2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (48) · Power Train (22) · Vehicle Speed Control (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
136 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-22 · campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2020-12-01 · campaign 20V746000 · 128,948 vehicles
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.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:electrical 2020-07-02 · campaign 20V393000 · 272,126 vehicles
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.
Risk: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2018-02-27 · campaign 18V137000 · 580,058 vehicles
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 ba
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2017-10-04 · campaign 17V617000 · 443,545 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:front:anchorage 2017-03-08 · campaign 17V152000 · 977,778 vehicles
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (111)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-08-26 · 26-BE-022H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original & subsequent owners.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Showing the 6 most recent of 111 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-21 · Power Train“1. it spun a main rod bearing. it is at the hyundai dealership in evansville, in. 2. loss or power in roadway. 3.yes it has, by the dealership. 4.yes, by the manufacturer & the hyundai dealership. 5. yes, as i backed out onto the street all the dashboard lights came on and buzzers and alarms started going off. when i finally got the car in gear th…”
2026-07-24 · Power Train“while driving and everything is going along fine it will suddenly jerk and make a sound as if i've been hit behind. i'm not sure if it's part of the detached shift cables or transmission or something else. sometimes it will jerk violently while going uphill also.…”
2026-06-16 · Unknown Or Other“2012 hyundai sonata hybrid well maintained by original owner, under 130,000 miles. may of 2025 ac stopped working intermittently (hyundai dealer replaced ac hose). aug 2025 ac stopped working again (same dealer could not identify problem). car has consistent hybrid system warning! safely stop and do not drive messages lights and sirens when braking…”
2025-09-04 · Engine · 15,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owned a 2012 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while driving at 75 mph on the highway, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. no warning lights illuminated. the contact veered over to the right side of the road, turned the vehicle off, and she noticed smoke coming from the engine. a bystander beh…”
2024-10-08 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. additionally, the abs warning light was illuminated. the contact stated that the vehicle had to be turned off and restarted every ten minutes. the vehicl…”
2024-09-24 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 41,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated while attempting to close the passenger’s side rear door, the door failed to lock as needed. the contact tied the door closed. the contact stated that the driver's side rear door was locked, and the contact was unable to open the door. the contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer wh…”
2024-05-14 · Power Train · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the low battery warning light illuminated. in addition, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the engine before the engine seized. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a …”
2024-05-10 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 151,020 mi“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light illuminated. the contact pulled over on the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the abs and hydraulic pump needed to be replaced. the vehicle was no…”
2024-05-02 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the…”
2024-04-29 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 155,290 mi“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai sonata hybrid. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes became inoperable. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.