10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,569 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 1 of 7)

problem #135

Jun 242024

Sonata

  • miles

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

Emergency brake started engaging while the car is in motion. Usually, 10-15 minutes after starting the car. We were told the hydraulik brake booster pump needs to be replaced. The car is at only 60K miles.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #134

Jan 242023

Sonata

  • miles
The car has been meticulously maintained -?" I am glad to provide all records of regular service upon request -?" and lovingly cared for. It came to us in great shape. Until, that is, I drove it for the first time and the brakes failed. I rolled into an intersection. Luckily, there was no traffic and no one was harmed. But I had a very helpless feeling, and I feel incredibly grateful no one was hurt. After taking the vehicle to two mechanics, they independently confirmed that a sensor in the ABS module was failing, leading to a sudden loss of braking. After a cursory internet search, I found that many owners of this model and year of vehicle have encountered this dangerous problem.

- Guilford, CT, USA

problem #133

May 212024

Sonata

  • miles
while i was driving after picking up my daughters from school the car start giving me a hybrid system warning and a brake message on the dash with brakes not working properly so i stop and get the car tow to my mechanic it was scary since i have my 2 daughter with me my mechanic said the problem is the HECU AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT he tell me there is a recall #251 I call the dealer but they said only cover a fuse no the actual defected part that doesn't make sense I seen a lot of complain of this part going bad hopefully Hyundai do something to make right and fix the actual problem and dont put life on risk like happen to me and my daughters

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #132

Apr 232024

Sonata

  • miles

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

Saying check brakes and safely pull over hybrid battery failure

- Westfield , MA, USA

problem #131

Jan 052024

Sonata

  • miles
Brake light appeared intermittently while I'm in the middle of traffic.my vehicle's hybrid system warning light came on aside from the brake light and tells me to pull over and not to drive the vehicle.i towed my car to the dealership for inspection.after inspection done, the service advisor tells me that they need to change the abs module due to possible internal leaking besides the fuse.they quoted me $3574.71 to fix the abs module excluding other brake components.i asked them to change the fuse only.Abs problem and brake light are still on and vehicle is not drivable.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #130

Mar 192024

Sonata

  • miles
-??brake failure -??this has happened at indiscriminate times including the highway, suddenly the car tells me to stop driving and the brakes don-??t work as they should, no telling this would happen until it occurs. When pressing brakes, a loud noise rumbles through the car and I am no longer able to drive at any speed higher than 5 mph (an issue for being on the road) risk of possible collision as this happens suddenly and gives short time to take action -??UKNOWN -??was inspected by local dealer, they said it was the primary pressure sensor which is a part of the Hydraulic brake booster pump. They wanted to replace the entire hydraulic unit even though it was only the sensor that was faulty and it would cost me $3,503.61 which is an ABSURD price for an electrical issue that I did not see coming at all and it is a robbery of regular people who need their cars to get to the places they need to be (work and family) this is NOT a luxury, I need my car -??no warning signs or lights until the issue actually occurred. The only light that showed was the ABS lights, maybe it-??s linked to the recall about the brake fluid leaking causing fires?

- Alsip, IL, USA

problem #129

Feb 022024

Sonata

  • miles

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

my sonata 2012 the engine was replaced it seized up on the highway. since then ive had multiple issues; 1. my brake pedal seems to get pulled to the floor all the way at random times i have to pump the brake for it to release itself. 2. ive replaced the purge valve 3 going on 4 times as well as the cadilac converter due to it being clogged. 3. my car is so loud it makes a hissing noise and a winding sound people say its my transmission going out but no one can pinpoint the problem. 4. my brake lights and head lights go out all the time been replaced bout 100 times. lights on the dash r on; airbag, check engine tire pressure. please i need my vehicle looked over by a professional and or help replacing these issues ASAP

- Garland , TX, USA

problem #128

Jan 012024

Sonata

  • miles
Hyundai states this vehicle may catch fire while parked or while driving. They have advised not parking inside due to fire risk. We do not feel safe driving the vehicle any more than on local low speed city streets, as it might be impossible to safely pull over should it catch fire while driving at high speeds on a highway. We have been waiting months for Hyundai to fix this, cannot get a straight answer as to when that will happen. They have refused to provide a loaner or rental car, so we are currently stuck with a car that is close to completely useless and apparently presents a fire hazard even while sitting in our driveway. Can NHTSA assist?

- Anacortes, WA, USA

problem #127

Jan 242024

Sonata

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" Hybrid Warning System: Safely Stop and Do Not Drive. Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I lost complete control of braking when the alarm went off, the brake pedal went to the floor, made a grinding sound, was driving at a slow speed and able to pull over and stop the car. Turned car of and turned back on alert went away, slowing started driving and alert returned and loss of brake Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Car is currently at a Hyundai dealership being evaluated, they are unable to reproduce error as of today 1/26/2024 Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not as of today. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" 1/24/2024 this was the 1st time this error occured.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #126

Dec 282023

Sonata

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond intermittently. The contact was unaware if any warning lights had been illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

- Oak Park, MI, USA

problem #125

Sep 202023

Sonata

  • miles

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

It has been 4 months that I was instructed to park vehicle outside. This is frustrating. I think they should replace the Module and get it over with.

- Bremen, AL, USA

problem #124

Dec 262023

Sonata

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop, causing the stopping distance to be extended. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Oak Park, MI, USA

problem #123

Nov 282023

Sonata

  • miles
I noticed a clicking noise when pressing and releasing the brake pedal that had not been there before. I started hearing that sound 3-5 days ago. After driving to pick up food I noticed smoke coming from the engine area then the car burst into flames. The fire depress called a they put out the fire.

- Kennesaw , GA, USA

problem #122

Dec 202023

Sonata

  • miles
Several times a week I get "Hybrid System Warning. Check Brakes" that comes with red flashing light on the dash and beeping noise. When I turn the car off, give it a few seconds and restart the car, it goes away. It has mostly been happening when I am parked so it is not an issue to shut it off and restart. Two days ago, this happened while I have driving on the street and when I applied the brakes, it went down to the floor with grinding noise. I was going about 35 MPH and no cars in front of me so I was able to come to a stop on the street with hazards on. I turned off the car, restarted it and the issue went away. I have researched this online and it looks like many people are having the same issue. Many have taken their vehicle to the dealer to get the issue fixed and the dealer is unable to fix the issue because they cannot recreate the problem. I am afraid that this might lead into an accident and feel like something that Hyundai should do a recall on.

- West Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #121

Dec 132023

Sonata

  • miles
Alarm started and Hybrid brake check warning instructed to pull over and do not drive. This happened while driving down the road. The car lost power and would not accelerate. The brakes were gone and were making a grinding noise.

- Ridgefield, WA, USA

problem #120

Nov 302023

Sonata

  • miles
The ABS (Antilock Brake System) or BMS ( Brake Module System) warning light illumination came on flashing -??DO NOT DRIVE -?? and the brakes sieze-up making it impossible to drive. Key Hyundai in Jacksonville previously charged me $2600 to replace the BMS and within warranty. A few months later the same company charged me another $342.56 to diagnose the same issue. I had to rent a car for $700 while in the service repair department. Key Hyundai was unable to fix my 2012 Sonata hybrid except offering me a replacement hybrid battery and control system for $12,900. I declined. I believe that the campaign 251 involves this problem. I had to get the car towed to another mechanic that is currently working on the vehicle.

- Ponte Vedra Beach , FL, USA

problem #119

Nov 222022

Sonata

  • miles
Illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp and/or ABS (Anti-lock brake system) light. My 2012 Sonata Hybrid has been towed twice to Key Hyundai dealer in Jacksonville, FL. They charged me several thousand dollars and the vehicle ABS lamp remains illuminated. The dealership did not offer me alternative transportation and I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. On Friday November 12th they blamed the brake lamp illumination on the Hybrid main battery and gave me an estimate of $12,900 to replace the battery. The first time I took the vehicle in for this problem my vehicle was still under 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. My car has approximately only 35,000 miles driven. They did not honor the warranty. This is a brake issue not a battery issue.

- Ponte Vedra, FL, USA

problem #118

Nov 172023

Sonata

  • miles
Check engine lights on and says -??Warning do not drive the hybrid brakes may fail do not drive -??.

- Ponte Vedra , FL, USA

problem #117

Oct 172023

Sonata

  • miles
I went to start my car up 10 days ago and it began to alarm with a message to check the brake system. My car was stuck and wouldn't drive. This also happened in July 2022 while I was on the highway. I could no longer accelerate and the gas pedal no longer gave power. I had to put on my hazard lights and coast to the far right lane. I took it to the Hyundai dealership near by and they said it wasn't safe to drive. I left it there and was told that Hyundai would replace the part in good faith at no charge but charged me $700 for labor. This is becoming a problem. I was told the car could catch fire while driving or while parked and that I could continue to drive it. I decided not to drive it because I do not feel safe.

- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA

problem #116

May 012023

Sonata

  • miles
I have a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that has a problem with its ABS Module. It is overheating and causes my car to stop its brake and motor functions while driving. I contacted the dealership to get a rental or replacement in the meantime and they told me there is nothing they can do and to drive with caution. I called the manufacturer to get a rental for the meantime and they told me the same thing. I have looked on the recall documents and it says they should give me a vehicle in the meantime if it is unsafe to drive. Please, I don't even want the car at this point because of all the problems with it and with my dissatisfaction with customer service from any Hyundai business. But if I could just get a car that is safe to drive while I wait for the recall to have a remedy, I would take that.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

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