Engine
NHTSA campaign 18V934000 · 2018 · reported 12/28/2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2012 Hyundai Sonata Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 2.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
1,551Complaints
8Recalls
51Crashes
94Fires
38Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine (36.3% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Engine complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 563 · 36.3% | Recalled | Recall 18V934000 · Recall 15V568000 |
| Steering | 298 · 19.2% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 228 · 14.7% | Investigation closed | PE19003 → recall 20V061000 · PE19003 → recall 20V121000 · PE19003 → recall 20V393000 · PE19003 → recall 20V520000 · PE19003 → recall 20V543000 · PE19003 → recall 20V746000 · PE19003 → recall 21V303000 · PE19003 → recall 21V727000 · DP18003 → recall 18V907000 · DP18003 → recall 18V934000 · DP18003 → recall 19V120000 · DP18003 → recall 19V204000 |
| Air Bags | 168 · 10.8% | Recalled | Recall 12V352000 |
| Service Brakes | 151 · 9.7% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 121 · 7.8% | Recalled | Recall 15V759000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 1,551 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 8 campaigns
Seat Belts:pretensioner
NHTSA campaign 17V617000 · 2017 · reported 10/04/2017
If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seat Belts:pretensioner
NHTSA campaign 18V137000 · 2018 · reported 02/27/2018
If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seat Belts:front:anchorage
NHTSA campaign 17V152000 · 2017 · reported 03/08/2017
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
NHTSA campaign 15V759000 · 2015 · reported 11/16/2015
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine
NHTSA campaign 15V568000 · 2015 · reported 09/10/2015
Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission
NHTSA campaign 14V434000 · 2014 · reported 07/18/2014
If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:side/window
NHTSA campaign 12V352000 · 2012 · reported 07/24/2012
The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“2012 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. MILEAGE NOT AS ADVERTISED. STICKER SAID 25 CITY AND 35 HIGHWAY. HAVE TRACKED MILEAGE FROM 1000 TO 5000 MILES AND AVERAGES…”NHTSA complaint 10492186 — filed 01/10/2013 · ENGINE
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY. THE…”NHTSA complaint 10482745 — filed 10/31/2012 · ENGINE
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…”NHTSA complaint 10472998 — filed 08/30/2012 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 563 of 1,551 NHTSA complaints (36.3%), followed by steering (298), electrical system (228), air bags (168). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have?
1,551 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 51 involved a crash, 94 involved a fire, and 38 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V934000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
