2012 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Sonata years
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 87 and 1,556 NHTSA complaints across 8 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 41% of complaints, making this year a relative Avoid compared to later Sonatas.
- Complaints
- 1,556
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 51 / 95
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 34 hwy
Top 2012 Hyundai Sonata problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine638 (41%)
- Electrical System323 (21%)
- Steering301 (19%)
- Brakes189 (12%)
- Airbags169 (11%)
- Other129 (8%)
- Fuel System117 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain97 (6%)
- Seat Belts74 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires67 (4%)
What owners report
- Power steering suddenly fails or the wheel pulls hard to one side, sometimes leading to a crash into a fixed object.
- At low speed, light pressure on the accelerator causes an unexpected forward surge.
- Vehicle loses power entirely while driving, cutting power steering and power brakes along with other electronics.
- Airbags fail to deploy after a loud bang from the front of the vehicle, followed by loss of braking and steering.
- Electrical shorts near the fuse box or engine wire harness produce smoke or a burning odor, occasionally leading to fire.
- 18-inch tires reportedly lose traction on wet or lightly snow-covered roads, causing loss of control.
2012 Hyundai Sonata recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V934000Dec 28, 2018Engine150,730 vehicles
Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
- NHTSA 18V137000Feb 27, 2018Airbags580,058 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
- NHTSA 17V617000Oct 4, 2017Seat Belts443,545 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
2012 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
- Compared to other Sonata model years, 2012 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 with a complaint index of 87, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
- Engine issues make up 41% of complaints (638 complaints), followed by electrical system problems at 21% (323 complaints) and steering at 19% (301 complaints).
- Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have engine recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists a recall (15V568000) covering 2011-2012 Sonatas with 2.0L or 2.4L engines requiring inspection and possible engine replacement, plus a later fuel pipe recall (18V934000) affecting 2011-2014 Sonatas.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, covering engine, airbags, seat belts, electrical system, and transmission components.
- What is the median mileage for engine failures in the 2012 Sonata?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 89,897.5 miles at failure for engine-related complaints in the 2012 Sonata.