10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,057 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #7

Nov 252024

Sonata

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that various functions on the steering wheel including the horn, cruise control, and other electrical functions; all failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that a warranty had been placed on the vehicle for the clock spring which they linked to the failure. The steering wheel also began to stick soon after the diagnosis. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the dealer could not provide an appointment until months out. The contact then stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact began to pull over as the EPS(Electrical Power Steering) and several other warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. As the contact opened the door, a fellow motorist had also pulled over to alert the contact that the vehicle was on fire. Soon after exiting the vehicle, the entire vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames. The fire department quickly arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact was not injured, no other occupants were inside the vehicle, and the contact was unsure if a fire or police report was filed. Some of the grass and trees in the area had caught fire as a result of the failure. The remains of the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #6

Sep 092015

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
Prior to recall notification, my vehicle's engine was making a very loud, "clanking" noise., and would not accelerate. If I attempted to press on the gas pedal, the noise would become louder. While on a busy highway, the car stalled and would not start. I had to have my vehicle towed to a garage. Upon inspection, the mechanics stated the engine was beyond repair and would have to be replaced. A rebuilt engine, with 50,000 miles was placed into the vehicle. I had to obtain a rental car for a week while my car was being repaired. I have faithfully had the oil changed in my car every 3,000 miles and had taken good care of it. I contact a Hyundai representative who told me to upload my expenses incurred to the website, which I have done. He also took my information and submitted a claim for the issue. Please let me know if you have or have not received my invoices; if not, I will resubmit. A week or so after this incident, I noticed a recall was being issued for the exact problem that my vehicle experienced. Had I been aware of the recall prior to the incident, I would have taken it to a Hyundai dealership.

- Monaca, PA, USA

problem #5

Sep 152013

Sonata

  • miles
Driving my taxi down the highway when the vehicle caught on fire was forced to jump out of my taxi it came to a holt in the median & exploded !

- Waipahu, HI, USA

problem #4

Jul 012014

Sonata

  • 32,000 miles
My recent 2012 Hyundai Sonata (32K miles) A/C stopped working - took it to dealer. He told a stone or debris may have hit the condenser and put the hole in it and its not covered under warranty (60K). Its no mistake of mine either. I always drive safe and maintain my car nicely. Dealer asked me to pay 800$ out of my pocket for the same. I am pretty sure other Sonata owners will also have the same issue because of bad quality of parts & design for Hyundai Sonata. I sincerely request you to take a look into this and prevent the brand (Hyundai) and dealers exploiting the car buyers like this.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #3

Feb 032012

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 11,000 miles
Repair attempts 5; first attempt at date of incident. Driving on level three lane divided highway when the vehicle suddenly stops accelerating and exhibits a no power condition where only electrical is working. I apply acceleration up past 5000 RPM and no response. Past 6000 RPM and vehicle suddenly kicks in and out of complete shock I'm forced to pull over in nearby plaza to contact nearest dealer (in southern California @ this time, original dealer in las vegas centennial Hyundai). Allen Hyundai service technician agrees to keep it overnight to duplicate issue. He puts in writing next day "three no power conditions." After blaming it on the turbo and adjusting electrical sensors, I continued experiencing same problem, different places. Original dealer for some reason fails to duplicate and leaves me hopeless. No offer to trade car or take it back. Now stuck in purgatory between corporate and a malfunctioning vehicle. 2012 new off the lot SE with 2.0 T.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 062012

Sonata

  • 400 miles
When accelerating from idle, such as sitting at a stop sign, stop light, or waiting to pull out onto the highway, the engine will just start to move the car and then delay, allowing you to push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor with no response for 2-4 seconds. This happens at all times of day and weather. The only common factor is that it happens after the car has been at idle for a moment, such as coasting through a parking lot or sitting at a traffic light. It happens about every 2-4 days. Very dangerous as I have almost been hit twice now pulling out onto a highway only for the engine to stall. The engine never turns off, it just doesn't respond to the accelerator pedal. I see on the internet that this is happening to other people.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

problem #1

Nov 112011

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall without warning, followed by an abnormal grinding. The dealer made three attempts to duplicate the failure but to no avail. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 600 and the failure mileage was unknown.

- Carrollton, VA, USA