Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems

Owners filed 155 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with NHTSA between Dec 2012 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (68).

Complaints
155
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine68
  2. Power train31
  3. Electrical system23
  4. Vehicle speed control13
  5. Service brakes12
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  7. Steering10
  8. Fuel/propulsion system5
  9. Engine and engine cooling4
  10. Structure4
  11. Hybrid propulsion system3
  12. Air bags3
  13. Visibility3
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20122
20138
201417
20159
201614
201715
201829
201916
20203
202115
20227
20234
202412
20251
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

68 reports4 fires1 related recall
“1. It spun a main rod bearing. It is at the Hyundai Dealership in Evansville, In. 2. Loss or power in roadway. 3.Yes it has, by the dealership. 4.Yes, by the manufacturer & the Hyundai Dealership. 5. Yes, as I backed out onto the street all the dashboard lights came on and buzzers and alarms started going off. When I finally got the car in gear then I was able to drive it about 25 feet back into the driveway and I turned it off. I had to have it towed to the dealership and they would not stand behind the warranty for the engine & transmission.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11772855

Power train

31 reports1 fire
“While driving and everything is going along fine it will suddenly jerk and make a sound as if I've been hit behind. I'm not sure if it's part of the detached shift cables or transmission or something else. Sometimes it will jerk violently while going uphill also.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2026Power trainODI 11752611

Electrical system

23 reports1 fire
“2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid well maintained by original owner, under 130,000 miles. May of 2025 AC stopped working intermittently (Hyundai dealer replaced AC hose). Aug 2025 AC stopped working AGAIN (same dealer could NOT identify problem). Car has consistent Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive messages lights and sirens when braking. Code PA186 comes up (low state of charge code for hybrid battery). December 2025 brought car back to SAME Hyundai dealer who NOW says car suddenly needs a 10k transmission (BUT still no idea what PA186 code is related to). Got transmission drained at different shop and NO NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED! Every repair shop OUTSIDE OF HYUNDAI who has scanned for codes gets the PA186 error and say it is related to HYBRID BATTERY LOW STATE OF CHARGE (I am the original owner THUS lifetime hybrid battery warranty). June 2026 different Hyundai dealer for repair of AC and PA186 code. NEW Hyundai dealer says AC issue is NOT related to the PA186 code. They still dont know what PA186 code is but want to charge me $5100 for engine wiring harness electrical short. SIDE NOTE!! Engine wiring harness electrical short is known issue for ABS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11744480

Vehicle speed control

13 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, the vehicle loss power and decelerated to 25 mph. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was referred to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2021Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11428929

Service brakes

12 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that he heard a grinding sound in the wheels. The contact stated that the Hybrid System and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brake pads, rotors, and calipers were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for October. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 204,900.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2022Service brakesODI 11482452

Service brakes, hydraulic

12 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be turned off and restarted every ten minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently serviced by the dealer and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) was completed. The contact stated that the failure was present prior to the recall repair being performed. In addition, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred a week after the recall repair was completed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2024Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11618661
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.