10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 1
Average Mileage:
47,879 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 4)

problem #78

Nov 082018

Sonata

  • 78,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the the passengers side tail light failed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tail light needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure reoccurred and was taken back to the independent mechanic where they stated the harness had melted and advised that he go to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the passenger's side tail light harness was charred and deformed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a second time where it was informed that the harness or housing had been scorched and the tail light socket melted. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator had been depressed but the vehicle was slowing down. The contact managed to drive home safely. The following day the vehicle did not start. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the battery failed due to the tail light being illuminated all night. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Lexington Park, MD, USA

problem #77

Jan 302023

Sonata

  • miles
Daughter was driving her car on interstate, doing 75, in the middle of traffic when the car would jerk and then loose power. The gas petal stopped working and the check engine light would come on. She had to make her way over to the shoulder, without causing an accident. Once car gets shut off and you wait a few minutes, you can start it and drive it home. This has happened about 4 times now. We are lucky that this hasn't caused an accident! This last time (yesterday), the check engine light stayed on and we were able to hook up the dianostic reader and it read the code for the crankshaft positioning sensor A circut. It says online that this is a common problem with that car and is very dangerous. How is this not up for a recall? My daughter is scared to drive her car.

- Perdido, AL, USA

problem #76

Dec 152022

Sonata

  • miles
When I start the vehicle in the morning I leave the neighborhood going around 15mph and the car loses power. I have to let off the gas completely then reapply but it still continues to studder. I applied the slapstick sift mode and noticed it does this in first and fourth gear. In automatic you can-??t see

- Adelanto, CA, USA

problem #75

Nov 122022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Driving on a freeway when check brake warning appeared. Car speed dropped down to drastically. Alarm was chirping and brakes made a bad grinding noise

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #74

Feb 212022

Sonata

  • miles
B pillar separated from the frame during collision causing catastrophic intrusion into the cabin upon impact leading to death of the driver. No other occupants in the vehicle. Multiple investigators noted the B pillar failure upon inspection. Independent, certified crash reconstruction expert also noticed immediately that the B pillar had failed which caused cabin intrusion to an extraordinary degree considering the 2 vehicles involved were going less than 40mph. Vehicle is available for inspection. In addition, edr data reveals that although throttle was engaged, rpm's remained at idle up to the time of impact. Driver pushing on the gas and vehicle not responding.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #73

Nov 072022

Sonata

  • miles
The car starts alarming out of nowhere while driving at 70 mph on the interstate and the Hybrid System Warning - Safely Stop and Do Not Drive along with the wrench, battery light and engine light all appearing on the dashboard to pull over and do not drive when this occurred I lost total control of the vehicle. The brake peddle goes all the way to the floor enabling me to stop and I lost the ability to steer the vehicle as the power steering went out as well while this was happening. I almost got killed as I was on the highway driving at 70 mph. I immediately put on my hazards lights to signal to other drivers that I was having mechanical problems. Thank GOD I was able to pull over without anyone hitting me from behind. I have had major major issues with this car since I purchased it the engine seized up on me in the same manner back in 2020 and the engine was replaced. Then there was an issue with the transmission and that was also replaced. Then the brake booster also failed and had to be replaced as well. Hyundai aught to be ashamed of the production of this vehicle as it is truly a severe risk to the lives of the consumers not just the person who is driving this vehicle but also to those who may be behind someone driving as this could cause a major accident and people could be killed. These cars need to be recalled and they need to get down to what is causing these issues in order to fix the problem. I pray that you all make Hyundai do a recall on this vehicle as I have googled and see that there has been many others that have encountered these same issues. I am filing this complaint in hopes of you all getting involved to do something about this. Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #72

Jul 032022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Approx july 2022 My sonata began to malfunction, first the steering wheel buttons stopped working intermittently off and on unable to turn on and set cruise control, unable to use hands free phone options as well as unable to navigate cluster features, as the time goes on the problem gets worse and eventually do not function ever. I replaced the steering wheel buttons which fixed the issue temporarily only now the vehicle will engage cruise control, accelerate dramatically and continue to gain speed. I am unable to disengage cruise control via the brake pedal, or cancel option or steering wheel. If I depress the brake pedal it will begin to decelerate but once I let off the brake pedal the engine will revv high and gain speed again. Buttons begin to function in a reverse order meaning press cancel, cruise turns on, press set button, cruise will set, press set button cruise will disengage etc. The only way to disengage cruise and rapid acceleration in this dangerous scenario is to Press the on off cruise control button. Immediately stopped vehicle had it towed to dealership, they stated that they could not replicate the problem, however their diagnosis for the problem was due to incorrect brake fluid put in the vehicle and suggested to completely replace the entire brake system of the vehicle I declined as I felt that was not the problem in fact bizarre diagnosis. Only hyundai dealership has ever put any brake fluid in my vehicle... this is completely dangerous as when vehicle suddenly accelerated I was unable to turn it off I almost rear ended a vehicle on the freeway going 70 mph. I no longer feel safe in the vehicle and it sits collecting dust while I make monthly payments.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #71

Sep 162022

Sonata

  • miles
I purchased my 2012 Hyundai Sonata on 4-7-22. The car has had no mechanical work, no accidents and has less than 1000 miles. On 9-16-22 i was driving my car home and was less than five minutes away on the highway. My car began to decelerate, I attempted to stop at a red light but my car would not give me control and the brake was rock solid and would not push down. I also could not turn the car off via the start button as the car would not let me. My engine ESC light came on the dashboard in red and the engine completely halted. To get to safety as i was on the highway with oncoming traffic i steered the car to the right on the ramp.I exited the vehicle as it began to smoke, i thought it would catch fire so i moved far away and called my boyfriend for help and a tow truck to get the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to College park Hyundai 9500 Baltimore Ave., College park, MD 20740.I looked up my car and noticed there are recalls for this engine and a few other recalls as i told the dealership. The car is currently being inspected and the dealer said they would get back to me. Once the service department received the car they told me the recall most likely will not effect my vehicle. I don't believe that to be true and i was put in danger because of this engine issue with Hyundai.

- Burtonsville, MD, USA

problem #70

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 #69

Dec 312021

Sonata

  • miles
After the recent recall repairs, the car started to intermittently getting a message on the dashboard saying -??Hybrid System Warning - Safely stop and do not drive-?? and -??Check brakes-?? and the brake lights came on with a loud chiming beep, the car would stop accelerating and would not go beyond 10 mph, also the breaks would fail to apply correctly and made a loud screeching sound when applied. It used to do have this issue without any warning, while driving or stopped at the light, without any distinguishing pattern. However, it used to go away when the car was restarted multiple times. However now the message is on continuously and doesn-??t go away with the restarting the car. After taking to the dealership, they said that the repairs would cost $3000 as the Hydraulic Power Assembly unit has failed. After looking for the issue online, I have found that a lot of the 2011-14 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have this same issue and seems to be a manufacturing defect. This is a huge life risk for the owners of this car since it can happen while on the freeway and pose a life threatening risk to their life. It is also a huge financial burden for the owners for a manufacturing defect. I would like you to investigate these issues and provide us with a appropriate solution.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #68

Jul 052021

Sonata

  • miles

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

Driving in traffic in town and accelerator pedal quit working. Deceleration happened until I went from 40 mph to 2mph. Then able to accelerate back up to 30mph and happened again until I coasted to a stop. Traction control light came on after second incident. Car was in park and still on. Turned car off, took key outside vehicle and exited vehicle. Car locked itself and brake lights came on and stayed on. This is a danger!!! Can cause an accident, driver has no control over vehicle at random times. Traumatic and scared to drive vehicle now.

- Grand Saline, TX, USA

problem #67

Mar 022021

Sonata

  • 145,000 miles
Brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, car looses acceleration and looses power. When driving on cruise control, break will depress and turn cruise off and on in dash.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #66

Feb 112021

Sonata

  • 78,000 miles
Vehicle in motion, less than 40 mph on a city street with a slight incline, less than three miles from home. Vehicle started to operate sluggishly without warning, with lack of power when accelerating. The check engine light started flashing, acceleration severely decreased and was unable to go over 20 mph (car was placed in limp/engine protection mode). I slowly drove the car home and was able to troubleshoot the issue. Connected on obd2 scanner and immediately received a dtc P1326; indicating the knock sensor detection system placed the car in limp mode due to a detected knock/vibration in the motor. Further research proved service campaign 953 (tsb 19-01-002H-1) was already opened in late 2018 to help resolve the P1326 issue and many 2011-2018 Sonatas were recalled to get a software update for the ksds; as an early preventive measure for possible faulty bearings/rods in the motor. I had the vehicle towed to my local Hyundai dealership to get the ksds software update after receiving the P1326 dtc. The service tech said my VIN was not part of a recall or campaign and charged me $173 to update the software and clear limp mode. The Hyundai tsb clearly states this update is free to the customer and applies to all Sonatas from 2011-2018; regardless if the vehicle was not part of the original recall.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #65

Jan 202021

Sonata

  • 61,000 miles
I'm concerned about this recall due to the fact that I can tell the difference in my car and I'm just trying to be safer while driving so if I can get any information about this that would be great

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #64

Oct 102020

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
Sometimes when I press the gas, the car will basically take an extra second to speed up, and probably 70% of the times that I press the brakes to slow down or come to a stop, itll (also) take an extra second and itll stall/jerk 1 time, then finish slowing down or stopping....its gradually been getting worse as time passes...the engine needs some work definitely! (I'll feel much more safe after this engine recall is fixed!)

- La Crescenta, CA, USA

problem #63

Dec 182020

Sonata

  • 82,500 miles
I had a very scary incident Friday night, 12/18/20 about 8:30pm. I was about to merge onto the 5 fwy North to go home, and as I am coming out of the turn, and accelerating to anticipate the flow of traffic, I see a big rig in my rear view mirror in the distance. Naturally, I step on the gas to punch it, to give myself and the rig plenty of distance as to not collide. My car revved up and decelerates to about 2mph. I panicked and managed to coast the car to the shoulder as far right as I could and the rig barrels down past me. I was afraid to completely stop on the shoulder of the fwy, and the car lasted long enough to coast to the next exit. I am able to continue steering my car close to the shoulder at a crawling pace, and turned on my hazard lights. I had people mad behind me, but I could not speed up. I managed to coast to the nearest exit, come down the ramp, and stop briefly with just enough momentum to steer left onto telegraph in commerce, and my car completely dies in the first lane. This is the second time my car just dies on me while I am driving! first time was three years ago in December 2017. The car had initially died while making a left turn. However, after turning the car off and waiting a few minutes, I was able to turn the car on and drive no more than 30 mph to the same downey Hyundai. The issue was under full warranty and repaired, but now a second time? worse yet, this happened while excelerating onto the freeway. I don't want to drive around in a car that has repeated recalls for various issues. I also don't want to worry of my car dying on me a third time. My Sonata is currently at downey Hyundai and they have started diagnostics and will have a better reading as to what happened. I have lost all confidence in this vehicle and worried for my safety and that of any passengers I may have with me.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #62

Jun 022020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 185,150 miles
Brakes light stay on after ignition turned off. Car de-accelerate while driving on expressway.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #61

May 142020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
After having to have my engine replaced due to my crank shaft getting clogged with metal pieces on the highway and destroying the engine. I've been having issues with the replacement engine feeling like it's stalling out or losing throttle either during a turn or shortly after. It's never popped and error code and only happens now and then.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #60

Jul 102019

Sonata

  • 64,000 miles
In July 2019 I noticed that the brake lights came on in the middle of the night, although there is nobody in the car at that time. For the next few days the brake light were tuning on even when I was not pressing the brake pedal. In the same time the electronic stability control started to take over and it refused to accelerate when I pressed the gas pedal. The only way I was able to make it work was to depress the gas pedal and then press it again. I took the car to the mechanic because it was behaving very strange. The mechanic told me that the problem is a rubber stopper that kept the break pedal in place. When it is worn, it behaves as if somebody tried to hit the break. After the problem was resolved I discovered that there is recall 136 the accurately describes my problem for my car model. I contacted Hyundai about a possible recall but I got no response.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #59

Oct 212019

Sonata

  • 1 miles
Break lights won't shut off when the car is off it drains my battery car has a hard time driving at a certain seed constantly jerks while driving and car speeds up when not going fast at times I've taken it to Hyundai they refused to look at the problem because they stated they've gone into the car to many times I have children I can not keep driving this car like this is there anyway I can exchange my car for something with the same value car had an engine recall the car started smoking I feel like someone tampered with my car at the dealership I've only had the car for a year in a half I shouldn't be having these issues at all

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

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