10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 58
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,405 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 12 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #294

Feb 102020

Sonata

  • 127,000 miles

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

When I got this car, I noticed that the coolant container doesnt stay full. In fact, I have to go to walmart to by collant and fill the container every week. I noticed there is a leak as well and its spraying all over the motor and battery. Aldo after driving for hours, I'm able to open the cap to the collant container with no issues. It's not hot or anything. Not sure what's going on with this car and dint want go spend hundreds of dollars just for someone to look at it.

- Summerville, PA, USA

problem #293

Jan 092020

Sonata

  • 20 miles
After a new engine was put into the Sonata due to recall, within 24 hours the car caught fire and was destroyed. The car was being driven on the highway when catching fire causing driver to abandon vehicle on high way for fire department.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #292

Jan 032020

Sonata

  • 116,000 miles
Wastegate accuator defective multiple times since engine failure replacement.. but rick case Hyundai wont replace under warranty as it was giving issues when the warranty period was still valid. Possibly damaged at the time of block replacement as I had to return to the dealer 3 times to resolve check engine light and turbo failure.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #291

Dec 012016

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving, the engine suddenly failed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to lehigh valley Hyundai (675 state ave, emmaus, pa) where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the engine was previously replaced in 2016. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: Cas-16227242, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #290

Aug 012017

Sonata

  • 22,700 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the rpms increased, the vehicle lost power, and the engine made a knocking sound. The failures were experienced numerous times. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer stated that the noise was normal. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 22,700.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #289

Nov 052019

Sonata

  • 121,000 miles
Was getting ready to move from nc to la. During acceleration all the lights on the dash came on. The vehicle was still in motion, stumbled and then died shortly afterwards. Had a hard time steering and braking, but luckily there was no vehicle around. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic shop where they diagnosed the engine as failing/seized. Recall 132 was performed, but engine was not replaced and only inspected. Recall description : gdi engine inspection/replacement. ; completed : May 23, 2018

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #288

Nov 162019

Sonata

  • 170,002 miles

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

I was driving down the street and my 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T limited the instrument cluster illuminated and the power steering was no longer working. I immediately pulled over because the car started to slow down while pressing on the accelerator and before I stopped all the lights on the panel were out. I put the car in park and tried to cut it off with the push stop button and it would not cut off. Then I called road side assistance and before I ended the call the engine cut off without pressing the engine stop button. If I was on the highway or in a busy area the could have ended in a fatality. Why are there no recalls for this?

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #287

Oct 132019

Sonata

  • 141,000 miles
Took my car in for an oil change a month ago.soon as I leave oil lube, not even halfway home my car started hesitating and cutting off.by the time I made it home not even 10 mins away my car started knocking.I purchased this car 4 months ago and can't drive it I was in the city limits of huntsville Alabama

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #286

Jun 222019

Sonata

  • 118,000 miles
On June 22th, 2019 I was driving on the highway in my 2012 Hyundai Sonata gls and I heard a knocking sound under my hood and my engine light came on, so I pulled over to be safe. I called roadside assistance but the time of arrival was two plus hours. Since I was within a half mile of my home I continued on. Made an appointment with bentley Hyundai in huntsville, al for June 24th, 2019. My car sat for 2 days because it was the weekend and bentley Hyundai service was closed. The morning of June 24th, 2019 my vehicle would not start so I had it towed to bentley Hyundai. I ask chris erickson service advisor was there any service campaigns or recalls for my vehicle since I had many others for my Hyundai Sonata gls recently. After about thirty minutes he came back and said no which was not true. Here is the proof: Hyundai assurance car care website it states; service campaign T3G dealer best practice launch February 15th, 2019 for Sonata/sante fe sport/ tucson engine dtc P1326 wiring inspection/installation and engine replacement (tsb # 19-01-006H supercedes tsb # 18-01-032-2). It specifically states affected vehicles affected 2011-2014 my Sonata (yf) vehicles with 2.0L turbo and 2.4 engines that may experience the check light engine warning lamp illuminated with dtc P1326. According to bentley Hyundai service department it was a switch issues which caused the problem. I paid $572.36 for repairs. On 11/10/2019 I experienced the exact same issue knocking under the hood and engine light came on continous blinking. I was almost hit by an 18 wheeler because my vehicle decreased in speed drastically, pull to the shoulder drove very slow to advance auto two minutes away. They did a diagnostic code was P1326. I waited five hours for a tow from nashville, tn to bentley Hyundai in huntsville, al which cost me $475. Now Hyundai is asking me for $6785.82 for an entire new engine.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #285

Nov 042019

Sonata

  • miles
Car stop in the middle of the road when I tried to accelerate the was making a loud grinding noise. Prior to being on this road I was on the highway for about 35-40 miles before it stopped and wouldn't move. When I would put the car in reverse it would make a loud clicking noise. I called Hyundai they said that there was no open recall related to this issue

- Middletown, PA, USA

problem #284

Oct 012019

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles

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

When I was driving down the road my car would just stop working in the middle of the highway. The engine would just stop. We nearly got on a accident because of it. I have no picture die to it sitting at the shop now for 3 weeks. My husband risks losing his job cause of the engine going out on our 2012 Hyundai Sonata. And it could possibly get repossessed. Then we couldnt drive it anymore. It wont crank or turn over at all. It would it up alot of oil just in one month and we had trouble with the windows wouldnt go down and the locks wouldnt lock. Had alot of electrical problems. Thats our only car to get to and from work, now we have nothing cause we cant afford to get it fixed. No one will help us with this recall on this viechle. We will lose our car if the recall on this car/engine and etc that is recalled on this viechle. Can you please help.

- Mount Vernon, AL, USA

problem #283

Oct 112019

Sonata

  • 90,017 miles
Under normal driving conditions, the car jolted and something didn't feel right on the right front side of the car. I was able to pull the car off of a 4 lane highway and into a parking lot. I discovered motor oil all over the inside of the engine bay and in the right wheel well. Upon inspection by two different mechanical shops and my insurance company, a hole was found in the engine. The vehicle has 90,017 miles on it. It has been indicated this is a manufacturing defect that would lead to engine failure and a hole in the engine. Hyundai is claiming that this is not covered under the theta II engine recall and have been extremely slow to assist. I am the second owner of this vehicle. I purchased the vehicle in June of 2017 with approximately 39,500 miles on it. I have changed oil with synthetic oil every 7500 miles which is the manufacturer's recommendation. There was no warning, no warning lights illuminated, etc. Prior to the engine failure.

- Greene, IA, USA

problem #282

Oct 292019

Sonata

  • 91,500 miles
During normal driving on the highway (65 to 70 mph), the check engine light started flashing and the car lost power. I was very startled and I immediately exited and headed to my Hyundai dealership. The car had almost no power and was bucking hard. The engine had a loud knocking sound that grew in intensity as the engine speed increased. I drove gently to the dealership. This could have easily been a dangerous accident involving other vehicles as I was startled and lost power at the same time in moderate to heavy traffic and had to make a sudden exit from the roadway to avoid many more miles of travel to get to help.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #281

Jul 252019

Sonata

  • 118,000 miles
My college age daughter was driving the car when it started knocking. Then a warning came up that said to park the car immediately, hybrid system failure. After having her car towed, it turns out the engine seized and needs to be replaced. It's a 2.4 liter engine very similar to the recall currently going on with the theta II engines.

- Siler City, NC, USA

problem #280

Oct 092019

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
I was driving down the highway going about 60 mph and all the sudden it's like the car shuts off, slowing to about 45. As I push on gas it does nothing then about 3 seconds later jerks back up and then repeats. It does this now everytime I am traveling. Besides giving me whiplash, it is dangerous because it could definitely cause a crash. My brake lights have been replaced 5 times in two years. Also there is always a loud clicking noise when driving. It sounds awful.

- Defuniak Springs, FL, USA

problem #279

Oct 152019

Sonata

  • 125,521 miles
Was changing lanes and tried to pick up speed. At which point my engine locked up and no longer turn over. This caused my power steering to fail, brakes to be applied despite me not pressing them. Then my car began to smell like it was burning. I was going 50 on a highway when this accrued during rush hour.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #278

Jun 012019

Sonata

  • miles
My car does not accelerate properly. If the gas pedal is pressed after stopping it jerks very hard before going into gear. Also, my mileage for gas is broken. The electric meter will go up and down on its own and does not read properly. No matter if the car is in motion or stationary, the gas meter will jump up or down.

- Woodbridge, NJ, USA

problem #277

Sep 062019

Sonata

  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the engine failed without warning while driving 45 mph. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact also stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine). Autonation Hyundai mall of Georgia (3445 buford drive, buford, Georgia 30519, (770) 674-6079) inspected the vehicle and stated that the engine did not need the recall repair. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V137000 (air bag, seat belts), but was not repaired. The air bag warning indicator was not illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted. The engine was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

- Sugar Hill, GA, USA

problem #276

Sep 022019

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving on a highway and my car simply stopped accelerating and began to shut off. How does a car just die in the middle of driving?! this is a serious safety hazard that needs to be addressed. I barely made it over to the side of the road to get out of the way of traffic. Nearly got hit by a car!! I was absolutely terrified that I was going to get hit because I was unable to move my car. Unknown reasoning for failure, but I believe this to be an engine malfunction or issue with the alternator. I am now aware of a recall on that indicates engine failure would result in vehicle stall, increasing the risk of crash!!!! unbelievable. Please address this problem so that no one else has to experience something as terrifying as this! recall number: 15V568000.

- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

problem #275

Aug 302019

Sonata

  • 120,614 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact drove in neutral to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine failed and a cost estimate was provided for the repair. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,614.

- El Paso, TX, USA

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