2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID Complaints and Recall Information
The 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID has 1 complaint and 13 recalls filed with NHTSA. The sole complaint involves engine failure and fire after sudden loss of acceleration at highway speed without warning indicators. The vehicle was destroyed in the fire but no injuries occurred.
Common Issues
- Engine fire. The vehicle failed to accelerate at 75 MPH and subsequently caught fire in the engine compartment. The fire required emergency response and the vehicle was totaled.
Thirteen recalls affect this vehicle, covering a variety of safety and mechanical systems. The recalls address components including braking, seat belts, electrical systems, air bag modules, and the engine itself.
Recalls
- ABS Control Module. NHTSA recall 23V651000 affects 1,649,478 vehicles including this model. Brake fluid may leak internally and cause an electrical short, risking an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. Owners are advised to park outside until repair. Dealers replace the ABS fuse free of charge.
- Front Seat Belt Anchorage. Recall 17V152000 impacts 977,778 vehicles. Seat belt linkages may detach from anchor pretensioners, increasing injury risk in a crash. Dealers inspect and repair the connection at no cost.
- Accessory Socket Outlet. Recall 20V393000 covers 272,126 vehicles. The 12V outlet may have been over-tightened disabling the thermal fuse, possibly leading to overheating and fire risk. A direct-to-battery connection replaces the outlet plug free of charge.
- Air Bag Control Module. Recall 18V137000 involves 580,058 vehicles. A short circuit in the air bag control unit may prevent deployment of frontal and side air bags and seat belt pretensioners, increasing injury risk in a crash. Dealers install an external wire filter kit free of charge.
- Engine Bearings. Recall 20V746000 covers 128,948 vehicles. Premature wear of connecting rod bearings can cause engine damage, risking fire or stall that may lead to a crash. Dealers inspect and replace engines if needed, and update software with a knock sensor detection system free of charge.
- Seat Belt Pretensioner Reinspection. Recall 17V617000 affects 443,545 vehicles previously repaired under recall 17V152000. Dealers reverify seat belt linkages and add warning labels to prevent detachment, provided free of charge.
Owners facing repeated repairs or unresolved recall issues related to engine failure, fire risk, or safety system malfunctions may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting with a qualified attorney can help clarify those rights.
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID Summary
2012
Model Year
1
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
4051933
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
1649478 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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.
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
272126 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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.
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
128948 vehicles affected
ENGINE
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.
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
580058 vehicles affected
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 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.
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
443545 vehicles affected
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.
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.
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
977778 vehicles affected
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: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Complaints
2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
ID: 2126396ENGINE
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 manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.