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
1,557 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Dec 3, 2020
LOUD BEEPING ALARM GOES OFF, THE POWER BEHIND THE GAS PEDAL STARTS TO DECREASE AND BREAKS START TO MAKE A TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND. THE SCREEN SAYS TO STOP SO I HAVE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. EVEN AFTER I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE YELLOW '(!)' SIGN WAS STILL FLASHING AND THE BEEPING ALARM STARTED AGAIN. THE SCREEN SAYS 'HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING...' THEN CHANGES TO 'CHECK BRAKES'. THE RED EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. IT HAS DONE THIS 3 TIMES IN PAST 4 DAYS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 1, 2020
BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT AND WHEN I REPLACE THEN THEY BLOW OUT WITHIN TWO DAYS
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 30, 2020
HAD BACK LIGHT ISSUES FOR TWO YRS NOW LIGHTS GOING OUT HARNESS BURNING UP HAD ONE RECALL FOR WIRING HARNESS . LIGHTS STILL BURNING OUT DIFFERENT SIDE I BELIEVE I FIXED THE OTHER SIDE NOW HAVING TO REPLACE BULBS ON AND OFF NOW IT'S A MELTED BULB SOCKET THEY REPLACED THE BULBS WITH YOUR BULBS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 YRS: WAS TOLD THAT MY MECHANIC CAN HEAR A ROD KNOCKING WHEN I WAS GETTING IT SERVICED WROTE IT SHOULD BE FIXED TOOK TO YOUR DEALERSHIP TOLD NOT LOUD ENOUGH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOT ON TO WAIT TILL IT GOES ON OR IT THROWS A ROD!!!!!! HMM THAT'S SAFE FOR 18 YR OLD,, THEN WHO WILL PAY FOR THE TOWING I LIVE OVER 60 MILES FROM DEALER HOPE IT DOESN'T CATCH ON FIRE WHILE I'M IN IT OR CAUSE A ACCIDENT AND REALLY HURT SOMEONE! CAN'T BELIEVE WE CAN'T DO PREVENTATIVE CARE THIS TO ME IS SO UNSAFE !!! WANT TO KNOW CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK ON THE LIGHT REPAIRS THAT I HAD TO FIX ?
Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WARNING SIGNAL ON SCREEN AND WARNING NOISE SUDDENLY CAME ON. THE WARNING STATED "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING. SAFELY STOP VEHICLE AND DO NOT DRIVE."
Engine, Nov 27, 2020
THE ENGINE STOP WORKING. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, THE ENGINE TURNS, BUT DOESN'T START WHILE, SITTING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART.
Electrical system, Nov 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. *TR*DT *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 17, 2020
MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING A LUNCH RUSH DUE TO AN ENGINE ROD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EVEN SITTING STILL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS SCARED MY CAR WOULD BE HIT BY ANY OF THE 70-80MPH CARS EXITING THE RAMP BEHIND ME. I TRIED JOINING THE CLASS ACTION SUIT BUT FOR SOME REASON, EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, HYBRIDS AREN'T A PART OF THE SUIT.
Engine, Nov 11, 2020
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CONNECTING ROD COMING LOSE AND CAUSING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Nov 9, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO A SENSOR HAVING GONE BAD. VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A CRASH.
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!
Air bags, Oct 22, 2020, crash
THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS ON AND REFUSES TO GO OFF.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 16, 2020
MY CAR STALLS, LAGS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND HAS A STRONG SCENT OF EXHAUST AND USES AN AWFUL AMOUNT OF OIL BUT THERE ARE NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS. THERE ARE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MUFFLER SHOP WHO STATES NO EXHAUST LEAKS ARE FOUND. MY LOCAL GATEWAY AND MIKE MORGAN HYUANDI SAYS IT THROWS NO CODES WHEN PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE SO I CANT FIND OUT THE ISSUE. FROM RESEARCH I SEE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CARS AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE IT IS A HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN IT KILLS IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC
Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2020
MY WIRING HARNESS ON BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS KEEPS BURNING. I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVER HEADLIGHT, AND ALL BULBS ALL AROUND THE CAR. IVE EVEN CHANGED OUT THE CONNECTOR ON THE BULB OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO THE WIRE ON THE WIRING HARNESS KEEPS BURNING AND WHEN I USE THE TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES ALL THE LIGHTING IN MY CAR BLINKS
Service brakes, Oct 13, 2020
I NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF IN THE GARAGE. ON FURTHER INSPECTION THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH STOPPER HAD DISINTEGRATED AND WAS NO LONGER DEPRESSING THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE COULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS WAS REPAIRED. THIS WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED IN 2016 UNDER A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE. I DROVE A SEPARATE VEHICLE TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT PART AND THE PROBLEM IS NOW FIXED. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE FAILURE.
Engine, Oct 8, 2020
FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON MY 2012 SONATA LOSES POWER AT RANDOM CAUSING US TO HAVE TO PULL OVER OR IT POWERS BACK UP AND IT WILL CONTINUE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING. LIFE THREATENING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 7, 2020
HEAD LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS CONSISTENTLY BURN OUT, REAR TAIL LAMPS CAUSED MELTING OF THE ASSEMBLY ON BOTH SIDES NEAR WHERE THE SOCKET GOES. RECTIFIED REAR LAMP ISSUE USING LOWER WATTAGE LEDS, NOT A SOLUTION FOR THIS BUT A BAND AID. CAR AUTOMATIC LOCKS HAVE CEASED WORKING, FAN ASSEMBLY CUT ON AND OFF CAUSING FAILURE OF RADIATOR. BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL ACTIVATE WRONG SETTINGS OFTEN WHEN USED. HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP STOPPED FUNCTIONING, ONLY LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM REMAINS. ALL PROBLEMS LISTED HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY EITHER MOVING OR STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, ON THE DASHBOARD WE CHECKED THE FUSES THEY ARE GOOD. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE RECALL NEVER GOT A CALL BACK. HAVE A I/P BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN WE TOOK OUR CAR IN FOR RECALLS TOLD THEM ABOUT THE LIGHT THEY LOOKED AT MY TAIL LIGHTS. WE HAVE THE BRAKE RUBBER PIECE REPLACED UNDER LIFE TIME WARRANTY THAT WENT OUT BUT THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT THAT. THE EMISSIONS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AS WELL. THE STEERING POPS WHILE DRIVING THIS WE HAVE HAD HYUNDIA LOOK AT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR. INSIDE LIGHTS THERE IS FAULT THERE THEY WON'T GO OFF SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN OFF MODE NO DOOR MODE. DEALSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST ME TO FIX. ONGOING SINCE A YEAR AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR.
Engine, Oct 3, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE CAR SAID "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE." I PULLED OVER AS I NOTICED THE CAR WOULDN'T SWITCH TO THE GAS ENGINE AS I WENT UP THE HILL. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE HYBRID BATTERY LEVEL WAS GOING DOWN AND NOT SWITCHING TO THE GAS ENGINE. I CALLED FOR A TOW AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED US THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $6,500 AND THAT ENGINE WOULD HAVE NO WARRANTY ON IT. I ASKED IF IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2013 SONATA THAT WE OWN THAT DID THE SAME BEHAVIOR. THE ANSWER WAS YES IT IS SIMILAR, BUT THE HYBRID IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I FIND IT WEIRD THAT BOTH CARS HAVE THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THE HYBRIDS WERE NOT RECALLED.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON (PROHIBITING MY AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY IF NEEDED) AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT AND MAINTENANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT UP WITH. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE A MONOPOLY ON THE REPAIRS BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE CAN GET THE PARTS. FROM LOOKING ONLINE THERE ARE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH HYUNDAIS SRS. MANY RECALLS HAVE INCLUDED THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS. THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY REASON THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ON MY DASH BOARD OTHER THAN THAT IT IS A HYUNDAI ISSUE.
Engine, Oct 1, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AT SPEED (APPROX 65MPH) ON 9/26/20, THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ONLY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA AND INSPECTED/ DIAGNOSED 9/29/20. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE (WITH A USED ENGINE WITH 40% MORE MILES) WAS 25% HIGHER THAN THE REPLACEMENT VALUE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY SAFETY RECALL 15V-568 RELATING TO 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA'S WITH THE 2.4L ENGINE. THE RECALL DOES NOT REFERENCE ANY SPECIFIC MODEL AND ONLY DISCUSSES THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WHICH IS COMMON ACROSS HYBRID AND NON-HYBRID MODELS. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 78,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINES SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS EARLY, UNLESS THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WHICH IT SEEMS THERE IS A VERY WELL KNOWN DEFECT TO THIS VERY ENGINE THAT RESULTS IN THIS VERY OUTCOME. EXCEPT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE KNOWN FAILURE WITH THE SAME ENGINE IN A HYBRID MODEL IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.
Exterior lighting, Sep 29, 2020
AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING IF YOU USE THE TURN SIGNALS ALL LIGHTS GO OFF INSIDE AND OUT. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE WHILE THERE. THIS IS A HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE A COLLISON AT NIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI. THERE SEEMS TO BE TOO MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS AND IT SHULD BE LOOKED INTO.
Exterior lighting, Sep 29, 2020
WE ARE REPLACING BRAKE LIGHTS EVERY OTHER MONTH. THE MODULE THAT HOLDS THE BULB IS MELTING. SEEMS LIKE THIS WOULD BE A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Engine, Sep 24, 2020
RECALLED ENGINE REPLACED IN LATE 2017 CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS EVERY SINCE. HAD TO REPLACED WATER PUMP , THERMOSTAT AND 3 RADIATORS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN. HYUNDAI DEALER AND SERVICE REFUSE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AND I HAVE SPEND OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS.
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.