Model year record

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 222 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V651000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
1,649,478
Reported to NHTSA
2023-09-22
Owners notified
2024-04-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V746000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
128,948
Reported to NHTSA
2020-12-01
Owners notified
2021-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V393000

Equipment: electrical

Component
Equipment: electrical
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
272,126
Reported to NHTSA
2020-07-02
Owners notified
2020-09-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V137000

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Component
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
580,058
Reported to NHTSA
2018-02-27
Owners notified
2018-10-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V617000

Seat belts: pretensioner

Component
Seat belts: pretensioner
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
443,545
Reported to NHTSA
2017-10-04
Owners notified
2017-11-06

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V152000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected
977,778
Reported to NHTSA
2017-03-08
Owners notified
2017-04-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine6893,000 mi
Power train3080,000 mi
Electrical system2370,000 mi
Unknown or other1666,000 mi
Service brakes1331,990 mi
Vehicle speed control1351,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic11113,340 mi
Steering1066,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system532,000 mi
Structure: body421,800 mi
Air bags364,000 mi
Hybrid propulsion system3130,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)264,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling27,450 mi
Exterior lighting250,000 mi
Seat belts264,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly214,500 mi
Wheels244,000 mi
Back over prevention: back-up alarm13,722 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery113,286 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ECU/ECM): software1130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor168,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages141,000 mi
Parking brake1119,451 mi
Power train: automatic transmission176,000 mi
Seats140,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1128,000 mi
Visibility121,800 mi
Visibility/wiper18,500 mi

The 2011 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.