Two years at the same age, so the older one is not punished for having been on the road longer.
2011 vs 2012 Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-10-16
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
In plain English
A lifetime total makes the 2011 look busier because it has been on the road longer. This page counts reports in the first 181 months for each year, so both years are the same age.
In that window, the 2012 has 50.1% fewer owner reports than the 2011.
The mix also shifted: Steering is a smaller share of reports on the 2012 (14.8 points). That is a change in what owners named, not a score.
Open both year-pages. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov. Have a shop inspect Steering. Do not pick a year from the percentage alone.
First 181 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Oct 16, 2026
Reports while each year was the same age
▼ 50.1% fewer reports at the same age
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-10-16
What owners named more or less
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 2011 share | 2012 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering (STEERING) | 30.6% | 15.8% | ▼ 14.8 pts smaller share |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 22.3% | 28.2% | ▲ 5.8 pts larger share |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 2.4% | 5.2% | ▲ 2.9 pts larger share |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 7.1% | 4.7% | ▼ 2.4 pts smaller share |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 1.8% | 3.9% | ▲ 2.1 pts larger share |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 3.0% | 4.9% | ▲ 2.0 pts larger share |
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 3.2% | 1.5% | ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share |
| Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) | 2.1% | 3.8% | ▲ 1.7 pts larger share |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 3.9% | 5.3% | ▲ 1.4 pts larger share |
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | 6.5% | 7.4% | ▲ 0.9 pts larger share |
| Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) | 0.7% | 1.5% | ▲ 0.8 pts larger share |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 6.4% | 5.6% | ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 0.8% | 1.4% | ▲ 0.6 pts larger share |
| Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) | 0.1% | 0.5% | ▲ 0.4 pts larger share |
| Tires (TIRES) | 0.4% | 0.1% | ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 1.3% | 1.1% | ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share |
| Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) | not reported | 0.1% | ▲ 0.1 pts larger share |
| Parking brake (PARKING BRAKE) | 0.0% | 0.1% | ▲ 0.0 pts larger share |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 13.5% | 14.8% | ▲ 1.3 pts larger share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-10-16
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: Unclassified NHTSA leftover, Lights, Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, Brakes, Steering, and Suspension
Campaign components: Airbags, Unclassified NHTSA leftover, Lights, Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, and Brakes
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-10-16
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 117 → 100
- ◆ Injuries
- 86 → 40
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Sonata year had more problems, 2011 or 2012?
In that window, the 2012 has 50.1% fewer owner reports than the 2011. Lifetime totals are not used here because the older year has had more time on the road.
Why not just compare lifetime complaint totals?
The older year has had more time to collect reports. This page holds age constant by counting the first 181 months for each year.
Does a larger share of one system mean that year is worse?
No. It means owners named that system more often in the file. Inspect it. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip.