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 8 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #374

May 232021

Sonata

  • miles

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

Entered a freeway on-ramp, the engine started to make a slapping noise. I thought it was the fan belt slipping. We began to lose acceleration, had a burning smell We pulled off and had the vehicle towed. Subsequently we discovered that the issue was exactly that which appeared in a published recall notice: Symptoms of the problem can include abnormal knocking noises from the engine; reduced power or hesitation; illumination of the -??check engine-?? light or the engine oil-pressure warning light; or a burning smell, oil leaks, or smoke. In discussing with Hyundai, it was stated that my VIN does not meet a full reimbursement due to the VIN not being included. How is that possible, when the symptoms match the year, Make, model. https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/hyundai-recalls-almost-129000-cars-in-u-s-for-possible-premature-engine-wear

- Little Falls, MN, USA

problem #373

May 202021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the engine ceased with the hybrid system warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where she was informed that the engine failed due to a disconnected rod bearing. The contact was informed that the engine needed replacement. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The contact was then informed that the vehicle would be serviced under the recall however, the dealer had not replaced the engine due to the manufacturer sending multiple incorrect engines. The contact notified the manufacturer on numerous occasions about the failure and was provided, two case managers. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000. Consumer stated engine still has not arrived and has been without a vehicle for 3 months now.

- Takoma Park, MD, USA

problem #372

Jul 092021

Sonata

  • miles
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 #371

Jun 072021

Sonata

  • miles

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

Recall 198. Dealership has had my car for over 30 days. NO LOANER OR RENTAL!!!

- Enfield, CT, USA

problem #370

Mar 212021

Sonata

  • miles
Our 2012 Hyundai Sonata's engine failed with no warning lights our any sounds indicating possible problems. It failed while driving and immediately stalled which could have easily caused an accident. We are the original owners of the vehicle and all recalls had been completed with the engine having been looked at as part of a recall several years ago. The mileage was around 121,000 and Hyundai has taken care of replacing the engine. We are still waiting on them to reimburse us for towing related to the incident four months after our car broke down.

- Ankeny, IA, USA

problem #369

Jun 132021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Dear To Whom It May Concern, My cars VIN: [XXX] There is a recall (NHTSA Recall Number20V746000) that I found on this website for my car that the dealership below is claiming is not correct and will not work on. Springfield Hyundai Address: 754 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA 19064 My car has been having engine issue even after it getting services at another Hyundai Dealership Service Center. Engine overheats and smoke came out several times. Not it is jerking while I drive - loosing power. I barely was able to get the car to the service, that is how bad the state of the engine is at the moment. Initially when I took the car to the service center they said there is no recall at all on my car, even though the Hyundai customer service agent acknowledged the recall I mentioned above. After some push back from me, the service agent at the center said there was a recall but not the one I mention above a different one. I would really appreciate some help getting the recall above sorted out. Thank you in advance. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #368

Apr 192021

Sonata

  • miles

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

Spun rod bearing in recalled vehicle. Had recall inspected at the dealership as per the recall. Dealership said everything was fine. Engine failure due to recalled parts and dealership will not cover.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #367

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 #366

Mar 082021

Sonata

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

- Boaz, AL, USA

problem #365

Mar 192021

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
The car uses oil and the oil light does not come on when the oil is low.

- Sikeston, MO, USA

problem #364

Mar 152021

Sonata

  • miles

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

So I went to Hyundai dealership in mckinney tx (huffines Hyundai mckinney) and showed them the recall that I received from your website, that says the connecting rod bearings need to be replaced and that was requested by manufacturer, and if I don't replace them the engine may get damage and this is safety risk, the dealership refused to fix this recall and said that recall not ready to be repaired as it is not listed in Hyundai website!! can you please help to find a dealership to fix this recall as it is very risk and I don't want my engine to be damaged!

- Princeton, TX, USA

problem #363

Mar 152021

Sonata

  • miles
So I went to Hyundai dealership in mckinney tx (huffines Hyundai mckinney) and showed them the recall that I received from your website, that says the connecting rod bearings need to be replaced and that was requested by manufacturer, and if I don't replace them the engine may get damage and this is safety risk, the dealership refused to fix this recall and said that recall not ready to be repaired as it is not listed in Hyundai website!! can you please help to find a dealership to fix this recall as it is very risk and I don't my engine to be damaged!

- Princeton, TX, USA

problem #362

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 #361

Apr 022021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 127,491 miles
I took the affected vehicle to the dealer and they advised they did not have the tool to check the engine connecting rod. The vehicle had a dead battery and the dealer did some other work on the vehicle including a tune up and fuel induction and replaced a leaking valve cover gasket.the cost was $1009.01 the repairs were done under the name of [xxx],the original owner. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #360

Apr 042021

Sonata

  • 58,000 miles
My 2012 Hyundai Sonata limited 2.0 has lost power and it is making a knocking sound when you press the gas and it only has 58 thousand miles on it and I was driving it when all this took place coming home from work

- Juilian, NC, USA

problem #359

Apr 042021

Sonata

  • 58,000 miles
I have A2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 limited doesn't take the gas when U press it and it makes a knocking sound also so I checked the oil everything fine and all the rest of the fluids no problem there the car only has 58000 thousand miles on it also while I was driving it home from work it was losing power

- Juilian, NC, USA

problem #358

Mar 192021

Sonata

  • 122,000 miles
The vehicle was parked. I tried to turn the car on but it didn't come on, and then I noticed it smoking under the hood. About 5 minutes later there were flames coming from under the hood and quickly spread to the rest of the car.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #357

Feb 182021

Sonata

  • 82,160 miles
Stopped at a stoplight with the engine running, gear in drive and the brake depressed, but the engine started to rev and lurch forward--with my foot still on the brake. Moved forward a couple of feet with my foot still on the foot brake but finally came to a stop on its own.

- Lexington Park, MD, USA

problem #356

Nov 202020

Sonata

  • 126,000 miles
The car is under recall for rod bearings but the Hyundai corporation has not authorized the fix. The paper that I received from Hyundai states what the fix is (know sensor). It is unsafe to drive to the car but no action has been taken to proceed with the known fix. The recall was announced is Dec 2020. I have had a couple of incidents where the check engine has been activated when driving. When I take to the dealer, they always find an unrelated problem which to me seems suspicious. I do not whether to sell the car or keep waiting for the already known fix. My car has been services at mission hills, Hyundai.

- San Fernando, CA, USA

problem #355

Mar 132021

Sonata

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was emitting a fuel odor. The contact took the vehicle to patrick Hyundai (1020 E. golf rd, schaumburg, il 60173, (847)230-8294) who stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel from the engine compartment. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Streamwood, IL, USA

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