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2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, most often about the engine (46% of complaints, typically around 97,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Sonata Hybrid model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems
Engine
70 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
While driving the vehicle on side street we heard a knocking noise. We had our car towed to local mechanic where they diagnosed engine rod failure. Car was well maintained with oil changes. Oil and clean and full when error occurred. No warning lights or check engine light ever alerted. Had vehicle towed to romero…
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and the "hybrid pull over soon" warning indicator flashed. The vehicle stalled and was able to be coasted to the side of the road.…
Transmission
30 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I was driving southbound I-405 near renton, washington around 7:30 a.m. Morning rush hour traffic. Message flashed on "check charging system hybrid system warning safely stop and do not drive" at 80,725 miles. Drove to Hyundai dealer 4 minutes away who read check engine light error code diagnosing problem as hpcu…
The car was at a stop light and burst into flames, all of the sonatas have this problem, all sonatas will at the least burn up the engines, transmissions, or batteries due to this problem. Out of 35 sonatas tested 35 had this problem. Contacted Hyundai USA, Hyundai fullerton, Hyundai consumer complaint line and they…
Brakes
25 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 113,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check brakes and hybrid system warning…
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. While driving various speeds, the emergency brake engaged independently. The contact had to turn off the engine and wait a moment for the vehicle to regain normal function. The hybrid emergency brake indicator illuminated while the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken…
Electrical
23 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise while driving approximately 55 MPH. In addition, the charging system warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to autonation Hyundai mall of georgia (located at 3445 buford dr, buford, ga) where it was…
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. When shifting into reverse or drive, the vehicle jerked violently. In addition, while driving 15-20 MPH, a chime sounded and the 'safely stop and do not drive' warning message appeared on the message board. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
When putting my car in park the warning "hybrid system warning! Safely stop and do not drive" appears. If I turn the car off and immediately try to restart it will not start. If I turn the car off and wait about 15 minutes it will start with no alerts. This has happened approximately 10 times and I have taken it to…
"takata recall my 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid limited is coming up with a warning signal "hybrid safety warning do not drive".and check brakethis has happened on three separate occasions. Taken to 3 different dealers and no body able to detect the problem. The car sounds an alarm and the message comes up on the dash…
Speed control
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
This problem has been getting progressively worse during the last 6 months. While driving or stopped at a light, the vehicle has sudden unexplained acceleration. The acceleration happens with or without the foot on the gas. When in drive, the driver can remove his foot from the gas and the vehicle continues to…
While on cruise control at 68mph I was going down a small hill & my car suddenly accelerated from 68mph to 82mph at which point I disengaged my cruise control & the car decelerated . I noted the mileage & took the car to Hyundai. They found no abnormal event in the computer log.this begs the issue that I did have this…
Steering
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles.
We took the vehicle to the dealership for service and when it was returned to US, we were notified that the steering coupler was defective and it would be $250 +taxes and fees to replace. There is a tsb and after investigation of same on the internet there have been several occurrences of failure of this part and it…
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, noticing an excessive amount of understeer. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 3%Slowly accelerating up a small hill at approximately 3 to 5 MPH. Began to break at top of hill which is at the exit of a very busy road. Suddenly car began to accelerate without my foot on the gas or on cruise. I had foot on the brake when this happened. I had to break harder to avoid being hit by 4 lane traffic. Car…
This is my second 2012 Sonata Hybrid. The first one had so many engine issues that Hyundai replaced it with another 2012 Sonata Hybrid. I have taken it in 5 times.for the same issue. Around 20mph the car will not accelerate then it jerks forward. I almosy got hit on the highway because it wont accelerate. Several…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Full defect summary
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, and 2013 santa fe sport vehicles. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Engine
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began march 31, 2021. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor america (hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 veloster, 2012 santa fe, 2011-2013 sonata hybrid, and 2016 sonata hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Equipment: electrical
Risk: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor america (hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 hyundai elantra and sonata hybrid, 2012 accent and veloster vehicles. The 12v accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the tire mobility kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received eight hyundai motor america (hyundai) and eight kia america, inc. (kia) part 573 recall reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or hydraulic electronic control units (hecu) manufactured by the equipment supplier mando. The part 573 recall reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by mando. Safety recalls included in this audit query (aq) review include: hyundai recalls 20v-520, 20v-543, 21v-161, 21v-160, 21v-303, 22v-056, 22v-810, and 23v-651. Kia recalls 16v-815, 20v-518, 20v-519, 21v
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Engine fires
Summary
On march 29, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened two preliminary evaluations (pe19-003 on hyundai and pe19-004 on kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year hyundai and kia vehicles.â during the pe investigations, hyundai and kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.â the remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.â additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modif
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
During this preliminary evaluation (pe), the office of defects investigation (odi) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (my) 2011-2014 hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles equipped with theta II and lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles). Odi also reviewed field data of other hyundai vehicles equipped with theta II, gamma, nu and lambda engines (approximately 4.8 million). As a result of this pe, hyundai has issued NHTSA recalls 20v-746 and 21v-727 to address potential engine failures and fires in certain hyundai vehicles
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
In a letter dated june 11, 2018, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (my) 2011-2014 kia optima and sorento, and hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles. In a letter dated july 24, 2018, cas requested that my 2010-2015 kia soul vehicles be added to the petition. Cas stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The office of defects investigation (odi) had already opened recall queries (rq17-003 and rq17-004) on all kia and hyundai vehicles equipped
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. Odi reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (my) 2011 hyundai sonata, my 2012-2013 kia forte and forte koup vehicles. Odi also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, zf-trw (zf), to review vehicles that may contain the same air bag control unit (acu) used in the subject vehicles. Hyundai motor america (hma) issued recall no. 18v-137 for my 2011-2013 sonata and my 2012 sonata hybrid vehicles. Kia motors america (kma) issued re
Questions about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (70 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles); transmission (30 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); brakes (25 complaints, typically around 113,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 22, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
- It is the most complained-about Sonata Hybrid model year since 2000, with 154 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.