Every 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V651000
Sep 22, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V651000 →Equipment · NHTSA 20V393000
Feb 7, 2020Equipment:Electrical
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V393000 →Engine · NHTSA 20V746000
Jan 12, 2020Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V746000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 18V137000
Feb 27, 2018Seat Belts:Pretensioner
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V137000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 17V152000
Aug 3, 2017Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V152000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 17V617000
Apr 10, 2017Seat Belts:Pretensioner
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V617000 →
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, reporting 2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries. Hyundai has issued at least 109 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine67
- Power Train30
- Electrical System23
- Unknown Or Other15
- Vehicle Speed Control13
- Service Brakes12
Service bulletins by component
- Engine and Engine Cooling (29)
- Equipment (25)
- Electrical System (22)
- Power Train (19)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (10)
- Air Bags (8)
Read Hyundai Sonata Hybrid owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDSep 4, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11684970
Fire
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle slowly start to lose motive power. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated.”
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDJun 9, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11420345
Fire
“ENGINE FIRE, NON COLLISION. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON UNTIL ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. LOST POWER AND ENGINE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. HAD TO TOW TO MECHANIC WHO SAID ENGINE MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND I WOULD NEED NEW ENGINE.”
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDApr 2, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11193283
Crash
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE THAT WAS STRUCK.”
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDJul 11, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11110828
Fire
“THE CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND BURST INTO FLAMES, ALL OF THE SONATAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, ALL SONATAS WILL AT THE LEAST BURN UP THE ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, OR BATTERIES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. OUT OF 35 SONATAS TESTED 35 HAD THIS PROBLEM.”
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDOct 28, 2014
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10650584
Check your Sonata Hybrid by VIN
Not every 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Hyundai dealer.
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