347 problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata based on all problems reported for the 2012 Sonata.
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Connecting rod bearing failed.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle shut off. The contact restarted the vehicle, and an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. Despite the vehicle repeated engine shut off failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service. The vehicle was diagnosed with a rod bearing failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
Oil consumption engine issues.
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 and life-threatening safety hazard to all occupants. The vehicle caught fire suddenly, leaving no time to react or prevent injury. There was no crash or external cause associated with this fire. The incident required emergency response from butts county fire and emergency services, who generated an official report. Injuries and trauma: my son suffered burn injuries to his fingers, requiring emergency medical treatment. There is neurological damage to the fingertips, indicating lasting physical injury. In addition, my son experienced significant psychological trauma due to sudden exposure to a life-threatening vehicle fire, including acute emotional distress during the incident and ongoing fear associated with vehicle safety. This demonstrates the extreme danger posed by a sudden, unpreventable vehicle fire. Inspection / confirmation: the incident was documented by butts county fire and emergency services. At this time, manufacturer inspection is unknown, dealer inspection is unknown, and insurance inspection is unknown. Warning signs prior to failure: there were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the fire. The failure occurred suddenly and without notice. Defect pattern concern: this incident is consistent with known issues involving Hyundai Sonata vehicles, including engine and electrical system failures and reports of vehicle fires. This complaint is submitted to request a formal investigation. Prior Hyundai fire defects reported for this model. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (fo.
Butts county fire and emergency services made a report about the car catching on fire. There was an electrical problem and/or the engine caught on fire. My son’s fingers got burned and he was taking to the emergency room. Further neurological damage done to all of his finger tips. No warning car just blew up in fire. My son’s fingers could have died during the car fire.
On July 29, 2024, my 2012 Hyundai Sonata hybrid was parked in our driveway. About 10 minutes later an engine fire started that consumed the car. The local fire departmemt put out the fire but the car was totaled. The fire also destroyed a storage shed and some windows were damaged. The car was taken to the Hyundai dealer for servicing when the engine light came on on March of 2024. The car was left for a few days with the dealer. The NHTSA recall number 23v651000 was not repaired during that service call.
Received Hyundai recall 251 the end of 2023. Car taken to Hyundai dealer in March 2024 and dealer could not make the repairs on the recall. The end of July, the car caught fire (engine fire) when the car was parked for 10 minutes. Car and adjacent structure was destroyed.
The engine in my Hyundai Sonata (replacement engine VIN [xxx] ) experienced a complete internal failure. The component that failed is the 2. 4l theta ii gdi engine, which is known for issues related to metal debris, oil restriction, rod bearing wear, and resulting piston and compression failure. The failed engine is currently at the dealership (carolina Hyundai) and is available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk because the engine lost power unexpectedly, ran extremely rough, and became inoperable. A sudden loss of power while driving could have caused a crash, especially in traffic situations. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealership. They performed a compression test and found all cylinders at extremely low psi (35–45 psi). The dealer stated the engine cannot perform the required bearing clearance test due to the level of internal damage. Hyundai corporate initially declined assistance, calling it a piston failure, but the symptoms and damage are consistent with the known theta ii recall issues. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, and all diagnostic information has been submitted to Hyundai under PA reference #xxx. Hyundai corporate has not yet responded to me with a case manager. Before the engine failure, the vehicle had rough running and loss of power, but no warning lights or messages illuminated on the dashboard. Symptoms appeared shortly before the engine became undriveable. Based on the dealer’s findings and the engine’s known defect history, it is my assessment that the failure is related to the same issues described in Hyundai’s theta ii engine recall (campaign 132). Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
Airbag clock springs module malfunction disabling emergency deployment of the driver’s side airbag in the event of a collision. My 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2. 0 turbo with 93,336 miles on it, ending seized up going at highway speed causing instant and complete loss of power. Smoke started coming out from under the front engine compartment hood making me think the car was on fire. Trying to get the car manuvered off the highway and over to the right side of the road I was almost involved in a collision with other traffic. I was scared almost to death. Hyundai motor America is now refusing to repair my vehicle even though it is covered under their extend warranty.
The engine failed causing my steering and breaks to lock up on the interstate going 70mph surrounded by 18 wheelers, which was a total surprise as my car had no warning lamps on. Fortunately, I was able to guide my Hyundai safely to the side of the highway where I waited 5 hours for a tow truck. After leaving my car at Hyundai for 3 weeks due to an engine recall I was totally unaware of, they informed me they will not approve a new engine due to lack of service history? the only this lacking in my s"service history" are a few oil changes which I did myself due to the engine burning so much oil due to the recall. After eight years in the military as a mechanic I'm pretty sure I can handle an oil change on a sedan. Hyundai also refused to put me in a loaner for any of this process. Autoservice. Hyundaiusa. Com informed me that "my vehicle was effected by the Sonata engine connecting rod bearing inspection campaign. Additionally, the warranty coverage for the engines short block assembly (consisting of the engine block, crankshaft and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons).
I was driving. The tailpipes started smoking I checked engine oil and it was almost empty. No check engine light came on. The engine could have locked up on me on a state hwy that has a 60mph limit! no warning light. No low oil light. No lights came on at all ever. The car still doesn't have any light on but has oil consumption like I've never experienced. The engine was replaced in 2019 and only has about 63,000 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, before the engine seized. The contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle several times; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
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 we suspected was related to a known fuel recall issue. We brought the vehicle to the manufacturer's attention, hoping for a resolution under the recall. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not address the fuel smell as part of the recall services and instead billed us for unrelated repairs. This oversight on their part raises serious concerns about the safety and reliability of the recall process and the manufacturer's accountability in ensuring the safety of their vehicles.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact replaced the battery but the vehicle failed to restart. After numerous attempts, the vehicle was able to restart but the failure recurred where the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph the vehicle began to loose power and warning lights on the dashboard were activated before the vehicle had stalled. The vehicle towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 15v568000(engine) although the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall the failure mileage was 152,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 65 mph, an abnormal knocking noise began to emit from the vehicle as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle began to lose power as the contact's daughter coasted the vehicle into a parking lot. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 15v568000 (engine) which was linked to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
My vehicle sometimes stops on the highway. I get the alert hybrid system warning, do not drive. The dealership was charging over $8000 to fix the problem. They even told me they don't know if the problem will be solved after changing my oil pump.
Engine stalled in middle of the road while travelling. It put me in danger of getting into an accident. Tried getting appointment with dealership and nonappointments available for next 30 days. No warnings before the failure.
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.
My daughter had her car towed to the Hyundai dealership because of engine failure. Upon inspection we learned that there was a recall on the engine. We had to wait a few weeks so that the dealership could get approval and authorization to replace the engine. Finally after 3 or so weeks we got a courtesy car to drive. After about 4 weeks our car was finally ready to pick up so we took the courtesy car back and picked up our car. After about 4 months or so maybe my daughter went to her friends house one afternoon and her and her friend left in the friends car. They had been gone maybe 10 minutes or so and her friends neighbor called her friend and said that her car was on fire and they had already called the fire department but the car was engulfed in flames and before the fire department could get to it the whole car burnt to the ground. Nothing left but the shell of the car. The fire marshal said that the source of the fire was under the hood. Thats where the fire ignited he said. Luckily no one was injured or hurt. But this is after I had the recall motor put in. It was super scary and very upsetting because no one seems like they want to help us either.
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 underneath the car, oil is in the wheel wells, and even splashed on the rims, the spark plugs are covered in oil, huge plums of white and dark smoke come out of the tailpipes, literally blinding anyone behind me, press the accelerator to the floor and it just shudders and smokes even more, check engine light is on and states malfunctioning turbo system, boost pressure sensor malfunction, sluggish will not gain speed, oil within the turbo blow by hose and in intake hose area, now I have coolant pouring out and the reservoir the coolant will be literally boiling. This is not good at all especially after a year post engine replacement and turbo replacement. When the car is started I push start and car struggles to start the starter keeps screeching and car shudders for a good 45 seconds before it either dies out or finally starts. This vehicle should be a lemon and bought back regardless of age condition etc. A vehicle after engine replacement of only one year should not be pouring oil out of the engine, failed head gaskets,misfiring and leaking coolant. I keep receiving recall notice after recall notice in the mail stating I have recalls that need to be addressed but when checking using my VIN it says there are no recalls needing fixing, that makes me uneasy and I don't feel safe driving the vehicle I lost faith in it all together.
I started financing my 2012 Hyundai in 2019. Feb of 2021 the vehicle stopped without any warning. I paid to get the vehicle towed to brandon Hyundai in which the did replace the engine and the starter free of charge. I was able to continue to drive my vehicle everything seemingly fine. Fast forward to late 2023 the engine light is back on, I’ve taken my vehicle to Hyundai dealership several times relating to the engine light being on each time having nothing resolved in regards to this matter with Hyundai stating theres no one there who’re able to inspect the engine. My oil light has remained on for a number of months in 2023 I’ve had to get an oil change several times this year and Hyundai isn’t able to explain as to why the vehicle isn’t retaining oil. 12/15/23 around 11 pm the vehicle began to make an unfamiliar noise, stall, jerk and not accelerate. I am now unable to drive my vehicle and have to loss hope in my vehicles reliability and most importantly my safety.
Alarm started and hybrid brake check warning instructed to pull over and do not drive. This happened while driving down the road. The car lost power and would not accelerate. The brakes were gone and were making a grinding noise.
I noticed a clicking noise when pressing and releasing the brake pedal that had not been there before. I started hearing that sound 3-5 days ago. After driving to pick up food I noticed smoke coming from the engine area then the car burst into flames. The fire depress called a they put out the fire.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the engine made an abnormal knocking sound, and the vehicle lost motive power and staled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,011.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled with the key symbol warning light displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the highway and was able to use a trailer to tow the vehicle to the residence. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 18v934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
2012 Hyundai Sonata engine ceased on interstate 30 heading west away from dallas, texas on November 1, 2024 leaving my young daughter stranded in the middle of nowhere on her way to lubbock texas. Daughter had car towed by aaa to the closest Hyundai dealer and Hyundai dealer did not advise daughter that recalled engine due to known failures that been replaced in or about 2011 at approx 60,000 miles was an engine known to fail post engine replacement and expected to fail again within approximately 50-60,000 miles oats replacement engine had same issues as original recalled engine. Daughter sold car as junk for $200 to service guy at shop not knowing engine could be replaced. Dealers are not being forthcoming about replacing the engine. In this particular Hyundai Sonata, which, even though was replaced, previously, was known and expected to fail again according to service people. Hyundai needs to be held accountable for this issue and not just brush off the problem and not make it public that all these cars should be recalled. Daughter could’ve been hurt on the interstate and we’re fortunate. She was not hurt but she was very frightened by the ordeal, forced to purchase a new car as she was told her car could not be repaired by repair shop, at great expense, and great stress and frightening experience for young girl.
While traveling at interstate speeds vehicle engine failed along with some associated electronics. Vehicle was a risk of being impacted by other vehicles traveling at greater speed until moved to the shoulder. Vehicle was towed and inspected by service center that stated the engine was seized up due to possible bearing issues. No warning lamps illuminated until time of engine failure. Vehicle has not yet been inspected by Hyundai or insurance.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle shuddered, and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there were metal shavings inside the engine oil and that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
While driving, the engine abruptly seized up and stopped without any warning. This was a replacement engine from a previous recall. The transmission warning light had illuminated the previous day, after which the car began to hesitate when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear but otherwise drove normally. When the engine seized up, every warning light illuminated on the dashboard. The car still had full battery power but the engine would not turn over or make any response when the key was turned. After placing the car in neutral and pushing it several blocks, the engine began to smoke. The smoke progressively and quickly worsened until fire was visible under the hood in the engine compartment. The engine compartment was then engulfed in fire which spread to the front of the passenger compartment. The car had to be extinguished by the local volunteer fire department.
While driving on the freeway, the hybrid system warning, safely stop and do not drive will alternately flash with check brake and continuously the alarm sound with the park brake red light. The car would loose acceleration, and the brake pedal goes to the floor when applied. Once stopped, I restarted the car and the same things happen. The car can accelerate on and off for about 5mph. Brake pedal still goes to the floor. After restarting the car for 30-minutes- 1 hour, there are no warning lights or alarm. The car can be driven again. I brought to independent mechanic and found the code c1604 and there’s a recall 251 on abs brake system- recommended to bring to dealer. Brought to dealer, they say that recall 251 had no fix yet. They diagnosed that the safety plug relay needs to be replaced. Dealer replaced it and said that the car is fixed. Pick up the car from the dealer. After 20 miles of driving the same problem occurred- hybrid system warning, safely stop and do not drive will alternately flash with check brake and continuously the alarm sound with the park brake red light. Had the car towed back to the dealer. After 2 days, the dealer says it’s possibly a transmission issue. I asked how come it wasn’t diagnosed the first time around? no clear response. Issue occurred 4 times already.
This is a 2012 Sonata hybrid. The vehicle popped under the hood when my wife was driving to visit her father. My son opened the hood and fire started shooting out from next to the exhaust manifold. The car was just into gurnee Hyundai for service. They had the car for a month and a half. I still don't think that they did anything when they had it. Anyway, the car burnt completely to the ground in the front engine area. I already contacted Hyundai America, and, even Hyundai and south korea. This happened on September 8th. I have pictures, I also have the warranty individual who inspected the car before the dealer worked on it, or I have the warranty information. They have the documentation.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the hybrid warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over, self-inspected the vehicle, and noticed there was oil spread all over the engine. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the crankshaft pulley bolt was loose. The contact stated that the vehicle had the engine replaced approximately 15 months ago. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the crankshaft pulley bolt was loose; however, they stated it became loose over time and that it was not the mechanic who replaced the engine fault. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and got in contact with the dealer to have the repairs performed free of charge. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The engine on my vehicle is knocking and causing the vehicle to slow down on its own and the vehicle to overheat.