10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
41,305 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #107

May 012023

Sonata

  • miles

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

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 #106

Oct 182023

Sonata

  • miles
Driving and vehicle caught on fire under hood of car

- Grayson, GA, USA

problem #105

Sep 102023

Sonata

  • miles
My car was stolen it is Hyundai sonata 2012 although anti software has been upgraded. It is been 10 days since then my car was not recovered.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #104

Jan 302023

Sonata

  • miles

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

The vehicle have shift control problem, it jerks hard when put into drive or reverse, also when going up a small hill it feels like the vehicle hangs in between changing from electric to gas. Also there is always a warning that comes on saying " Hybrid System Warning Safety Stop and Do not Drive". The car stops when driving, which makes it dangerous. Took it to two dealership in MCkinney and Irving and they could not fix the problem but rather charge me for diagnosis. All they say is buy new transmission. I called Hyundai for help and all they tell me is that there is no recall on 2012 hybrid model. Its frustrating because thats the only vehicle that i used for work. Need help. Thanks

- Farmers Branch, TX, USA

problem #103

Aug 012023

Sonata

  • miles
i-??ve been having issues with the brake lights being sometimey sometime it works and sometimes not, and almost been in accidents once too many times. i-??ve also notice a lot of hyundais especially sonatas that-??s on the road have the same issue. i-??m at a loss in what to do with having to change light bulbs every month it acts up with both break lights. horn doesn-??t work. it stopped months ago and fused changes and still no horn work. the other day while driving it brought someone was blowing at me so i turned down the radio and heard my very own horn blow on it-??s own several times it does this off n on even at the light or while driving. i don-??t have money to fix all these issues with this car. hopefully we can get a recall and get this fixed!

- Forest Hill, TX, USA

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problem #102

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 #101

Jun 182021

Sonata

  • miles

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

After intermittent starting and car dying for no reason, the engine completely died while driving on highway. I filed a claim with Hyundai as part of Theta Engine settlement. I had the engine replaced at my expense, they will not cover. It is now burning oil at an alarming rate. This is dangerous and has happened to many many HYUNDAI/KIA owners as part of this engine problem.

- Beachwood, NJ, USA

problem #100

Jan 032023

Sonata

  • miles
My car started on fire while being stopped at a signal light

- Cathedral City, CA, USA

problem #99

Sep 012022

Sonata

  • miles
Dash board has been completely cracked. I-€™m scared the airbags are effected by it or will deploy unexpectedly there are other people with the same issue. There has been no damage or accidents with this vehicle

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #98

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 #97

Sep 252022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Received a warning message saying pull over safely do not drive this vehicle in the middle of the road as I'm driving all the warning lights on the dash came on. The car jerked Then the car died

- New Haven , CT, USA

problem #96

Aug 222022

Sonata

  • miles
My "Hyundai system warning safely stop and don't drive". light went off with my brake light on also, we were driving on the freeway going around 60 mph I was I'm the middle lane causing me to have to hurry and pull over as Car came to complete stop.i went to brake check to see if the breaks needed to be replaced and after inspection they said everything was fine, brakes, rotors and brake fluid was fine it's been doing this more often now..

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #95

Aug 292022

Sonata

  • miles
When driving at higher speeds 50+mph, hybrid battery warning flashes, alarm beeps, warning states to safely pull over and stop. Warning goes away after turning the car on and off a few times. Dealer states they can not duplicate problem and can not diagnose. Have visited Dealer twice now with she results

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #94

Jul 262022

Sonata

  • miles
I was on the expressway and car hesitated and jerked while speed began to increase followed by hybrid warning system alert. (Pull over and stop the vehicle) with a flashing ready light. Could have caused a major accident with loss of life as there was no place to safely pull over. Warning lights came in immediately after the cat jerked.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #93

Jun 102022

Sonata

  • miles
After recall repairs at Hyundai dealer in Danbury CT during the past few years, the engine light remains on or comes back on the next time the car is driven. Never had issue before these recall repairs. The car has been returned countless times to dealer to correct repairs and never successful. After multiple incidents of losing engine power and having to pull off highway i retuned to dealer again where they claimed fuel tank and fuel pump needed replacement for nearly $3,000 but never said if this was related to the ongoing recall repair issues or the engine coming on. I had another garage smoke test system and confirm gas tank didn-€™t need replacement. Error codes are related to recall parts in Hyundai TSBs for recall and other issues. Hyundai dealer and corporate HQ level consumer affairs remain unable or unwillingly ensure repairs are done correctly. All I want is the vehicle to be safe for family use.

- Redding, CT, USA

problem #92

Jun 302022

Sonata

  • miles
There were no warnings or indicators of a problem. My husband was driving down the highway when he noticed smoke coming from under the hood. He pulled over, but the car was already on fire. The fire department put out the fire, and the car is likely to be totaled by insurance. The car is currently available for inspection but will be taken into possession by insurance soon.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #91

May 162022

Sonata

  • miles
The car was running and just stopped working in the middle of the highway the warning lights came out and i couldn't be able to start the car since that day.

- Park City, UT, USA

problem #90

Mar 102022

Sonata

  • miles
It all started with the electronic system. Both of my brake lights burned, leaving huge holes in the back of my brake light bracket. Replace the whole brake assembly on both brake light fixtures, then now my horn is not working-€"nothing to do with the relay or fuse.

- Alvin, TX, USA

problem #89

Mar 252022

Sonata

  • miles
As I was driving on the highway, my car engine stalled and all the interior dashboard lights came on. I was unable to accelerate although all other features of my car worked (steering, brakes, radio, bluetooth, etc...). I was barely able to get off the highway safely as the highway I was on had no shoulder that was safely accessible. Luckily, I was in the far right lane already which allowed me to exit the highway. I was just barely able to exit the highway and move to the middle and far right lane of the service road before my car came to a complete stop. I attempted to turn my car off and back on without success. At this point, I could start to smell burning of something and knew I needed to exit the car immediately, however, I was unable to do so due to traffic on the driver side of my car. I noticed smoke coming from my engine which prompted to me to jump out of the car without continuing to pay attention to the traffic that was passing me. I called 911 to alert them of my car impeding traffic, potentially causing another wreck, and the potential that my car may be on fire. After making those statements to dispatch, flames shot forward from my hood and I was able to move away from my car. The fire department arrived on scene but not before the flames had reached 12+ feet as they were taller than the fire truck. The firefighters were able to put out the flames. My car engine was completely melted from the fire. At this point, the dealership, insurance agent or any other representative has determined a cause of the fire or has looked at my car. No warning lights to indicate a malfunction was visible prior to the incident. No noises or engine malfunctions were noted prior to the incident.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #88

Mar 162022

Sonata

  • miles
Limp mode on the 16th of march, no symptoms prior to entering limp mode. Check engine light was illuminated and blinking & a knocking sound came from under the hood, along with not being able to get over 1800 rpms before having to shift. Drove back home until the next day on march 17th went to try to take it to a manufacturing company and did not make it. While in the middle of driving it had a loud bang under hood and left me on side the road. Could not crank it again.

- Kinston, AL, USA

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