10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,799 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 11)

problem #201

Nov 282023

Sonata

  • miles

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

I noticed a clicking noise when pressing and releasing the brake pedal that had not been there before. I started hearing that sound 3-5 days ago. After driving to pick up food I noticed smoke coming from the engine area then the car burst into flames. The fire depress called a they put out the fire.

- Kennesaw , GA, USA

problem #200

Apr 142023

Sonata

  • miles
The headlights and rear break lights keep going out, we have changed the bulbs multiple times and they keep burning out and not within months it happens within weeks the bulbs completely burn out which has caused us to be stopped by police and given warnings. The headlights look very dim when on which as well have been changed but still give a dim look. The engine has given out, the last time driving the vehicle was a 60 mile road which it lost velocity momentum and the engine light turned on then it completely shut off almost crashing into a light post.

- San Benito , TX, USA

problem #199

Nov 302023

Sonata

  • miles
The ABS (Antilock Brake System) or BMS ( Brake Module System) warning light illumination came on flashing -??DO NOT DRIVE -?? and the brakes sieze-up making it impossible to drive. Key Hyundai in Jacksonville previously charged me $2600 to replace the BMS and within warranty. A few months later the same company charged me another $342.56 to diagnose the same issue. I had to rent a car for $700 while in the service repair department. Key Hyundai was unable to fix my 2012 Sonata hybrid except offering me a replacement hybrid battery and control system for $12,900. I declined. I believe that the campaign 251 involves this problem. I had to get the car towed to another mechanic that is currently working on the vehicle.

- Ponte Vedra Beach , FL, USA

problem #198

Nov 232023

Sonata

  • miles

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

This vehicle and many other same vehicles around the same year are experiencing HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE for no reason and when this happens the car shuts down and has almost caused multiple accidents by shutting down immediately and not driving. This vehicle has a brand new motor, transmission and battery.

- Saint Louis , MO, USA

problem #197

Nov 172023

Sonata

  • miles
Check engine lights on and says -??Warning do not drive the hybrid brakes may fail do not drive -??.

- Ponte Vedra , FL, USA

problem #196

Oct 172023

Sonata

  • miles
I went to start my car up 10 days ago and it began to alarm with a message to check the brake system. My car was stuck and wouldn't drive. This also happened in July 2022 while I was on the highway. I could no longer accelerate and the gas pedal no longer gave power. I had to put on my hazard lights and coast to the far right lane. I took it to the Hyundai dealership near by and they said it wasn't safe to drive. I left it there and was told that Hyundai would replace the part in good faith at no charge but charged me $700 for labor. This is becoming a problem. I was told the car could catch fire while driving or while parked and that I could continue to drive it. I decided not to drive it because I do not feel safe.

- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA

problem #195

Oct 232023

Sonata

  • 100,000 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 after the vehicle was started, there was a loud sound coming from under the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the issue, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel hose had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the dealer, that the fuel hose was replaced, and the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine) however, the contact was then informed by the dealer that the vehicle failed to start and diagnosed that the vehicle experienced unknown electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #194

May 012023

Sonata

  • miles
I have a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that has a problem with its ABS Module. It is overheating and causes my car to stop its brake and motor functions while driving. I contacted the dealership to get a rental or replacement in the meantime and they told me there is nothing they can do and to drive with caution. I called the manufacturer to get a rental for the meantime and they told me the same thing. I have looked on the recall documents and it says they should give me a vehicle in the meantime if it is unsafe to drive. Please, I don't even want the car at this point because of all the problems with it and with my dissatisfaction with customer service from any Hyundai business. But if I could just get a car that is safe to drive while I wait for the recall to have a remedy, I would take that.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #193

Sep 142023

Sonata

  • miles
While driving on the freeway, the Hybrid system warning, safely stop and do not drive will alternately flash with check brake and continuously the alarm sound with the park brake red light. The car would loose acceleration, and the brake pedal goes to the floor when applied. Once stopped, I restarted the car and the same things happen. The car can accelerate on and off for about 5mph. Brake pedal still goes to the floor. After restarting the car for 30-minutes- 1 hour, there are no warning lights or alarm. The car can be driven again. I brought to independent mechanic and found the code C1604 and there-??s a recall 251 on ABS brake system- recommended to bring to dealer. Brought to dealer, they say that recall 251 had no fix yet. They diagnosed that the safety plug relay needs to be replaced. Dealer replaced it and said that the car is fixed. Pick up the car from the dealer. After 20 miles of driving the same problem occurred- Hybrid system warning, safely stop and do not drive will alternately flash with check brake and continuously the alarm sound with the park brake red light. Had the car towed back to the dealer. After 2 days, the dealer says it-??s possibly a transmission issue. I asked how come it wasn-??t diagnosed the first time around? No clear response.issue occurred 4 times already.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #192

May 152023

Sonata

  • miles
Car completely shut down suddenly and spontaneously without ANY warning while my husband and I were driving on a very busy major highway at night. We were unable to do ANYTHING to control the car and could have died, been seriously injured, or caused death or injury to other drivers. We were then towed off of the highway after calling for help. We don-??t know firsthand exactly what failed. We were aware of our engine burning oil and had been to Huffines Hyundai multiple times previously for an oil consumption test at their recommendation. Upon completion of this test process no solutions for repair were offered, and we were never warned of any danger in driving it. We have found out via our own research that our car has a defective engine. This specific engine has been the subject of at least one class action lawsuit and Hyundai is well aware of its dangers. We have been denied an engine replacement by Hyundai as they are claiming negligence on our part as the reason for failure after we presented a substantial stack of oil change receipts. Not 100% complete, so they make this claim. These cars are death traps and people are dying because this company won-??t honor their warranty. Please do something.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #191

Sep 232023

Sonata

  • miles

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

While driving, the engine abruptly seized up and stopped without any warning. This was a replacement engine from a previous recall. The transmission warning light had illuminated the previous day, after which the car began to hesitate when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear but otherwise drove normally. When the engine seized up, every warning light illuminated on the dashboard. The car still had full battery power but the engine would not turn over or make any response when the key was turned. After placing the car in neutral and pushing it several blocks, the engine began to smoke. The smoke progressively and quickly worsened until fire was visible under the hood in the engine compartment. The engine compartment was then engulfed in fire which spread to the front of the passenger compartment. The car had to be extinguished by the local volunteer fire department.

- Plano, IL, USA

problem #190

Sep 082023

Sonata

  • miles
This is a 2012 sonata hybrid. The vehicle popped under the hood when my wife was driving to visit her father. My son opened the hood and fire started shooting out from next to the exhaust manifold. The car was just into Gurnee Hyundai for service. They had the car for a month and a half. I still don't think that they did anything when they had it. Anyway, the car burnt completely to the ground in the front engine area. I already contacted Hyundai America, and, even Hyundai and South Korea. This happened on September 8th. I have pictures, I also have the warranty individual who inspected the car before the dealer worked on it, or I have the warranty information. They have the documentation.

- Waukegan, IL, USA

problem #189

Aug 292023

Sonata

  • miles
Hybrid System Warning -?" Safely Stop And Do Not Drive Notification Notification has been going on for two weeks and no resolution has been provided. No error codes show up but I lose control of the vehicle

- Baker, WV, USA

problem #188

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 #187

Dec 162022

Sonata

  • miles
Hybrid System Malfunction. The "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" appeared on the vehicle dashboard. While traveling on the highway or in town the vehicle will want to slow down then stop. The dealership's (Wyatt Johnson Hyundai) Clarksville, TN, maintenance tech have troubleshot the vehicle. Since my daughter and I have owned the vehicle, it has been seen by the dealer a few times during this time a transmission replacement was completed for the Hybrid System Malfunction, which did not solve the problem and I had to pay out almost $6,000. Still, same issue arises and also, I was told by another tech that the transmission is sealed and should not have been opened. The only thing we heard from the dealer(Wyatt Johnson Hyundai) was to come and pick up the car. When my son-n-law went to pick up the vehicle, the engine was still torn apart. They said they would fix it and then let us know when it is ready to be picked up. We have not heard anything from the dealer (Wyatt Johnson Hyundai) at all, assuming they are still working on it. Until, we received a letter from Express Auto the the vehicle was towed and reported abandoned. So, I drove to Clarksville, TN and trailered the vehicle back to Las Vegas, NV to have the Hyundai techs here diagnose the vehicle.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #186

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 #185

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 #184

May 172023

Sonata

  • miles
My vehicle is experiencing several recall issues. The seat belt in driver seat randomly pops unlocked which is very dangerous while driving, the headlights and brakes lights go out once a month due to some electrical issues with the vehicle, the tire bearing clocks when the vehicle is turning

- Elkridge, MD, USA

problem #183

Sep 302022

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving on a busy street when all of a sudden. My car reduce speed hesitated There was a pull over Safely and don't drive this vehicle warning Message Every light on the dash came on and shut off in the middle of a busy street. THANK GOD I DIDNT GET HIT Didn't get the chance to pull over the car just shut off. The whole car died I had to have it towed way I tried changing 12 V battery to a brand new one still didn't work. I've had it towed to hyundai dealer. What is wrong with this car? Still don't kno this happened in september of 2022 took it 2 different Hyundai dealerships. As I've been researching this is happening to a lot of people. With the same make a model car. I talk to corporate. They can't help me with anything because it's over a 150000 miles. You would think that they would help with some of the cause being the fact that is happening to all of the hybrid cars

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #182

Apr 192023

Sonata

  • miles
The break light don-??t want to turn off Seat belts don-??t latch

- Oceanside, CA, USA

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