Hyundai · Sonata · 2012
2012 Hyundai Sonata
8
Recalls
1,545
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has 8 recalls and 1,545 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (356 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 356 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2012 Hyundai Sonata reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2012 Hyundai Sonata currently shows 8 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 1,545 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (356), steering (224), air bags (73).
- Vehicle
- 2012 Hyundai Sonata
- Recalls
- 8
- Complaints
- 1545
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
9.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 18V934000December 28, 2018
ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Remedy Status
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
NHTSA ID: 18V137000February 27, 2018
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 17V617000October 04, 2017
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 17V152000March 08, 2017
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 15V759000November 16, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
Remedy Status
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.
NHTSA ID: 15V568000September 10, 2015
ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.
Remedy Status
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.
NHTSA ID: 14V434000July 18, 2014
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
Remedy Status
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
NHTSA ID: 12V352000July 24, 2012
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
Remedy Status
Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Owner Complaints
1545 totalSEAT BELTS
Apr 14, 2026
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 ...
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
Mar 21, 2026
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 ...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Mar 15, 2026
The airbag warning light came on, so we took it in to see about a recall on the airbag control unit issue that required a wire filter kit as out lined in a recall in 2011-2013 Sonatas and Sonata Hybrids. In fact, upon reading the invoice filling out this form, I think that is exa...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Mar 9, 2026
While I was driving my car wouldn’t go no higher than 60mph and kept dropping speed but I came to a stop and when I stopped the car was smoking. I heard knocking noise and rumbling noise on the passenger side. It wouldn’t start again
ENGINE
Mar 4, 2026
While driving, the vehicle experienced sudden engine malfunction. The car entered limp mode, lost power, and produced a loud knocking noise from the engine. The failure occurred without warning and created a safety risk because the vehicle could not accelerate properly in traffi...
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ENGINE
Feb 19, 2026
I purchased a used 2012 Hyundai Sonata. Within about 2 weeks it broke down while I was in the far left lane of the freeway. The car suddenly stopped accelerating and made a very loud knocking noise. Thankfully I was able to put on my hazards and make it to the right shoulder with...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Feb 3, 2026
My 2012 Hyundai Sonata recently had an engine replacement completed under a Hyundai recall. Immediately after the recall repair, the vehicle began shaking while driving, produced a burning smell, and the air conditioning stopped working, none of which occurred prior to the recall...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 20, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact stated that the mileage on the title was discovered to be 98,000. At the time of purchase, the vehic...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Jan 2, 2026
The warning light for the airbags is on on my dashboard with no airbags ever been deployed.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 1, 2026
Unknown, my ESP KEEPS Coming trying to see if it’s recall
Showing 10 recent complaints from 1,545 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Hyundai models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Hyundai Sonata Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have?
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has 8 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has received 1,545 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata are engine (356 reports), steering (224 reports), air bags (73 reports).
Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 8 recalls on record for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.