2012 Hyundai SONATA: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLUE TOOTH DEVICE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HIS PHONE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. THE VIN WAS UNAVILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417047 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE PULLS RIGHT. CONSTANT CORRECTION NEEDED WHEN DRIVING. THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF CROWN SLOPE MAKES IT PULL TO THE RIGHT. EVEN ON A FLAT SURFACE LIKE A PARKING LOT IT WILL DRIVE TO THE RIGHT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10420721 at NHTSA ↗

MY BRAND NEW 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR, DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. LEFT THE CAR DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS FIXED. STILL PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT. I SET ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE CAR BACK IN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10423127 at NHTSA ↗

THE WINDSHIELD HAS RIPPLES IN THE GLASS. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS HARD BECAUSE IT PICKS UP HEADLIGHTS AND IT MAKES YOU LOOK TO SEE WHAT THE DISTORTION IS. THE BACK GLASS IS JUST AS BAD. I WALKED THE NEW CAR LOT AND ALL THE GLASS IS BAD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 33 miles reported. Look up ODI 10423136 at NHTSA ↗

CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT START IN THE LEFT LANE ON A FIVE LANE ROAD IT WILL BE IN THE FIRST LANE IN ONE CITY BLOCK HAD IT BACK FOR SERVICE THREE TIMES STILL THE SAME. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 34 miles reported. Look up ODI 10423964 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND OFFERED TO INSTALL NEW LIGHTING AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALER. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60. IT WAS NOTICED THE FIRST TIME CAR WAS DRIVEN AT NIGHT. HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ENTIRE ROAD EXCEPT WHEN IN HIGH POS…

Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424072 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ALL THE TIME. DEALER INDICATES ALIGNMENT IS OK PER THEIR ALIGNMENT CALIBRATION MACHINE BUT THE MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGES IT IS STILL PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *KB THE FRUSTRATING PART OF ALL OF THIS IS THAT THE 2011 SONATA WE TEST DROVE ALSO HAD THE PULLING TO THE RIGHT ISSUE AND THE SALESMAN JUST TOLD US IT NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT.

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10426330 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2012-07-24 (July 24, 2012)

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.

Consequence: The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Reported: 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2015-09-10 (September 10, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2015-11-16 (November 16, 2015)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

Consequence: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.

Reported: 2017-03-08 (March 8, 2017)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.

Reported: 2017-10-04 (October 4, 2017)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Consequence: If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.

Reported: 2018-02-27 (February 27, 2018)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.

Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.

Reported: 2018-12-28 (December 28, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.