2012 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems
Engine complaints account for 638 of 1,556 total complaints (41%) filed on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata. NHTSA lists 19 crashes, 71 fires, and 19 injuries tied to this component, with a median failure mileage of 89,897. Two related recalls cover engine assembly replacement and fuel pipe issues.
- Engine complaints
- 638
- 41% of 1,556
- Crashes reported
- 19
- Fires reported
- 71
- Injuries reported
- 19
- Median mileage
- 89,898 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or lurching forward while parked or moving at low speed, sometimes with foot on the brake.
- Several complaints describe engine fires starting under the hood, with smoke, burning odors, or flames occurring while driving or shortly after parking.
- Some owners report the engine seizing or dying suddenly on the highway, in one case attributed to sludge and water contamination.
- One owner reported a burning odor persisting after the vehicle was serviced under recall 15V568000 for engine replacement.
- A fuel odor combined with a knocking sound at idle was reported in at least one case, later diagnosed by a dealer.
When 2012 Hyundai Sonata engine complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 22, 2011, latest Jul 31, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata
- 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 15V568000Sep 10, 2015Engine470,000 vehicles
Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.
Engine complaints by Sonata model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine complaints on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
- Engine problems make up 638 of the 1,556 total complaints filed for the 2012 Sonata, or 41% of all complaints for this model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata engine?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 15V568000 covering engine assembly replacement for 2011-2012 Sonatas, and recall 18V934000 covering fuel pipe replacement on vehicles previously repaired under earlier recalls.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 89,897 at the time of failure for engine-related complaints on the 2012 Sonata.
- Do engine problems on the 2012 Sonata involve fires or crashes?
- NHTSA lists 71 fires, 19 crashes, and 19 injuries connected to engine complaints on the 2012 Sonata.