Knoxville, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY
Painting chipping on front top car... Seatbelt don't fasten all the time...Lights are dim.
NHTSA complaint #11722537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2012 Hyundai Sonata body problems
39 of the 2,280 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata are about the body and structure — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 54,594 miles.
39
Complaints
7
Crashes
6
Fires
3
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Body
31
79.5%
Structure
6
15.4%
Dashboard
2
5.1%
Body & Structure across every Hyundai Sonata year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Windsor, CT
STRUCTURE:BODY
Noticed there’s a crack on the passenger side dashboard of the car that’s about 12 inches long. From what I read this could cause issues with any possible airbag deployment.
NHTSA complaint #11701056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, SC
STRUCTURE:BODY
The passenger rear door will not open from the inside OR the outside. The door lock on the inside of the car will not open. Door is in locked position. Problems like this are all over the internet regarding Hyundai cars. This is a safety issue because someone in the back seat can NOT open the door and are potentially locked inside the car with no way out. This could be life and death if there was a fire, accident, etc. Independent repair center has inspected and confirms. No warning lights. Just happened in September 2024.
NHTSA complaint #11621902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massapequa,, NY
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was a large crack on the dashboard. The contact was unaware of what caused the crack on the dashboard. The dealer was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11581374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,696 miles
Delray Beach, FL
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle and noticed that the dashboard was severely cracked. The air bag and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed about similar failures with 2011-2014 vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,696.
NHTSA complaint #11566939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sioux Falls, SD
Crash
1 injured
1 killed
STRUCTURE:BODY
B pillar separated from the frame during collision causing catastrophic intrusion into the cabin upon impact leading to death of the driver. No other occupants in the vehicle. Multiple investigators noted the B pillar failure upon inspection. Independent, certified crash reconstruction expert also noticed immediately that the B pillar had failed which caused cabin intrusion to an extraordinary degree considering the 2 vehicles involved were going less than 40mph. Vehicle is available for inspection. In addition, edr data reveals that although throttle was engaged, rpm's remained at idle up to the time of impact. Driver pushing on the gas and vehicle not responding.
NHTSA complaint #11494128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 miles
Maryville, TN
Fire
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON BUT IT DIDN'T COME ON, AND THEN I NOTICED IT SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11404189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,573 miles
Daytona Beach, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING. VIN TOOL SHOWED NO RECALLS ON THE ISSUE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,573.
NHTSA complaint #11359803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,346 miles
Rialto, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING 25 MILES ON WALNUT ST IN RIALTO CA .ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HYBRID HYUNDAI SONATA MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND STOP RESPONDING I AVOID HITTING A CAR INFRONT OF ME AND APPROACHED THE SIDE WALK MESSING UP MY RIGHT FRONT BUMPER, WHEN I FINALLY STOPPED I PUT THE CAR ON PARK AND IT MADE A NASTY GRINDING SOUND. I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR ON D AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE I PUT IT ON R AND NOTHING. IT WAS A VERY SCARRY EXPERIENCE, I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN HELP ME WITH IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THATS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE THE GEARS ARE NOT WORKINGIT . IT HAS 149346 MILES
NHTSA complaint #11353895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delray Beach, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE EXTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING
NHTSA complaint #11338435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delray Beach, FL
STRUCTURE
THE DASH BOARD BROKEN IN SEVERALLPARTS
NHTSA complaint #11338433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 miles
EL Monte, CA
Crash
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE ONLY PARKED CAR THAT WAS 20 FT FROM THE CORNER.
NHTSA complaint #11325020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 miles
Ceiba, PR
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED NEAR THE AIR BAGS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI DE FAJARDO (LOCATED AT KM 51., PR-3, FAJARDO, 00738, PUERTO RICO), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #11292096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 miles
Hemet, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER DOOR, UNABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. ABSOLUTELY NO DAMAGE TO CAR, EVER, ORIGINAL OWNER, CAR IN MINT CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #11180546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 miles
Charlotte, NC
Fire
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON JUNE 8TH, 2018 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 85 IN CHARLOTTE NC GOING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE COASTED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN TRIED TO RESTART IT AND NOTHING HAPPEN AND POWER WAS DEAD IN THE CAR. THEN HE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DOORS WON'T OPEN SO HE HAD TO CLIMB OUT THOUGH THE SUNROOF TO SAFETY. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS INFLAMED WITH FIRE. HE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEY CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE REASON I'M FILING THIS COMPLIANT IS BECAUSE HE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURTOR KILLED IF THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSE. HYUNDAI HAS NO EXPLANATION FOR WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND MY VEHOWAS TOTAL LOST. WE ALSO HAVE PICTURES AND A VIDEO. I CAN'T UPLOAD THE VIDEO SO IF SOMEONE CONTACTS ME I WILL EMAIL IT.
NHTSA complaint #11142780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,397 miles
Hayward, CA
Crash
1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018, I WAS IN A PARKING STRUCTURE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PARK. I WAS ON THE RAMP TO THE 2ND FLOOR WHEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MY CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY QUICKLY REVERSED BACKWARDS AND HIT THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH LIKE A BUMPER CAR. I WAS TRYING TO PRESS THE BREAK BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I STARTED SCREAMING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH ABOUT 5 TIMES BEFORE BEING STOPPED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS ALL HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #11141024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 miles
Seattle, WA
Fire
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON JULY 15TH 2018 AT 10:30 AM WHILE DRIVING AT 35+ MPH THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD AREA, AFTER PULLING OVER I NOTICED IT WAS SMOKING QUITE HEAVY, I RAISED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE... HYUNDAI OF CANADA REFUSES TO RESPOND TO MY REQUESTS FOR COMPENSATION...*DT *TR *JB *JS
NHTSA complaint #11131691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 miles
Arnold, MD
Fire
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON RT 50 WEST BOUND TOWARDS THE BAY BRIDGE, AN ENGINE POPPING NOISE OCCURRED, THEN FUMES STARTING COMING FROM VENTS. PULL CAR OVER WHILE GETTING OUT FLAMES WERE ALREADY COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WITHIN MINUTES THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. NO TIME TO RETRIEVE ANY ITEMS INSIDE THE CAR. THE MD TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY POLICE WERE ON THE SEEN AND CALLED FIRE DEPT. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL BASED ON SPARKS AS THEY WERE PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. HYUNDAI INVESTIGATED THE CAR REMAINS AND COULD NOT DETERMINE ANY CAUSE.CAR PICTURES ARE TO LARGE OF A FILE TO SUBMIT
NHTSA complaint #11121653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,040 miles
North Huntingdon, PA
Fire
STRUCTURE:BODY
TAKATA RECALL. MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR STATE ROUTE AT 9:30PM WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, SHORTLY THERE AFTER, IT STALLED OUT, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT ON AND WITHIN 2-3 MINS, SMOKE POURED FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND WITHIN 2 MINS THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ONE HUGE BLAZE OF FIRE. HE WAS LUCKY TO GET OUT IN TIME. IT WAS VERY TRAUMATIC FOR HIM TO SAY THE LEAST, NOT TO MENTION AS HIS PARENTS, WE WERE ON FACE TIME WITH HIM AFTER HE PULLED OVER AND SAW THIS AS IT WAS HAPPENING AND COULDN'T BE THERE TO ASSIST HIM.
NHTSA complaint #11115234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,200 miles
Cincinnati, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY
WATER LEAKING INSIDE CABIN ON PASSENGER SIDE. MOLD ACCUMULATING BEHIND DASHBOARD. ALSO LOUD NOISE OF SPRAYING WATER,WHICH IS DISTRACTING DURING DRIVING ESPECIALLY DURING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNING. PASSENGER EXPERIENCED A NEAR SLIP AND FALL AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE ON A SLICK SURFACE, NOT REALIZING HER SHOES WERE WET FROM THE DRENCHED CARPET ON THAT SIDE OF THE CABIN.THERE IS ALSO A NOTICEABLE STENCH IN THE CABIN THAT HAS MADE ME NAUSEOUSLY SICK. I WAS DISTRACTED BY THE SOUND OF SPRAYING WATER TO THE POINT OF TRYING TO LOCATE IT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY OR HIGHWAYS. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11102449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,189 miles
Fremont, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AWAY IN THE EXTERIOR BY THE DOOR HANDLES AND THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO THE DRIVER SEAT MATERIAL IS STARTING TO FALL APART AS WELL AS THE DOOR TRIM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11093921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salisbury, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
I JUST ARRIVED TO MY DESTINATION PARKED THE CAR AND WAS SITITING IN THE DRIVER SEAT, WITHIN MINUTES I HEARD THIS REALLY LOUD NOISE, I FROZE, I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD RAN INTO THE BACK OF ME THE BANG WAS EXTREMELY LOUD. I SAW GLASS PARTICLES COMING DOWN MY WINSHEILD GOT OUT THE CAR TO LOOK AROUND THE VEHICLE WHEN I OBSERVED THE BROKEN GLASS HAD COME FROM THE SUNROOF - IT SHATTERED AND CREATED A LARGE HOLE.
NHTSA complaint #11076328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,250 miles
Rhinelander, WI
Crash
STRUCTURE:BODY
OUR CAR ACCELERATED WITH OUT CONTACT OF THE GASPEDAL CAUSING COLLISION WITH 3 PARKED VEHICLES. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR SONATA.
NHTSA complaint #11016347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,400 miles
SAN Diiego, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WITH A LOUD SOUND, AND GLASS CAME SHOWERING INTO THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME WITNESSED THE EVENT AND SOME OF THE GLASS HIT HIS VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED. WE BOTH PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND EXCHANGED CONTACT INFORMATION. HE WITNESSED THAT NO OBJECT HIT MY SUNROOF, IT SIMPLY SHATTERED.
NHTSA complaint #10954613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,300 miles
Houston, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY
SONATA RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 3DAYS NOW AND WON'T SHUT OFF NO MATTER WHAT I DO AND I'M SCARED IT WILL DEPLOY. BACK IN MAY I NOTICED THE PAINT IN MY CAR SHIPPING AFTER I TOOK IT TO GET WASHED, NOW MY CAR LOOKS UGLY.
NHTSA complaint #10884947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 miles
Compton, CA
Crash
STRUCTURE:BODY
RECALL CAMPAIGN 132. VEHICLE STALLED/LOCKED UP CAUSING A COLLISION WITH HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10862089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 miles
Huntsville, AL
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE GOING AROUND 60-65MPH. I HEARD A LOUD BOOM THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT, AS SOON AS I HAD A SAFE MOMENT TO PULL OVER I THEN REALIZED IT WAS MY SUNROOF THAT HAS BUSTED. I THEN WAS ABLE TO STEP OUT OF MY CAR AND REALIZED MY SUNROOF HAD BUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS ABLE TO STAY CALM, COOL, AND COLLECTIVE. I COULDN'T IMAGINE IF THE PULL OF MY SUNROOF FROM INSIDE THE CALL HAD BEEN OPENED. IT WOULD HAVE DEFIANTLY CAUSED A HAZARD NOT ONLY TO MYSELF BUT TO OTHER PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10671663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centreville, VA
STRUCTURE
I GUESS I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH MELTING DASHBOARD AND BOTH SIDE MIRROR HOUSING UNITS. TODAY 9-16-14, DEALER IS REPLACING MY DASH N HOUSING FOR THE SECOND TIME!!! I WAS SO FED UP WITH DEALER AND GOT CORPORATE INVOLVED, SO THEY CALLED TODAY 9-16-14 AND TOLD ME JUST ENJOY YOUR MELTING CAR. THEY SAID THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM SURE ITS GOING MELT AGAIN AND HOPING SO. I WILL HAVE TO GET A LEMON LAWYER AND SETTLE IT. IT IS NOT DEFECTIVE PARTS. ITS THE CAR ITSELF!!!! THIS HYUNDAI WILL BE MY FIRST AND WILL BE THE LAST.
NHTSA complaint #10633763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 miles
Garden City, NY
Crash
STRUCTURE:BODY
CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND BACKED UP TO LEAVE, ACCIDENTALLY HITTING A STORAGE CONTAINER WITH MY REAR BUMPER. I PUT CAR IN DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL BY ITSELF TRAVELING FAST ABOUT 30 FEET. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. WE HIT A FENCE, MOVING THE FENCE ABOUT 5 FEET AND HIT THE CAR PARKED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FENCE, SMASHING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WE HAD OUR SEAT BELTS ON AND WERE NOT INJURED BUT WITHOUT SEAT BELTS WE WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #10630662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,678 miles
Lanett, AL
Crash
1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
CAR PUT IN PARK TO CALL A PERSONS HOUSE WAS AT HIS NEIGHBORS HOUSE NEXT DOOR FOR DIRECTIONS RAN OFF IN DITCH THOUGHT AT TIME I MIGHT HAVE LEFT CAR IN DRIVE .WENT DOWN BANK WHEN MY DOG AND I STOPPED CAR IN PARK DID NOT THINK NOTHING ELSE ABOUT IT UNTIL TODAY. WENT TO STORE CAME BACK PARKED 2012 SONATA IN DRIVEWAY LEFT CAR ON TO RUN IN HOUSE RIGHT QUICK SO DOG WOULD BE COOL. I PUT LEGS OUTSIDE CAR 2012 SONATA TOOK OFF LIKE A BAT OUT OF [XXX] THREW ME OUT ON THE GROUND. I HURT MY BACK AND REAR END VERY PAINFUL AND 2012 SONATA RAN INTO MY 2004 ANNIVERSARY EDITION COLLECTORS CAR WHICH WAS AS CLOSE TO NEW AS THEY GET. THEY HAVE A RECALL ON LINE THAT SAY THE DATE HAS NOT BEEN MADE TO SEND OUT NOTICES ABOUT A PIN BREAKING IN GEAR SHIFT CAUSING THE CAR TO GO IN PARK AND STILL BE IN DRIVE . I READ ON THIS SAME SIGHT ABOUT A WOMEN WHO HAD HER CAR DO HER THE SAME WAY AND HAD TO HAVE 10 STITCHES .I CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER NEAR BY THEY SAID BRING IT IN TO BE CHECKED .I ASKED WHO WOULD FIX MY 2 WRECKED CAR THAT WILL HAVE A LOTS LESS VALUE . HE TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. SO I CALLED ACCIDENT WILL RAISE MY INSURANCE PAYMENT THAT WILL COST ME THE REST OF MY LIFE. DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY GOT THIS THING AT THE END OF THE MILEAGE IS 30,000 ,32000 OR 45,000 MILES AND THEY ARE RELEASE FROM FAULT WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING CLOSE TO GETTING KILLED OR CRIPPLE FOR LIFE. THESE CAR COMPANIES ARE GETTING AWAY WITH THINGS IF I DID IN MY BUSINESS THEY WOULD GET EVERYTHING I HAVE AND MAKE ME PAY FOR LIFE HOPE I HAVE BETTER LUCK THAN THESE OTHER PEOPLE. THEY ARE GOING TO TOW THE CAR IN AND CHECK THE PROBLEM. WHO IS TO SAY THEY WILL FIX IT AND SAY NOTHING WAS WRONG LIKE I HAVE ALREADY READ. PLEASE BE CAREFUL IF YOU ON A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10618795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.