) 724-2861 (LOCATED AT 1601 SILAS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 11679903. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Steering, Oct 15, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SPORT DURST HYUNDAI, 4511 DURHAM CHAPEL HILL BLVD, DURHAM, NC 27707, (919) 489-6531) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Steering, Oct 10, 2018
CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. STARTED OFF VERY SOFT POPPING/CLICKING SOUND FEW MONTHS IN IT IS VERY LOUD AND NOW GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD IT HAS GOTTEN VERY LOUD. ALSO MAKES SOUND WHEN SITTING AND JUST TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD GIVE OUT AT ANY MOMENT.
Steering, Oct 4, 2018
STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. CAN BE HEARD WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR ON AND HAVE IT IN PARK AND TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. CAN BE HEARD BOTH WAYS. I HAVE BEEN READING A FEW COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME. ONLY HAVE 42,000 MILES ON MY CAR. WILL THIS BE A RECALL?
Steering, Oct 3, 2018
MAKES A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. STARTED 3 WEEKS AGO, AT 1ST, IT WAS A QUARTER IN EITHER DIRECTION, WHILE STATIONARY, & HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE TO NOW 1/16 TURN & EVEN SOMETIMES IN MOTION. MY VEHICLE HAS ALMOST 119,000 MILES IT NOW.& I FOUND A STEERING COUPLING RECALL FOR THIS FOR MY VEHICLE,BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ONE, & THE RECALL I FOUND WAS FOR 100,000 MILES. FROM WHAT I READ THIS IS A $5.00 PART & THEY ARE CHARGING $300.00 - $700.00 TO FIX? TO MY KNOWLEDGE I'VE ONLY RECEIVED 4/5 RECALL NOTICES #123, #132 ,#136, #160 & #169. I FOUND A SONATA STEERING COUPLING EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YRS OR 100,00 MILES TXX7 ISSUED ON FEB 27,2017 THAT I NEVER RECEIVED, & SINCE MINE NOW HAS ALMOST 119,000 MILES, IT SHOULD STILL BE COVERED. THEY SAY THIS DEFECT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT'S PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE, BUT WHEN THE TY-ROD OR RACK & PINION BREAKS & CAUSES A CRASH..TO ME THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Oct 3, 2018
WHILE STATIONARY, TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND AND HAS TO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING. WHILE IN MOTION IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, AGAIN WAY TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING. THIS IS CAUSE OF CONCERN. BEEN NOTICING FOR A FEW MONTHS
Steering, Sep 21, 2018
VERY LOUD CLICKING / POPING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION
Steering, Sep 17, 2018
CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. STARTED OFF VERY SOFT POPPING/CLICKING SOUND FEW MONTHS IN IT IS VERY LOUD AND NOW GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD IT HAS GOTTEN VERY LOUD. SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD GIVE OUT AT ANY MOMENT. I WAS TOLD BY THE HYUNDAI DEALER THE COST IS $400 TO FIX FOR A $3.00 PART. THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED FOR THE STEERING TO GO OUT. IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO OCCUR I WILL CERTAINLY BE CALLING MY LAWYER. HYUNDAI FIX YOUR PROBLEMS BEFORE WE GO ELSEWHERE.
Steering, Sep 16, 2018
STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING AND HAS SLIGHT RESISTANCE.
Steering, Sep 8, 2018
ABOUT A YEAR AGO I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY STICKY AND HARD TO TURN ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEELS IN THE SONATA STICK A LITTLE. ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I STARTED HEARING A CLICKING/POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. ON SEP 1, 2018 I NOTICED THAT WHEN MY CAR WAS PARKED AND STILL RUNNING THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STICKY AND MAKING A CLICKING/POPPING NOISE. WE BROUGHT IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHICH CHECKED THE FRONT END AND SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD. HE NOTICED THE CLICKING/POPPING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND SAID THIS WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE.. I HAVE HAD MY HYUNDAI FOR 5 YEARS AND IT'S BEEN ONE RECALL AFTER ANOTHER OR THEY ARE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR. HYUNDAI SHOULD START TO RECALL THE SONATA'S FOR THIS STEERING WHEEL ISSUE AS I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IT COULD BE SERIOUS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 20, 2018
STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO SHAKE AND RATTLE AFTER RENTING A CERTAIN SPEED LIMIT. MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD SAFELY HYUNDAI NEED TO STOP BEING SO [XXX] CHEAP AND PUT A RECALL OUT ON THIS [XXX] BECAUSE I KNOW MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE DOING THIS, YOU SHOULD LOOK IT UP ONLINE AND YOU WILL BE SURPRISED AT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE OUT THERE ABOUT THIS STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR