CarRecallWatchThe 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA, including 2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (68 reports).
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls
ABS Module Can Leak Fluid and Short Out, Causing Fire Risk
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module in these Hyundai vehicles may leak brake fluid internally.
Engine bearings can wear early, risking stall or fire
Certain Hyundai vehicles may have connecting rod bearings inside the engine that wear prematurely.
12V Outlet May Overheat and Cause a Fire
The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation.
Airbags and seat belt pretensioners may fail to deploy in a crash
The air bag control unit in these vehicles can short circuit during a crash.
Front seat belts may detach, reducing crash protection
Front seat belt linkages on these vehicles may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Front Seat Belts May Detach in a Crash
Certain Hyundai Sonata and Sonata Hybrid vehicles may have front seat belt linkages that can detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Most common 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems
Problem areas named in the 155 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 68 |
| Power Train | 31 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
What owners report
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 going off. When I finally got the car in gear then I was able to drive it about 25 feet back into the driveway and I turned it off. I had to have it towed to the dealership and they would not stand behind the warranty for the engine & transmission.
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.
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 not Drive messages lights and sirens when braking. Code PA186 comes up (low state of charge code for hybrid battery). December 2025 brought car back to SAME Hyundai dealer who NOW says car suddenly needs a 10k transmission (BUT still no idea what PA186 code is related to). Got transmission drained at different shop and NO NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED! Every repair shop OUTSIDE OF HYUNDAI who has scann
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 noticed smoke coming from the engine. A bystander behind her noticed the flames coming up from the engine. The contact mentioned she exited the vehicle and called 911. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to Atow lot. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufa
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be turned off and restarted every ten minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently serviced by the dealer and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) was completed. The contact stated that the failure was present prior to the recall repair being performed. In addition, the contact stated
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid questions
Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: ABS Module Can Leak Fluid and Short Out, Causing Fire Risk; Engine bearings can wear early, risking stall or fire; 12V Outlet May Overheat and Cause a Fire; Airbags and seat belt pretensioners may fail to deploy in a crash; Front seat belts may detach, reducing crash protection. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
Based on 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (68), Power Train (31), Electrical System (23).
How do I check if a recall on my 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.