Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Hyundai Sonata problems

Owners filed 1,559 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata with NHTSA between Jul 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (568).

Complaints
1,559
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
51
Reported by owners
Fires
95
Reported by owners
Injuries
38
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine568
  2. Steering301
  3. Electrical system235
  4. Air bags170
  5. Service brakes151
  6. Exterior lighting141
  7. Fuel/propulsion system99
  8. Power train97
  9. Vehicle speed control84
  10. Seat belts75
  11. Structure39
  12. Suspension36
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)35
  14. Wheels27

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 Nov 9, 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
201118
201260
201342
201459
2015120
2016128
2017130
2018198
2019194
2020142
2021118
2022117
202395
202467
202543
202628

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

568 reports11 crashes69 fires2 related recalls
“On August 19, 2026, at 76,170 miles, the engine in a 2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS suddenly lost power and shut off while the vehicle was moving on gas station property. The driver had traveled approximately 10 feet before the engine stopped. Repeated attempts to restart were unsuccessful; the engine would not crank. The driver shifted into neutral and pushed the vehicle to a safe location. Before the failure, the vehicle was running smoothly, with no warning lights, warning messages, unusual noises, or other symptoms. There was no collision, injury, smoke, or fire. The sudden, unannounced loss of propulsion created a safety concern because the vehicle could no longer move under its own power. Fortunately, the driver was still on the gas station property and was not blocking traffic. An independent repair shop inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the engine was mechanically locked up. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an authorized Hyundai dealership for inspection. The dealership’s service adviser reported lower rod-bearing failure. Hyundai later denied engine-replacement coverage, citing neglect and missing maintenance records. That denial is being disputed…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026EngineODI 11774069

Steering

301 reports6 crashes3 fires
“Based on what I experienced, the fire appears to have resulted from an internal mechanical or electrical failure that occurred without warning while the vehicle was in motion. No prior issues or dashboard alerts were present at the time, and there was no external impact or damage that could explain the fire.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesFire reportedODI 11701989

Electrical system

235 reports3 crashes32 fires
“I am reporting a total manufacturer parts shortage. My 2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS is part of the Hyundai Anti-Theft Customer Satisfaction Campaign P33 (Ignition Cylinder Protector). Hyundai launched this program to fix a massive vehicle theft vulnerability, but they have failed to release or distribute the physical parts to dealerships. I have been blocked from receiving this security fix since the campaign's rollout, leaving my car exposed to theft. I spoke today 10/15/26, with Piazza Hyundai in West Chester PA, to schedule appt, and was told this recall was launched in 12/25, and as of today, Hyundai still has not provided the parts. The P33 letter mandates that I repair the car by March 31,2027. BUT THERE ARE NO PARTS!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Electrical systemODI 11771321

Air bags

170 reports18 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“The passenger side curtain and front airbags popped with no crash or reason, yes Hyundai will be able to inspect upon pick up. My safety risk was fortunately at minimal during times of explosion because I had just parked the vehicle when curtain side air bags went off first then slowly reserving when the front passenger side air bags went off good thing I wasn’t on highway going highway speeds. The manufacturer said some one will reach out to me in 2 business days. No there were no warnings lights or anything”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2026Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11767119

Service brakes

151 reports10 crashes9 fires
“Driving came to a stop ,light turned green made a U-turn to go to the gas station heard a pop noise smoke came from inside the car tried stopping it but the brake pedal sunk into the ground pressed my emergency brake it was seized wouldn’t go down (never had that issue my brakes always work ) I smelled brake fluid and seen the abs light on the dash then the power started to go out and my girlfriend almost got trapped in the car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2025Service brakes, EngineFire reportedODI 11691470

Exterior lighting

141 reports2 crashes11 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side brake light was inoperative. The failure occurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact researched and was made aware of an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2026Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11732852
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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