What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?

Engine complaints lead with 647 reports. Steering follows with 311 and the electrical system with 258.

Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows 11 recalls. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

How many complaints are there for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA has 1,712 owner complaints on file. They are unverified owner reports.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata get?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is 2012 the best year for the Sonata?

See the by-year comparison on this page to compare complaints and recalls across model years.

2012 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 1,712 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata^[1]. The engine group is named most often, in 647 of them^[2].

1,712owner complaints^[1]

11recalls^[3]

26–36MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners file these reports with NHTSA, and they are unverified. Here are the groups named most often, biggest first.

Engine. 647 complaints^[2]. Owners describe the car stalling, or hesitating when they press the pedal from a stop, with a lag before it responds.
Steering. 311 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners say the car drifts to one side and needs constant correcting. They say dealer visits did not clear it up.
Electrical System. 258 complaints^[7]. Owners describe warning lights, sudden loss of power while driving, and a phone that would not pair.
Brakes. 183 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a pedal that sinks too far, and a loss of anti-lock and stability functions.
Air Bags. 173 complaints^[9].
Exterior Lighting. 143 complaints^[10].
Unknown Or Other. 137 complaints^[11].
Power Train. 127 complaints^[12].

One complaint can name more than one component, and the counts are not adjusted for sales.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Sonata is necessarily included.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (23V651), September 2023. About 1,649,478 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Engine (20V746), December 2020. About 128,948 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Equipment › Electrical (20V393), July 2020. About 272,126 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Engine (18V934), December 2018. About 150,730 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module (18V137), February 2018. About 580,058 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Seat Belts › Pretensioner (17V617), October 2017. About 443,545 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage (17V152), March 2017. About 977,778 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch (15V759), November 2015. About 304,900 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[20]
Engine (15V568), September 2015. About 470,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[21]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission (14V434), July 2014. About 883,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[22]
Air Bags › Side/Window (12V352), July 2012. About 29,767 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[23]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Sonata, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[24]	22 / 33 / 26	$2,600
Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[25]	24 / 34 / 27	$2,500
Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[26]	24 / 34 / 27	$2,500
Sonata Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	34 / 39 / 36	$1,850

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	4	5	5	9.7%
4 DR FWD^[27]	5	4	5	5	9.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Hyundai Sonata with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[28]	274 hp
2012 Hyundai Sonata with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[29]	166 to 198 hp

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sonata model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	66	2
1996	23	1
1997	49	2
1998	49	1
1999	170	4
2000	276	4
2001	205	3
2002	320	7
2003	199	6
2004	202	1
2005	165	1
2006	1,047	9
2007	696	5
2008	425	3
2009	460	2
2010	345	2
2011	3,474	17
2012	1,712	11
2013	2,024	11
2014	778	8
2015	1,207	12
2016	886	9
2017	879	5
2018	383	2
2019	172	0
2020	197	4
2021	189	4
2022	113	3
2023	103	2
2024	55	1
2025	28	0
2026	6	1

NHTSA's counts for the Sonata show 1,712 complaints and 11 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 33 model years listed, 30 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 2 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2011 (3,474)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Sonata?

The 2012 Sonata has a sizable complaint record, with 1,712 reports on file^[1]. The engine group leads the list at 647 complaints^[2], followed by steering at 311^[6] and the electrical system at 258^[7]. The recall list is also long, at 11 recalls^[3]. These are owner reports and are not verified, so treat them as a guide for what to check. If you are shopping for one, look at the engine, steering and electrical systems closely and ask for service records.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?: Engine complaints lead with 647 reports^[2]. Steering follows with 311^[6] and the electrical system with 258^[7].
Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows 11 recalls^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints are there for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?: NHTSA has 1,712 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata get?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is 2012 the best year for the Sonata?: See the by-year comparison on this page to compare complaints and recalls across model years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Hyundai Sonata

2006 1,047 complaints, 9 recalls
2011 3,474 complaints, 17 recalls
2012 this page
2013 2,024 complaints, 11 recalls
2015 1,207 complaints, 12 recalls
2016 886 complaints, 9 recalls
2017 879 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 383 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Hyundai Sonata

Other Hyundai models from 2012

2012 Hyundai Genesis 271 complaints, 5 recalls

All Hyundai models

Similar cars from 2012: large cars

2012 BMW 7 Series 51 complaints, 3 recalls

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 1,712 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata (53 mention a crash, 100 a fire, 40 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
647 complaints name the engine component group (11 crashes, 76 fires, 19 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Sonata model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sonata Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 34 city / 39 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
311 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
258 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 33 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
183 complaints name the brakes component group (11 crashes, 9 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,969). NHTSA vehicle records
173 complaints name the air bags component group (19 crashes, 2 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,800). NHTSA vehicle records
143 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 11 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
137 complaints name the unknown or other component group (5 crashes, 11 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
127 complaints name the power train component group (8 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,737). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V651, filed September 22, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V746, filed December 1, 2020: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V393, filed July 2, 2020: Equipment › Electrical. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V934, filed December 28, 2018: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V137, filed February 27, 2018: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V617, filed October 4, 2017: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V152, filed March 8, 2017: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V759, filed November 16, 2015: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V568, filed September 10, 2015: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V434, filed July 18, 2014: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V352, filed July 24, 2012: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sonata, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Hyundai Sonata with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 274 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Hyundai Sonata with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 166 to 198 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 Hyundai Sonata: problems, recalls and fuel economy