2012 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Recalls (1,705 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata is Engine (28% of 1,705 owner reports). There are 11 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-16 1,705 complaints · 11 recalls

What problems show up on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?

480 of 1,705 filings named Engine (28% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Steering (269 reports).

There are 11 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags, Transmission / driveline, Lights, Seat belts, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2011 has 3,457 reports on file; this year has 1,705. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2012 Hyundai Sonata

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 11 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Steering. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight.
  4. Lights. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 480 complaints · 28.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 53
  • Fires 100
  • Injuries 40
  • Deaths 1
Compare with 2011 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 480 of 1,705 owner complaints (28.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 480 complaints, 28.2% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 8 crash reports 59 fire reports 480 · 28.2% Steering (STEERING): 269 complaints, 15.8% of reports Steering (STEERING) 4 crash reports 1 fire reports 269 · 15.8% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 126 complaints, 7.4% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 2 crash reports 11 fire reports 126 · 7.4% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 95 complaints, 5.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 8 fire reports 95 · 5.6% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 91 complaints, 5.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 7 crash reports 1 fire reports 91 · 5.3% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 89 complaints, 5.2% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 crash reports 1 fire reports 89 · 5.2% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 84 complaints, 4.9% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 5 fire reports 84 · 4.9% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 80 complaints, 4.7% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 12 crash reports 1 fire reports 80 · 4.7% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 66 complaints, 3.9% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 6 crash reports 66 · 3.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 253 complaints, 14.8% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 6 crash reports 17 fire reports 253 · 14.8% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 480 28.2% 8 crashes · 59 fires
Steering (STEERING) 269 15.8% 4 crashes · 1 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 126 7.4% 2 crashes · 11 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 95 5.6% 1 crashes · 8 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 91 5.3% 7 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 89 5.2% 3 crashes · 1 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 84 4.9% 0 crashes · 5 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 80 4.7% 12 crashes · 1 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 66 3.9% 6 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 253 14.8% 6 crashes · 17 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2011; the first recall shown was reported in Jul 2012. 2011-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2011-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2012-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2012-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2012-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2012-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2013-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2013-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2013-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2013-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2014-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2014-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2014-Q3: 25 owner reports 25 2014-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2015-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2015-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2015-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2015-Q4: 81 owner reports 81 2016-Q1: 43 owner reports 43 2016-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 2016-Q3: 43 owner reports 43 2016-Q4: 32 owner reports 32 2017-Q1: 44 owner reports 44 2017-Q2: 30 owner reports 30 2017-Q3: 35 owner reports 35 2017-Q4: 36 owner reports 36 2018-Q1: 34 owner reports 34 2018-Q2: 33 owner reports 33 2018-Q3: 87 owner reports 87 2018-Q4: 73 owner reports 73 2019-Q1: 57 owner reports 57 2019-Q2: 67 owner reports 67 2019-Q3: 46 owner reports 46 2019-Q4: 40 owner reports 40 2020-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2020-Q2: 41 owner reports 41 2020-Q3: 45 owner reports 45 2020-Q4: 32 owner reports 32 2021-Q1: 40 owner reports 40 2021-Q2: 30 owner reports 30 2021-Q3: 40 owner reports 40 2021-Q4: 23 owner reports 23 2022-Q1: 34 owner reports 34 2022-Q2: 29 owner reports 29 2022-Q3: 40 owner reports 40 2022-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2023-Q1: 24 owner reports 24 2023-Q2: 21 owner reports 21 2023-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2023-Q4: 26 owner reports 26 2024-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 2024-Q2: 25 owner reports 25 2024-Q3: 27 owner reports 27 2024-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2025-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2025-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2025-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2025-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 2026-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2026-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2026-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 Owner reports Jul 2011 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 12V352000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V352000 Recall campaign 14V434000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V434000 Recall campaign 15V568000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V568000 Recall campaign 15V759000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V759000 Recall campaign 17V152000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V152000 Recall campaign 17V617000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V617000 Recall campaign 18V137000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V137000 Recall campaign 18V934000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V934000 Recall campaign 20V393000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V393000 Recall campaign 20V746000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V746000 Recall campaign 23V651000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V651000 Investigation RQ17004 ● Investigation RQ17004 Investigation PE18003 ● Investigation PE18003 Investigation PE18003 ● Investigation PE18003 Investigation DP18003 ● Investigation DP18003 Investigation DP18003 ● Investigation DP18003 Investigation PE19003 ● Investigation PE19003 Investigation PE19003 ● Investigation PE19003 Investigation DP21003 ● Investigation DP21003 Investigation EA21003 ● Investigation EA21003 Investigation EA21003 ● Investigation EA21003 Investigation DP22003 ● Investigation DP22003 Investigation DP22003 ● Investigation DP22003 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005 Investigation AQ23002 ● Investigation AQ23002
  • Campaign 12V352000 was reported 15 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 14V434000 was reported 687 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 15V759000 was reported 1,531 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V152000 was reported 1,803 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V617000 was reported 2,013 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V393000 was reported 3,209 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V651000 was reported 4,277 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2011-Q3 Owner reports 11
2011-Q4 Owner reports 7
2012-Q1 Owner reports 11
2012-Q2 Owner reports 15
2012-Q3 Owner reports 18
2012-Q4 Owner reports 16
2013-Q1 Owner reports 9
2013-Q2 Owner reports 12
2013-Q3 Owner reports 15
2013-Q4 Owner reports 12
2014-Q1 Owner reports 16
2014-Q2 Owner reports 15
2014-Q3 Owner reports 25
2014-Q4 Owner reports 19
2015-Q1 Owner reports 14
2015-Q2 Owner reports 11
2015-Q3 Owner reports 23
2015-Q4 Owner reports 81
2016-Q1 Owner reports 43
2016-Q2 Owner reports 23
2016-Q3 Owner reports 43
2016-Q4 Owner reports 32
2017-Q1 Owner reports 44
2017-Q2 Owner reports 30
2017-Q3 Owner reports 35
2017-Q4 Owner reports 36
2018-Q1 Owner reports 34
2018-Q2 Owner reports 33
2018-Q3 Owner reports 87
2018-Q4 Owner reports 73
2019-Q1 Owner reports 57
2019-Q2 Owner reports 67
2019-Q3 Owner reports 46
2019-Q4 Owner reports 40
2020-Q1 Owner reports 27
2020-Q2 Owner reports 41
2020-Q3 Owner reports 45
2020-Q4 Owner reports 32
2021-Q1 Owner reports 40
2021-Q2 Owner reports 30
2021-Q3 Owner reports 40
2021-Q4 Owner reports 23
2022-Q1 Owner reports 34
2022-Q2 Owner reports 29
2022-Q3 Owner reports 40
2022-Q4 Owner reports 21
2023-Q1 Owner reports 24
2023-Q2 Owner reports 21
2023-Q3 Owner reports 28
2023-Q4 Owner reports 26
2024-Q1 Owner reports 18
2024-Q2 Owner reports 25
2024-Q3 Owner reports 27
2024-Q4 Owner reports 9
2025-Q1 Owner reports 7
2025-Q2 Owner reports 8
2025-Q3 Owner reports 14
2025-Q4 Owner reports 15
2026-Q1 Owner reports 9
2026-Q2 Owner reports 12
2026-Q3 Owner reports 7
Recall campaign 1 12V352000
Recall campaign 1 14V434000
Recall campaign 1 15V568000
Recall campaign 1 15V759000
Recall campaign 1 17V152000
Recall campaign 1 17V617000
Recall campaign 1 18V137000
Recall campaign 1 18V934000
Recall campaign 1 20V393000
Recall campaign 1 20V746000
Recall campaign 1 23V651000
Defect investigation 1 RQ17004
Defect investigation 1 PE18003
Defect investigation 1 PE18003
Defect investigation 1 DP18003
Defect investigation 1 DP18003
Defect investigation 1 PE19003
Defect investigation 1 PE19003
Defect investigation 1 DP21003
Defect investigation 1 EA21003
Defect investigation 1 EA21003
Defect investigation 1 DP22003
Defect investigation 1 DP22003
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
Defect investigation 1 AQ23002
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Safety Recalls (11)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags, Transmission / driveline, Lights, Seat belts, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 12V352000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 14V434000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
    Remedy:
    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 15V568000

    Safety recall 15V568000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. Interim notifications were mailed to owners starting on October 8, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 15V759000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 17V152000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
    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 April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 17V617000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    Consequence:
    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.
    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 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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 18V137000

    Safety recall 18V137000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    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 this recall is 174.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 18V934000

    Safety recall 18V934000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Recall campaign 20V393000

    Safety recall 20V393000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
    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 contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Recall campaign 20V746000

    Safety recall 20V746000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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 (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Recall campaign 23V651000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
    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 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-16
Safety incident filters
Showing 6 of 1,705 complaints · page 1 of 69
2026-09-26SEAT BELTS
NHTSA ODI 11767119
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The passenger side curtain and front airbags popped with no crash or reason, yes Hyundai will be able to inspect upon pick up. My safety risk was fortunately at minimal during times of explosion because I had just parked the vehicle when curtain side air bags went off first then slowly reserving when the front passenger side air bags went off good thing I wasn’t on highway going highway speeds. The manufacturer said some one will reach out to me in 2 business days. No there were no warnings lights or anything
2026-07-31Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11754020
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, the engine started knocking, and smoke emitted from under the hood. The contact decelerated to approximately 15 MPH and drove to her nearby residence. Upon inspection, the contact observed green fluid under the hood. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and the head gasket was blown. The mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
2026-07-30Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11753672
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Vehicle engine caught fire in April 2026! Tow company sold for parts without my permission! Immediately after gaining possession of my car. I didn't have comprehensive insurance, only basic. I had a brain bleed stroke Nov. 2022 and this is causing stress, setbacks. No attorneys want to take the case because there was no injuries! I jumped out in time. THANK GOD!
2026-07-29Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11753470
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Diagnosed 07/20/2026 with catastrophic oil ring failure requiring engine replacement. Engine can stall due to oil degradation/absence of causing uncontrolled vehicle handling and fire. This would put myself and others at risk. It has been diagnosed at dealership. Complaint Narrative: The subject vehicle is experiencing its third total engine failure due to an inherent manufacturing and design defect, presenting a severe and repeating highway safety hazard. The original factory engine failed catastrophically in 2015 at 116,440 miles and was replaced under NHTSA Recall 15V-568. The second engine failed in 2021 at 244,710 miles and was replaced under NHTSA Recall 17V-226. The third engine (the second replacement) has now failed prematurely at 334,935 chassis miles, lasting a mere 90,225 miles. An authorized Hyundai dealership diagnosed a total failure of the oil control rings. This mechanical defect allows engine oil to bypass the pistons directly into the combustion chambers. This causes severe, rapid oil consumption, spark plug fouling, engine stalling, and total loss of motive power at highway speeds without prior dashboard warning illumination. The manufacturer is failing to provide safe, durable remedies for its federally mandated safety recalls (see warranty info Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq./ Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability). Instead, they are installing subsequent replacement powerplants that suffer from the exact same structural vulnerabilities and component lifecycle failures. This creates a continuous risk of sudden engine seizure and traffic collisions for consumers.
2026-07-24Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11752611
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 else. Sometimes it will jerk violently while going uphill also.
2026-07-22Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11752062
CrashFireInjuryDeath
See attached document for complaint.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?

Owners named Engine most often — 480 of 1,705 reports (28%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA lists 11 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags, Transmission / driveline, Lights, Seat belts, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2012 Hyundai Sonata?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-16. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources