YearToAvoid

2012 Hyundai Sonata Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 189 brake-related complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, 12% of all complaints filed for the year. Owners report brake failure while driving, brake-related fires, and locked or unresponsive brakes. No related recalls are listed for this problem area.

Brakes complaints
189
12% of 1,556
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
8
Median mileage
72,939 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden brake failure while driving at highway speeds, sometimes ending in a crash into another vehicle or a median.
  • Multiple complaints describe fires starting near the brake lights, trunk area, or engine bay, in some cases while the vehicle was parked or being towed.
  • Some drivers report the brake pedal engaging but the vehicle failing to slow down, with brakes locking up or the wheels skidding without stopping the car.
  • A few owners describe a clicking or unusual noise from the brake pedal shortly before smoke or fire appeared.
  • Several reports mention brake failure occurring together with other issues, such as stalling, steering lockup, or unintended acceleration, at the same time.

When 2012 Hyundai Sonata brake complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 19, 2011, latest Feb 2, 2026.

2012 Hyundai Sonata brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter112011 Q32014 Q32016 Q32018 Q42020 Q32022 Q22024 Q12026 Q1
189 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q3 to 2026 Q1; peak 2023 Q4 (11).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Sonata model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200512 (7%)
  2. 2006127 (12%)
  3. 2007143 (21%)
  4. 200881 (19%)
  5. 2009140 (30%)
  6. 201042 (12%)
  7. 2011230 (7%)
  8. 2012189 (12%)
  9. 2013180 (9%)
  10. 201473 (10%)
  11. 201589 (8%)
  12. 201652 (7%)
  13. 201730 (4%)
  14. 201819 (5%)
  15. 20193 (2%)
  16. 20203 (2%)
  17. 20214 (3%)
  18. 20226 (6%)
  19. 20234 (5%)
  20. 20242 (4%)
  21. 20255 (31%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA lists 189 brake-related complaints for the 2012 Sonata, which is 12% of the 1,556 total complaints filed for the year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the brakes problem area on the 2012 Sonata.
At what mileage do 2012 Sonata brake problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2012 Sonata is 72,939 miles.
Did brake problems on the 2012 Sonata cause crashes or fires?
NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2012 Sonata includes 10 crashes, 10 fires, and 8 injuries.
How does the 2012 Sonata compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2012 Sonata's 189 brake complaints (12% share) is similar to 2010 (12% share) and higher than most later years, such as 2017 at 4% and 2019 at 2%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.