Model year record

2012 Hyundai Sonata

8 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,394 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V934000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected: 150,730
Reported to NHTSA: 2018-12-28
Owners notified: 2019-03-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V759000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component: Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected: 304,900
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-11-16
Owners notified: 2016-01-06

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V568000

Engine

Component: Engine
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected: 470,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-09-10
Owners notified: 2016-01-06

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V434000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component: Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 883,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-07-18
Owners notified: 2014-09-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V352000

Air bags: side/window

Component: Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 29,767
Reported to NHTSA: 2012-07-24
Owners notified: 2012-08-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine	612	92,000 mi
Steering	300	72,000 mi
Electrical system	242	80,000 mi
Air bags	177	82,475 mi
Service brakes	159	71,000 mi
Unknown or other	133	78,000 mi
Exterior lighting	124	100,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	106	93,000 mi
Power train	97	86,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	79	57,000 mi
Seat belts	75	85,000 mi
Suspension	36	20,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	35	82,000 mi
Structure: body	33	57,678 mi
Wheels	27	40,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	13	96,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	11	109,515 mi
Engine and engine cooling	9	32,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	9	100,000 mi
Tires	9	15,366 mi
Visibility/wiper	9	31,060 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	7	—
Exterior lighting: tail lights	6	78,000 mi
Structure	6	5,681 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	5	20,000 mi
Seats	5	49,801 mi
Visibility	5	10 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	5	26,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	4	42,800 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	3	237,532 mi
Hybrid propulsion system	3	140,266 mi
Seat belts: pretensioner	3	107,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	3	25,000 mi
Traction control system	3	79,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	66,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication	2	158,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	2	18,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: bulbs	2	160,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	3,788 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	2	61,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	2	3,788 mi
Steering: column	2	86,000 mi
Structure: interior panels: dashboard	2	89,696 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	2	12,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	2	5 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	82,800 mi
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module	1	82,800 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: immobilizer/proximity: key/sender	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: connectors/plugs/receptacles	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ECU/ECM)	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: sump/tank: drain plug	1	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	1	80,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: bulbs	1	160,000 mi
Firerelated	1	—
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	1	—
Fuel system, diesel	1	42,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	40,200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	170,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	2,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	1	5,988 mi
Parking brake	1	10,297 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack	1	55,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	22,425 mi

The 2011 model has about half 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.

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.