2012 Hyundai Sonata Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has 2,239 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve engine and steering.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 2,239 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ENGINE
551 24.6%
STEERING
296 13.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
225 10%
AIR BAGS
165 7.4%
SERVICE BRAKES
151 6.7%
Quick Insights
The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 24.6% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 63 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has 2,239 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 25% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata are ENGINE (551), STEERING (296), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (225).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 1575 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 35 of 35 systems
STEERING
53 Reports21% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THIS IS FOR A 2012 SONATA. YOUR OPTIONS TO SELECT THIS MAKE AND MODEL ONLY SHOWED 2011 AS THE OPTION YEAR. THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2012. I PURCHASED A 2012 SONATA IN LATE JUNE. TECHNICALLY THIS IS THE SECOND ONE I PURCHASED. I CAN EXPLAIN IT THIS WAY. THE FIRST ONE I BOUGHT HAD A HORRIBLE PULLING ISSUE. IT PULLED RIGHT AGGRESSIVELY. BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY I TEST DROVE IT AND HAD THE SALESMAN DRIVE WITH ME. EVEN HE SAID, THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NOT RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP PUT IT IN THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT WITH AN ALIGNMENT. I TEST DROVE IT AGAIN AND IT WAS EVEN WORSE. I REFUSED TO BUY THAT CAR. THEY FOUND ME ANOTHER ONE. AT FIRST IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE ON THE TEST DRIVE. I SHOULD HAVE DRIVEN IT MORE THEN A COUPLE BLOCKS. SAME ISSUE AS THE FIRST ONE AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY. THE CAR PULLED AND STILL PULLS RIGHT, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. BORDER LINE DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY. SO, THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND WORKED THE CAMBER. IT STILL PULLS NOW IT GOES TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON LINE. EDMUNDS FORUMS, VARIOUS SONATA COLUMNS, YAHOO FORUMS ETC'THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 SONATA STEERING. SOME SONATA TECHS SAY IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD IN 2011 WHEN THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME THIS VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AND MY FRUSTRATIONS DRIVING IT ARE HIGH. IT CAN BE DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CORRECT THE VEHICLES PATH. *KB
7/21/2011
VEHICLE PULLS RIGHT. CONSTANT CORRECTION NEEDED WHEN DRIVING. THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF CROWN SLOPE MAKES IT PULL TO THE RIGHT. EVEN ON A FLAT SURFACE LIKE A PARKING LOT IT WILL DRIVE TO THE RIGHT. *TR
8/19/2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
26 Reports10% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLUE TOOTH DEVICE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HIS PHONE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. THE VIN WAS UNAVILABLE.
8/4/2011
VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIT AND ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UPON STARTING THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT LET ME SHIFT IT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH THEM CONSULTING WITH HYUNDAI. THEY REPLACED SOME CONTROL MODULE TO REPAIR IT. -------------------------- TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. IDIOT LIGHTS WERE ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR,BUT I COULD NOT SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK. DEALERSHIP SWEARS ITS A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND THEY ARE CONSULTING HYUNDAI YET AGAIN. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK NOW AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHEN I'LL GET IT BACK. *TR
4/6/2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
20 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THREE PROBLEMS CROPPED UP IMMEDIATELY OR SHORTLY AFTER INITIAL OWNERSHIP. THE CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL MUST BE TURNED TO THE LEFT OF CENTER TO COMPENSATE WHEN DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE. SECOND, THE SUNROOF AREA DEVELOPED A LOUD CREAKING SOUND WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN THROUGH A TURN OR OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THIRD, AND MOST ALARMINGLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE CANCEL BUTTON IS PRESSED. IT ALSO INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO ENGAGE WHEN THE SET BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS FAILED TO DISENGAGE, TAPPING THE BRAKE OR PRESSING THE MAIN ON/OFF BUTTON WILL CAUSE IT TO DISENGAGE. HOWEVER, THE CONFUSION THAT COMES FROM THE CANCEL BUTTON FAILURE MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM DURING A SHORT TEST DRIVE AND REFUSES TO REPLACE OR TEST THE ELECTRONIC MODULES. *TR
10/22/2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, HIS FOOT WOULD SWELL, CAUSING HIM TO PAY LESS ATTENTION TO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ONLY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
1/18/2012
SUSPENSION
17 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ALL THE TIME. DEALER INDICATES ALIGNMENT IS OK PER THEIR ALIGNMENT CALIBRATION MACHINE BUT THE MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGES IT IS STILL PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *KB THE FRUSTRATING PART OF ALL OF THIS IS THAT THE 2011 SONATA WE TEST DROVE ALSO HAD THE PULLING TO THE RIGHT ISSUE AND THE SALESMAN JUST TOLD US IT NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT.
9/19/2011
HAVE BEEN IN DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR ALL 3 TIMES CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CAR HAS A SHARP PULL TO THE RIGHT THAT CAN CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF YOU DO NOT PAY ATTENTION. I WAS BY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT AND THAT THEY SAY IT IS IN COMPANY SPECS. THEY TOLD ME NOT TO TAKE MY HANDS OFF THE WHEEL WHEN I AM DRIVING. *KB
9/19/2011
POWER TRAIN
14 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIT AND ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UPON STARTING THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT LET ME SHIFT IT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH THEM CONSULTING WITH HYUNDAI. THEY REPLACED SOME CONTROL MODULE TO REPAIR IT. -------------------------- TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. IDIOT LIGHTS WERE ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR,BUT I COULD NOT SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK. DEALERSHIP SWEARS ITS A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND THEY ARE CONSULTING HYUNDAI YET AGAIN. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK NOW AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHEN I'LL GET IT BACK. *TR
4/6/2012
THIS IS A HYBRID VEHICLE. IT CHUGS, HESITATES AND ALMOST STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE SERVICE PEOPLE TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL BUT THIS IS MY 3RD HYBRID AND THIS IS NOT NORMAL. *TR
8/30/2012
ENGINE
14 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT WAS THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT WAS THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.
8/30/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 850.
10/31/2012
WHEELS
9 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
1) THE VEHICLE IS PURCHASED ON 10/15/2012 AT MILEAGE 45. AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES FELT VOMITING SENSATION AND HEAD ACHE DUE TO VEHICLE CONSTANT VIBRATION. MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ALSO FELT THE SAME. I HAVE MY FRIENDS DRIVE THE CAR AND THEY FELT THE SAME. 2) REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER THROUGH TEXT MESSAGE ON 10/16/2012 (SUNDAY) VIA TEXT MESSAGE AS THE DEALER SHIP CLOSED ON SUNDAY 3) TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/17/2012 MORNING TO CHECK UP. ON FIRST ATTEMPT DEALER SAYS THERE IS WHEEL BALANCING PROBLEM, SO PERFORMED WHEEL BALANCING AND TIRE ROTATION AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME SAYING IT FIXES IT 4) WITH IN 10 MILES OF DRIVING , FOUND SAME ISSUE (HEAD ACHE AND VOMITING SENSATION) DUE TO VIBRATION . 5) TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/21/2012, ON SECOND ATTEMPT, DEALER SAYS HE NEEDS TO REPLACE AXLE. 6) HOW CAN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IS NOT INSPECTED FOR AXLE PROBLEM AND SOLD TO CUSTOMER? ALSO HOW CAN DEALER SHIP FAILED TO FIND THE AXLE PROBLEM ON FIRST ATTEMPT? *TR
10/22/2011
AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR NEW IN SEPT OF 2011, WE RECEIVED NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI ADVISING OF RECALL DUE TO PULLING WHILING DRIVING. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND WERE ADVISED THEY WERE WAITING ON THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS CONTINUED SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2011. THE DRIVING CONDITION OF THE CAR HAS CONTINUED TO DECLINE AND HAS EVEN CAUSED THE FRONT TWO TIRES EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE FRONT TIRES ALREADY NEED REPLACEMENT. THE CAR DRIFTS OFF TO THE RIGHT SEVERELY WHEN YOU RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING FATIGUING OF THE ARMS DUE TO CONTINUED CORRECTION OF THE STEERING. *TR
6/10/2012
TIRES
9 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
COMPLETELY NEW VEHICLE (HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED 2012) WITH NEW TIRES AS SUPPLIED BY MANUFACTURER HYUNDAI. CAR KEPT SKIDDING ON A VERY LIGHT SNOW (LESS THAN HALF INCH OF SNOW), AND TIRES WOULD HOLD NO TRACTION. HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WHENEVER THERE WAS EVEN A LIGHT SNOW. WILL NOT GO UP A GENTLE SLOPE WITH SNOW. HAS TIRES HANKOOK OPTIMO H-431. *TT
1/20/2012
THE SIDES OF THE TIRE IN QUESTION SEEM VERY PRONE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. THIS TIRE HAS A LIP ON IT THAT EXTENDS ABOVE THE WHEEL'S RIM (AS OPPOSED TO THE SMOOTH, ROUNDED SURFACE OF OTHER TIRES). UPON DRIVING UP ON A CURB WHILE PARKING THE CAR AT WORK, A ONE INCH FLAP OF RUBBER 1/4" DEEP WAS RIPPED FROM OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHOWS TWO SPOTS WHERE A PART OF THE TIRE'S LIP WAS RIPPED OFF (WHERE IT IS FLUSH WITH THE TIRE) FROM OTHER BRUSHES AGAINST THE CURB. MOST ALARMING IS THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WHICH HAS A 1/2" CRACK OR INCISION IN THE TIRE -- AND THIS IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE RIM AND SHOWS NO SIGN OF HITTING A CURB. IT'S HARD TO TELL HOW DEEP THE INCISION IS BUT IT IS AT LEAST 1/8" DEEP. THE NEW 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA EQUIPPED WITH THESE TIRES WAS PURCHASED IN NOV. 2011. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 5,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE COMBINED 80 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING, WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL FAILURE FROM DRIVING ONTO A CURB OR JUST FINDING A CRACK IN THE TIRE. I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT HANKOOK, THE MANUFACTURER, HAS HAD A RECALL FOR ITS HANKOOK / DYNAPRO AS / P265/70R17S RH03 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10T021000). THE CAUSE WAS SIDEWALL FAILURE. WE REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE GASH IN IT. WE DO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE TIRES IN QUESTION AND CAN SEND PDFS TO YOU IF SO DESIRED. WE ALSO KEPT THE TIRE WITH THE GASH IN CASE WE NEEDED IT FOR SOME REASON IN PURSUING THIS (ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INSEPCTION, ETC.). IT IS HARD TO DETERMINE THE DATE OF WHEN THE DAMAGE WAS DONE SO I'VE LISTED THE DATE THAT THE TIRE WITH THE RIP WAS FIRST NOTICED. THE TIRE WITH THE INCISION OR CRACK IN IT WAS NOTICED TODAY (7-14-12) WHILE GETTING THE OTHER TIRE REPLACED. THE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE TIRE SIZE IS 225/45R18-95V. *TR
7/14/2012
SERVICE BRAKES
9 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A LOUD, ABNORMAL BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITIES AS THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOUD BANG WAS A RESULT OF EITHER A TIRE BLOWING OR A DEFECTIVE STRUT THAT CAUSED THE TIRE BLOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
10/24/2012
THERE ARE ACTUALLY 2 ISSUES GOING ON. FIRST OFF, I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2011 (TO REPLACE A GM LEMON) AND EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT. SECOND ISSUE, I LEFT WORK PULLING ONTO THE ROAD, DROVE A COUPLE OF BLOCKS WHEN TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED AT THE UPCOMING LIGHT; THEREFORE I HAD NOT COMPLETELY BUILT UP SPEED TO THE SPEED LIMIT (40) WHEN I HAD TO STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND DID NOT COMPLETELY STOP BEFORE HITTING THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER IN FRONT OF ME, I FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, THE CAR STARTED TO STOP BUT THE BRAKES KEPT GOING FURTHER DOWN TO THE FLOOR, WITH NO FEELING OF STOPPING. THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANY( GM) SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES SO I TOOK IT TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER, WHO DID FIND THAT MY BRAKE LINES HAD AIR IN THEM. I DON'T KNOW HOW SINCE I HAD NEVER HAD THEM WORKED ON AND IT'S A SEALED SYSTEM. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN CALLED HYUNDAI, THEY ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER. WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED, I MENTIONED THAT THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT SO THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT ON IT, SINCE IT WAS A FRONT END CRASH. THEY DID NOTICE THE PULLING BUT THE ALIGNMENT DID NOT HELP AND THOUGHT I MAY HAVE A BAD TIRE, BUT WITH 21,000 MILES, WOULD NOT REPLACE IT. I GET MY TIRES ROTATED FAITHFULLY AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOLD THEY ARE WEARING OUT. THIS IS THE FIRST FOREIGN CAR I'VE OWNED AND (AS PREV. NOTED) GOT IT TO REPLACE A GM LEMON, NOW I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND I HAVE TO USE IT TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE STATE. BETWEEN THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. DID I GET ANOTHER LEMON? SINCE I CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANY SATISFACTION,I'M CONTACTING YOU, I'M TIRED OF CALLING THE HYUNDAI DEALER SINCE THEY SAY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I DON'T WANT TO GET SATISFACTION, ONLY AFTER MY FAMILY IS WRITING MY OBITUARY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
4/8/2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
7 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THREE PROBLEMS CROPPED UP IMMEDIATELY OR SHORTLY AFTER INITIAL OWNERSHIP. THE CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL MUST BE TURNED TO THE LEFT OF CENTER TO COMPENSATE WHEN DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE. SECOND, THE SUNROOF AREA DEVELOPED A LOUD CREAKING SOUND WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN THROUGH A TURN OR OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THIRD, AND MOST ALARMINGLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE CANCEL BUTTON IS PRESSED. IT ALSO INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO ENGAGE WHEN THE SET BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS FAILED TO DISENGAGE, TAPPING THE BRAKE OR PRESSING THE MAIN ON/OFF BUTTON WILL CAUSE IT TO DISENGAGE. HOWEVER, THE CONFUSION THAT COMES FROM THE CANCEL BUTTON FAILURE MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM DURING A SHORT TEST DRIVE AND REFUSES TO REPLACE OR TEST THE ELECTRONIC MODULES. *TR
10/22/2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A BUILD-UP OF A DEWY SUBSTANCE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEWY RESIDUE WAS CAUSED BY THE SUN HEATING THE DASHBOARD AND VAPORS EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD AS A RESULT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,400.
9/5/2012
AIR BAGS
7 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT WHEN WE CAME OUT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG (FRONT AND BACK) HAD DEPLOYED....INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE IN PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS NONE FOUND IN OTHER WORDS NOBODY HIT VEHICLE....TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER IN COLUMBIA MISSOURI, JOE MACHENS HYUNDAI, AND THEY INDICATED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND WERE CONTACTING HYUNDAI USA FOR INFORMATION...THEY RAN COMPUTER CODES ON VEHICLE EVERYTHING WAS FINE...ALSO CHECKED FOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND NONE FOUND...MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM...COULD THIS BE A MAJOR A PROBLEM WITH 2012 SONATAS?? *TR
7/9/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A LOUD, ABNORMAL BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITIES AS THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOUD BANG WAS A RESULT OF EITHER A TIRE BLOWING OR A DEFECTIVE STRUT THAT CAUSED THE TIRE BLOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
10/24/2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
6 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THIS IS A HYBRID VEHICLE. IT CHUGS, HESITATES AND ALMOST STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE SERVICE PEOPLE TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL BUT THIS IS MY 3RD HYBRID AND THIS IS NOT NORMAL. *TR
8/30/2012
DISHONEST MILEAGE CLAIMS: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA."ADVERTISED: 26/35" - ACTUAL 24/25...NOT EVEN CLOSE. CLASS ACTION SUIT IN CA BUT, INEXPLICABLY, ONLY 'CERTAIN' MODELS. I'VE NOT HEARD ONE SONATA OWNER 'HAPPY' WITH THEIR MILEAGE. ITS FRAUDULENT AND MISLEADING AT BEST. HYUNDAI IS SENDING AN ENGINEER TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BUT IF THEY'RE ON HYUNDAI PAYROLL WHAT KIND OF RESULT DO YOU THINK I'LL GET? *TR
11/16/2012
VISIBILITY
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE WINDSHIELD HAS RIPPLES IN THE GLASS. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS HARD BECAUSE IT PICKS UP HEADLIGHTS AND IT MAKES YOU LOOK TO SEE WHAT THE DISTORTION IS. THE BACK GLASS IS JUST AS BAD. I WALKED THE NEW CAR LOT AND ALL THE GLASS IS BAD. *TR
9/3/2011
SEPT 11, 2011 VISIBILITY PROBLEM, DEFECTIVE GLASS IN HYUNDAI SONATA 2012 REPORTED DEFECT IN WINDSHIELD AND REAR WINDOW TO DEALER DAY AFTER PURCHASED. THE WINDSHIELD HAS DISTORTION, RIPPLES IN THE GLASS WHEN DRIVER LOOKS OVER THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD OR WHEN THE PASSENGER LOOKS AT THE ROAD AHEAD. THE DEFECT IN THE REAR WINDOW GLASS APPEARS TO HAVE WIGGLY/DISTORTED IMAGE WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS VISUAL DISTORTION DEFECT IN THE GLASS CAUSES A DRIVER TO HAVE DISTRACTED VISIBILITY AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. NO INDICATION HOW SOON THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE RESOLVED. *TR
9/21/2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING, FOLLOWED BY AN ABNORMAL GRINDING. THE DEALER MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
12/8/2011
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM IDLE, SUCH AS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, STOP LIGHT, OR WAITING TO PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE WILL JUST START TO MOVE THE CAR AND THEN DELAY, ALLOWING YOU TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESPONSE FOR 2-4 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES OF DAY AND WEATHER. THE ONLY COMMON FACTOR IS THAT IT HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN AT IDLE FOR A MOMENT, SUCH AS COASTING THROUGH A PARKING LOT OR SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 2-4 DAYS. VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT TWICE NOW PULLING OUT ONTO A HIGHWAY ONLY FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE ENGINE NEVER TURNS OFF, IT JUST DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. *TR
3/3/2012
STRUCTURE
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED DIMMER THAN NORMAL AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PERFORMING UP TO STANDARD AND THEY COULD NOT ALTER THE DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,788 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOW BEAMS DID NOT PROJECT ADEQUATELY WHEN DRIVING UP AND DOWN HILLS AND DRIVING AROUND CURVES. THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT PROJECTION DECREASED UP TO 50% AND SOMETIMES MORE THAN 50% DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE HILL OR CURVE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED IN A ROUGH MANNER AND A FENDER LINING WAS REPLACED.
5/2/2012
BUMPER (REAR) FELL OFF HYUNDAI SONATA 2012 MY DAUGHTER WAS REVERSING IN MY FRONT YARD, WHEN THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF THE CAR. SHE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS NOT HIT EITHER. IT JUST FELL OFF! THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT BELIEVE US. THERE ARE OTHER STORIES OF THIS ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE DO SOMETHING, THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH DEADLY RESULTS. WE CONTACTED HYUNDAI CONSUMER SERVICES, THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, OR ACKNOWLEDGE AN AWARENESS OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. I AM WORRIED BY HYUNDAI'S CASUAL LACK OF CONCERN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE THIS CAUSES ANY FATALITY. SINCERELY, A WORRIED MOM. *TR
8/10/2012
VISIBILITY/WIPER
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE LOOKED THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OR DIRECTLY AT IT, THE REAR WINDOW LOOKED DISTORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT IT WAS UNUSUAL; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290.
8/13/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BECOME FOGGY FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RESIDUE WAS CAUSED BY THE OUT-GASSING FROM THE MATERIALS IN THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS THE SOLVENT FROM THE PLASTIC WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME HOT. THE DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT THE SMELLS AND VAPORS WOULD NOT DIMINISH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED ON THE CONTACT'S BEHALF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
8/14/2012
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SUNROOF OF MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA SHATTERED. I HEARD THE GLASS FALL ONTO THE THANKFULLY CLOSED SUNSHADE AS WELL AS RUN DOWN THE BACK OF MY CAR, SCRATCHING THE ROOF AND TRUNK. I PULLED OVER AT THE NEXT EXIT AND CALLED THE POLICE. A STATE TROOPER CAME AND STATED THAT HE DID NOT FEEL THAT THERE WAS ANY EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE. I FEEL THAT THIS SIMPLY WAS A FAILURE OF THE SUNROOF DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL OF ANOTHER HYUNDAI MODEL OF THE SAME YEAR. I HAVE ALSO READ REPORTS IN AUTOMOBILE FORUMS OF OTHER SONATA EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. INCLUDING THIS ONE DOCUMENTED BY NBC NEWS. HTTP://WWW.WKYC.COM/NEWS/INVESTIGATIVE/ARTICLE/288566/230/INVESTIGATOR-EXPLODING-SUNROOF-SOUNDS-LIKE-GUN-SHOT TO DATE, HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO COVER THIS, STATING THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTIED PART. *TR
5/17/2013
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE SUNROOF OF MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. NO VEHICLES WERE WITHIN 300 FEET AHEAD OF ME AND I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE OF THE SIX LANE DIVIDED INTERSTATE. SKIES WERE OVERCAST BUT NO HAIL OR LIGHTNING. I WAS NOT NEAR ANY OVERPASSES, AND I DID NOT WITNESS ANY FLYING FOREIGN OBJECTS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIM TO HAVE FOUND AN "IMPACT SITE" ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SUNROOF, BUT THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER REPORTED THAT IT WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THE EXPLOSION LEFT A BASKETBALL SIZED HOLE IN THE SUNROOF GLASS ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE. NO INJURIES WERE EXPERIENCED. THE SUNSHADE WAS CLOSED AT THAT TIME. *TR
8/14/2013
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
CAR LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTIONS. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL SENSOR WIRE RUBBING AGAINST A SHARP SHEET METAL EDGE. SEE PHOTOS. *TR
1/6/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD BE DEPRESSED AT LEAST SIX INCHES FURTHER THAN NORMAL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON ONE OCCASION, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 644.
1/30/2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ UPDATED 10/17/12
9/5/2012
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A HYUNDAI SONATA SE 2.0T ON OCT 26 2012, EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT, I'VE REALIZED THAT THE MPG THAT IT GIVES ME IS 17 NO MATTER IF I'M IN CITY OR HIGHWAY, WHILE MINIMAL ESTIMATES ARE 23 IN THE CITY. I'VE LOOKED ON HYUNDAI FORUMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. CONTACT WITH THE DEALERS HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A PAIN, THEY CONTINUE TO ARGUE WITH ME THAT, THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE AND WON'T EVEN TAKE A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS WITH THE SAME OUTCOME. *TR
11/14/2012
SEAT BELTS
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN FEB 2012. WE NOTICED THE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE FRAYED, THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT HAS BEGUN TO FRAY TROUGH 1/2 INCH OF THE BELT AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BELT IS FRAYED THROUGH APX. HALF. BOTH OF THESE TEARS ARE NEAR THE TOP AT THE POINT NEAR THE EXIT FOR THE RETRACTION ASSEMBLY. *JS
3/31/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO BUCKLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
2/14/2013
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE DASHBOARD'S BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN REMAINED COMPLETELY UNIDENTIFIABLE THROUGHOUT THE RAINY WEATHER DAY, WITH ONLY DARK WAVEY JAGGED LINES STREAMING THROUGHOUT THE BACK-UP CAMERA'S LIVE VIDEO DISPLAY SCREEN MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO VIEW WHO OR WHAT WAS BEHIND THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BLIND SPOTS. *TR
7/2/2013
GOT A RECALL, AND WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT FOR 1 WEEK LATER AT 9-15-14 @9 : 00. DROVE 26 MILES AND THAY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN, AND DID NOT CONTACT ME NOT TO SHOW UP? *TR
9/15/2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND OFFERED TO INSTALL NEW LIGHTING AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALER. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60. IT WAS NOTICED THE FIRST TIME CAR WAS DRIVEN AT NIGHT. HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ENTIRE ROAD EXCEPT WHEN IN HIGH POSITION. DIFFICULT TO SEE ROAD. UPDATED 10/05/2011 *LN *TR
9/7/2011
THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WHEN USED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEN REPLACED A HEADLAMP SWITCH. AFTER THIS, THE RADIO BEGAN TURNING COMPLETELY OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUED TO ACT ERRATICALLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT REPLACED THE RADIO. SEVERAL MORE TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND RADIO. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE CAR AGAIN AND FOUND LOOSE PINS IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE FUSE BOX. *TR
3/1/2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
HAVE BEEN IN DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR ALL 3 TIMES CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CAR HAS A SHARP PULL TO THE RIGHT THAT CAN CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF YOU DO NOT PAY ATTENTION. I WAS BY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT AND THAT THEY SAY IT IS IN COMPANY SPECS. THEY TOLD ME NOT TO TAKE MY HANDS OFF THE WHEEL WHEN I AM DRIVING. *KB
9/19/2011
CAR LOST ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTIONS. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL SENSOR WIRE RUBBING AGAINST A SHARP SHEET METAL EDGE. SEE PHOTOS. *TR
1/6/2012
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DISTORTED AND THE VIEW WAS NOT CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED
2/6/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DISTORTED AND OBSCURED HIS VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS AGAIN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED 9/17/19/12 *CN UPDATED 09/20/2012 *JS
8/8/2012
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIT AND ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UPON STARTING THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT LET ME SHIFT IT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH THEM CONSULTING WITH HYUNDAI. THEY REPLACED SOME CONTROL MODULE TO REPAIR IT. -------------------------- TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. IDIOT LIGHTS WERE ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR,BUT I COULD NOT SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK. DEALERSHIP SWEARS ITS A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND THEY ARE CONSULTING HYUNDAI YET AGAIN. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK NOW AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHEN I'LL GET IT BACK. *TR
4/6/2012
I WAS IN MY PARKING SPACE AND HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE SPACE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IN REVERSE, IT TOOK OFF AT AN INCREDIBLE SPEED, DID A SEMI-CIRCLE, AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO WAS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE EVENT OR CHECK OUT THE CAR. I PLAN ON CONTACTING HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THIS INFORMATION.
9/22/2013
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED DIMMER THAN NORMAL AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PERFORMING UP TO STANDARD AND THEY COULD NOT ALTER THE DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,788 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOW BEAMS DID NOT PROJECT ADEQUATELY WHEN DRIVING UP AND DOWN HILLS AND DRIVING AROUND CURVES. THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT PROJECTION DECREASED UP TO 50% AND SOMETIMES MORE THAN 50% DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE HILL OR CURVE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED IN A ROUGH MANNER AND A FENDER LINING WAS REPLACED.
5/2/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF BY THE PUSH TO START BUTTON AND DID NOT REALIZE THAT HE NEVER PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RE ENTER THE VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO STOP IT WITHOUT CRASHING INTO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000...UPDATED 12/14/12 *BF
11/5/2012
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO SOLUS KH25 TIRES, SIZE P205/65R16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED AND THE LOW PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE AIR IN THE TIRE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IN BOTH PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
10/14/2014
LOW PRESSURE TIRE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND REMAINS ON EVEN THOUGH TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECKED AND IS NORMAL. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 40 DEGREE F THE WARNING WILL COME ON AND REMAIN ON. FALSE WARNING WILL NOT TELL TRUTH ABOUT A LOW TIRE. *TR
11/26/2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED DIMMER THAN NORMAL AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PERFORMING UP TO STANDARD AND THEY COULD NOT ALTER THE DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,788 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOW BEAMS DID NOT PROJECT ADEQUATELY WHEN DRIVING UP AND DOWN HILLS AND DRIVING AROUND CURVES. THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT PROJECTION DECREASED UP TO 50% AND SOMETIMES MORE THAN 50% DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE HILL OR CURVE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED IN A ROUGH MANNER AND A FENDER LINING WAS REPLACED.
5/2/2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ UPDATED 10/17/12
9/5/2012
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. N UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE IN. THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTED THE VEHICLE BE HELD FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD, INTERMITTENTLY, NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THE AIR CONDITION MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 06/05/2013 *JS
2/26/2013
PARKING BRAKE
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 1, 2103, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AS I STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE. I CHECKED AND RECHECKED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT WAS OFF AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. EVERY OTHER TIME OR SO, WHEN WE USED THE CAR, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND WE ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECKED TO ENSURE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS OFF. ON OCTOBER 7, 2103, WE WENT TO THE JENKINS HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND AFTER THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR THE COMPUTER. AS WE LEFT THE PLACE, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE 20 MILE TRIP HOME. THE HYUNDAI WARRANTY STATES THAT WE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS EITHER A BRAKE PROBLEM OR A COMPUTER AND I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE IT FIXED BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR
10/22/2013
SEATS
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I WAS GETTING READY FOR WORK AND THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS -2 DEGREES SO I WENT TO WARM UP THE CAR FOR 20 MINS AND THEN STARTED TO HEAD OUT TO WORK. AS I WAS LEAVING NOT EVEN 5 MINS LATER I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. SO I PULLED OVER AND STARTED TO SEE SMOKE, THEN I STARTED TO LOOK AROUND TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM AND I SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BACK SEAT RIGHT BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. SO I STARTED TAKING MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER REMOVING MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS, I WENT TO THE CAR AND NOW THERE WAS MORE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR SEAT CLOSEST TO THE REAR DOOR DRIVER SIDE. SO THEN I PULLED UP THE SEAT AND I SEE FLAMES, AND THERE WERE FLAMES, I CALL 911 AND THEY CAME LIKE IN 5 MINS.I'M JUST BLESSED THAT I DIDN'T HAVE MY KIDS WITH ME. *TR
1/7/2014
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA EQUIPPED WITH A SET OF KUMHO SOLUSK H25 TIRES, SIZE: P205/65/R16 AND DOT NUMBER YOL4YPL81411. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE TIRES BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BAD TREAD. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT A REMEDY WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 03/31/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TIRES WERE COLD, THERE WAS NO GRIP, WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, WHEN THE TIRES WARMED UP, THE SNOW STUCK TO THE TIRES
2/18/2014
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
IN JUNE 2012 WHILE MY SONATA WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY THE DRIVER SIDE GLASS SHATTERED WITH NO IMPACT. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT THINKING IT WAS DAMAGED SOMEHOW. BUT YESTERDAY YET AGAIN MY SONATA WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE THIS TIME AND THE DRIVER SIDE GLASS SHATTERED AGAIN. THIS MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE CAR SOMEHOW. *TR
5/26/2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON WAS PRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE PROBLEM RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,425. ..UPDATED 10/21/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 7/15/2015*JS
9/25/2014
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
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Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
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- Complaint entries
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- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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