NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 155 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid owner complaints
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, describing incidents dated December 28, 2011 to July 11, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Engine 71 complaints
- Power Train 31 complaints
- Service Brakes 24 complaints
- Electrical System 23 complaints
- Unknown or Other 15 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 13 complaints
Of the 155 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 155 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11772855 · Filed
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 started…
ODI #11752611 · Filed
While driving and everything is going along fine it will suddenly jerk and make a sound as if I've been hit behind. I'm not sure if it's part of the detached shift cables or transmission or something else. Sometimes it will jerk violently while going uphill also.
ODI #11744480 · Filed
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid well maintained by original owner, under 130,000 miles. May of 2025 AC stopped working intermittently (Hyundai dealer replaced AC hose). Aug 2025 AC stopped working AGAIN (same dealer could NOT identify problem). Car has consistent Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do…
Owner-reported
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid mileage at failure
133 of the 155 complaints on file for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Median 100,000 miles | Middle half 70,000–115,000 miles | Based on 62 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in 7 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Audit Query AQ23-002: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Open since November 17, 2023
- Engineering Analysis EA21-003: Engine Fires
Closed February 5, 2024
- Defect Petition DP22-003: Loss of Motive Power
Closed December 12, 2023
- Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Preliminary Evaluation PE19-003: Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Closed December 22, 2021
- Recall 20V-061
- Recall 20V-121
- Recall 20V-393
- Recall 20V-520
- Recall 20V-543
- Recall 20V-746
- and 2 more on the investigation page
2 more NHTSA investigations
ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire
NHTSA #23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice
Reported September 22, 2023 · Hyundai Motor America
Potentially affected: 1,649,478 vehicles
Repair completion: 31.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Hyundai campaign 251 · Owners notified April 10, 2024
Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires
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 consequence
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire
NHTSA #20V746000 · Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported December 1, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America
Potentially affected: 128,948 vehicles
Repair completion: 80.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Hyundai campaign 198 · Owners notified March 31, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
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 consequence
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Accessory Power Outlet May Overheat
NHTSA #20V393000 · Equipment — Electrical · NHTSA notice
Reported July 2, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America
Potentially affected: 272,126 vehicles
Repair completion: 49.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Hyundai campaign 193 · Owners notified September 28, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
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 consequence
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled
NHTSA #18V137000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice
Reported February 27, 2018 · Hyundai Motor America
Potentially affected: 580,058 vehicles
Repair completion: 70.09% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Hyundai campaign 174 · Owners notified October 15, 2018 · Vehicles built December 2, 2010 – August 23, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
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 consequence
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Seat Belt Linkage Detaches from Pretensioner
NHTSA #17V617000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice
Reported October 4, 2017 · Hyundai Motor America
Potentially affected: 443,545 vehicles
Repair completion: 85.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Hyundai campaign 169 · Owners notified November 6, 2017 · Vehicles built December 2, 2010 – January 9, 2015 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
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 consequence
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Seat Belt Linkages may Detach
NHTSA #17V152000 · Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage · NHTSA notice
Reported March 8, 2017 · Hyundai Motor America
Potentially affected: 977,778 vehicles
Repair completion: 67.13% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Hyundai campaign 160 · Owners notified April 13, 2017 · Vehicles built December 2, 2010 – January 9, 2015 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
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 consequence
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years
Check your 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Sonata Hybrid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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