2012 Hyundai Sonata Problems

A high pressure fuel pipe near the fuel pump may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly tightened during an engine replacement, so fuel can leak out. Fuel leaking near an ignition source can cause a fire.

Fix: The dealer will inspect the fuel pipe and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.

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. 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.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge.

The linkage connecting each front seat belt to its pretensioner can come loose. If that happens, the belt may not hold the occupant properly in a crash, which raises the risk of injury.

Fix: The dealer will check the connection between each front seat belt linkage and its pretensioner and install a warning label to prevent future detachment, free of charge.

The linkages for both front seat belts can come loose from the seat belt anchor pretensioners. If that happens in a crash, the belts may not restrain occupants properly, which raises the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and pretensioners and repair it if needed, free of charge.

A worn brake pedal stopper pad can keep the brake light switch stuck extended after you release the pedal. That can leave brake lights on when you are not braking, confusing drivers behind you, and it can let the car be shifted out of Park without pressing the brake, raising the risk of a crash.

Fix: Your dealer will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part free of charge.

0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure. Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin. 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.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge.

Manufacturing error can cause the side curtain airbags to inflate with no crash and no deployment command. A sudden deployment can injure occupants and block the driver's view, raising the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge.