VehicleVerdict

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid carries two red flags at once: 216 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 6.2× the Sonata Hybrid norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 71 reports (33% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

216

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

7

Investigations · 1 open

2

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Sonata Hybrid years?

Sonata Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted216 complaints2011: 144 complaints2012: 216 complaints2013: 169 complaints2014: 40 complaints2015: 83 complaints2016: 183 complaints2017: 123 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 21 complaints2021: 69 complaints2022: 30 complaints2023: 23 complaints2024: 12 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Sonata Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sonata Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine7133%
Transmission2913%
Brakes2512%
Electrical System2512%
Other157%
Speed Control136%
Steering105%
Fuel System84%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Body & Structure42%
Airbags31%
Lighting21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seat Belts21%
Latches & Locks10%
Seats10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

20V746000EngineDecember 1, 2020 · 128,948 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

Consequence

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.

20V393000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2020 · 272,126 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

Consequence

An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

18V137000AirbagsFebruary 27, 2018 · 580,058 units

Defect

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.

17V617000Seat BeltsOctober 4, 2017 · 443,545 units

Defect

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.

17V152000Seat BeltsMarch 8, 2017 · 977,778 units

Defect

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ENGINE FIRE, NON COLLISION. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON UNTIL ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. LOST POWER AND ENGINE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. HAD TO TOW TO MECHANIC WHO SAID ENGINE MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND I WOULD NEED NEW ENGINE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2019 · fire

“THE CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND BURST INTO FLAMES, ALL OF THE SONATAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, ALL SONATAS WILL AT THE LEAST BURN UP THE ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, OR BATTERIES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. OUT OF 35 SONATAS TESTED 35 HAD THIS PROBLEM. CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA, HYUNDAI FULLERTON, HYUNDAI CONSUMER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 3, 2013 · fire

“THE CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND BURST INTO FLAMES, ALL OF THE SONATAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, ALL SONATAS WILL AT THE LEAST BURN UP THE ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, OR BATTERIES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. OUT OF 35 SONATAS TESTED 35 HAD THIS PROBLEM. CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA, HYUNDAI FULLERTON, HYUNDAI CONSUMER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 3, 2013 · fire

“PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. BRAKES BEGAN MAKING LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PULLED BACK INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN BRAKES FAILED. BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT AND CHIME WAS ACTIVATED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND HIT THE CONCRETE HANDICAP SIGN STOPPING THE CAR. PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEM WITH NAVIGATION UNIT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 28, 2012 · crash

“VEHICLE HAD JUST TURNED OFF HIGHWAY ONTO A MAIN ROAD AND THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE A TIRE GOING OUT. WE PULLED OVER AND EXITED VEHICLE AND THE TIRE WAS SLANTED ON A DIAGONAL. THERE HAPPENED TO BE A MECHANIC RIGHT THERE SO HE WALKED OVER AND LOOKED AT IT AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE SUBFRAME. CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 2, 2018

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 216 complaints put the 2012 model at #1 of 16 Sonata Hybrid years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Sonata Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (71 complaints), transmission (29 complaints), brakes (25 complaints).

Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid are 2012, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2017, 2015, 2021, 2014. The cleanest record among Sonata Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.