10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,299 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Hyundai Sonata brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 6 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #43

Apr 302018

Sonata

  • 72,939 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My break light was stayin on even after I removed my foot off the break pad.I noticed a small. Rubber break stopper fall off the break pad.I took my car to the Hyundai dealer to see if there was a recall on my car which they stated 'no',and I ended up paying $152.31 for the fix which has a guarantee for as long as I own my car if it happens again.I recently checked my credit on credit karma which show my information as owner of the 2012 Sonata and it shows the break light recall which I was correct when I noticed the problem.and it show on my credit karma as not done as yet.I have receipt of proof that they did the job and charged me the $152.31 which I was not supposed to pay as it is a recall.my wife noticed that the break light stayed on when the car was shut off.it was fixed on April 30th 2018.I complained about it being a recall but they denied it.I found out it was a recall through my credit karma and VIN number.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #42

Dec 182018

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
Arriving at busy intersect when accelerators and brakes ceased to work all dash lights began flashing and I was fortunate enough for light to be green and was able to coast to a stop at shoulder through intersection w flashers and horn blowing ! I restarted car and pulled into a local business w a clunking noise!! was told by my mechanic who has regularly serviced this vehicle that it was the engine ! why brake/acceleration not working ?? I was told he's had 3 other Sonatas in this month that 'just burned up all the oil ' without a light on or anything. I could have been on S busy highway and killed in addition to risk to others.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #41

Dec 142018

Sonata

  • 87,600 miles
I have to change my bulbs every other month it seems like because my brake/tail lights keep burning out.. also my emergency brake light on my dash will not turn off now. I took my car in last week for engine recall and now my emergency park light will not turn off. Mechanic checked brake fluids and it was fine, but I didn't have this issue before I dropped my car off for repairs.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #40

Oct 212018

Sonata

  • 114,321 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall I was driving in carrolton, ga one evening and was pulled over by an officer and was told both of my brake lights stopped working at or around the same time he gave me until Nov. 27th, 2018 to get them fixed. I was at first replacing the bulbs and they would burn out. I started calling around to different shops to get them fixed and they were all telling me the same thing. That is has become very common with my car( Hyundai Sonata) and that I had to replace the whole system. I found out that is what I have to do and a total of $500 to get both done. I missed my due date to get thwm fixed because it wasnt a simple replace the light bulb fixed and required more money. If this is true why haven't there been a recall on the brake lights? brake lights are very important and unsafe if that are not working hence why it is against the law. If most lr all your cars are having this problem you should be the ones to fix this problem.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #39

Nov 202018

Sonata

  • 103,458 miles
Tail light assembly keeps failing. I've had to replace both tail light assemblies 3 times each time cost around $480. I've replaced bulbs constantly that keep melting and having to replace the entire assembly

- Landover Hills, MD, USA

problem #38

Nov 072018

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
I have had to replace brake light bulb every month for the last 3 years. They have gotten hot enough to melt the hole you insert them into and then cannot be taken out because the heat made the hole smaller

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #37

Sep 192018

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brake lights are remaining illuminated when the car is turned off and when driving. Rear drivers may not know that I'm stopping or driving because the lights are always illuminated.

- Bedford, TX, USA

problem #36

Aug 172018

Sonata

  • 36,000 miles
While driving in motion or after driving briefly after a complete stop. The emergency brake light may come on, or the actual brake lights would start to flicker for no reason. The rpms on the car would drop very low and then rise over 3000. The vehicle would then decelerate and not allow to go higher than 25 mph. The engine also makes a knocking noise. This has caused two near accidents, one being T-boned by another vehicle and another almost being hit in the rear of the vehicle by another vehicle. This has been stated to the local dealership at least twice and they state they cannot find anything wrong that would cause these issues. The vehicle has been taken to taylor Hyundai of augusta each time to be inspected.

- Aiken, SC, USA

problem #35

Jun 282018

Sonata

  • 81,050 miles
My car is not starting up. When I push key start and press the brakes the lights on the dash comes on but the car wont start. If I wait a fews hours then it will start. I have waited as long as 5 hours in a parking garage. The car reads "key not in vehicle". I have gotten new batteries for both key fobs. The first time the car did this after a few hours later it started and I didn't have an issue for about 3 weeks. Since that time the car has not started on 3 other occasions. I had to have it towed to the dealership. They said I needed the fuel injectors cleaned. So I paid to have that done and then the car started every time for one day. The very next day the wouldn't start again in my driveway. After an hour it started and then the next day it did the same thing and my daughter missed work. When the car doesn't start all the lights and radio come on but the car just wont start. Every time this has happened the car has been stationary. I cant leave my car running while I go to the store because I'm afraid it will not turn back on. I have read article about this same issue from other people with the push start vehicle.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

problem #34

Jun 162018

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
On 6/16/18 my car brake light caught on fire. Prior to this incident we had trouble with the brake light we got a ticket for the lights staying on. The light would sometimes not turn off or not turn on. Then the car seem to be working great again. I brought the car 3 months ago hoping that it would be great on gas, last me at least 20 years, and that it was a great car to keep my family safe. Next, thing I know people are flashing their lights and beeping their horns and acting strange trying to get me and my fianc's attention. When we both looked back we saw that the car was on fire while we were moving 45 mph down the highway. We pulled over all of the bystanders helped us put out the fire. When it was finally out the light had melted off and the only thing that was hanging was what was left of the electrical wires that attached once was the light bulb.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #33

May 012018

Sonata

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake lights fail to light when needed. Also, the ESC alert comes on intermittently. When the ESC light comes on, the brake lights do not work. However, the brake lamps have not worked when the ESC is not on. Seems related but not entirely exclusive. Do know that there was a brake lamp defect for the 2006-07 Hyundai Sonatas and there was a recall. This issue has not been resolved.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #32

Mar 032018

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
Failure of brake light switch allowing starting car in park and shifting to drive, with out pressing brakes.same as safety recall on elantra. I bet it has the same faulty part.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #31

Jan 282018

Sonata

  • 51,000 miles
My brake lights would not turn off, even when the car was turned off and the key was removed. Even though300,000 same model cars had been recalled for the same problem, my exact vehicle had not been part of the recall and I had to pay $250 to fix it. I called Hyundai (case 10974149) and was told that they would not cover the repair.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #30

Jan 132018

Sonata

  • 33,000 miles
Hyundai had a massive recall 15V-759 for 2011-2012 sonoata (and other vehicles) for the brake pedal stopper pad. It was defective and wore out which made the brake lights stay on. For some unknown reason our vehicle doen't show up on the recal even thought it has the exact same problem, we took it to the dealer and they charged us to fix it. We called the Hyundai Consumer Affairs case # 10929935 and they said they could not help us. Why? it is the same problem and is a 2012 Sonata with the same defected break pedal pad! the brake lights stayed on and drained the battery

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #29

Dec 312017

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
While driving down the street I came to a slowing to make a left hand turn, my car filled with smoke. I pull over to find smoke coming from trunk are and behind the back seats. Open the trunk to find flames near drivers side tail light. Car went into flames and was a total loss.

- Summerfield, FL, USA

problem #28

Dec 082017

Sonata

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds or when the vehicle was parked, the brake lights illuminated without applying the brake pedal. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 855-671-3059 and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was asked to call NHTSA. A case number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #27

Nov 242017

Sonata

  • 44,352 miles
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. The front of the car was bobbing up and down, but not stopping the vehicle. I do not know how fast I was going when I finally hit the other vehicle. We both got out of our vehicles and to my surprise, there was no damage on either vehicle. (miracle) there was no police or tow trucks called. I was able to get my car home safely. My car will probably be sold by the time you read this. Also, there were no injuries. I was so nervous I did not know what kind of vehicle I hit or if there were other passengers.

- St. Paul, MN, USA

problem #26

Oct 182017

Sonata

  • miles
I have had 4 potential accidents due to the brake lights which illuminates while driving. Specifically, while driving with my toddler on the expressway, pressing the gas pedal the brake light illuminates out of no where causing the car to slow all down and has even stopped while my foot was still on the gas pedal. Or order to get speed I have had to release my foot off the gas pedal, place my foot behind the brake pedal and then press the gas again. When placing the car in park the brake light would stay on. I have had to disconnect the battery in an effort to preserve my battery. I called into my local Hyundai dealership and was advised there was no recalls however, this safety issue resembles that of NHTSA campaign number: 15V759000 (service brakes) (brake pedal stopper) recall #136, 132.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #25

Sep 112017

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Brake lights remain constantly illuminated, despite car being off. Required to disconnect battery terminal to preserve battery. Traction control warning lamp also remains on/illuminated as well. Car can shift between all (park, neutral, reverse, drive) without depressing the break pedal. This is similar if not identical to recall 136 for Hyundai, however, my VIN is not showing the recall despite exact problem as described. This problem does not matter if car is in motion or stationary.. it is constant.

- Ruskin, FL, USA

problem #24

Jul 172017

Sonata

  • 8,000 miles
Takata recall. Mi carro Hyundai Sonata desde que lo compre tenia problemas lo llevaba al dealer Y me cobraban por todo, menos por el cambio de aceite. Resulta que el dealer de roswell reparando el sistema electrico puso mi carro a 0 millas, ellos dicen que no pero yo tengo los recibos. Llevo al rededor de 3 semana sin carro, a mi Y mi marido nos despidieron del trabajo Y estamos durmiendo en la calle en el carro de un primo sin aire Y sin nada, la Hyundai dice que yo tengo que pagar eso, esroy pagando por algo que en realidad no funciona, por favor ayudarme. Ya he hablado con el manager ya he hablado con todo el mundo hasta con el banco el carro paso su primera inspeccion en octubre Y en febrero nos dan una multa por el cinturon Y la luz delantera, no frenaba, no enfriaba, problemas en la direccion, gastaba la goma, cuando echabamos gasolina el olor SE quedaba dentro, problemas electricos, los intermitentes ponas para la derecha Y sala el de la izquierda, mucho ruido dentro del carro, con todo Y eso no me import segu pagando el carro a pesar que ellos me cobraban por todo, pero ahora esto de las millas si que no. Y Hyundai no quiere hacer nada, el gerente dice que ellos no pusieron el carro a 0 millas pero yo tengo el comprobante de todo. Por favor no tengo donde vivir, no tengo trabajo, necesito que me ayuden por favor para aunque sea buscar un trabajo

- Carlsbad, NM, USA

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