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GREEN CHOICE

Hyundai Sonata

EPA MPG: 26 mpg
Average Retail Price
$5,400 - $6,225

RECALL ALERT:
There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability

Overall Reliability
/ 100

We expect the 2025 Sonata will be more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2022, 2023, and 2024 models.

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has been recalled 8 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
/ 5
Common Trouble Spot
/ 5

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2012 Hyundai Sonata owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

/ 5

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"air conditioning became ineffective, and we live in the California central valley with multiple days above 105 degrees. the expense for a new unit was prohibitive for awhile, so we did not use the car during daylight hours, until we could afford the repair expense."

Anonymous, CA (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"AC works intermittently on city streets, tends to fail when at a full stop/ traffic light. We live in the humid South so this is not fun. Its ok on highways sometimes"

Anonymous, GA (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Blower (fan) motor

"Blower acted intermittently. Shop did a minor adjustment and no further problem"

Anonymous, VA (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Other climate system problem

"The car burns oil and has for a long time dealership unable to solve this Have to constantly check oil levels"

Anonymous, GA (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"Just discovered in the last week."

Anonymous, OH (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Calipers

"The pistons in the front calipers corroded heavily, requiring all calipers to be replaced"

Anonymous, IL (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Premature brake wear

"After installing new brake, the brakes seem to work out very quickly within 6000 miles on the front the back brakes get anywhere from 12 to 15,000."

Anonymous A., CA (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Since the beginning, the brakes have always ware prematurely."

Anonymous, QC (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Rotors

"Vibration when braking. Needed to replace the rotors."

Anonymous, PA (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Exhaust leaks

"There is an exhaust leak that we can't find, but you sit idling, small amounts enter the cabin of the car."

Anonymous, CT (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Other exhaust system problem

"Exhaust pipe after the catalytic converter has some type of screen inside it, which loosens up and falls apart, but does not leave the exhaust system just rattles around. Dealership said not to worry about it. Norco muffler said the cost of repair is expensive should be covered under some type of exhaust warranty."

Anonymous A., CA (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Other/unsure

"airbags. Though they never deployed, they needed replacing"

Anonymous, FL (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Door handle

"Interior door handle broke off"

Anonymous, DE (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Doors or sliding doors

"RF door mechanism has failed. Door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle."

Anonymous A., AZ (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Seat controls - power

"the drivers seat controls don't always work, so you might be stuck in a seat position that does not work for you."

Anonymous, CT (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Horn

"Horn stopped working"

Anonymous, DE (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Interior lights

"The overhead lamp control near the windshield is defective. The switch the causes lamps to work is worn out. This is a common problem and how to repair is shown on YouTube."

Anonymous, OH (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Tire pressure monitor

"too expensive to get fixed and we just ignore the light being on. We do manually check the tire pressure weekly."

Anonymous, CA (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Engine rebuild or replacement

"engine stopped working , was replaced under warranty from hyundai"

Anonymous, NJ (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"Hyundai refused to honor a Federal Safety Recall to replace the engine. They used delaying/stalling tactics and lied to try to get us to take the vehicle off their hands without doing the work putting our lives in danger."

Anonymous, FL (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"Extended warranty covers the engine for life. Engine seized up and was replaced by the dealer at 165000 miles"

Anonymous, FL (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Fuel gauge/sender

"Fuel gauge stopped working."

Anonymous A., OR (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Fuel pump

"Check engine light on, due to small fuel evap system leak. Eventually diagnosed to be leak at fuel pump joint in fuel tank"

Anonymous, ON (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"The manual clutch master cylinder malfunctioned and had to be replaced"

Anonymous, LA (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"The car started sounding as if it was not shifting into a higher gear as I drove. We took it to a car repair service that we trusted and they said it was the transmission and that it would probably have to be rebuilt. They referred us to another shop but we got several more opinions and ended up going to Gary's Tranmissions in Katy TX. They said the problem was the harness but because the tranmission was so old (12 years) that they would only rebuild it not attempt to repair the harness."

Anonymous A., TX (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Oil leaks

"because of oil leak, had to replace cylinder head cover"

Anonymous A., GA (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"Started last summer. Need to replace valve cover gasket."

Anonymous, OH (2012 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Noise like flexing from the sun roof"

Anonymous, OH (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"Rattle/knocking fro front suspension - dealer still unable to diagnose"

Anonymous, ON (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

/ 5

What Owners Say

CV joint

"The outer CV boot on the driver's side failed. It wasn't punctured by an object. Instead, it began to crack and "weep" grease from these small cracks. I ended up replacing the entire axle"

Anonymous, IL (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Tie rods

"Drivers outer tie rod failed ball joint"

Anonymous, OH (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Transmission sensor or solenoid

"Oil temperature sensor failed"

Anonymous, NH (2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

/ 5

What Owners Say

External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"We have never been able to pair a phone or other device. Voice Commands and Steering Wheel controls have not worked either. Hyundai refused to fix the problem for 12 years."

Anonymous, FL (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"Bumper skin pulled loose from curb and many paint chips on front and roof line above windshield"

Anonymous, OH (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Starter

"Starter has to be changed after approx 130000 km. My Jetta still have the original starter after 220000 km. Many Hyundai parts do not have a good life expectancy ompared to VW."

Anonymous, QC (2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

/ 5

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

Reliability History
* Redesign year
08
09
10
11*
12
13
14
15*
16
17
Overall Reliability Verdict

NA

POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
NA
Engine Major
NA
Engine Minor
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
Engine Electrical
NA
Transmission Major
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
Drive System
NA
Fuel System/Emissions
NA
Exhaust
NA
Suspension/Steering
NA
Brakes
NA
Climate System
NA
Build Quality
NA
Electrical Accessories
NA
Body Hardware
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
Noises/Leaks
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Dec 28, 2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 18V934000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 150730
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
Feb 27, 2018
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.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 18V137000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 580058
SEAT BELTS
Oct 04, 2017
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.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 17V617000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 443545
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