10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,997 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #88

Nov 172023

Sonata

  • miles

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

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

- Ponte Vedra , FL, USA

problem #87

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 #86

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 #85

Feb 232023

Sonata

  • 100,300 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 while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle downshifted unintendedly and decelerated. The contact stated that she shifted into neutral(N). The contact pulled over to the side of the road and remained there for several minutes. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure recurred while the vehicle was being test-driven; however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the steering wheel needed to be disassembled to inspect the paddle shifters. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,300.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

problem #84

Aug 122023

Sonata

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the contact attempted to shift into gear, but the transmission failed to shift as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pressed the release button and the transmission shifted; however, the vehicle was driving abnormally. An independent mechanic was contacted and stated that the vehicle might be experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V434000 (Power Train) and advised to contact the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Bedford, TX, USA

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problem #83

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 #82

Feb 082023

Sonata

  • miles

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

My car is burning oil very fast it has a engine campaign running but Hyundai refuses to fix it.. it cuts while driving it at high speeds

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #81

Mar 232023

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving my car at approximately 45 MPH when my car began smoking and overheating and making a knocking sound from the engine. I pulled over and checked but had coolant in the vehicle as I had just got my car serviced 3 weeks prior. I was about to get onto the highway when my car decelerated and the oil lamp and engine light started flickering as my car lost power and started smoking profusely.

- Kapolei, HI, USA

problem #80

Feb 222023

Sonata

  • miles
I came to a stoplight and then tried to go forward and it got to about 20 miles an hour and this horrible knock happened and when I pushed on the gas it just whines I haven't had the money to get it somewhere to be looked at but I'm thinking it's the transmission but when it made that knocking sound it sounded like the whole engine fell out of it and I was in heavy traffic at the time.. you can drive it no problem up until you get 20 miles an hour and then it makes that horrible knocking sound

- Defuniak Spring, FL, USA

problem #79

Sep 112022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 50,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, and depressing the accelerator pedal the RPM inadvertently decreased. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that while exiting the vehicle he noticed that the brake lights were still illuminated. The contact called Cochran Hyundai of Monroeville (4520 William Penn Hwy, Monroeville, PA 15146:(412) 245-4380) and Bowser Hyundai (1001 Clairton Blvd, Pleasant Hills, PA 15236: (412) 469-2100) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with TSB: 15-01-056; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,500. The contact paid for the replacement of the defective part.

- Wall, PA, USA

problem #78

Jul 252022

Sonata

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that once car has warmed up, while driving at low speed or starting to move after a stop, she vehicle hesitated and stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. This is a serious risk hazard as the car barely moves at intersections where it is a risk of getting hit by incoming cars. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to multiple independent mechanics as well as hyundai dealerships who were all unable to diagnose the failure due to no warning lights illuminating on the instrument panel and no codes getting registered in the ECU. The contact then got the car evaluated by another Hyundai dealership in order to exchange it for a new vehicle and mentioned this problem. This time the dealership mechanics claimed to have seen this same problem at several occasion and that the cause was failing electric motor (when warming up) which needs to be replaced along with transmission. They also said this failure would eventually lead to the car no longer being usable at all (catastrophic failure of drivetrain) The car was no longer under warranty and total repair cost around $11 000 CAN. This far exceeded the value of the car so the car could not be repaired nor re-sold. The failure pattern started to happen when mileage was approximately 110,000 miles

- Saint-Lazare, VT, USA

problem #77

Jun 092022

Sonata

  • miles
I gave my son this car b/c I thought it was safe and reliable. My son was driving down the road and all of a sudden the lights started blinking and he pulled over. He had to have it towed and repair shop says the engine is locking up and would cost more to replace. This is a paid for car and now we are totally screwed. I really want the manufacturer to honor and fix their issues. I ensured I had this car serviced timely and took care of the car. Now, I am $12K in the whole and will probably go ahead and trade in my other 2017 Hyundai Sonata to avoid anymore of these issues that no one can honor to fix. This car has about 80K miles on it so not too bad, either!

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

problem #76

Jul 232021

Sonata

  • miles
The car transmission breaks down prematurely. And dashboard show hybrid system warning safely stop do not drive. Hyundai is asking for $5000 to replace the transmission.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #75

May 232021

Sonata

  • miles
I have provided this information already, case number 11424760. I am now submitting further documentation on this safety issue. There was a recall notice from Hyundai, for whatever reason, this was changed to not include our vehicle. We never heard back about the solution & they no longer will replace the engine.

- Little Falls, MN, USA

problem #74

May 232021

Sonata

  • miles
Entered a freeway on-ramp, the engine started to make a slapping noise. I thought it was the fan belt slipping. We began to lose acceleration, had a burning smell We pulled off and had the vehicle towed. Subsequently we discovered that the issue was exactly that which appeared in a published recall notice: Symptoms of the problem can include abnormal knocking noises from the engine; reduced power or hesitation; illumination of the -€œcheck engine-€ light or the engine oil-pressure warning light; or a burning smell, oil leaks, or smoke. In discussing with Hyundai, it was stated that my VIN does not meet a full reimbursement due to the VIN not being included. How is that possible, when the symptoms match the year, Make, model. https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/hyundai-recalls-almost-129000-cars-in-u-s-for-possible-premature-engine-wear

- Little Falls, MN, USA

problem #73

Jul 092021

Sonata

  • miles
On 05/26/21 this vehicle was taken to crown Hyundai for an engine recall and was not running. In fact, since purchased at the auction it has never ran more than 30 feet then suts off. Tech said, computer responded with a faulty wheel sensor, a dead battery, and fault ABS sensor. I picked up the car and put new battery in it, and a left rear wheel sensor and reported by Hyundai. Our mechanic said take back to Hyundai to reset the ABS sensor, so ON06/24/21 we did return the vehicle to crown Hyundai and was tolk now they could not set the sensor as the battery was the wrong type, now a code for a flap door and an allegation of the vehicle being wrecked in the front end causing door damage. My right headlight has always been loose but no damage. Now the computer says the door plap and front bumper damage is causing 30 more defaults to pop up my wrecker driver will tell you the car was not driving but would start and move until sensor shut down. Now it will not start or move and more sensors are being shown.. service manager said, , I cannot tell you not to fix it, but there are more codes poping up now... there is something wrong with this picture... he said he has several more hydrid's sitting in the back that also show many codes.

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA

problem #72

May 222021

Sonata

  • miles
My break lights and head lights are constantly blowing out, I've had multiple repair orders to prove this & can have records pulled from my pull overs. My back up camera now has an electrical issue and will no longer come on. Also when I'm driving the gas pedal just stops working while driving!!! Very very dangerous. My car is well kept and maintained there is NO reason for these issues to be happening aside from a manufacturer issue. I know plenty of people with the same year make and model as me and they all have the same issues. There really needs to be recalls put out on these issues as they are a safety concerns and they are putting me and my children in danger every day. I wish I had researched these issues before buying a Hyundai. I WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN especially if these issues do not get resolved.

- Gambrills, MD, USA

problem #71

Apr 052021

Sonata

  • 174,000 miles
1 day after buying vehicle. It failed. 1st dealer replaced 12V battery. Then drove 17 miles and it failed again. Dealer determined hybrid battery bad. 7K for new one. 7 yr old vehicle needed new hybrid battery. Purchased hybrid battery. 1 year later vehicle started jerking on highway. Then it could not get over 40 and engine was revving high. Towef to dealer. They determined failed transmission and electric motor. Purchased used parts and had them installed for 4K. Nightmare vehicle. Awful support from Hyundai. No way I would ever buy another.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

problem #70

Aug 012017

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
I had my engine replaced in 3/17. A couple months after that, it started hesitating when I put it in reverse. A couple months later, I had no reverse. I took it to the dealership in beckley, wv. They told me that they ran a scope in it and there is no reverse gear there. I was told of a recall on the power train so I called Hyundai. They sent me to the same dealership and I was told the same thing, I had no reverse. I was also told there was not a recall on my vehicle for this issue. I've been driving for almost 4 years with no reverse. I don't like to complain but I don't know what steps to take.

- Oak Hill, WV, USA

problem #69

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

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