2012 Hyundai Sonata fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V934000Dec 28, 2018150,730 vehicles
  ENGINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

  Risk: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 29, 2026INEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11753470 · source
2. Filed Apr 3, 2026GAFire1 injuredElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Vehicle: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Incident Date: August 14, 2024 Location: [XXX] Description of the Problem: The vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic fire without warning while in normal use. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms before the incident. The failure appears to have originated from the electrical system and/or engine (exact cause UNKNOWN), which resulted in the vehicle igniting unexpectedly. Safety Risk: This failure created an immediate…

   NHTSA complaint #11729048 · source
3. Filed Oct 1, 2025100,000 miNVTowedBrakesEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled after five minutes. The engine and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact called the local…

   NHTSA complaint #11690830 · source
4. Filed Jul 27, 2025TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSeats & Seat Belts

   It first started when the engine needed to be replaced, I spent thousands trying to get it repaired, soon after they fixed the engine everything started going wrong ( I truly think they put in a faulty or wrong engine @ Hyundai) the car was overheating, I would take it in they would say it’s one thing pay thousands and it wasn’t it, changed the coolant that goes into the cabin, there’s always been a chemical smell since…still overheats, they said maybe it’s the thermostat,…

   NHTSA complaint #11676453 · source
5. Filed Apr 13, 2025CTFireElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], my [XXX] Daughter was using my car to go to work. When she called us and informed my husband that the car did not start. At that point he asked to video call him so that he can visually see what was going on. She was directed to turn on the car again at and that point, the car started then smoke was noticed from coming out of the hood. My daughter managed to open the hood where flames emerged from the center of the engine. She then ran in the…

   NHTSA complaint #11654369 · source
6. Filed Feb 27, 2025OHElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   When driving. Slow down to turn or to use round about car goes into EV. When i go to accelerate the gas motor will not re engage and the hybrid alarm system will go off. I lose all power to go any where. I have to pull over shut my car off give it a min then restart so the motor will come back on so i can drive again. I have to do this mulitple time in a 20 mile drive.

   NHTSA complaint #11645253 · source
7. Filed Jan 13, 2025VAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionLighting

   I’ve been having issues with my Gas Gauge not recognizing how much gas I have in my car. I can fill my tank up, and the gas light constantly stays on. I’ve been looking online and came across other Hyundai owners having the same problem. I also have been having what seems to be an electrical issue where my passenger door, does not open and it’s intermittent which also seems to be connected to why my car ceiling light won’t turn on all the time. Lastly, I have to constantly…

   NHTSA complaint #11635770 · source
8. Filed Sep 16, 2024126,561 miNEFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the fuel pump control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…

   NHTSA complaint #11614932 · source
9. Filed Aug 9, 2024HIFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   I own a 2012 Hyundai sonata with 114000 miles on it. I have had it since 62000 miles and have replaced a lot of parts to keep it running well. My current issue is the hybrid charging system warning light comes on and the hybrid system will stop working when it does this. It has already left me stuck on the side of the road once. When it did this the car stoped running at a stop sign. Luckily I was able to get car off the road. It shows the pull over hybrid charging system…

   NHTSA complaint #11607636 · source
10. Filed Jul 9, 2024NVFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    On July 8th 2024 I was driving my already troubled 2012 Hyundai Sonata when I started to smell strong odor of unburnt gasoline which immediately had my red flags go up, I safely pulled off the roadway and opened the hood and the fumes got stronger and stronger, I removed the plastic top engine cover to discover the foam on the underside of the plastic cover was sopping wet with gasoline, and witnessed what appears to be some sort of line or horse carrying fuel to the high…

    NHTSA complaint #11600492 · source
11. Filed Jun 9, 2024FLFireEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    On the morning of April 15, 2024, at around 6 a.m., our 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid unexpectedly caught fire and exploded in front of our house. This incident occurred shortly after I started the car and left it to warm up. Smoke and flames emerged from under the hood, quickly escalating until the front of the vehicle exploded, shattering the windows and extensively damaging the driver and passenger sides. Previously, we had noticed a fuel odor emanating from the hood, which…

    NHTSA complaint #11593275 · source
12. Filed Mar 31, 2024NVEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionWheels & Tires

    Approx one year post engine replacement, and 2 weeks prior turbo system replacement, I am having major issues with my sonatait struggles to stay started, it always hesitates and doesn't want to move when I press accelerator, shakes jolts and shudders, the smell of burning oil comes thru the vents and even smoke comes out from under the vehicle. The engine is leaking masses amounts of oil that seem to be leaking from all over the under carriage and half way to the back…

    NHTSA complaint #11580287 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology