VehicleVerdict

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 71 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 33% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

71

Engine complaints

33%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Sonata Hybrid engine complaints by model year74 complaints2011: 40 complaints2012: 71 complaints2013: 40 complaints2014: 12 complaints2015: 19 complaints2016: 74 complaints2017: 48 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 23 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 7 complaints2024: 1 complaints
Sonata Hybrid engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?

NHTSA has 71 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine — 33% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 20V746000.

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.