10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 56
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,875 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 6 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #401

Jan 282022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2012 Hyundai Sonata. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. The consumer stated while the vehicle was being driven, it shut off causing the driver to crash into a curb. The right front wheel of the vehicle was bent. The consumer requested information pertaining to any recalls.

- Thomaston, GA, USA

problem #400

Nov 012021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her son was driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking noise would emit from the engine without warning. Upon investigation, her son discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) which he linked to the failure. Her son then took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified, and her son was informed that the recall on the vehicle had expired. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was not available.

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

problem #399

Dec 172021

Sonata

  • miles
While driving the car started smoking white smoke and locked up. I was unable to get off roadway and almosred caused wreck. Had vehicle towed to dealership they said ut had a recall on it for engine failure. Checked the engine and it was locked up. They submitted the engine replace to hyundai and they denied because I didn't have a software update done prior to engine failure. Had no warning at all.

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #398

Jan 042022

Sonata

  • miles

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

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 #397

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 #396

Dec 022021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was awaiting a diagnosis. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. Consumer was told by the dealer engine was gone and case number [XXX] was issued. On 12/22/21 Hyundai denied coverage, stating it wasn't associated with Recall/Campaign 132. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).-€

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #395

Dec 032021

Sonata

  • miles

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

Check engine light started flashing. Drove approximately.5 miles home then towed to Brown's Hyundai of Leesburg dealership on 12/06/2021. Advised on 12/22/2021 Hyundai will not cover repair of engine and said it was not covered by their recall. Dealership described problems as those listed in the recall. "Metal shavings" seen.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #394

Nov 132021

Sonata

  • miles
On November 13th of 2021 me and my four year old we're in the car as I was driving the vehicle and my oil lamp light kept blinking showing that my car was on low oil and then my engine light came on right after and started blinking as well 5 minutes after that my car broke down on the side of the interstate on 65 north me and my daughter we're at risk of safety because it was 10:00 at night stuck on the side of the interstate in the freezing cold for 2 and a half hours what had happened was the connecting rod inside of the engine worn out so it basically locked up my whole engine as I was looking on information about a recall it was showing the same exact thing that has with my vehicle now my vehicle is sitting at a dealership while I'm still paying payments on my lease with it still no answers about why my car isn't being fixed and what is going on with

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #393

Jul 162021

Sonata

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light, the battery warning light, and other unknown warnings lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road however, he pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

- North Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #392

May 012021

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced under recall after the engine failed while driving at an unknown speed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where they replaced the engine under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). Recently, while driving at various speeds, the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would stall as an abnormal, knocking noise would emit from the engine. The contact had taken her vehicle back to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #391

Oct 072021

Sonata

  • miles

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

Said vehicle is affected by the Sonata engine connecting rod bearing inspection recall campaign. During the manufacturing of the engine, metal debris may have been generated during factory machining operations. If the debris was not removed from the crankshaft -€˜s oil passages, it could contaminate the connecting rod oiling passages, restricting oil flow to the connecting rod bearings and increasing the potential of premature bearing wear. A worn connecting rod bearing may result in one or more of the following: 1. A metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine which increases in frequency as the engine RPM increases. 2. Illumination of the Check Engine Light in the instrument cluster. However, engine failed, lost all power without any warning. My safety was put at risk without prior warning as I turned onto main thoroughfare. No indicators from instrument panel warnings nor any illumination of check engine light. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Was told directly from dealership that vehicle affected by engine recall. Problem was confirmed on October 8, 2021. Dealership states reported problem to Hyundai Automaker and is waiting on a response. There were no warning lights, lamps, messages, or any symptoms of a problem prior to instantaneous engine failure. Vehicle towed to dealership Irving Freeman Hyundai, Irving TX on October 7, 2021 and is still there as of this complaint submission.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #390

Nov 012021

Sonata

  • miles
The cars engine burn oil very quickly and runs improperly. The car jerks when attempting to accelerate normally and deaccelerates when driving at normal speeds which can cause an accident with ongoing traffic.

- Greensboro , NC, USA

problem #389

Jul 312021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her residence and then to a dealer for assistance. Once there, the contact was informed that the engine had seized and that the engine would need to be replaced. The contact stated that she had previously received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine) however, she was informed that the recall had expired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure through the dealer and they informed her that since the vehicle was not properly maintained; they declined to repair the failure under recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown. I bought a 2012 Hyundai Sonata at an auction in June of 2017. Since buying the car I have moved 3 or 4 times. In late July/ early august 2021, The car turned off while driving. When Trying to turn it back on the engine made a clunking noise and shut off. Then the car would not turn on again. The car engine had a recall on it. When looking into the recall, there was a recall on sonatas stating this was identified and because of this issue, the car had been recalled. The car was towed to Hyundai in Brockton, they would diagnose the car to see what happened, and they said it is indeed engine failure. (They didn-€™t even diagnose the issue until 1-1.5 months after giving them the car). The dealership sent a claim to Hyundai corporate stating this and to see if Hyundai corporate would cover the cost of the new engine since this car engine was recalled. Hyundai requested that they take the engine apart and examine the valves to see if the cause was due to the recall issue or if it was us not keeping up with the maintenance. They asked to provide invoices for the car oil change (the 2 recent invoices were provided showing maintenance) When Hyundai corporate responded back they said they denied request to cover the cost o

- Woburn, MA, USA

problem #388

Oct 282021

Sonata

  • miles
This morning when i drove the car to Bart station, just before i parked in the parking lot. the showboard showed "Hybrid System Warning, Safely Stop and Do Not Drive". So i stopped and parked the car in the parking space. i'm not sure what the issue is and if i still can drive it after i came back from my work. After i checked the website and found there're a lot of people have this same issue as this case. I did not see any of them have solution for it. So I believed that this is a big issue since it will cuase death if it happens in the high speed high way. please do the investigation and recall for it to save lives! appreciated in advance.

- Mountain House, CA, USA

problem #387

Oct 012021

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Check engine light blinking and engine acting erratically. Took it to dealership they said it was a known issue with the Theta 2 engines whereas there is premature wear in the rod bearings and it requires a new engine. This engine is under recall and has a lifetime warranty on this defect. However, when the dealership contacted Hyundai to replace the engine they said because it has a salvage title they will not. The salvage title was from body damage and nothing with the engine. It is my understanding that salvage title does not negate the need to honor the recall. Can you help? The VIN is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Waukee, IA, USA

problem #386

Oct 132021

Sonata

  • miles
Smoke started coming from the engine and then caught fire

- Jefferson, SC, USA

problem #385

Oct 042021

Sonata

  • miles
Every alarm started beeping, engine light and a few other lights came on in the dash, speed was about 45-50, car stalled out, and it's said check charging system, pull over safely and do not drive. This was 10 pm and in a dark area. Could have been very serious had I been on a busy freeway or highway. This is the 5 time in 2 years it has done this. Everytime I take it to the dealership they tell me nothing is wrong with my car.

- Hallsville, TX, USA

problem #384

Aug 012021

Sonata

  • miles
I bought a 2012 Hyundai Sonata at an auction in June of 2017. Since buying the car I have moved 3 or 4 times. In late July/ early august 2021, The car turned off while driving. When Trying to turn it back on the engine made a clunking noise and shut off. Then the car would not turn on again. The car engine had a recall on it. When looking into the recall, there was a recall on sonatas stating this was identified and bc of this issue, the car had been recalled. The car was towed to Hyundai in Brockton, they would diagnose the car to see what happened, and they said it is indeed engine failure. (They didn-€™t even diagnose the issue until 1-1.5 months after giving them the car). The dealership sent a claim to Hyundai corporate stating this and to see if Hyundai corporate would cover the cost of the new engine since this car was recalled. Hyundai requested that they take the engine apart and examine the valves to see if the cause was due to the recall issue or if it was us not keeping up with the maintenance. They asked to provide invoices for the car oil change (the 2 recent invoices were provided showing maintenance) When Hyundai corporate responded back they said they denied request to cover the cost of a new engine because when they sent the recall notice back in 2018 and the car was never sent to get the engine fixed. The recall would have put in a device to notify the car when/if the engine is failing. Since it-€™s 2021, they said recall period is expired and bc it was never brought in, they are not at fault. But, the only notice I had was right before covid where things were shut down and crazy. (As mentioned earlier I have moved 3-4 times)

- Woburn, MA, USA

problem #383

Sep 022021

Sonata

  • miles
My engine is making this knocking noise and when I check my oil it has metal shavings in it from the engine

- Alexander City , AL, USA

problem #382

Jul 112021

Sonata

  • miles
While I was driving, an error stating "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive" popped up on my dash.

- Tustin, CA, USA

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