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2012 Hyundai Sonata HybridProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 155 owner complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, most often about the engine. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-651 the manufacturer reports only 25% of affected cars repaired.

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
39
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Sonata Hybrid median · #1 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 25%Owner complaints1558 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage97kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 21, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Michael Gil from Calgary, AB, Canada, CC BY 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has problems

155 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine684
Power train311
Electrical system231
Vehicle speed control130
Service brakes, hydraulic120
Service brakes121
Steering100
Fuel/propulsion system50
Structure41
13 other systems263

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

25%repaired · 2026 Q2

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Park outside

Recall 23V-651 · Sep 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 vehicles · 411,914 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

61%repaired · 2022 Q4

Engine

Recall 20V-746 · Dec 1, 2020 · 128,948 vehicles · 78,101 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

62%repaired · 2020 Q1

Air bags

Recall 18V-137 · Feb 27, 2018 · 580,058 vehicles · 356,835 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
82%repaired · 2019 Q1

Front: anchorage

Recall 17V-617 · Oct 4, 2017 · 443,545 vehicles · 363,033 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

67%repaired · 2018 Q3

Front: anchorage

Recall 17V-152 · Mar 8, 2017 · 977,778 vehicles · 656,417 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Mileage at failure

When do engine problems start?

97kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 62 engine complaints. 53% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles33under 100k miles29100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2012 vs. every other Sonata Hybrid year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sonata Hybrid median. How we score

'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid safety ratings

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
  • Rollover: 5 stars (9.7% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresAQ23002 · still open
    Open
  2. Non-crash Vehicle FiresDP18003 · closed May 10, 2019
    Led to recall 19V-204
  3. Loss of Motive PowerDP22003 · closed Dec 12, 2023
    No recall
  4. Pedestrian alert soundsDP22005 · closed Aug 7, 2023
    Led to recall 22V-063
  5. Engine FiresEA21003 · closed Feb 5, 2024
    Led to recall 23V-877
  6. Air bags may be disabled during crashPE18003 · closed Aug 30, 2019
    Led to recall 18V-363
  7. Non-crash Vehicle FiresPE19003 · closed Dec 22, 2021
    Led to recall 20V-061
In owners' words

What Sonata Hybrid owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11772855 · Oct 21, 2026
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…
Complaint 11684970 · Sep 4, 2025 · 15,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11588669 · May 14, 2024 · 145,000 miles

Own a 2012 Sonata Hybrid?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.