10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 26
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,696 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

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 7 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #95

Jan 112019

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles

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

While driving in traffic car began to jerk and lose speed though the engine was running. The car stopped in the middle of moving traffic. Transmission fluid spilled out profusely. Transmission was replaced but started to slip again the same day I picked it up after new (remanufactured) transmission was installed by the Hyundai dealer. Prior to this transmission issue, the alternator in my car failed while driving in the middle of moving traffic. This complete transmission failure occurred shortly after a new engine was installed because the original engine seized and failed prior. Alternator was replaced. The newly installed alternator failed again. A new alternator was once again installed. I am now having similar electrical problems yet again and there is a current concern that the vehicle may possibly stop suddenly and hazardously again while in motion.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #94

Mar 112019

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
I pulled into a parking spot and noticed nothing out of the ordinary with my vehicle. When I was stepping away from my car and pushed the lock button there was no clicking sound. I continued into the building and returned to my car a few minutes later and it would not start. All of the lights would come on, but the brake locked up and the car would not start. I attempted to charge the battery which did not work. I unhooked the battery cables for a period of time to reset the lock system and possibly unlock the starting system, which did not work either. It has only been two weeks since I took this vehicle into the dealership to have the computer system updated due to engine failure issues in other vehicles. I purchased this vehicle less than a year ago and it does not show from what I can tell a recall. However I was instructed by the dealership to have the car towed into them so they can check to see if it is engine failure or a number of recall issues that I have not been aware of.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #93

Mar 042019

Sonata

  • 138,000 miles
Started having electrical issues, 1: when you use the button to roll up front passenger window or put the car in reverse the electric trunk opener will pop the trunk open. 2: trouble with low voltage to the waste gate accurater sensor that controls the turbocharger unit. 3: number 2 did not start until two other codes showed up on my check engine light. Those two codes are P0011 & P0014. This electrical issue seems to be a major problem with this car. Me and my wife are on disability and can not afford the cost of a dealership to continue to try to fix it when they don't even seem to know what the problem is.

- Winchester, OH, USA

problem #92

Dec 182018

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles

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

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 #91

Jul 312018

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
While driving on two lane highway vehicle shut down without warning. The car smelled of burning plastic and smoke was coming from passenger side under hood. Car was towed to dealer and motor was replaced thru recall. On 8/20 I was scheduled to pick up and was notified that the main wiring harness had melted badly and that it would not be covered. I filed case #11538113 with Hyundai corporate on 8/20, citing that it appeared to be related to the motor seizing, and/or a safety defect. I was denied assistance on 9/20 and contacted the dealership to begin work at my costs. The car is still at the dealership as they are stating Hyundai cannot release the wiring harness. Research on why brought me to similar compaints the appear to warrant a recall.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #90

Aug 152017

Sonata

  • 115,000 miles
I'm not even sure what all recalls are there anymore however this is the car I love to hate... break wires keep melting car is now burning oil apparently and there is no reason or leak the engine is knocking now... absolutely love my car but I believe she will leave me stranded soon on top of what ever happened with the break light staying on randomly reduced my driving speed nearly causing me an accident

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #89

Dec 052018

Sonata

  • miles

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

Car would not start so replaced the battery. The next day the battery was dead again. Took it to a mechanic they stated it was a short in the brake light switch. Also, while driving the car and taking off from a stop sign, red light it would not accelerate while pressing the pedal an seemed like transmission was slipping. While driving down the interstate at 70mph the car would lose acceleration dropping my speed to 40 mph. Causing me to almost cause an accident with cars behind me having to slam on their brakes.

- Lewisburg, TN, USA

problem #88

Sep 112018

Sonata

  • 5,988 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. When the contact entered the vehicle, the instrument panel stated that the rear driver's side door was open. The contact exited the vehicle, opened the door, and closed the door. After attempting to open the door again, the door remained locked and the entire electrical system shut down. In addition, the traction warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to gettel Hyundai of sarasota (3500 bee ridge rd, sarasota, fl 34239, (941) 923-1411) where it was diagnosed that a new door lock needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 5,988.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #87

Nov 162018

Sonata

  • 111,823 miles
The rear tail lights burn out, the housing unit or lenses melt and the lights do not work. This has happened several times, replacement of light bulbs are continuous and the lights seem to have some sort of shortage. They work sometimes and sometimes they do not.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #86

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 #85

Jun 082018

Sonata

  • 113,000 miles

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

On June 8th, 2018 my husband was driving down interstate 85 in charlotte nc going about 60 mph when the vehicle stalled. He coasted the car to the side of the interstate. He turned the vehicle off then tried to restart it and nothing happen and power was dead in the car. Then he saw smoke coming from under the hood. The doors won't open so he had to climb out though the sunroof to safety. He opened the hood and the engine was inflamed with fire. He called the fire department, they came and put the fire out. The reason I'm filing this compliant is because he could have been seriously hurtor killed if the sunroof was close. Hyundai has no explanation for why this is happening and my vehowas total lost. We also have pictures and a video. I can't upload the video so if someone contacts me I will email it.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #84

Oct 152018

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 50 mph and exiting a freeway, the vehicle slowed down and the battery indicator illuminated. Afterwards, all of the instrument panel indicators began to flash. The contact stopped, shut off, and attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact noticed flames under the hood on the driver's side. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a fire report was filed. There were no injuries. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact was unaware if a police report was filed. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #83

Feb 162016

Sonata

  • miles
Takata recall when you press on the gas the car stalls then drives. When you turn on the headlights the back tail light goes out. I took my car to Hyundai multiple times to get these and the air bags checked out and still they didn't fix nothing. When I first got the car I had totake it to Hyundai bc it smelled like smoke they fixed it but now when U turn on the air the car don't excel the way it does when the heat is one

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #82

Oct 102018

Sonata

  • 117,300 miles
On 10/10/18 my vehicle began smoking from the engine compartment after driving less than 10 miles. The engine compartment subsequently burst into flames. 911 was called and the fire was extinguished. There was not a crash preceding the fire. The engine compartment and hood area of the vehicle was burned rendering the vehicle inoperable. A claim has been filed with insurance and a report was generated by the thomaston fire and thomaston police department. Photos of the damage are attached.

- Thomaston, GA, USA

problem #81

Oct 032018

Sonata

  • 191,000 miles
First issue occurred in my job's parking lot, as I tried to crank my car it made a roaring start and didn't want to stay on. Cut the car off, checked oil. There was barely any on the stick (just got an oil change on 09/21/18 at Hyundai dealership). Added 2 qts had mom drive to dealership per serviceman request. They changed my oil and informed my mom of an ongoing issue. Well get off headed home, on regular county road headlights flashed off and on alone with radio console. Pulled over lights stayed on, but I notice taillight that has been replaced multiple times over the last couple months was out again. Tried to replace it and the wire was hot and bulb wouldn't come out. So, I decided to wait till I get home. But now I'm waiting on the side of the road because my engine light is

- Shannon, MS, USA

problem #80

Sep 182018

Sonata

  • 54,000 miles
My car was in motion when headlights started dimming then car lost power and was begigging to stop..kept depressing gas pedal and car then started moving again. I was traveling on a main road in left lane when this happened which could have been a major accident. Also have numerous brake light bulbs replaced and key fob will not be recognized to start car but car will start when keyfob inserted into charger in miiddle console. Key fob will work to open and lock door but not for starting car.

- Coram, NY, USA

problem #79

Sep 272018

Sonata

  • 123,000 miles
Key fob in 2012 Hyundai Sonatas not recognized and don't allow you to start up your car using the push/start button; also, doors won't unlock with fob and manually have to be entered using actual key. Seems like some programming to the fob has been lost; dashboard would turn on and say"key not in vehicle" or "insert key" when depressing the push/start button. Apparently, dealerships are aware of the problem, but may not actually report it and treat as something else only after numerous other repairs. Youtube videos of these issues as I've described are available. Vehicle is stationery when this happens; then it would work and then stop again in a few days. Changed batteries in both fobs and still the same issue. Originally starting happening a week prior to 9/27/2018.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #78

Aug 262018

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving my 2012 hyundia Sonata down the road, and all of a sudden, the whole car shut off. This caused the steering wheel and the brakes to fail. Fortunately, I was able to make it to the side of the road, and I smelled smoke. At first, I thought the engine was overheating, so I opened the hood to see what was going on. I saw a ball of fire, and quickly grabbed my 4 year old and 10 year old out of the car. By the time I got them out of the car, the whole engine bay engulfed in flames. After telling my story, I have had multiple people reach out to me with similar stories.

- Dover, FL, USA

problem #77

Jun 022018

Sonata

  • 95,000 miles
While driving car on rt 50 West bound towards the bay bridge, an engine popping noise occurred, then fumes starting coming from vents. Pull car over while getting out flames were already coming from the engine. Within minutes the whole car was engulfed in flames. No time to retrieve any items inside the car. The md transportation authority police were on the seen and called fire dept. Fire department said it was an electrical based on sparks as they were putting out the fire. Hyundai investigated the car remains and could not determine any cause.car pictures are to large of a file to submit

- Arnold, MD, USA

problem #76

Dec 112017

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
Around 60,000 miles, my driver's side brake light harness melted and had to be replaced. Around 80,000 miles, my passenger brake light harness melted and had to be replaced. Around the same time, 80,000 miles, my automatic door lock master switch began failing. I'm wondering if there's an electrical flaw causing these problems. Perhaps the writing doesn't hold up in hot climates, I live in a desert where the car is subject to temperature up to 140F as it is parked in direct sunlight. I notice more malfunction with locks on extremely hot days.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

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