10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,700 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 3 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #168

Mar 162022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Front and back lights keep going out. Replacing monthly. Also air bag light starting to show off and

- Indio, CA, USA

problem #167

Jun 012021

Sonata

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the rear taillights failed to illuminate upon depression of the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the socket to replace the light bulb had melted and that due to the failure, both light bulbs could not be replaced. The contact also mentioned that a white smoke had emitted from her driver side headlight when she attempted to replace the light bulb. The contact was able to replace the driver side headlight bulb; however, the driver side headlight bulb would illuminate very dim. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #166

Jan 182021

Sonata

  • miles
I keep getting this error message Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive with the caution symbol. I have take it to the dealership 5 times and they do not see anything wrong. Usually the message flash for a few seconds and then go away. Today it did something different. The display keep alternating with Check charging system and Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive along with a beeping sound. I had to pull over and restart the car. I travel in rural areas for work, and I am so afraid my car is going to stop in the middle on nowhere. When I googled the error message it appears so many other Sonata owners from 2011-2014 are experiencing the same problem. I have reported this to Hyundai warranty, but when they contact the dealership, they tell them nothing is wrong with my car. Please advise of what to do.

- Fort Mitchell, AL, USA

problem #165

Jan 272022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Original Report: 1/28/22 to HyundaiUSA Problem with car started day after alignment. First noticed (while going up driveway) pressing accelerator did nothing - press again then OK. Got out to open gate, noticed brake lights on. Later (after dark), came out and brake lights on. Driving home noticed ESC light on - ESC off button had no effect. I found this exact description on "CarComplaints.com" from 2019 and it references recall #136. Next day I cranked the car, and the "ESC off" indicator came on. I was then able to turn off with the ESC off button. Update: 1/29/22 Next day same issue with brake light. Able to reset ESC light but it came back on after driving about 15 miles. I noticed that the issue with the sudden deceleration occurred while going 55 mph. It happened about 3 times in the 5 mile return trip. Releasing the accelerator pedal then pressing again provided acceleration. When I got out of the car, the brake light remained on. Update 1/30/22 The ESC light reset itself automatically when I cranked the car. While warming up the car in the garage, the brake light came on and I tapped the brake to turn off. This happened 4 times. I was pulling out of a side road onto a busy road with limited sight of oncoming traffic. As I started out, the acceleration died, and a car came around the curve/hill. I managed to release the accelerator and re-apply and got out of the driver-??s way -?" he was able to slow down enough to avoid an accident. Issue happened several times while driving to my destination. A few minutes after going inside, the car security horn started sounding. I used the remote to turn off. I went back in, and it started blowing again. I pulled the fuse for the horn from under the hood. The ESC light did not come back on during this trip but the brake light did numerous times. My research found that the brake light switch has been blamed for some of these issues. But a faulty brake light switch would prevent engaging gear shift.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #164

Jan 042022

Sonata

  • miles
After an oil change, my car started losing power at the gas and suddenly turned off on me while I was driving and never turned back on! When I tried turning my car back on my engine started smoking

- Delano, CA, USA

problem #163

Jan 022022

Sonata

  • miles
1#.air. #2 not inspección 1year ago. #3 air bag lihg warning was the first day a Buy tne car. never im put interés now im know Is bad in damgere.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #162

Oct 262021

Sonata

  • miles

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

I am experiencing the exact same issues described in a previous recall of 2006 to 2007 model affecting the brake lamp switch. My brake lamps remain illuminated after release of the brake pedal, and the ESC light illuminates on the dash

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #161

Oct 282021

Sonata

  • miles
This morning when i drove the car to Bart station, just before i parked in the parking lot. the showboard showed "Hybrid System Warning, Safely Stop and Do Not Drive". So i stopped and parked the car in the parking space. i'm not sure what the issue is and if i still can drive it after i came back from my work. After i checked the website and found there're a lot of people have this same issue as this case. I did not see any of them have solution for it. So I believed that this is a big issue since it will cuase death if it happens in the high speed high way. please do the investigation and recall for it to save lives! appreciated in advance.

- Mountain House, CA, USA

problem #160

Sep 102021

Sonata

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake lights were continually illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but, vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned about a possible fire. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

- Lumberton, TX, USA

problem #159

Jul 112021

Sonata

  • miles
While I was driving, an error stating "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive" popped up on my dash.

- Tustin, CA, USA

problem #158

Jul 092021

Sonata

  • miles

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

On 05/26/21 this vehicle was taken to crown Hyundai for an engine recall and was not running. In fact, since purchased at the auction it has never ran more than 30 feet then suts off. Tech said, computer responded with a faulty wheel sensor, a dead battery, and fault ABS sensor. I picked up the car and put new battery in it, and a left rear wheel sensor and reported by Hyundai. Our mechanic said take back to Hyundai to reset the ABS sensor, so ON06/24/21 we did return the vehicle to crown Hyundai and was tolk now they could not set the sensor as the battery was the wrong type, now a code for a flap door and an allegation of the vehicle being wrecked in the front end causing door damage. My right headlight has always been loose but no damage. Now the computer says the door plap and front bumper damage is causing 30 more defaults to pop up my wrecker driver will tell you the car was not driving but would start and move until sensor shut down. Now it will not start or move and more sensors are being shown.. service manager said, , I cannot tell you not to fix it, but there are more codes poping up now... there is something wrong with this picture... he said he has several more hydrid's sitting in the back that also show many codes.

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA

problem #157

Jun 012021

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving on the freeway and I put my foot on the gas to accelerate and my car would not go. It had no power. It is intermittent. I can be driving and it is fine then all of a sudden it won-??t go more then 30 mph. My brake lights are always going out. Now my break lights won-??t turn off.

- Norwalk, CA, USA

problem #156

May 272021

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving on the Highway and my vehicle started blinking with all of the check lights going off and it stated -??hybrid system warning stop and pull over immediately-??. The car seemed to continue to jerk with the gas than the brakes went off. My steering wheel would not allow my to turn and I was very close to getting into an accident. My 6 month old baby was in the car and I feared for both of our lives. Every time I turn the car on it states the same thing... please help

- Kihei , HI, USA

problem #155

May 142021

Sonata

  • miles
On one of the first occasions, I had just exited the Lincoln tunnel when the "Hybrid System Warning Safely Pull over" came blaring along with the "Check engine" light. I safely pulled over and noticed the car would act as if it was in "neutral" when it was actually in "Drive". I shut off the car and eventually I was able to drive.

- Nutley, NJ, USA

problem #154

May 222021

Sonata

  • miles
My break lights and head lights are constantly blowing out, I've had multiple repair orders to prove this & can have records pulled from my pull overs. My back up camera now has an electrical issue and will no longer come on. Also when I'm driving the gas pedal just stops working while driving!!! Very very dangerous. My car is well kept and maintained there is NO reason for these issues to be happening aside from a manufacturer issue. I know plenty of people with the same year make and model as me and they all have the same issues. There really needs to be recalls put out on these issues as they are a safety concerns and they are putting me and my children in danger every day. I wish I had researched these issues before buying a Hyundai. I WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN especially if these issues do not get resolved.

- Gambrills, MD, USA

problem #153

Apr 052021

Sonata

  • 174,000 miles
1 day after buying vehicle. It failed. 1st dealer replaced 12V battery. Then drove 17 miles and it failed again. Dealer determined hybrid battery bad. 7K for new one. 7 yr old vehicle needed new hybrid battery. Purchased hybrid battery. 1 year later vehicle started jerking on highway. Then it could not get over 40 and engine was revving high. Towef to dealer. They determined failed transmission and electric motor. Purchased used parts and had them installed for 4K. Nightmare vehicle. Awful support from Hyundai. No way I would ever buy another.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

problem #152

Apr 082021

Sonata

  • 158,000 miles
I was in motion on the interstate and service engine light popped on and it was told it ended up being the camshaft. On my way to shop the next day my car cut off on the interstate and everything worked but car would not crank. Was told it was engine. I had no warning and yes my oil had been changed.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #151

Apr 052021

Sonata

  • miles
The vehicle was stationary when vehicle wouldn't start due to the interior fuse box gone bad once fixed while drive on a residential street the steering wheel begin click while turn either left or right and almost locked on me the 2012 Hyundai Sonata steering column flexible coupler went bad and from my research this seem to be an ongoing problem with there car

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #150

Apr 052021

Sonata

  • 138,000 miles
My passenger rear light keeps blowing. I have replaced the bulb once a week since I bought the car two years ago. I have been pulled over multiple times, thankfully I was not ticketed and was given a warning all 3 times. The light went out again so I went to change the bulb and the the whole housing unit is melted. Now I am unable to take the bulb out to change it.

- Wilkes Barre, PA, USA

problem #149

Mar 272021

Sonata

  • 98,497 miles
My radio will not allow me to connect bluetooth nor will it come off the 'caution' screen that comes on when it first start up. Also I am unable to connect usb (media). I attempted but did not work then I tried the same cord with charger port adapter and it works

- Mobile, AL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?