Problems · by component

2012 Hyundai Sonata seat belts problems

75 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata cite seat belts, 5% of all 1,559 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
75
5% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the seat belts

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side seat belt unexpectedly detached. Several attempts were needed to secure the seat belt while driving. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s seat belt became inoperable and failed to latch properly. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was also contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,819.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2026Seat beltsODI 11731186
“My 2012 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced complete engine failure at 241,433 miles on August 7, 2025. The failure aligns with known safety defect symptoms described under NHTSA Recall Campaign 15V568000 and 17V226000, which cite premature bearing wear due to metal debris during engine manufacturing. My vehicle had previously received the knock sensor update under Campaign T3G and failed the BCT (bearing clearance test), confirming bearing damage. Despite this, Hyundai denied my engine replacement claim, stating the issue was related to a fuel pipe and not a rod bearing issue—this is contrary to their own recall documentation and dealer diagnosis. Hyundai continues to deny engine replacement, in violation of their federal recall obligations under 49 U.S.C. §30120. Their refusal endangers public safety by ignoring engine failures that can lead to stalling and crashes. I request NHTSA intervention to compel Hyundai Motor America to comply with federal law and perform the necessary recall repairs on my vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2025Air bags, Seat belts, EngineODI 11695628
“It first started when the engine needed to be replaced, I spent thousands trying to get it repaired, soon after they fixed the engine everything started going wrong ( I truly think they put in a faulty or wrong engine @ Hyundai) the car was overheating, I would take it in they would say it’s one thing pay thousands and it wasn’t it, changed the coolant that goes into the cabin, there’s always been a chemical smell since…still overheats, they said maybe it’s the thermostat, spent more money still didn’t fix it, the battery now won’t stay charged(trunk battery) not sure if they hooked it up wrong…the seatbelt hasn’t worked in years, I take it in they say it’s fine, it never clicks, I have to click it in to the passenger seat for safety. They always say it’s fine! I will never ever buy another Hyundai in life due to all of the issues I’ve experienced with mainly Hyundai dealership service mechanics and dealerships, I’m now dealing with a faulty car that could still be a great car if they didn’t mess it up, I thought I was doing right by always only taking my car to Hyundai and goodness I was wrong! There are no “recalls” currently on my car but honestly, did they…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2025Seat belts, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11676453
“My seatbelt in the front seat does not work effectively. My airbag light is on Recall 169 ANCHOR PRETENSIONER INSPECTION is the recall I see that is associated with my seatbelt Recall 174 AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT Is the recall that I see associated with the airbag light Both recalls say they are completed. I called the Hyundai Dealership and they said reach out to the manufacturer because there are no open recalls on my car. Both are safety concerns that I hope can get addressed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2024Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11605141
“My vehicle is experiencing several recall issues. The seat belt in driver seat randomly pops unlocked which is very dangerous while driving, the headlights and brakes lights go out once a month due to some electrical issues with the vehicle, the tire bearing clocks when the vehicle is turning”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2023Electrical system, Seat belts, Service brakesODI 11522483

Showing 6 of 75 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Seat belts: pretensioner

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Feb 27, 2018NHTSA 18V137000

Seat belts: pretensioner

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Oct 4, 2017NHTSA 17V617000

Seat belts: anchorage

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Mar 8, 2017NHTSA 17V152000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

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