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2012 Hyundai Sonata problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

1,558owner complaints
8safety recalls
51involved a crash

Also reported: 95 fires, 38 people injured, 1 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 1,558.

Engine567
Usually 66,000–124,000 miles (middle half of 341 reports with mileage)
Steering301
Usually 43,058–100,000 miles (middle half of 234 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Column (2); Rack and pinion › rack (1)
Electrical system235
Usually 51,579–120,000 miles (middle half of 126 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (2); Wiring (2); Ignition › anti-theft › immobilizer/proximity › key/sender (1); Wiring › connectors/plugs/receptacles (1)
Air bags170
Usually 59,250–108,725 miles (middle half of 90 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Frontal (1); Frontal › passenger side › inflator module (1)
Service brakes151
Usually 43,176–103,740 miles (middle half of 75 reports with mileage)
Exterior lighting141
Usually 70,750–130,000 miles (middle half of 82 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Brake lights (10); Tail lights (6); Brake lights › bulbs (2); Headlights (2); Brake lights › switch (1)
Unknown or other122
Usually 60,500–113,491 miles (middle half of 54 reports with mileage)
Fuel/propulsion system99
Usually 54,250–119,500 miles (middle half of 58 reports with mileage)
Power train97
Usually 44,352–120,000 miles (middle half of 69 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic transmission (2)
Vehicle speed control84
Usually 22,319–92,416 miles (middle half of 64 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Accelerator pedal (4); Cruise control (1)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Engine

341 reports with mileage · median 92,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Steering

234 reports with mileage · median 72,900 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Electrical system

126 reports with mileage · median 80,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (8)

Recalls that cover the 2012 Hyundai Sonata. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Engine; fuel system, gasoline › delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Campaign 18V934000 · 2018-12-28 · 150,730 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Air bags; air bags › air bag/restraint control module; air bags › side/window; seat belts › pretensioner

Campaign 18V137000 · 2018-02-27 · 580,058 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai)…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Seat belts › front › anchorage; seat belts › pretensioner

Campaign 17V617000 · 2017-10-04 · 443,545 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Seat belts › front › anchorage

Campaign 17V152000 · 2017-03-08 · 977,778 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Exterior lighting › brake lights › switch

Campaign 15V759000 · 2015-11-16 · 304,900 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Engine

Campaign 15V568000 · 2015-09-10 · 470,000 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Power train › automatic transmission

Campaign 14V434000 · 2014-07-18 · 883,000 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Air bags › side/window

Campaign 12V352000 · 2012-07-24 · 29,767 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Questions to ask the seller

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

567 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 66,000 and 124,000 miles.

Any steering noises, pulling, stiffness, or loss of power assist? Turn lock to lock while parked and listen.

301 owner complaints mention the steering, half of the reports with mileage are between 43,058 and 100,000 miles.

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

235 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 51,579 and 120,000 miles.

Has the airbag warning light ever stayed on? Was any airbag replaced after a crash?

170 owner complaints mention the air bags, half of the reports with mileage are between 59,250 and 108,725 miles.

When were the brakes last serviced? On the test drive, check for pulsing, grinding, a soft pedal, or ABS warnings.

151 owner complaints mention the brakes, half of the reports with mileage are between 43,176 and 103,740 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Hyundai Sonata years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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