2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 155
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 7
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2012
Opened by NHTSA
44% of complaints
Complaints per year
2012: 155 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 95 |
| 2012 | 155 |
| 2013 | 108 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2016 | 132 |
| 2017 | 80 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 53 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
44% · 68 reportsShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH on the highway, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. No warning lights illuminated.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-04
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle slowly start to lose motive power. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-06-09
Engine fire, non collision. Just driving down the highway. No warning lights came on until engine quit running. Lost power and engine became extremely hot. Had to tow to mechanic who said engine might have caught fire and I would need new engine.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-02
Power train
20% · 31 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving and everything is going along fine it will suddenly jerk and make a sound as if I've been hit behind. I'm not sure if it's part of the detached shift cables or transmission or something else.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-24
Service brakes
15% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
Proceeded to back out of parking space. Brakes began making loud grinding noise. Pulled back into parking space when brakes failed. Brake failure light and chime was activated.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-30
Electrical system
15% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.
Vehicle speed control
8% · 13 reportsSafety timeline
6 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2012Complaint volume 155 complaints filed for this model year.
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2017-04-13Seat belts17V152000 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.
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2017-11-06Seat belts17V617000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152.
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.
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I
2018-03-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2019-08-30 Air bags may be disabled during crash
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2018-08-21Defect petitionClosed 2019-05-10 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
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2018-10-15Air bags, seat belts18V137000 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.
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.
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2019-03-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2021-12-22 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
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2020-09-28Equipment20V393000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020.
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2021-03-31Engine20V746000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS).
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2021-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2024-02-05 Engine Fires
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2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power
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2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
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2023-11-17Audit queryOpen Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
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2024-04-10Service brakes, hydraulic23V651000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell,...
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024.
Buy-smart checklist
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 68 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 31 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 24 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 17V152000 · Seat belts
- Recall 17V617000 · Seat belts
- Recall 18V137000 · Air bags, seat belts
- Recall 20V393000 · Equipment
- Recall 20V746000 · Engine
- Recall 23V651000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
- The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.