2012 Hyundai Sonata: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
1,556 NHTSA owner complaints · 8 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
1,556 NHTSA owner complaints · 8 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Complaints per year on the road: 111.14
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, the engine started knocking, and smoke emitted from under the hood. The contact decelerated to approximately 15 MPH and drove to her nearby residence. Upon inspection, the contact observed green fluid under the hood. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnos…
Vehicle engine caught fire in April 2026! Tow company sold for parts without my permission! Immediately after gaining possession of my car. I didn't have comprehensive insurance, only basic. I had a brain bleed stroke Nov. 2022 and this is causing stress, setbacks. No attorneys want to take the case because there was no injuries! I jumped out in time. THANK GOD!
UNKNOWN Car was driving fine no warning lights and the car died. tried to stat back up and engine wiring harness on top of motor caught on fire.
What the community is saying right now.
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 17V617000 | Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall … |
| 17V152000 | Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the s… |
| 15V568000 | Engine | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 … |
| 15V759000 | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing … |
| 14V434000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 20… |
| 12V352000 | Air Bags:Side/Window | Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. … |
| 18V137000 | Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai… |
| 18V934000 | Engine | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall… |
EPA combined 26 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,350
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (567 complaints in our indexed sample).
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 5/100, computed from 1,556 NHTSA complaints and 8 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, 5 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 04/10/2017. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorComplaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-08-20.