2012 Hyundai Sonata

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
1,557
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2012: 1,557 complaints 2012 1,557 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2022 2023: 87 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1990 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2008 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2012: 1,557 complaints 2012 1,557 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1995 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2001 2002: 319 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2009 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2012: 1,557 complaints 2012 1,557 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2015 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2019 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2021 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints

2012: 1,557 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,377
20121,557
20131,912
2014746
20151,148
2016726
2017764
2018374
2019162
2020178
2021133
202293
202387
202446
202517
20263

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

36% · 567 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle engine caught fire in April 2026! Tow company sold for parts without my permission! Immediately after gaining possession of my car. I didn't have comprehensive insurance, only basic. I had a brain bleed stroke Nov.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-30

This is a 2012 sonata hybrid. The vehicle popped under the hood when my wife was driving to visit her father. My son opened the hood and fire started shooting out from next to the exhaust manifold. The car was just into Gurnee Hyundai for service.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-27

Also filed under Electrical system and power train

Sudden unintentional acceleration on a highway going approximately 45 MPH. Saw brake lights on vehicles and started braking. Suddenly, my vehicle sped up, catching up to the vehicle ahead of me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-26

Also filed under Service brakes and power train

Steering

19% · 301 reports

Most commonly citing column and rack.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While braking hard to avoid a coyote, vehicle pulled hard right even though I was trying to steer left. Was pulled off road to the right and hit a driveway. Caused extensive damage to under carriage and bumper.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-22

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving 45 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-12-14

This is for a 2012 Sonata. Your options to select this make and model only showed 2011 as the option year. This complaint is for a 2012. I purchased a 2012 Sonata in late June. Technically this is the second one I purchased.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-07-21

Electrical system

15% · 234 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle looses power while driving on the road and all the electronics shut down. I lost power steering and power brakes and could not stop the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-09

Air bags

11% · 171 reports

Most commonly citing inflator module and frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The passenger side curtain and front airbags popped with no crash or reason, yes Hyundai will be able to inspect upon pick up.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-26

Also filed under Seat belts

Service brakes

10% · 158 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 1,557 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2012-08-31Air bags12V352000 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…

    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.

  3. R
    2014-09-12Power train14V434000 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.

  4. R
    2016-01-06Engine15V568000 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...

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge.

  5. R
    2016-01-06Exterior lighting15V759000 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.

  6. R
    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.

  7. I
    2017-05-18Recall queryClosed 2021-12-22 Scope and Timeliness
  8. R
    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.

  9. I
    2018-03-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2019-08-30 Air bags may be disabled during crash
  10. I
    2018-08-21Defect petitionClosed 2019-05-10 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
  11. R
    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.

  12. R
    2019-03-01Engine, fuel system, gasoline18V934000 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.

    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.

  13. I
    2019-03-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2021-12-22 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
  14. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities
  15. I
    2021-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2024-02-05 Engine Fires
  16. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 567 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 301 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 234 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V352000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V434000 · Power train
  • Recall 15V568000 · Engine
  • Recall 15V759000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 17V152000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 17V617000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 18V137000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 18V934000 · Engine, fuel system, gasoline

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.