Model year
2012 Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 1,558 complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 6 recalls and 155 complaints under SONATA HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (567), STEERING (298), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (229). NHTSA lists 7 investigations. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–36 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,850–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 276 complaints
- 2001 205 complaints
- 2002 320 complaints
- 2003 199 complaints
- 2004 202 complaints
- 2005 165 complaints
- 2006 1,047 complaints
- 2007 696 complaints
- 2008 425 complaints
- 2009 460 complaints
- 2010 345 complaints
- 2011 3,378 complaints
- 2012 1,558 complaints
- 2013 1,916 complaints
- 2014 750 complaints
- 2015 1,153 complaints
- 2016 728 complaints
- 2017 766 complaints
- 2018 374 complaints
- 2019 162 complaints
- 2020 181 complaints
- 2021 134 complaints
- 2022 94 complaints
- 2023 88 complaints
- 2024 46 complaints
- 2025 17 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
18V934000 · Dec 28, 2018
ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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…
18V137000 · Feb 27, 2018
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER; AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW; AIR BAGS
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…
17V617000 · Oct 4, 2017
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER; SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
17V152000 · Mar 8, 2017
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 seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
15V759000 · Nov 16, 2015
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 the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
15V568000 · Sep 10, 2015
ENGINE
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…
14V434000 · Jul 18, 2014
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
12V352000 · Jul 24, 2012
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. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
Complaints
1,558 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 51, fire flag on 95, injury field 38, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SONATA HYBRID | 6 | 155 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ17004 | Scope and Timeliness · ENGINE | May 18, 2017 | Dec 22, 2021 |
| PE18003 | Air bags may be disabled during crash · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR… | Mar 16, 2018 | Aug 30, 2019 |
| DP18003 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Aug 21, 2018 | May 10, 2019 |
| PE19003 | Non-crash Vehicle Fires · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Mar 29, 2019 | Dec 22, 2021 |
| DP21003 | Throttle control system vulnerabilities · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE | Nov 12, 2021 | Jun 20, 2023 |
| EA21003 | Engine Fires · ENGINE | Dec 22, 2021 | Feb 5, 2024 |
1 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.097 | NHTSA photo |
| Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.097 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 33 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Sonata · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Sonata · 2.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Sonata Hybrid · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 34 | 39 | 36 | — | — | $1,850 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Hyundai Sonata at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.