2012 Hyundai Sonata problems and complaints
Owners have filed 1556 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The most-reported areas: Engine (567), Steering (301), Electrical System (234).
Key takeaways
- 1556 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 51 involve a crash, 95 a fire, 38 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 567 | 36% |
| Steering | 301 | 19% |
| Electrical System | 234 | 15% |
| Air Bags | 169 | 11% |
| Service Brakes | 158 | 10% |
| Exterior Lighting | 141 | 9% |
| Unknown Or Other | 122 | 8% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 99 | 6% |
| Power Train | 97 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 84 | 5% |
| Seat Belts | 74 | 5% |
| Structure | 39 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Engine - filed 2026-07-31
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, the engine started knocking, and smoke emitted from under the hood. The contact decelerated to approximately 15 MPH and drove to her nearby residence. Upon inspection, the contact observe...
Unknown Or Other,engine - filed 2026-07-30
Vehicle engine caught fire in April 2026! Tow company sold for parts without my permission! Immediately after gaining possession of my car. I didn't have comprehensive insurance, only basic. I had a brain bleed stroke Nov. 2022 and this is causing stress, setbacks. No attorneys want to take the case because there was n...
Engine,fuel/Propulsion System - filed 2026-07-29
Diagnosed 07/20/2026 with catastrophic oil ring failure requiring engine replacement. Engine can stall due to oil degradation/absence of causing uncontrolled vehicle handling and fire. This would put myself and others at risk. It has been diagnosed at dealership. Complaint Narrative: The subject vehicle is experiencin...
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More for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.