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.
Tires, Wheels, Mar 7, 2014
I WAS DRIVING FROM MY SISTERS AT 17 MILE AND GARFIELD HOME WHEN I NOTICED MY LOW PRESSURE TIRE WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON. I STOP AT THE MARATHON GAS STATION AT 14 MILE BETWEEN HOOVER AND SCHOENNER TO FILL THE TIRE. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THE TEAR/CUT IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. AIR WOULD NOT FILL BACK INTO THE TIRE. I EVEN TRIED TO USE FIX A FLAT, AND THAT WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALERSHIP A FEW DAYS AGO, AND THEY HAD CHECKED ON THEIR SHEET THAT EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS. ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD HEARD THERE HAS BEEN ISSUES WITH HYUNDAI AND THEIR TIRES HAVING THIS EXACT PROBLEM! I AM HOPING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RECTIFIED...DON'T EVEN NO WHERE TO START! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility, Mar 6, 2014
MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 60MPH. NO OTHER CARS WERE ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG ALMOST LIKE A GUN SHOT. HE PULLED OVER AND SAW THE SUNROOF COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING FOUND TO INDICATE AN OBJECT HITTING THE SUNROOF HAD CAUSED THE BROKEN GLASS. THE GLASS SHATTERED OUT OF NOWHERE. *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.
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
Tires, Wheels, Traction control system, Feb 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA EQUIPPED WITH A SET OF KUMHO SOLUSK H25 TIRES, SIZE: P205/65/R16 AND DOT NUMBER YOL4YPL81411. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE TIRES BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BAD TREAD. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT A REMEDY WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 03/31/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TIRES WERE COLD, THERE WAS NO GRIP, WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, WHEN THE TIRES WARMED UP, THE SNOW STUCK TO THE TIRES
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
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
Air bags, Wheels, Feb 3, 2014, crash
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. THE TREMENDOUS FORCE AND FLYING DEBRIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO REACT AND BRUSH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AGAINST THE CURB. PLASTIC PIECES WERE THROWN THROUGHOUT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. EARLIER THAT SAME DAY THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THE HYUNDAI DEALER FOR A RADIO ISSUE. *TR
Engine, Jan 23, 2014
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH WHEN STARTED. *SMD THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE REVVED TO 4000 RPM. AGAIN, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 22, 2014, crash
I HAD JUST PULLED INTO A SMALL RURAL PARKING LOT AND PARKED FACING A WOOD FENCE IN THE AFTERNOON. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT TEN FEET, KNOCKING OVER A WOOD FENCE POST AND INCURRING $3,000 DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND SLAMMED IT INSTANTLY AS THE CAR LURCHED. FORTUNATELY, NO PERSON WAS WALKING ALONG THE SIDEWALK, AND I HAD MY SEAT BELT IN PLACE. I INSISTED THE CAR BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER RATHER THAN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, SINCE I WANTED TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCELERATION MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, OTHER THAN THE FRONT END DAMAGE. I INSISTED THAT HYUNDAI NATIONAL SEND OUT AN ENGINEER TO CHECK THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO FOUND A REPORT ON THE INTERNET FROM KMOV.COM NEWS IN ST. LOUIS 2/28/13, THAT THREE LOCAL OWNERS THERE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CASE DETAILED IN THE NEWS REPORT WAS EXACTLY LIKE MY EXPERIENCE OF SUDDEN LURCHING ACCELERATION FROM A PARKED POSITION, BUT THE HYUNDAI ENGINEER REPORTED NOTHING WAS WRONG. HOWEVER, OUR EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM UNRELATED TO DRIVER ERROR. I HAVE TOLD HYUNDAI THAT I WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR.
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, 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
Service brakes, Dec 29, 2013
WHEN I WAS BRAKING, THE PASSENGER FRONT BRAKES MADE A HORRIBLE METAL ON METAL SOUND. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE BRAKES (TO FAR FROM A HYUNDAI DEALER). THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THIS. HAS GONE ON FOR MONTHS. I HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THE ORIGINAL PADS WERE STILL GOOD. I FINALLY TOOK MY CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHO EXPLAINED TO ME (THE ROTORS WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED) WHAT, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. NO, I HAD ALL ROTORS REPLACED AND NEW BRAKE PADS ALL THE WAY AROUND. GUESS WHAT, STILL MAKING THE SOUND IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. *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
Structure, Nov 17, 2013
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHERE I ALERTED THE SERVICE REP TO AN ISSUE WITH MY DASHBOARD. FOR OVER A YEAR I HAD NOTICED AN AREA OF 'SLICKNESS" ON MY DASH .AS THE SUMMER WENT ON, THIS AREA NOW APPEARS TO BE MELTING! I WAS TOLD THAT THE AREA WAS THERE BASED ON :SOMETHING " THAT I HAD DONE & HAD SUBSEQUENTLY TRIED TO FIX IT! NEEDLESS TO SAY , I WAS FIT TO BE TIED!! HOW DO YOU ACCUSE SOMEONE OF SOMETHING WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE THE FACTS? I WAS TOLD BY NUMEROUS SERVICE PEOPLE AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE! DOES NOT ONE NEED TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER AS OPPOSED TO IT IS YOUR PROBLEM -NOT OURS? IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT & I WANT THE DASHBOARD REPLACED!! *TR
Structure, Nov 12, 2013
WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A CRASH AND REALIZED THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY REAR BUMPER COVER FELL OFF. THIS WAS COMPLETELY RANDOM, AS I HAVE NEVER BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND AND THERE WERE NO DENTS, SCRATCHES, CRACKS OR OTHER VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER COVER WHEN IT FELL OFF. THE BUMPER AND BUMPER COVER SEEMED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION, BUT THE PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING THE BUMPER COVER TO MY BUMPER APPEARED SEVERELY DEGRADED AND DAMAGED. WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT, THE MAN WHO TOWED MY TRUCK BROKE OFF THE REMAINING CLIPS THAT WERE ATTACHED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUMPER. THE NEXT DAY, I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE, AND MY BUMPER AND BUMPER COVER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS SHOCKED, CONSIDERING THE BUMPER FELL OFF, AND BELIEVE THERE IS NO REASON WHY I SHOULD SPEND MONEY ON A COMPLETELY NEW BUMPER AND BUMPER COVER IF JUST THE CLIPS WERE BROKEN. THE SERVICE MANAGER SIMPLY TOLD ME THE CLIPS WERE DAMAGED AND THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HE DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER FOR WHEN I ASKED HOW THE CLIPS COULD POSSIBLY BECOME DAMAGED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING, WHEN THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER COVER. HE BROUGHT UP THE POSSIBILITY THAT I HAD BEEN HIT IN A PARKING LOT AND DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT. IN A WORST CASE SCENARIO, IF THIS WAS THE CASE, I WOULD LIKE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THAT WOULD LEAD TO AN ENTIRE BUMPER FALLING OFF A VEHICLE. LITTLE FENDER BENDERS AND PARKING LOT ACCIDENTS ARE COMMON, BUMPERS FALLING OFF A CAR ARE NOT. HAVING A BACKGROUND IN POLYMER SCIENCE, I DO NOT BELIEVE THE GRADE OF PLASTIC USED TO MANUFACTURE THE CLIPS IS AN APPROPRIATE CHOICE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE, AS I AM SURE MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN JUST IN THE DRIVEWAY, BUT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE EASILY FLOWN INTO A DRIVER'S WINDSHIELD CAUSING A FATALITY. *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
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
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 18, 2013
STARTING ON 10/16/2013 WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. RPMS WERE AT 3K AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE EVEN WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT ON 10/17, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, RPMS SPIKED AT 6.5K AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT. ON 10/18 I ATTEMPTED AND SUCCEEDED IN REPLICATING BOTH BEHAVIORS. WHEN EXPERIENCING THE SPIKING RPMS WITHOUT SHIFTING CONDITION, I MANUALLY SHIFTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE PADDLE SHIFTER TO GET IT TO UP SHIFT. WHEN THE CAR BEGAN SHIFTING AGAIN IN ON IT'S OWN, IT THEN DOWNSHIFTED AND AN ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE WAS MET WITH NO RESPONSE EVEN WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THESE BEHAVIORS CREATE DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM MOVING THE CAR THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OR ACCELERATING TO GET TO SPEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I AM TAKING THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE DEALER LOOK AT IT TODAY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 27, 2013
ON 09/22/13, I LEFT FOR A 75 MILE TRIP. WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY CAR THAT MORNING, I NOTICED IT WAS MOVING SLUGGISHLY, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO OUR OVERNIGHT CHILLY TEMPERATURES. I DROVE THE SHORT DISTANCE TO THE INTERSTATE. AS I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE, I HAD THE MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO PREPARE TO MERGE AND DISCOVERED THAT I HAD PRACTICALLY NO ACCELERATION! MY CAR GOT TO BETWEEN 5000 AND 6000 RPMS BEFORE IT SHIFTED OUT OF FIRST GEAR! AT THAT POINT, I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO AN INTERSTATE, IN FRONT OF A SEMI THAT WOULD NOT GET OVER FOR ME TO MERGE. I LITERALLY HAD MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL PUSHED TO THE FLOOR, AS THE CAR AGAIN HIT BETWEEN 5000 AND 6000 RPMS TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR! I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY GET MY CAR TO 65 AND TURN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL . I DOUBLE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE I WAS IN DRIVE (RATHER THAN NEUTRAL OR MANUAL--NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON). ON OCCASION DURING THAT DRIVE, I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR TO SEE IF WHAT I HAD EXPERIENCED WAS A FLUKE'IT WAS NOT. MY ACCELERATOR WAS LITERALLY MASHED TO THE FLOOR AS MY CAR'S SPEED SLOWLY LURCHED HIGHER, WHILE MY RPMS RAISED ABOVE 5000 BEFORE SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR. ONCE I RETURNED HOME, I TURNED OFF MY CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES, BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE TO TEST IT. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS GONE (ALTHOUGH I QUESTION WHETHER MY TURBO IS STILL WORKING EFFECTIVELY, AS IT SEEMS LESS RESPONSIVE). TODAY, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE RECENT SONATA RECALL, AND I ALSO REQUESTED THEY EXAMINE MY TRANSMISSION, DESCRIBING THE ABOVE INCIDENT TO THEM. I NOTED THAT OTHER DRIVERS MENTIONED THAT A WASTE GATE' ISSUE APPEARED TO BE CAUSING THE SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTED I SHIFTED INTO MANUAL ACCIDENTALLY. *TR
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2013, crash
I WAS IN MY PARKING SPACE AND HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE SPACE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IN REVERSE, IT TOOK OFF AT AN INCREDIBLE SPEED, DID A SEMI-CIRCLE, AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO WAS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE EVENT OR CHECK OUT THE CAR. I PLAN ON CONTACTING HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THIS INFORMATION.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 11, 2013
CAR IN PARK, KEY IN IGNITION-MOTORIDLING--WIFE AND I AWAITING TO BOARD FERRY CAR SUDDENLY REVVED VERY HIGH WITH TACH OVER 5--CHECKED CAR WAS IN PARK NO OBSTRUCTION (MAT ETC..) OR FOOT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL--KILLED IGNITION TO STOP UNCONTROLLED REVVING OF ENGINE. FOUR WITNESSES TI INCIDENT--TWO IN CAR, TWO STANDING NEXT TO VEHICLE. CALLED DEALER IMMED AND MADE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE CAR CHECKED---FIRST UNCONTROLLED INCIDENT ON CRUISE CONTROL APRIL OF 2013, SECOND SUDDEN INCREASE AUGUST 5TH 2013 AGAIN ON CRUISE CONTROL--DEALER FOUND BRAKE SWITCH PROBLEM AFTER 8-05-13 SUDDEN SURGE BUT CLAIMS "CAN"T REPLICATE ADDITIONAL SURGES.. CRUISE CONTROL USED ON WAY TO FERRY. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER 8-26-13 AGAIN THEY CAN'T REPLICATE. OCCURS WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL MORE THAN 20-30 MIN. OR MORE--PERHAPS WIRING OR MODULES HEATING UP--DEALER NO HELP!!!!!! *TR