Vehicle Data Hub

2012 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 578 complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, 25% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
578 25% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
92,000 miles 347 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
11 and 71
Injuries and deaths
17 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2012 Hyundai Sonata Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 92,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 19 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 19 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 35 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 56 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 62 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 57 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 51 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 29 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 12 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 5 complaints 200k+ miles: 2 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 92,000 miles
Based on 347 complaints that include mileage. 21% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles19
20k to 40k miles19
40k to 60k miles35
60k to 80k miles56
80k to 100k miles62
100k to 120k miles57
120k to 140k miles51
140k to 160k miles29
160k to 180k miles12
180k to 200k miles5
200k+ miles2

What the data shows

Of the 347 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 92,000 miles, and 21% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 11 crashes, 71 fires, 17 injuries.

What owners wrote

The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine started smoking. The vehicle was overheated and the vehicle flap and cooling warning light message displayed. The contact was able to pull over safely and exit the family out. There were 4 passengers, the wife, and 3 children. The entire vehicle was destroyed and engulfed in flame. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the wrecking yard. There was a police report.

Reported at 2,000 miles, February 2022 FireInjury

Had a minor fender bender and the car stalled. I had the car towed and was told by hyundai that the engine ceased. I was told it was my fault . I had the oil changed a few months before so I know that was not an issue. I was forced to either trade the dead car in of pay $6500. For a new engine. Hyundai told me over and over again that hyundai had never seen this problem before.

Reported at 60,000 miles, July 2015

Other problems reported for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Hyundai models