2012 Hyundai Sonata Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 97 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, 6% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 86,000. A related recall (14V434000) covers a shift cable that can detach from the transmission, letting the car move even when in park.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 97
- 6% of 1,556
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 86,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the vehicle rolling away on its own after being parked and shifted into park, in some cases crashing into fences, curbs, or trees.
- One owner was pinned between the car and a fence door after it rolled unexpectedly, and another fell and was injured while trying to stop a rolling vehicle.
- Some owners describe the transmission shuddering and the vehicle stalling at highway speed, with the check engine, oil, and transmission warning lights coming on together.
- In at least one case the stall was followed by white smoke and a burning plastic smell from under the hood.
- A Sonata Hybrid owner reported the car rolling backward down a driveway into a tree after the driver exited and the vehicle was left in what was believed to be park.
When 2012 Hyundai Sonata transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 6, 2012, latest Jun 16, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata
- NHTSA 14V434000Jul 18, 2014Transmission & Powertrain883,000 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
Risk: 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. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sonata model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have?
- NHTSA lists 97 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Sonata, which is 6% of the 1,556 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
- Yes. Recall 14V434000, reported July 18, 2014, covers 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles where the transmission shift cable may detach, which can let the car move even when it appears to be in park.
- At what mileage do 2012 Sonata transmission problems usually show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Sonata is 86,000 miles, according to NHTSA data.
- Have there been crashes or injuries linked to this problem?
- NHTSA records 8 crashes, 2 fires, and 6 injuries among the Transmission & Powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Sonata.
- Is the 2012 Sonata worse than other years for transmission complaints?
- Its 6% share is close to 2011 (5%) and 2013 (5%), but lower than 2015 (12%), 2018 (11%), and 2022 (26%), based on NHTSA's model-year breakdown.