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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (8)
Engine
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 improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Risk and remedy
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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 and remedy
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.
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.
Seat belts: pretensioner
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 and remedy
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.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.
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 vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure.
Risk and remedy
Risk: Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Canadian recalls (11)
Show 11 Canadian recalls
Brakes
2024-02-08 · campaign 2024-080
Issue:
On certain vehicles, brake fluid could leak into the control module for the antilock brake system (ABS) and cause it to short circuit.
Note: This recall replaces recall R0246 (Transport Canada recall number 2023-527). For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid model is affected by this recall.
Safety Risk:
A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Corrective Actions:
Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse for the ABS module. Hyundai recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.
Engine
2021-10-01 · campaign 2021-612
Issue:
Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart.
Note: This only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.4 L MPI engine. For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid is affected by this campaign. All vehicles previously included in TC # 2021-033 are now part of this new campaign. Vehicles that were previously repaired under campaign R0181 (Transport Canada #2021-033) do not require this software update.
Safety Risk:
A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module.
Note: Hyundai recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual. If you experience unusual engine noise, reduced power, or a check engine/oil warning light, Hyundai advises you to immediately visit a Hyundai dealership to have your vehicle diagnosed.
Engine
2020-12-02 · campaign 2020-592
Issue:
On certain vehicles equipped with a 1.6 L GDI, 2.0 L GDI, or 2.4 L MPI engine, the connecting rod bearings could wear prematurely. As a result, there could be an abnormal knocking noise from the engine and/or the oil pressure warning light may turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with worn connecting rod bearings, the engine could fail. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. In some cases, a damaged connecting rod could puncture the engine block and cause an oil leak.
Note: For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) models are affected by this recall.
Additional Note: Engine compartment fires can happen for many different reasons. In some cases, there is too much damage to find the cause of a fire.
Safety Risk:
A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Oil that leaks onto a hot component could cause a fire.
Corrective Actions:
Hyundai will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer for an engine inspection test, to determine if there is bearing damage. If damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also update the software for the engine control module.
Note: Hyundai recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual.
Engine
2019-12-16 · campaign 2019-640
Issue:
Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart.
Note: This affects Sonata and Santa Fe Sport equipped with a 2.4 L GDI or 2.0 L Turbo GDI engine, as well as Tucson equipped with a 2.4 L GDI engine.
Safety Risk:
A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Vehicles previously repaired under Product Improvement Campaign R0153 (TC # 2019-130) do not require this software update.
Owners can find additional information at <a href="http://www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca">www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca</a>.
Engine
2019-03-11 · campaign 2019-130
Issue:
Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart.
Note: This affects Sonata and Santa Fe Sport equipped with a 2.4 L GDI or 2.0 L Turbo GDI engine, as well as Tucson equipped with a 2.4 L GDI engine.
Safety Risk:
A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Vehicles repaired under Service Campaigns, C0336, C0344, or C0347, already have this software update.
Owners can find additional information at <a href="http://www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca">www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca</a>.
Engine
2019-01-10 · campaign 2019-012
Issue:
When repairs were completed under recall campaign 2015-428 (Hyundai #R0101) or 2017197 (Hyundai #R0130), the high pressure fuel pipe may not have been properly installed on the fuel pump outlet. A fuel leak could occur if the pipe was damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the recall repair.
Safety Risk:
Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a fire causing injury and/or property damage.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an inspection. If fuel leakage is detected, the fuel pipe will be replaced with a new one.
Airbag
2018-05-15 · campaign 2018-261
On certain gasoline and hybrid engine vehicles, the circuits within the airbag control unit may become damaged. This could cause the airbags and seat belt pretensioners to not deploy in certain collisions where deployment is warranted, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will install a wire harness kit between the ACU connector and vehicle harness connector as necessary. Note: This recall does not affect the 2013 model year Sonata Hybrid.
Seats and restraints
2017-03-15 · campaign 2017-146
On certain vehicles, the connections between the front seat belts and the floor mounted seat belt anchor pretensioners may not have been attached properly during assembly. This could result in a front seat belt possibly detaching from the anchor pretensioner. If the vehicle were to be involved in a collision, and the seat belt were to detach, it could increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the anchor pretensioner’s cable connector for both front seat belts and repair as necessary. <b> Note: For the 2015 model year, it is only Sonata Hybrid models that are affected. </b>
Engine
2015-09-25 · campaign 2015-428
On certain vehicles, the engine crankshaft may not have been properly cleaned to remove metallic debris during manufacturing. If the debris is not completely removed from the crankshaft’s oil passages, it can be forced into the connecting rod oiling passages restricting oil flow to the bearings, increasing the potential of premature bearing wear. If the vehicle continues to be driven with a worn connecting rod bearing, the bearing could fail, which could cause an engine stall while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of motive power which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. A worn connecting rod bearing could also result in the illumination of the oil pressure lamp in the instrument cluster. Correction: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the engine assembly. Hyundai will also increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/200,000 kilometers for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas.
Powertrain
2014-08-01 · campaign 2014-323
On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the shift cable may detach from the shift lever. As a result, the driver may not be able to select a different gear position, or place the transmission in the PARK position. If the driver cannot place the vehicle in the PARK position and exits the vehicle without applying the parking brake, the vehicle could roll away, which could result in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the shift cable connection and repair as necessary.
Airbag
2012-07-24 · campaign 2012-230
On some vehicles, due to a defect in manufacturing of the inflator module, the side curtain airbag(s) could deploy without warning. Unintended airbag deployment, in a non-warranted (non-impact) situation, could startle the driver, which could result in a vehicle crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. In some instances, inadvertent deployment could cause injuries to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will replace the affected side curtain airbag(s).
Owner complaints (1,559)
Owners filed 1,559 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata (51 crashes, 95 fires, 38 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 39 model years of this model, it ranks #3 for the most complaints (median 165).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Engine | 568 | |
| Steering | 301 | |
| Electrical system | 235 | |
| Air bags | 170 | |
| Service brakes | 151 | |
| Exterior lighting | 141 | |
| Unknown or other | 122 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 99 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD | 5★ | 4★ | 5★ | 5★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2012 Hyundai Sonata version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Sonata 2.0 L Automatic 6-spd | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Sonata 2.4 L Automatic 6-spd | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Sonata 2.4 L Manual 6-spd | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Sonata Hybrid 2.4 L Automatic 6-spd | 34 | 39 | 36 | $1,850 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.