10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,163 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #112

Oct 012023

Sonata

  • miles

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

Air bag light will not go off and has not been inspected by dealership. I was out here checking for any recall. I am in Texas and can not get inspection/registration with this light on. Also I have front light out on driver side front and back, I have had to change bulbs several times have even replaced brake light assembly back in 2022 and light is burned out again as of right not 4/2024 dealership says that extended warranty will not be covered for burnt out brake lights because of aftermarket part. I have also a case with BBB auto and at this date 4/10/2024 no response.

- Duncanville, TX, USA

problem #111

Feb 082024

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the passenger's side headlight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the headlight bulb socket had failed, and the mechanic determined that the passenger's side headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a goodwill repair. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Bayport, NY, USA

problem #110

Jan 272022

Sonata

  • miles
I have a 2012 Hyundai Sonta. The brake lights are not working properly. I have been changing the tail light for some time now but it doesn't seem to be working. At first all lights came on and they wouldn't go off until I took the battery cable wire off. Then on another day the brake light in the back window, got stuck and the turn signal wasn't lighting up(no brake, nor turn signal lights but it showed in the car like it was working.when hitting the blinkers. I have taken it to several car shops even the dealership to have it checked out. I was told that it wasn't nothing wrong, but got stopped by police on numerous occasions cs the car didn't have Bck lights. The last shop i took it to said that it was the cars electrical system. I've checked to see if there was recalls.Doesn'tshow anything. It should be recalls on this, cause that's a safety hazard. Knowing you just changed out the lights and then boom u have no lights to show your turning or just on the road period at night. This is dangerous, I've almost got rear ended by a semi n other vehicles that was behind me and i had my granddaughter in the vehicle. Please check into this for the safety of ppl like me. Thanks in advance..

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #109

Jun 022023

Sonata

  • 185,000 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 the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had remained illuminated. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VN. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the timing chain had fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlight and taillight bulbs would burn out and require frequent replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #108

Apr 012023

Sonata

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle off, the rear brake lights remained illuminated. The contact had to disconnect the battery to turn off the lights. The contact stated that eventually the brake lights became inoperable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 111,000.

- Westbury, NY, USA

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problem #107

Jun 132023

Sonata

  • miles
Approximately a month ago I notice that my passenger side low beam head light was not working on my 2012 Hyundai Sonata so I purchased a replacement H7 halogen bulb thinking it was simply a burned out bulb. I replace the bulb with the new bulb only to find the low beam was still not working. I tried the new bulb in the drivers side to rule out a bad new bulb. The bulb worked fine in the drivers side. I also inspected the connector found no obvious problem. So far I have not been able to get the passenger side working so I did some on line research and found that this is not an uncommon problem on Hyundai vehicles and particularly with the Sonata. It appears that this is a wiring or computer issue not easily resolved. I believe this is a significant safety issue that Hyundai should repair at no cost.

- Concord, CA, USA

problem #106

Jul 192023

Sonata

  • 130,000 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 the brake lights remained illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that an appointment could be scheduled in August. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the brake light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- New Eagle, PA, USA

problem #105

Jul 012023

Sonata

  • miles
Came Home Saw that the break lights were on in my Sonata. Tapped the brake pedal, they went off. Came home the next day same thing. I found a re call (google) for stuck brake lights. 2011 - 2012 Sonatas. I purchased the car used, and was informed that everything is working and in order. I'm just curios if there were any other reports concerning this matter?

- Springfield, PA, USA

problem #104

May 312012

Sonata

  • miles
As stated by other owners the brake lights come on and off I have had the bulb replaced several times. I wiggle the blub it comes on and off. This is a danger to cars behind me as the brakes lights are not working properly I believe there should be a recall as many owners are having and have had the same issue with this problem. My sister has a Hyundai not a Sonata had the same issue but her type of Hyundai was recalled for fault wiring. The Sonatas should be recalled also.

- Woodbury, NJ, USA

problem #103

Jan 272023

Sonata

  • miles
We have had issues with the tail lights of the car not working properly. The lights have had issues with the daytime running lights not working or the brake lights not working. When we took it in they said that there was an issue with the wiring harness. I also noticed 4 separate hyundai sonata vehicles with they same body style in the last 2 days that appeared to be having the same issues. I think it is something to be checked out to see if there is an issue there because it is a major safety concern.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #102

Jan 062022

Sonata

  • miles

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

The lighting system on the front and back lights, tail lights and brake lights are shortaged and melts the housings thst the bulbs go in. I have had two of these cars with the same identical problems and my son has had two sonatas and I have more people that-??s having the issue as well. It-??s very dangerous because the tail lights work whenever and me as the driver can-??t see behind me nor the person driving behind me will know that I-??m stopping. I can-??t drive my vehicles at all at this present time and has made s appointment with the company, Hyundai and filed a complaint as well. Something has to be done quickly to put this on the recall list because it-??s very dangerous for myself and others on the national highways

- Moss Point , MS, USA

problem #101

Jul 152018

Sonata

  • miles
My tail and brake lights sometimes work sometimes doesn't. Rear window brake light stays illuminated when car is turned off causing battery to drain. This problem has been on going for years. I can sometimes wiggle bulbs and make them work for a while but problem has been persistent for too many years. Tired of replacing bulbs.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #100

Dec 052022

Sonata

  • miles
Break lights don-??t go off.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #99

Nov 082022

Sonata

  • 147,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal failed to return to the normal upright position. The contact stated that the taillights remained illuminated as if the brake pedal was still depressed. The contact stated that the stabili-trak warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 (Exterior Lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 147,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Granite Falls, NC, USA

problem #98

Aug 292022

Sonata

  • miles
Brake lights stay on when the car is turned off. It is draining the battery and I cannot drive the car. No Hyundai dealers near me have availability until October or after.

- Glenside, PA, USA

problem #97

Aug 102022

Sonata

  • 84,300 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to lose power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. However, the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 (Exterior Lighting). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,300.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #96

Mar 162022

Sonata

  • miles
Brake lights frequently to go out. When I am driving on the road it is a game to find a Sonata with all 3 taillights functioning correctly. Many of the other Sonatas I pass on the road has a taillight that is out. Bulbs burn out but I have replaced my bulbs at least 7 times in the past 6 years.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #95

May 032022

Sonata

  • miles
The brake pedal stopper pad deteriorated, allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal was released. This kept my break lights on even when the car was turned off, which lead to issues with my accelerator randomly giving out while I was on the road, and my traction control forced off.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #94

Mar 092022

Sonata

  • miles
The bulbs keep blowing out and now the wiring harness is burnt. I have replaced bulbs multiple times and I have an upcoming appointment at my local dealership on April 4th. My concern is I thought bulbs were supposed to be replaced every few years not 7-8 in one month. Now due to the fact that the lighting housing assembly is melted it will not hold any bulbs. I have a small child that sits and the back and has a medical condition and I am scared to drive (at night especially) if he needs to go to the emergency room/doctors appointments due to the fact someone may hit me from behind because I have no lights back there. Where I stay every time I see a Hyundai Sonata it never fails they are always missing a light in the back due to the light assembly has melted. This is a safety concern for not only my children but for me. I am also concerned that due to it being melted it could potentially catch something on fire.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #93

Jan 012022

Sonata

  • 179,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated when she arrived at her residence, she noticed that her son's rear brake lights illuminated while the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated her son placed a can on the brake pedal to turn off the brake lights. The contact stated she had to disconnect the battery and reconnect before using the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

- Groton, CT, USA

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