10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 61
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,945 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 1 of 27)

problem #523

Dec 302024

Sonata

  • miles

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

I took the car to the dealer because the codes was reading engine assembly issues. I took it to the dealer and they stated it was the knock sensor and they got it approved to replace it now they saying it's the engine and it was denied. I just got the engine from the dealership in 2020

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #522

Aug 172024

Sonata

  • miles
Oil consumption engine issues

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #521

Dec 072024

Sonata

  • miles
Car engine light is flashing

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #520

Jul 292024

Sonata

  • miles

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

Received Hyundai recall 251 the end of 2023. Car taken to Hyundai dealer in March 2024 and dealer could not make the repairs on the recall. The end of July, the car caught fire (engine fire) when the car was parked for 10 minutes. Car and adjacent structure was destroyed.

- Show Low, AZ, USA

problem #519

Jan 132024

Sonata

  • miles
My daughter had her car towed to the Hyundai dealership because of engine failure. Upon inspection we learned that there was a recall on the engine. We had to wait a few weeks so that the dealership could get approval and authorization to replace the engine. Finally after 3 or so weeks we got a courtesy car to drive. After about 4 weeks our car was finally ready to pick up so we took the courtesy car back and picked up our car. After about 4 months or so maybe my daughter went to her friends house one afternoon and her and her friend left in the friends car. They had been gone maybe 10 minutes or so and her friends neighbor called her friend and said that her car was on fire and they had already called the fire department but the car was engulfed in flames and before the fire department could get to it the whole car burnt to the ground. Nothing left but the shell of the car. The fire marshal said that the source of the fire was under the hood. Thats where the fire ignited he said. Luckily no one was injured or hurt. But this is after I had the recall motor put in. It was super scary and very upsetting because no one seems like they want to help us either.

- Tavares, FL, USA

problem #518

Sep 202024

Sonata

  • miles
connecting rod bearing failed

- East Palestine, OH, USA

problem #517

Sep 202024

Sonata

  • 170,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Altamont, IL, USA

problem #516

Aug 292024

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact restarted the vehicle, and an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. Despite the vehicle repeated engine shut off failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service. The vehicle was diagnosed with a rod bearing failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #515

Jul 292024

Sonata

  • miles
On July 29, 2024, my 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was parked in our driveway. About 10 minutes later an engine fire started that consumed the car. The local Fire Departmemt put out the fire but the car was totaled. The fire also destroyed a storage shed and some windows were damaged. The car was taken to the Hyundai Dealer for servicing when the engine light came on on March of 2024. The car was left for a few days with the dealer. The NHTSA Recall Number 23V651000 was not repaired during that service call.

- Vernon, AZ, USA

problem #514

Jun 062024

Sonata

  • miles
Airbag clock springs module malfunction disabling emergency deployment of the driver-??s side airbag in the event of a collision. My 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Turbo with 93,336 miles on it, ending seized up going at highway speed causing instant and complete loss of power. Smoke started coming out from under the front engine compartment hood making me think the car was on fire. Trying to get the car manuvered off the highway and over to the right side of the road I was almost involved in a collision with other traffic. I was scared almost to death. Hyundai Motor America is now refusing to repair my vehicle even though it is covered under their extend warranty.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #513

Feb 022024

Sonata

  • miles

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

Engine stalled in middle of the road while travelling. It put me in danger of getting into an accident. Tried getting appointment with dealership and nonappointments available for next 30 days. No warnings before the failure.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #512

Apr 152024

Sonata

  • miles
On the morning of April 15, 2024, at around 6 a.m., our 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid unexpectedly caught fire and exploded in front of our house. This incident occurred shortly after I started the car and left it to warm up. Smoke and flames emerged from under the hood, quickly escalating until the front of the vehicle exploded, shattering the windows and extensively damaging the driver and passenger sides. Previously, we had noticed a fuel odor emanating from the hood, which we suspected was related to a known fuel recall issue. We brought the vehicle to the manufacturer's attention, hoping for a resolution under the recall. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not address the fuel smell as part of the recall services and instead billed us for unrelated repairs. This oversight on their part raises serious concerns about the safety and reliability of the recall process and the manufacturer's accountability in ensuring the safety of their vehicles.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #511

May 032024

Sonata

  • miles
The engine failed causing my steering and breaks to lock up on the interstate going 70mph surrounded by 18 wheelers, which was a total surprise as my car had no warning lamps on. Fortunately, I was able to guide my Hyundai safely to the side of the highway where I waited 5 hours for a tow truck. After leaving my car at Hyundai for 3 weeks due to an engine recall I was totally unaware of, they informed me they will not approve a new engine due to lack of service history? The only this lacking in my s"service history" are a few oil changes which I did myself due to the engine burning so much oil due to the recall. After eight years in the military as a mechanic I'm pretty sure I can handle an oil change on a sedan. Hyundai also refused to put me in a loaner for any of this process. [XXX] informed me that "my vehicle was effected by the sonata engine connecting rod bearing inspection campaign. Additionally, the warranty coverage for the engines short block assembly (consisting of the engine block, crankshaft and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #510

Apr 172024

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving. The tailpipes started smoking I checked engine oil and it was almost empty. No check engine light came on. The engine could have locked up on me on a state hwy that has a 60mph limit! No warning light. No low oil light. No lights came on at all ever. The car still doesn't have any light on but has oil consumption like I've never experienced. The engine was replaced in 2019 and only has about 63,000 miles on it.

- Charlotte, TN, USA

problem #509

Mar 152024

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact replaced the battery, but the vehicle failed to restart. After numerous attempts, the vehicle was able to restart but the failure recurred, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #508

Jan 032024

Sonata

  • miles
Approx one year post engine replacement, and 2 weeks prior turbo system replacement, I am having major issues with my sonatait struggles to stay started, it always hesitates and doesn't want to move when I press accelerator, shakes jolts and shudders, the smell of burning oil comes thru the vents and even smoke comes out from under the vehicle. The engine is leaking masses amounts of oil that seem to be leaking from all over the under carriage and half way to the back underneath the car, oil is in the wheel wells, and even splashed on the rims, the spark plugs are covered in oil, huge plums of white and dark smoke come out of the tailpipes, literally blinding anyone behind me, press the accelerator to the floor and it just shudders and smokes even more, check engine light is on and states malfunctioning turbo system, boost pressure sensor malfunction, sluggish will not gain speed, oil within the turbo blow by hose and in intake hose area, now I have coolant pouring out and the reservoir the coolant will be literally boiling. This is not good at all especially after a year post engine replacement and turbo replacement. When the car is started I push start and car struggles to start the starter keeps screeching and car shudders for a good 45 seconds before it either dies out or finally starts. This vehicle should be a lemon and bought back regardless of age condition etc. A vehicle after engine replacement of only one year should not be pouring oil out of the engine, failed head gaskets, misfiring and leaking coolant. I keep receiving recall notice after recall notice in the mail stating I have recalls that need to be addressed but when checking using my vin it says there are no recalls needing fixing, that makes me uneasy and I don't feel safe driving the vehicle I lost faith in it all together

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #507

Mar 042024

Sonata

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). The vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 152,000.

- Chicago Heights, IL, USA

problem #506

Mar 012024

Sonata

  • 195,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 65 MPH, an abnormal knocking noise began to emit from the vehicle as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle began to lose power as the contact's daughter coasted the vehicle into a parking lot. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) which was linked to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

- Rowe, VA, USA

problem #505

Nov 012023

Sonata

  • miles
2012 Hyundai Sonata engine ceased on [XXX] heading west away from Dallas, Texas on [XXX] leaving my young daughter stranded in the middle of nowhere on her way to Lubbock Texas. Daughter had car towed by AAA to the closest Hyundai dealer and Hyundai dealer did not advise daughter that recalled engine due to known failures that been replaced in or about 2011 at approx 60,000 miles was an engine known to fail post engine replacement and expected to fail again within approximately 50-60,000 miles oats replacement engine had same issues as original recalled engine. Daughter sold car as junk for $200 to service guy at shop not knowing engine could be replaced. Dealers are not being forthcoming about replacing the engine. In this particular Hyundai Sonata, which, even though was replaced, previously, was known and expected to fail again according to service people. Hyundai needs to be held accountable for this issue and not just brush off the problem and not make it public that all these cars should be recalled. Daughter could-??ve been hurt on the interstate and we-??re fortunate. She was not hurt but she was very frightened by the ordeal, forced to purchase a new car as she was told her car could not be repaired by repair shop, at great expense, and great stress and frightening experience for young girl. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Porter, TX, USA

problem #504

Oct 012022

Sonata

  • miles
My engine has locked up at 60,000 miles. I got the car when it was only 30,000 miles on it back in Jan 2021. It locked up on me in Oct 2022. I took it to the Carolina Hyundai dealership. Corporate will not help me get the engine fixed because of the first owner not keeping up with the oil changes. But I did my part in keeping up with the vehicle maintenance. I even tried filing this with BBB Auto but it went in their favor. All because I could not get the information for the maintenance of the vehicle that happened 2012-2016. Due to privacy and security reasons. Auto shops will not release what was done on the vehicle and some was not reporting to CarFax then when the car was owned by the first owner. Please help.

- Greensboro , NC, USA

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