2012 Hyundai Sonata

2012 Hyundai Sonata recalls (8)

• ENGINE

  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.

  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.

• SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

  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.

  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.

• SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

  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.

  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.

• SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

  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.

  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.

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

  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.

  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.

• ENGINE

  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.

  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.

• POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

  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.

• AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

  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.

  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.

2012 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2012 Hyundai Sonata owner complaints (15)

• ENGINE

  Around the end of May 2026, my vehicle stalled without warning while traveling at highway speed. The engine light and EPS warning light illuminated simultaneously. The engine cranks but will not start. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership on June 15, 2026 where the engine failure was confirmed. My safety was directly at risk. The vehicle lost power on an active highway with no warning, creating a collision hazard for myself and other drivers. The failure has been confirmed by the dealership. Hyundai Motor America acknowledged the engine failure falls under the TXXI Settlement Agreement and offered a buyback or cash settlement. However, Hyundai has had physical possession of my vehicle since June 15, 2026 and has repeatedly failed to provide a written buyback offer despite multiple commitments to do so. Prior warning signs included the engine and EPS lights activating at the moment of failure. No prior warning lamps appeared before that day. The vehicle has 2 open safety recalls as of the date of purchase in November 2025.

• POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,ENGINE

  Knock sensor needs to be replaced upon evaluation of an inspection on March 27, 2026. It failed a mission codes and upon my understanding the knock sensor one circuit range performance pink wonder single sensor is an engine failure as well as I did an ODB test myself on May 19 of 2026 for the Knox sensor as well and the check engine dominator reading at 2111 the the code indicated that bank one Knox and electrical circuit was out of it upper range or had it perform problem for a predetermined period of time and the code is P0326 and the secondary DTC is a combustion vibration sensor a circuit range performance which affects the powertrain. Also, I have switches with the electrical features in the vehicle as far as the ABS and the steering wheel controls and glitching for the cigarette adapter and plug-in area as well on top of the rear passenger side window, having issues with going up and down.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  UNKNOWN Car was driving fine no warning lights and the car died. tried to stat back up and engine wiring harness on top of motor caught on fire.

• ENGINE

  Vehicle experienced sudden loss of motive power while merging onto interstate I accelerated to enter traffic and all dashboard warning lights illuminated at once. Engine shut off immediately with no prior knocking,smoke, or warning. Car coasted to shoulder with complete loss of power steering and power brakes. After incident vehicle will not crank or restart , push -button start activates accessories but engine does not turn over when brake is pressed. Vehicle has Campaign 953\Knock Sensor Detection system update completed on October 14 2020. This failure matches NHTSA PE-18-003 and Hyundai TSB 22 -EM-003H for Theta II Engine connecting rod bearing failure.This is a known safety defect causing sudden engine stall at highway speeds .. Dealer inspection is pending Vehicle is currently inoperable...

• ENGINE

  While merging onto the interstate my vehicle suffered sudden loss of motive power. All dash lights illuminated ,engine shut off instantly with no prior knock or warning.vehicle will not crank or restart.push button start activates accessories only .This matches TSB 22-EM-003H for connecting rod bearing seizure.No crash occured because I was able to coast to shoulder but loss of power steering/brakes at highway speed created a dangerous situation.

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  p1326, rod bearing failure and seizure of motor without warning.

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side brake light was inoperative. The failure occurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact researched and was made aware of an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

• ENGINE

  I am reporting a pattern of systemic failures on a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with approximately 131,000 miles. This is my second NHTSA complaint regarding this vehicle and manufacturer. Primary Safety Concern — Engine Wiring Harness: During a recent engine replacement at an authorized Hyundai dealership, technicians identified damage to the engine wiring harness and documented in writing that the owner “might have issues with drive ability.” The dealership declined to repair it under the same goodwill program used to replace the engine and returned the vehicle with this known defect unresolved. The harness directly controls engine operation, hybrid system communication, and overall vehicle control. On a hybrid vehicle, a compromised harness presents a serious and ongoing safety risk. This component is available for inspection upon request. Engine Failure: The hybrid system warning light appeared prior to failure. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where diagnostic code P1326 confirmed engine failure. The manufacturer acknowledged this and replaced the engine under goodwill. Additional System Failures: A pre-scan diagnostic revealed simultaneous fault codes across six systems — engine, transmission, ABS, active hydraulic booster, battery management, and motor control unit — including codes U0293 and U1004 indicating lost communication with the hybrid powertrain control module across multiple systems simultaneously. Independent Safety Advisory: A separate independent repair facility documented in writing that the vehicle presented a severe wheel hub bearing noise and formally advised of an extremely dangerous driving condition. Prior NHTSA Complaint: My first complaint to NHTSA involved this same vehicle when the manufacturer refused to provide a loaner during an extended recall-related repair hold, requiring formal escalation before they complied. The wiring harness defect remains unrepaired. The vehicle is driven daily out of necessity.

• SEAT BELTS

  The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side seat belt unexpectedly detached. Several attempts were needed to secure the seat belt while driving. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s seat belt became inoperable and failed to latch properly. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was also contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,819.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Vehicle: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Incident Date: August 14, 2024 Location: [XXX] Description of the Problem: The vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic fire without warning while in normal use. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms before the incident. The failure appears to have originated from the electrical system and/or engine (exact cause UNKNOWN), which resulted in the vehicle igniting unexpectedly. Safety Risk: This failure created an immediate and life-threatening safety hazard to all occupants. The vehicle caught fire suddenly, leaving no time to react or prevent injury. There was no crash or external cause associated with this fire. The incident required emergency response from Butts County Fire and Emergency Services, who generated an official report. Injuries and Trauma: My son suffered burn injuries to his fingers, requiring emergency medical treatment. There is neurological damage to the fingertips, indicating lasting physical injury. In addition, my son experienced significant psychological trauma due to sudden exposure to a life-threatening vehicle fire, including acute emotional distress during the incident and ongoing fear associated with vehicle safety. This demonstrates the extreme danger posed by a sudden, unpreventable vehicle fire. Inspection / Confirmation: The incident was documented by Butts County Fire and Emergency Services. At this time, manufacturer inspection is UNKNOWN, dealer inspection is UNKNOWN, and insurance inspection is UNKNOWN. Warning Signs Prior to Failure: There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the fire. The failure occurred suddenly and without notice. Defect Pattern Concern: This incident is consistent with known issues involving Hyundai Sonata vehicles, including engine and electrical system failures and reports of vehicle fires. This complaint is submitted to request a formal investigation. Prior Hyundai fire defects reported for this model. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• ENGINE

  I purchased a used 2012 Hyundai Sonata. Within about 2 weeks it broke down while I was in the far left lane of the freeway. The car suddenly stopped accelerating and made a very loud knocking noise. Thankfully I was able to put on my hazards and make it to the right shoulder without getting into an accident but as soon as I pulled over it shut off and the panel lights all came on. Evidently there was a recall on an engine rod and the previous owners advised they were not aware of it. Hyundai has declined the repair on the recalled engine several times and their reasons keep changing. First they said I was missing records (admittedly I was missing one record but then provided it to them), then they stated excessive neglect due to the condition of the valve train (I saw pics of the valve train and is in good condition), and now they state because the KSDS wasn't installed. From what I understand, being the second owner, if I can prove the upkeep of the vehicle the extended waranty should cover the repair. I even have the letter from the car mechanic stating the vehicle was maintained and in good condition. It seems a lot of good people are getting declined for repairs on these faulty engines. I have many more documents I could provide showing all of the services done and communications with the company. Due to the size limit I included these ones for your review. Thank you so much for any help you can provide.

• AIR BAGS

  The airbag warning light came on, so we took it in to see about a recall on the airbag control unit issue that required a wire filter kit as out lined in a recall in 2011-2013 Sonatas and Sonata Hybrids. In fact, upon reading the invoice filling out this form, I think that is exactly the issue, and Potamkin Hyundai is ignoring the recall. The invoice states that "AIRBAG MODULE NEED FIXING caused by the DTC for the driver airbag resistance is too high, and has liquid leaking out of it through the connector into the clock spring, and need to replace the air bag incongruent with clock spring to perform repair correctly" The technician explained to my son that driving the car in it's current state, the air bag could go off at any moment, possibly killing him. Their airbag could kill my child. The repair is quoted at $1588 and the solution was to turn off the airbag until a decision could be made if my son wanted to drive the car home, which he did, so not it is disabled. It is a Hyundai manufactured airbag, a safety feature installed into this vehicle that should not degrade over time. It is actually the reason my aunt bought the car for her child and why my son bought the car from her. The car has never been wrecked, the airbag had never been deployed or otherwise molested, has been dealer maintained, and had an extended warranty. I spoke to a Hyundai representative and am awaiting a call back, I do not think that he should be responsible for repair of a defective, degrading safety feature built and manufactured by Hyundai, installed a vehicle built and manufactured by Hyundai. I believe other people should be warned that their Sonata airbags might also have this dangerous issue and it should be immediately investigated. Attached is the invoice given to my son.

• ENGINE

  While driving, the vehicle experienced sudden engine malfunction. The car entered limp mode, lost power, and produced a loud knocking noise from the engine. The failure occurred without warning and created a safety risk because the vehicle could not accelerate properly in traffic. This increased the risk of being rear-ended or unable to move out of dangerous situations. The issue appears to involve the engine (possible internal failure). The vehicle is currently at an authorized dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership during inspection. The vehicle has been under diagnosis for over three weeks. There were no prior major warning signs before the failure. At the time of the incident, the vehicle suddenly lost performance, entered limp mode, and began making abnormal engine noise. This issue is consistent with widely reported engine defects in similar vehicles. Despite this, the manufacturer has denied coverage and attributed the issue to maintenance, even though regular maintenance was performed. This is a serious safety concern due to sudden loss of power while driving.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  While I was driving my car wouldn’t go no higher than 60mph and kept dropping speed but I came to a stop and when I stopped the car was smoking. I heard knocking noise and rumbling noise on the passenger side. It wouldn’t start again

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE

  Painting chipping on front top car... Seatbelt don't fasten all the time...Lights are dim.