2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Recalls, Complaints & Specs
6 safety recalls list the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.
6 safety recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module Park outside
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…
Remedy: 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…
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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.
Remedy: 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…
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Electrical (equipment)
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…
Remedy: 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…
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Air bags: side/window and 3 other components
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…
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…
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Pretensioner (seat belts) and anchorage (seat belts)
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.
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…
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Anchorage (seat belts)
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.
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…
154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash and 5 describe a fire. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 80,600 miles. Complaints peaked in 2018 with 29 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 24, 2026 · Power train
“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 (s”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 16, 2026 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata (Sonata Hybrid). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 26–36 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–34 / 33–39 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Large Cars, Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2/2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 6-spd; Manual 6-spd |
Compare Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 6 | 96 |
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 6 | 154 |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 4 | 108 |
| 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 3 | 27 |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 4 | 54 |
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 5 | 132 |
| 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 3 | 80 |
| 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 1 | 9 |
| 2019 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 5 |
| 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 1 | 16 |
| 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 55 |
| 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 19 |
| 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 15 |
| 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 9 |
| 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 0 | 11 |
| 2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 1 | 3 |
Checking a specific 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
How do I know if my 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Hyundai dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 17V152000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Hyundai models
- Sonata16,085 complaints
- Elantra8,715 complaints
- Santa FE7,663 complaints
- Tucson6,287 complaints
- Palisade2,447 complaints
- Accent2,032 complaints
- Ioniq 51,339 complaints
- Veloster1,292 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.