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 10 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #321

Jul 012020

Sonata

  • 79,000 miles

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

My Hyundai Sonata 2012 recently experienced engine seizure on a 5 lane highway in NJ garden state parkway at 70 mph without any warning what so ever.car was checked for this recall year ago and supposedly software was installed to notify if engine was to fail. There was no warning! dealer confirmed the engine died and is covered under the recall. I also had mentioned concern about the noise under the car. They replaced the engine & serpentine belt and told me to come back in 3 days as it was too early to do the inspection. When I got the car back the noise was still under the car, the tire light came on, back door lock stopped working and ac stopped working I called back and they told me $1500 worth of work to pass inspection. 3 days earlier they said the car was good to pass. Including Continental tires that Hyundai horrible suspension ruined at 16K miles(tire warranty 70K miles) and both sway bars and sway bar link. Which means I could have rolled the car at any curve.axles were changed twice on this car as they told me " manufactory faulty" axles they put on and other suspension parts. Tires were rotated and aligned by them! if that's not good enough person working on my car damaged both of my front doors when letting the car off the lift.then the dealer tried to cover up the damage and sign me the car back! car has some serious electrical issues with interior/exterior. Lights melting, bulbs burning and now the car doors locks. Better yet new recall says if you had your engine replaced you are in a danger of the fire.how am I supposed to trust this "certified dealer" ? + the other 8 recalls and class actions about this car- Hyundai needs to be forced to buy back these all of these cars. Not only is that not safe for me its also not safe for other drivers! I've also been without my car for about a month at this point.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #320

Jul 312020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while turning at low speeds, there was a burning odor and smoke was present in front of the vehicle. The contact stopped and opened the hood where there were flames. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames. The local police department was also at the scene. The vehicle was severely burned. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a police impound. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #319

Aug 012020

Sonata

  • 125,400 miles
Oil is not sufficient. I'm losing oil fast and there is not an oil leak. I'm hearing a rattle noise.my radio changes media modes on its own.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #318

Jul 222020

Sonata

  • 154,500 miles

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

When the temperature is +95 the car will drive for 15 mins and an alarm sound warning you that the "hybrid system warning - safely stop and do not drive" the vehicle is not responsive and the the engine is making a cracking noise

- Wallingford, CT, USA

problem #317

Mar 012019

Sonata

  • miles
The airbag light ha been on in my car for about 3-4 weeks and stays on continuously, will not go out. I have tried to have it reset, but it does not help. I believe this is or should be a recall because I have been reading over the internet and several other owners of this make and year model of Hyundai are also having these same issues. Also, there appears to be oil leakage but we cannot see it. We have to add oil to the car every week, even after we have had an oil change the week prior. I took it to Hyundai of bowie with these same issues several months ago, but they said there was no recall and before they could check it out, there would be a bill. I did not have the money and believe there is something wrong with the engine and may be part of the recall.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #316

Jul 092019

Sonata

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the gurley leep Subaru (5302 grape rd, mishawaka, in 46545) where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the fuel line was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Niles, MI, USA

problem #315

Jun 232020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 95,798 miles

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

Car has been experiencing clunking noise since 2018. Vehicle would stall all of a sudden. Dealership checked it out and they failed to find anything wrong. On 6/23 I was on the fast lane of the freeway and car stalled and engine light was continuously blinking on and off. Cyclic knocking noise, RPM would not elevate from 1 car just stalled while in motion I almost got hit by other vehicles. Was able to pull car to the side. While engine light continued blinking. Going up hill it lost power as well. I was driving vehicle with my grandkids in the back seat. I feared for all of our lives. Sending pictures and I have a video as well.

- National City, CA, USA

problem #314

Jun 012018

Sonata

  • 78,302 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, when she heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle decelerated however, she was able to drive to her destination. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) on 6/27/2018 at frank Hyundai located at 3150 national city blvd, national city, ca 91950, (888) 355-2980. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,302.

- National City, CA, USA

problem #313

Jun 152020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 167 miles
I drove my car from Chicago to atlanta and had no lights on the dashboard. I took the car to get an oil change and they reported no leaks and the car was good to go. Not even 30 mins after my car oil light came on, started making noises, and started smoking. My boyfriend pulled over to look under hood and seen oil in some areas and on the ground. We got it towed to two different mechanics and back to express oil change and was told it's a hole at the bottom of my car.

- Harvey, IL, USA

problem #312

Jun 172020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 97,056 miles
The engine jus started knocking after I got a oil change and tuneup.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #311

Jun 122020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 118,000 miles

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

Started hearing a knocking sound in engine compartment, while driving down highway, slowed car down to 40 M.P.H., that's when the engine completely shut off and wouldn't restarted, was able to steer and coast car out of traffic. Looked up that there was an old recall claim for the very sound, but it was closed before I bought the car in 2017.

- Vale, OR, USA

problem #310

Mar 102020

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled at various speeds with the accelerator pedal depressed without warning. The vehicle restarted after each failure. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Copperas Cove, TX, USA

problem #309

Feb 022015

Sonata

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to bert ogden harlingen Hyundai 8621 E frontage rd, harlingen, tx 78552 956-4230-5555, to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) and the contact was informed that the engine did not need to be replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the contact was informed that the sound was coming from the fuel pump and not the engine. The vehicle was then taken to an unknown dealer to have a specialist perform a sound test from inside the cabin of the vehicle. The specialist found no failure with the vehicle. The mechanic was informed that on a previous oil change, the mechanic found metal shavings in the oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired with the engine failure and also the power steering failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Mercedes, TX, USA

problem #308

May 092020

Sonata

  • 107,000 miles
The engine was replaced in 2018 on our 2012 Sonata hybrid under warranty due to contamination. Mileage was 82, ,895. On 5/9/2020 while driving heard loud knocking/tapping noise (exactly like last time) along with strong smell of something burning and engine light came on. Noise continued to get louder so pulled over and had car towed to Hyundai dealer in pensacola, fl. We were told the engine would not be covered under warranty and cost to us would be appox. $5,500 for a used engine with 98,000 miles on it. We now have 107,000 miles which is appox. 24,000 on the new engine. Upon investigation we found that 470,000 2011 & 2012 Sonatas were recalled on Sept. 2, 2015 after NHTSA raised the issue of engine noise and problems. It replaced engines and increased the warranty to 10 yrs or 120,000 miles. In January 2019 100,000 of these same engines were recalled again due to damaged fuel lines caused when the engines were replaced during previous recalls. Hyundai has declined our request for this to be covered under warranty because this is a hybrid. Other Sonata hybrid owners have had the same problem. We faithfully take our car to the dealer for any problems and oil changes and have all documentation if needed. We would very much appreciate any assistance you can give us. Thank you.

- Foley, AL, USA

problem #307

May 142020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
After having to have my engine replaced due to my crank shaft getting clogged with metal pieces on the highway and destroying the engine. I've been having issues with the replacement engine feeling like it's stalling out or losing throttle either during a turn or shortly after. It's never popped and error code and only happens now and then.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #306

Apr 232020

Sonata

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and upon exiting noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact opened the hood and fire was seen. The fire was extinguished by a home owner with a garden hose. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would have the vehicle towed a dealer for a failure diagnoses. The contact stated that he was still awaiting the manufacturer tow as his insurance company has not inspected the vehicle yet. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #305

Apr 252020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Consumer stated every time I fill up my gas tank on my Sonata the dash board indicates that I have zero gas available this caused my check engine to come on its is a concern because I believe it can cause and accident on the road or the car can catch on fire this situation happens all the time when the car is in motion and when I start it as well.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #304

May 212019

Sonata

  • 101,088 miles
I had a 2012 Hyundai Sonata I financed from prestige auto in dartmouth MA. The vehicle had 66,002 mileage. I made sure everything was up to date and fixed prior to purchasing vehicle. Long story short with all the recalls these Sonatas have engine being one of them. I stalled on the highway due to this almost causing an accident with the fear of being seriously injured and causing injury to another person due to this. I contacted Hyundai motor corporation and better buisness bureau and was forwarded to contact this. I traded in the vehicle only getting 1,500 for it when I still owed 6,698 and had to pay that out of my pocket. All of this could have been avoided if Hyundai was cooperative but instead they did nothing!! I wasn't keeping a vehicle that was unsafe and to worry if I'm going to be alive or deceased every time I'm in it.

- Fall River, MA, USA

problem #303

Apr 192020

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
The vehicle does not start as it doesn't recognize the key fob. My daughters and wife have been stranded on different occasions as they were not able to start the car. Something is wrong with the electrical as the engine does not recognize the key. I am scared to take the car on long trips as this happens frequently and it can take up to 20 attempts before the engine starts. Please help!!

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #302

Mar 022020

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
I am contacting you regarding the following recalls, part 573 safety recall report 17V-226 and 15V-568 after visiting Hyundai dealership twice, my car still has knocking noise from the engine, and the last month my car engine caught fire

- Rolla, MO, USA

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