Hyundai Sonata 2012 problems
The Hyundai Sonata (Korean: 현대 쏘나타) is a mid-size car that has been manufactured by Hyundai since 1985. The first generation Sonata, which was introduced in 1985, was a facelifted version of the Hyundai Stellar with an engine upgrade, and was withdrawn from the market in two years due to poor customer reaction. While the nameplate was originally only sold in South Korea, the second generation of 1988 was widely exported.
The Sonata is currently manufactured in South Korea where their headquarters are located, China and Pakistan. It was named after the musical term, sonata.
First generation (Y1; 1985)
The first Sonata was introduced to compete with the Daewoo Royale series and was a more luxurious version of the Stellar. It included cruise control, power seats, head lamp washers, power brakes, electric operated adjustable side mirrors and chrome bumper trims. The Sonata was available with two trim options in Korea: Luxury and Super (the latter only available with a 2.0-liter engine). In the domestic market Hyundai attempted to sell the Sonata as an executive car using catchphrases like "Luxury car for VIP"; however, as the Sonata was based on the Stellar without any major changes, it was seen by the public as no more than a luxury version of the Stellar. In 1987 Hyundai added two tone color schemes and a trip computer option, but sales soon went down and the car was discontinued in December of that year. The Sonata was sold only in the South Korean domestic market. The vehicle was unveiled in South Korea on 4 November 1985.
Engine choices included 1.6-liter Mitsubishi Saturn (only available outside the domestic market), 1.8- and 2.0-liter Mitsubishi Sirius inline-fours. The latter unit also found its way into the 1987 and later Stellar, and in MPI form the 1986 Hyundai Grandeur. The body was a largely unchanged Hyundai Stellar.
It was sold in New Zealand (right hand drive) with the 1.6-liter Mitsubishi engine with the five-speed manual gearbox; an automatic transmission was an optional extra. The original importer was a unit of the Auckland-based Giltrap Motor Group.
The final version of the Stellar was known as the Stellar 88 and was launched to celebrate the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Afterwards, Hyundai discontinued the Stellar and replaced it with the all-new Sonata.
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Common Hyundai Sonata 2012 problems
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to engine issues, airbags, seat belts, fuel system, and power train.
- Potential High-Pressure Fuel Pipe Leaks: Hyundai recalled over 150,000 vehicles, including 2011-2014 Sonatas, due to potential problems with the high-pressure fuel pipe. This recall is a follow-up to a previous recall related to engine stalling and connecting rod wear. The improperly installed fuel pipe represents a potential fire hazard.
- Disabled Airbag/Seat Belt Pretensioners: In February and April 2018, Hyundai recalled over 580,000 vehicles, including 2012 Sonatas and 2012 Sonata Hybrids, due to potential faults in their airbag control units (ACU). The faulty units could short circuit in an accident, leading to malfunctions in the seat belt pretensioners and failure of front and side airbags to deploy. Hyundai's recall repair is an external wire filter kit, which corrects the potential failure in the ACU.
- Seat Belt Linkage Detachment Problems: Hyundai recalled approximately 443,000 vehicles, including 2011-2014 Sonatas and 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrids, which had been previously repaired under its seat belt linkage recall. Hyundai rechecked and verified the seat belt linkage and pretensioner to ensure safety.
- Brake Pedal Stopper Pad Issues: In January 2016, Hyundai recalled approximately 304,000 2011 to 2012 Sonatas because the brake pedal stopper pad potentially deteriorated, leading to brake lights being displayed incorrectly and the transmission potentially being shifted out of PARK without the driver's knowledge. Hyundai dealers were instructed to replace the brake pedal stopper pad at no charge.
- Transmission Shift Cable Detachment/Risk of Rollaway: Hyundai recalled over 880,000 2011-2014 Sonatas due to the transmission shift cable having the potential to become detached from the shift lever pin. This issue can lead to drivers not being able to accurately detect the vehicle's gear, potentially causing the car to move in an unexpected direction or roll away if not placed in PARK with the parking brake applied.
These issues can affect the safety, reliability, and overall driving experience of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata. It is essential for owners to be aware of these problems and ensure their vehicles are up-to-date with recalls and repairs.
Does 2012 Hyundai Sonata have engine problems?
Hyundai Motor America is conducting a safety recall to inspect, and if necessary replace, the engine assembly in Model Year 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.0 liter turbo and 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
Is a 2012 Hyundai Sonata a reliable car?
A properly cared for 2012 Hyundai Sonata will last about 200,000 miles, which is average for the class. Expensive engine failures are very common, around 100,000 miles, which may mechanically total the car if the warranty has expired. Regular annual maintenance costs are average for a midsize car.
What is the common problem of Hyundai Sonata?
Old and new Sonata model years had similar issues with their timing chain tensioner, which produced rattling noises upon engine startup. Many owners also reported a broken timing belt, which damaged the crankshaft position sensor.
Is Hyundai Sonata high maintenance?
A Hyundai Sonata will cost about $5,998 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for popular sedan models by $1,098. There is also a 17.73% chance that a Sonata will require a major repair during that time.
Hyundai Sonata 2012 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Hyundai Sonata problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Hyundai Sonata 2012 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints Hyundai Sonata 2012
The NHTSA has received 1483 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Hyundai Sonata 2012. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Hyundai Sonata 2012 vehicles.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-15
- VIN: KMHEC4A43CA
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The passenger rear door will not open from the inside OR the outside. The door lock on the inside of the car will not open. Door is in locked position. Problems like this are all over the internet regarding Hyundai cars. This is a safety issue because someone in the back seat can NOT open the door and are potentially locked inside the car with no way out. This could be life and death if there was a fire, accident, etc. Independent repair center has inspected and confirms. No warning lights. Just happened in September 2024.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KMHEC4A43CA
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Received Hyundai recall 251 the end of 2023. Car taken to Hyundai dealer in March 2024 and dealer could not make the repairs on the recall. The end of July, the car caught fire (engine fire) when the car was parked for 10 minutes. Car and adjacent structure was destroyed.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-13
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC0CH
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My daughter had her car towed to the Hyundai dealership because of engine failure. Upon inspection we learned that there was a recall on the engine. We had to wait a few weeks so that the dealership could get approval and authorization to replace the engine. Finally after 3 or so weeks we got a courtesy car to drive. After about 4 weeks our car was finally ready to pick up so we took the courtesy car back and picked up our car. After about 4 months or so maybe my daughter went to her friends house one afternoon and her and her friend left in the friends car. They had been gone maybe 10 minutes or so and her friends neighbor called her friend and said that her car was on fire and they had already called the fire department but the car was engulfed in flames and before the fire department could get to it the whole car burnt to the ground. Nothing left but the shell of the car. The fire marshal said that the source of the fire was under the hood. Thats where the fire ignited he said. Luckily no one was injured or hurt. But this is after I had the recall motor put in. It was super scary and very upsetting because no one seems like they want to help us either.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-30
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC9CH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My brake lights are constantly needing replaced. Sometimes they stay on even when I'm not braking, other times they won't come on at all when I brake. I've gotten them replaced many times but it doesn't seem to fix the problem. I've almost gotten rear ended 3 times now bc my lights have failed to come on when hitting the brakes.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC4CH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The starter has been replaced 3 times in the last 2 years. I know this is a hyundai problem because talking to other Hyundai owners have the same issue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-15
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC3CH
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The driver side seat belt wont click and stay in almost half the time i drive my car… after reading other complaints its looking like this is a common thing. Within the past year ive noticed lots of times that when im going to lock my car with my fob, it wont lock and its because the passenger side lock button on the inside of door is in a stuck between lock/unlock position… resulting in me having to lean over to manually unlock the door even when I’ve unlocked my car with both the fob and inside button… all the sudden i noticed too that my speed control will not work at all and be completely unresponsive most times. It will RANDOMLY work when i try checking it on highway. ive had SO many issues with my taillights going/burning out constantly and now my headlights have gotten really dim. Im scared to drive at night now. They are much more dimmer than a cars should look like usually. Within the past week i just noticed a random big crack in the dashboard on the passenger side as well… noticed that seems to be a common thing and concern of safety with lots of others who own and drive this same vehicle… my first thought was “what if this crack will effect the airbag and make it deploy?” The crack is literally right over and above where the airbag is… plan on trying to take my car to place on OKC that did the anti-theft system software update on my car… but my car has gotten so bad when driving ill be lucky if it makes it there in one piece. My car has started to shake SO bad when im driving!!! Almost “jumping” at times it feels like. This car has been a pretty good car but when there are MULTIPLE complaints of the SAME issues that continuously keep costing us money and its not because of our doing and in fact the manufacturers FAULTY equipment and parts that they used to make these cars… they should most definitely be doing recalls and fixing these problems at no cost!
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
- VIN: KMHEC4A40CA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The grid warning light is coming on and telling me to stop the car. When this occurs the car will lose power and the brakes will start making a grinding noise. My safety was at risk when I was driving on [XXX], Chula Vista, California by Southwestern Community College approaching behind cars at a red light intersection on the second lane to the right going east and the warning light came on. The car started making a grinding noise and to lose power. The intersection was busy and I was barely able to get the vehicle to the right lane to get out of the way of traffic going east. I was blocking the right turn lane onto [XXX] in Chula Vista, Ca I took the vehicle to the dealer and has been confirmed. It first appeared approximately in July / August of 2023. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 5NPEC4AB9CH
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: connecting rod bearing failed
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC6CH
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC5CH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the fuel pump control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 126,561.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-14
- VIN: 5NPEC4ABXCH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I believe this is the same issue as the Hyundai recall #170 (activation of the engine management system's brake pedal override feature). While pressing the accelerator, my car will stop accelerating until I let off the gas pedal and then press it again. This is an intermittent issue and unrelated to any fuel delivery system. I confirmed it was a brake pedal issue because my brake lights would not turn off and I could shift out of Park WITHOUT my foot being on the brake pedal. I feel like this could be a pretty big issue for properly signally drivers behind me as well as when I’m trying to drive in heavy or speedy traffic, e.g., merging onto or within interstate traffic.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-05
- VIN: KMHEC4A49CA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Brake system warning, puts car in limp mode on freeway nearly causing rear end collisions.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-08
- VIN: 5NPEC4AC6CH
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: See attached document for complaint.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- VIN: 5NPEC4AC3CH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 2011-2013 SONATA (YF) AND AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT (RECALL CAMPAIGN 174) I did the recall at Sterling Mcall in 10/2022 and I had no airbag light before after I did the recall the airbag light came on the dashboard -The dealers scanned the car and it is visible on the baseboard however the dealer is reluctant to repair it and asked 3 weeks of diagnostic and 500 dollars only for diagnostic and nothing about the repair I showed them the recall repair failure is their responsibility and the airbag should be permanently fixed not to be worried about it from time to time The dealer's excuse is that car titles salvage however the car is being serviced at the dealer and is passing state inspection every year. I filed a complaint in BBB nad the dealer failed to respond and sent me a threatening letter for emailing their executive.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-31
- VIN: KMHEC4A44CA
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: When driving (at any speed) car error message comes up that says "Hybryd system warning safely stop and do not drive" then when that light goes out a new warning comes up that says "check brake" at this time the car will slow itself down until the car stops completely - even if you have your foot all the way on the gas pedal. There's no pattern to when it happens, it can happen on any drive at any time. When this happens all I can do is turn the car off and wait to restart car to keep driving. The front brakes have replaced, the back brakes and rotors have been replaced and the brake pump was replaced but, the problem persists. Primarily this is a safety issue if I'm on the highway, or anywhere I can't really pull over. A perfect example of this is on 8/31/2024 my son received a warning citation for "Improper Stopping" the remarks on the citation say " was parked on side of roadway due to car not wanting to accelerate but, could not move outside of the roadway". Basically the car slowed down but, completely shut down in an area that wasn't safe to be parked or sitting. It's dangerous for me and any other driver on the road that's behind me or on either side of me. After researching online it seems this is a common issue that Hyundai has not figured out yet. Other consumers have spent thousands on repairs thru Hyundai and still have not resolved the issue. Please help me figure this out.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-29
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC8CH
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact restarted the vehicle, and an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. Despite the vehicle repeated engine shut off failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service. The vehicle was diagnosed with a rod bearing failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-31
- VIN: KMHEC4A40CA
- Components: POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I own a 2012 Hyundai sonata with 114000 miles on it. I have had it since 62000 miles and have replaced a lot of parts to keep it running well. My current issue is the hybrid charging system warning light comes on and the hybrid system will stop working when it does this. It has already left me stuck on the side of the road once. When it did this the car stoped running at a stop sign. Luckily I was able to get car off the road. It shows the pull over hybrid charging system error. So i have tried replacing the battery , replacing the main battery fuse on the 12 volt battery and replacing the orange hybrid battery main fuse. The car still does not function properly and have had it diagnosed with a professional shop and they could not resolve the problem.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- VIN: 5NPEC4AC3CH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Sterling McCall Hyundai at Houston 77074 installed an airbag unit as part of a recall last visit. The airbag light came, and I went to the dealership to fix the light, they said they were not responsible, and they wanted a $490 inspection cost plus the repair, and I had to leave the car for 3 weeks. They scanned the car and airbag showed on the dashboard The dealership must install genuine parts that do not require fixing every couple of months, which is their responsibility. I am flagging the Belvoir on my recall so far. this is not a good reputation for your company I hope this is done urgently to avoid further issues and we maintain a good relationship rather than fighting
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-04
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC6CH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The rear tail lights repeatedly "burn out" and have to be replaced. This endangers me and other drivers when the tail lights are not working. The police have told me to fix it. I took it to the dealer who said it will cost $900 to replace wiring. Hyundai has issued an extended warranty (no recall) for this problem but will only fix it if the wires have melted. I believe this is manufacturer defect that they should repair.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KMHEC4A43CA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: On July 29, 2024, my 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was parked in our driveway. About 10 minutes later an engine fire started that consumed the car. The local Fire Departmemt put out the fire but the car was totaled. The fire also destroyed a storage shed and some windows were damaged. The car was taken to the Hyundai Dealer for servicing when the engine light came on on March of 2024. The car was left for a few days with the dealer. The NHTSA Recall Number 23V651000 was not repaired during that service call.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- VIN: 5NPEC4AC3CH
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: My seatbelt in the front seat does not work effectively. My airbag light is on Recall 169 ANCHOR PRETENSIONER INSPECTION is the recall I see that is associated with my seatbelt Recall 174 AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT Is the recall that I see associated with the airbag light Both recalls say they are completed. I called the Hyundai Dealership and they said reach out to the manufacturer because there are no open recalls on my car. Both are safety concerns that I hope can get addressed.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-12
- VIN: 5NPEB4AC4CH
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Taillight not working. I purchased a bulb for taillight and it’s still out. I got a recall letter in the mail about the lights on sonata but I misplaced it.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-01
- VIN: 5NPEC4AB9CH
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The passenger's side front tire was extremely hot. The contact stated that the RPM increased to high, and the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle was slow to respond. There was an abnormal electrical burning odor detected. The vehicle was hard to start. The contact stated that the check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. On several occasions, the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to retrieve any DTC trouble codes. The bearing was fine but was replaced at the owner's request. The mechanic test-drove the vehicle for five hundred miles but was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the ECM was fried. The ECM was replaced, but no update was provided. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the wiring harness had a short circuit and that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-13
- VIN: 5NPEB4ACXCH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Vehicle went over a pothole where the manhole cover was few inches above ground. Vehicle was traveling at 15 MPH. The driver side seat and airbags deployed on it went over the pothole.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-03
- VIN: KMHEC4A49CA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Check engine light comes on, brake system malfunction warning message appears and says to pull over, vehicle goes into limp mode. Hyundai dealership says $150 to diagnose problem.
Hyundai Sonata 2012 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the Hyundai Sonata 2012.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative Hyundai Sonata 2012 car reviews
Positive Hyundai Sonata 2012 car reviews
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I have 20,000 miles on my new Sonata. It's great to hear that you've had a positive experience with your car so far, with no major issues. It's impressive that you've been able to achieve fantastic gas mileage (37mpg) by combining the ECO mode, cruise control and a nice long highway. The paint looks really nice and durable, and the fit/finish is solid without any noticeable defects. It's great to hear that you've been completely satisfied with your service crew as well.
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I recently purchased a SE CPO with only 9400 miles on it. It came with a Nav/Sunroof package, wind deflector, spoiler, and full leather. The car looks amazing with its silver/blue pearl paint and black interior. I absolutely love how it handles and have already driven nearly 2000 miles in just one month without any issues. The Blue Link feature is also really cool, allowing me to remotely control the car's start, doors, lights, and horn. It even has monthly diagnostic reports and can slow the car down to a complete stop if it's reported stolen, with GPS tracking to help locate it. Plus, with the CPO, I get a 5-year/60k full warranty, a 10-year/100k power-train warranty, and 10-year/unlimited roadside assistance. How awesome is that?
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I love my new car! The ride is excellent, and so far the gas mileage has been outstanding. It's been a long time since I've been this comfortable in a vehicle. This car has surpassed all my expectations and desires. I can't wait to take a road trip and really enjoy the open road again!
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I've had the car for 5 days and so far, I must say that I'm really impressed. The car is fantastic and it's really fun to drive, especially for a larger car. I traded in a Mazda Miata, so I know what it's like to have fun in a car, and this one definitely delivers. The gas mileage is exactly what Hyundai claims, and on the freeway, I'm averaging 42 MPG on cruise control at 67mph! The ride is comfortable and smooth, and my kids are amazed by all the cool gadgets. They even think I'm actually conversing with the CPU when I use the Hyundai Bluelink. LOL. With lots of gadgets, great gas mileage, and a cool-looking design, all for just 21K, I really can't complain so far.
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Compared to other cars in its class (e.g. Camry, Accord), this car offers great value. What's more, what comes standard on this car would cost you a lot more elsewhere. The reliability rating for this Sonata generation is also a big plus. It would be even better if Hyundai offered a free HD radio instead of tethering their cars to XM radio (initial trial period). Additionally, while the Bluelink (like OnStar) offers are subscription-based, I personally don't find them useful and consider them a waste of technology on my car. However, it's worth noting that other automobile companies do the same thing, so this is a general industry trend that I'm not fond of.
Additional sources
More sources of information about Hyundai Sonata 2012 problems:
*BEWARE* 2011-2012 Sonata 2.4L/2.0T Engine failures/class ...
Mar 22, 2015 ... Unfortunately it seems the issues have been more with Hyundai Corporate's rejections, more-so than individual dealerships, as Corporate has to ...
Looking into purchasing a 2012 Hyundai Sonata and need some ...
Oct 16, 2018 ... Mine still runs great and hasn't given me any big problems, besides the aforementioned engine issue. Easy to maintain, still looks good IMO ...
2012 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues
Problem with your 2012 Hyundai Sonata? Our list of 7 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2012 Hyundai Sonata.
2012 Sonata Hybrid Issues - Hyundai Forum - Hyundai Enthusiast ...
May 7, 2013 ... Hyundai Sonata - 2012 Sonata Hybrid Issues - Bought it on April 24th, took it to service the next week and its still there :( Didnt notice ...
2012 Hyundai Sonata Recalls: Anything to Worry About ...
Mar 6, 2021 ... In the case of Hyundai's 2012 Sonata, some vehicles have been recalled for problems related to their original repair under a recall notice. The ...
Other years of Hyundai Sonata
Are you having problems with your Hyundai Sonata 2012?
Miles Schmitt 2024-11-15
In my 1.5 years of Sonata ownership, I have experienced several issues that have been a disappointment. The fuel economy has not met Hyundai's estimates, and I have had problems with poor running and stalling that the dealer has been unable to duplicate. Additionally, the front headlights have collected condensation, and the leather quality is not up to par, with stitching on the bolsters coming apart prematurely (which Hyundai considers normal wear). Despite having replaced the struts, tires, wheel bearings, and control arm bushings, the car still wanders on the highway. Overall, my experience with the car has been less than satisfactory.
Eino Ferry 2024-08-17
This model of Sonata has had some issues. The front tires have uneven wear after 10k miles, and the steering wheel is not centered to the driver's seat. Additionally, the radiator leaked at 10k miles, but it was fixed under warranty. Although the dealer claims that there is nothing wrong with the tires, the uneven wear is noticeable. While I am disappointed with these issues, I am confident that they can be resolved. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Ethan Breitenberg 2024-08-06
The lower end of my 2.4 L Sonata failed at 72500 miles under normal driving conditions. Despite having an oil change every 5000 miles, the warranty did not apply as I am not the original owner. However, the dealer was very accommodating and sold me a used engine at full price. While Hyundai USA declined to assist me, it is clear that this type of engine failure at this mileage is highly unusual unless the vehicle has been completely neglected.
Mitchell Prohaska 2024-07-22
My 2012 Sonata SE was purchased brand new in January 2012. Recently, the car stopped working properly and the initial diagnosis was a faulty push start ignition. Despite replacing the push start, the issue persisted. Upon further inspection, metal fragments were found in the oil pan, leading to the conclusion that the engine needs to be replaced. Despite the inconvenience of being without a car for my daily commute, I am confident in the decision to replace the engine. It is unacceptable for a car with only 16,500 miles to experience such a problem, but I trust that the issue will be resolved and my car will be back on the road soon.
Devante Baumbach 2024-07-11
Hi there! I was looking for a mid-sized sedan with good gas mileage and considered the Altima, but ultimately went with the Sonata because of its superior interior. The 10 year 100k warranty and 35mpg rating were also big selling points for me, along with the panorama roof and 200hp engine. However, after a year and 16k miles, I've had some issues with the car's quality, performance, and gas mileage. I've experienced a few electrical bugs and the engine doesn't sound great. Additionally, I've had trouble getting the advertised 35mpg, and have only been able to get around 26mpg on the highway with eco mode on. Overall, I'm a bit disappointed with the car and don't think it lives up to Hyundai's claims. Thanks for listening!