YearToAvoid

2012 Hyundai Sonata Visibility & Wipers Problems

NHTSA lists 22 Visibility & Wipers complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, about 1% of its 1,556 total complaints for the year. No related recall exists for this area. Median mileage at failure was 6,100 miles, and no crashes, fires, or injuries were reported.

Visibility & Wipers complaints
22
1% of 1,556
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
6,100 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical visibility and wiper symptoms owners report

  • Windshields show visible ripples or waviness in the glass, making it hard to judge distortion at night when headlights reflect off it.
  • Rear window glass appears wavy or distorted when viewed directly or through the rearview mirror.
  • Dealers have replaced windshields multiple times under warranty, but the distortion reportedly returns.
  • Some owners report the dashboard reflects onto the windshield in sunlight, reducing forward visibility.
  • Driver's side mirror could not be adjusted to eliminate a blind spot for vehicles approaching from the left.
  • Sunroof glass has reportedly shattered or exploded while driving at highway speeds with no apparent impact.

When 2012 Hyundai Sonata visibility and wiper complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 3, 2011, latest May 1, 2023.

2012 Hyundai Sonata visibility & wipers complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2011Feb 2012Aug 2012May 2013Mar 2014Jun 2014Mar 2016Apr 2021
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2011 to May 2023; peak Aug 2012 (4).

Visibility & Wipers recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Visibility & Wipers complaints by Sonata model year

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

  1. 20103 (1%)
  2. 201124 (1%)
  3. 201222 (1%)
  4. 201321 (1%)
  5. 201410 (1%)
  6. 201529 (3%)
  7. 201610 (1%)
  8. 20173 (0%)
  9. 20185 (1%)
  10. 20193 (2%)
  11. 20207 (4%)
  12. 202112 (9%)
  13. 20223 (3%)
  14. 20230 (0%)
  15. 20241 (2%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many visibility and wiper complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 22 Visibility & Wipers complaints for the 2012 Sonata, roughly 1% of its 1,556 total complaints for the year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata's windshield or sunroof?
No related recall is listed for the Visibility & Wipers area on the 2012 Sonata.
At what mileage do these visibility problems tend to show up?
The median mileage at failure across these complaints is 6,100 miles, though several owners reported issues within the first few hundred miles.
Did any of these visibility complaints involve crashes or injuries?
No. NHTSA records zero crashes, fires, or injuries among the 22 Visibility & Wipers complaints for this year.
What is the most common visibility complaint for the 2012 Sonata?
Distorted or wavy windshield and rear window glass are the most frequently described issues, along with reports of sunroof glass shattering while driving.

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.