2012 Hyundai SONATA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,556 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 993 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 567 of 1,556 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 311 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 292 | 18.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 162 | 10.4% |
| Engine operation | 155 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 56 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 34 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 567 |
| Steering | 298 |
| Electrical System | 228 |
| Air Bags | 168 |
| Service Brakes | 151 |
| Unknown Or Other | 122 |
| Exterior Lighting | 121 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 99 |
Engine: 567; Steering: 298; Electrical System: 228; Air Bags: 168; Service Brakes: 151; Unknown Or Other: 122; Exterior Lighting: 121; Fuel/Propulsion System: 99
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 160 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 97 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 192 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 202 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 280 |
| 150,000 and above | 62 |
Under 25,000: 160; 25,000 to 49,999: 97; 50,000 to 74,999: 192; 75,000 to 99,999: 202; 100,000 to 149,999: 280; 150,000 and above: 62
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (280). 563 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 60 |
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2015 | 120 |
| 2016 | 128 |
| 2017 | 130 |
| 2018 | 198 |
| 2019 | 194 |
| 2020 | 142 |
| 2021 | 118 |
| 2022 | 117 |
| 2023 | 95 |
| 2024 | 67 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 25 |
2011: 18; 2012: 60; 2013: 42; 2014: 59; 2015: 120; 2016: 128; 2017: 130; 2018: 198; 2019: 194; 2020: 142; 2021: 118; 2022: 117; 2023: 95; 2024: 67; 2025: 43; 2026: 25
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 311 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 292 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 162 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10413889 · 2011-07-21 (July 21, 2011)
THIS IS FOR A 2012 SONATA. YOUR OPTIONS TO SELECT THIS MAKE AND MODEL ONLY SHOWED 2011 AS THE OPTION YEAR. THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2012. I PURCHASED A 2012 SONATA IN LATE JUNE. TECHNICALLY THIS IS THE SECOND ONE I PURCHASED. I CAN EXPLAIN IT THIS WAY. THE FIRST ONE I BOUGHT HAD A HORRIBLE PULLING ISSUE. IT PULLED RIGHT AGGRESSIVELY. BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY I TEST DROVE IT AND HAD THE SALESMAN DRIVE WITH ME. EVEN HE SAID, THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NOT RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP PUT IT IN THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT WITH AN ALIGNMENT. I TEST DROVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10429558 · 2011-10-12 (October 12, 2011)
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY HYUNDAI SONATA GLS FROM DAY 1 (PURCHASE DATE 8/31/11) WITH REGARDS TO THE STEERING ALIGNMENT. THE CAR WILL EITHER DRIFT OR PULL TO THE RIGHT. I RETURNED IT FOR SERVICE 3 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY "FIXED THE ALIGNMENT". I RETURNED THE CAR ON 10/10/11 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT HYUNDAI RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL JUST A "COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO" WHICH I CANNOT FIND AND THAT HYUNDAI HAS FOUND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND SAID IT WAS "SPOT ON" AND THEY DID SOMETHING TO THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10429558 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10432454 · 2011-10-22 (October 22, 2011)
THREE PROBLEMS CROPPED UP IMMEDIATELY OR SHORTLY AFTER INITIAL OWNERSHIP. THE CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL MUST BE TURNED TO THE LEFT OF CENTER TO COMPENSATE WHEN DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE. SECOND, THE SUNROOF AREA DEVELOPED A LOUD CREAKING SOUND WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN THROUGH A TURN OR OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THIRD, AND MOST ALARMINGLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE CANCEL BUTTON IS PRESSED. IT ALSO INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO ENGAGE WHEN THE SET BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS FAILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10432454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10442753 · 2012-01-06 (January 6, 2012)
CAR LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTIONS. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL SENSOR WIRE RUBBING AGAINST A SHARP SHEET METAL EDGE. SEE PHOTOS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455936 · 2012-04-20 (April 20, 2012)
REPAIR ATTEMPTS 5; FIRST ATTEMPT AT DATE OF INCIDENT. DRIVING ON LEVEL THREE LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS ACCELERATING AND EXHIBITS A NO POWER CONDITION WHERE ONLY ELECTRICAL IS WORKING. I APPLY ACCELERATION UP PAST 5000 RPM AND NO RESPONSE. PAST 6000 RPM AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY KICKS IN AND OUT OF COMPLETE SHOCK I'M FORCED TO PULL OVER IN NEARBY PLAZA TO CONTACT NEAREST DEALER (IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA @ THIS TIME, ORIGINAL DEALER IN LAS VEGAS CENTENNIAL HYUNDAI). ALLEN HYUNDAI SERVICE TECHNICIAN AGREES TO KEEP IT OVERNIGHT …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10477688 · 2012-09-24 (September 24, 2012)
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER STATES CONCERN WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE LACK OF AN ENGINE KILL SWITCH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD NO WAY OF SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE IF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ACCELERATED OR IF HE ENCOUNTERED A STUCK GAS PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW, THAT HE HAS A POSITIVE MEANS OF MANUALLY SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF THE PUSH BUTTON ENGINE STAR/STOP SWITCH. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS IT A COMPUTER FUNCTION OR A MANUAL ELECTRICAL DISCON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10477688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439090 · 2011-12-08 (December 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING, FOLLOWED BY AN ABNORMAL GRINDING. THE DEALER MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10439090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10450132 · 2012-03-03 (March 3, 2012)
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM IDLE, SUCH AS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, STOP LIGHT, OR WAITING TO PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE WILL JUST START TO MOVE THE CAR AND THEN DELAY, ALLOWING YOU TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESPONSE FOR 2-4 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES OF DAY AND WEATHER. THE ONLY COMMON FACTOR IS THAT IT HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN AT IDLE FOR A MOMENT, SUCH AS COASTING THROUGH A PARKING LOT OR SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 2-4 DAYS. VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAVE ALMOST BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500507 · 2013-02-26 (February 26, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. N UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSU…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10520947 · 2013-06-20 (June 20, 2013)
THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO WORK WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A NEW CAR ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AND NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10520947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10633591 · 2014-09-16 (September 16, 2014)
BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2012 SONATA A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED LAST SATURDAY MORNING AFTER I TRIED THREE TIMES TO START THE CAR. ON HIGHWAY I HAD TROUBLE REACHING 45 MPH, THE LOWEST SPEED LIMIT. IT'S CAUSED BY LOW FUEL PRESSURE. I DID SOME ONLINE SEARCHING AND FOUND THAT SONATA 2006 HAD THE RECALL OF FUEL PUMP FAILED PREMATURELY. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO THEIR 2012 ONES. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH 2012 SONATA? THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I C…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10633591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10649273 · 2014-10-22 (October 22, 2014)
I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE AND IT REVEALED AN ISSUE WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE AREA. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD GO OUT THAT QUICKLY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10649273 at NHTSA ↗