Model year guide

2012 Hyundai Sonata

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Hyundai Sonata is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1,886 on record.

2012 Hyundai Sonata — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Hyundai Sonata at a glance

Safety recalls8
Owner complaints1,550
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$12,428

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Hyundai Sonata recalls 8

Engine NHTSA Campaign #18V934000 · 28/12/2018

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.

Fix: 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.

Seat Belts:pretensioner NHTSA Campaign #17V617000 · 04/10/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai custom…

Seat Belts:pretensioner NHTSA Campaign #18V137000 · 27/02/2018

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. 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…

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.

Seat Belts:front:anchorage NHTSA Campaign #17V152000 · 08/03/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hy…

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #15V759000 · 16/11/2015

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.

Engine NHTSA Campaign #15V568000 · 10/09/2015

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 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 re…

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 owner…

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #14V434000 · 18/07/2014

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.

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. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #12V352000 · 24/07/2012

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.

Fix: Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Hyundai Sonata common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,550 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2012 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Hyundai Sonata MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway34 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,317

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Hyundai Sonata worth?

Low
$10,100
Typical price
$12,428
High
$15,500

From 1,877 comparable 2012 Hyundai Sonata listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Hyundai Sonata costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,585
Depreciation (5 yrs)$8,900
Total$20,485
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($12,428) with the same model 5 model-years older ($3,539), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Hyundai Sonata trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS · SE · Limited · Limited PZEV · Middle-low level · Middle level · GLS PZEV
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L · 3.5L 6-cyl

2012 Hyundai Sonata vehicles on record

Other Hyundai Sonata model years

2012 Hyundai Sonata — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?

Based on 1,550 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, air bags, power train.

What is the 2012 Hyundai Sonata safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Hyundai Sonata an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 5★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Sonata get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Hyundai Sonata at about 27 mpg combined (23 city / 34 highway).

How much is a 2012 Hyundai Sonata worth?

Comparable 2012 Hyundai Sonata listings run roughly $10,100–$15,500, typically around $12,428 (from 1,877 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.