2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Brakes Problems

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid well maintained by original owner, under 130,000 miles. May of 2025 AC stopped working intermittently (Hyundai dealer replaced AC hose). Aug 2025 AC stopped working AGAIN (same dealer could NOT identify problem). Car has consistent Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do not Drive messages lights and sirens when braking. Code PA186 comes up (low state of charge code for hybrid battery). December 2025 brought car back to SAME Hyundai dealer who NOW says car suddenly needs a 10k transmission (BUT still no idea what PA186 code is related to). Got transmission drained at different shop and NO NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED! Every repair shop OUTSIDE OF HYUNDAI who has scanned for codes gets the PA186 error and say it is related to HYBRID BATTERY LOW STATE OF CHARGE (I am the original owner THUS lifetime hybrid battery warranty). June 2026 different Hyundai dealer for repair of AC and PA186 code. NEW Hyundai dealer says AC issue is NOT related to the PA186 code. They still dont know what PA186 code is but want to charge me $5100 for engine wiring harness electrical short. SIDE NOTE!! Engine wiring harness electrical short is known issue for ABS module recall 251 for this car. Hyundai has denied the engine wiring harness electrical short repair as part of ABS recall 251 warranty and STILL cant tell me why Hybrid System Warning Lights and PA186 code is come on. Is electrical issue really harness or HYBRID battery?? Car is currently at Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA ID

11744480

Incident

Jun 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be turned off and restarted every ten minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently serviced by the dealer and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) was completed. The contact stated that the failure was present prior to the recall repair being performed. In addition, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred a week after the recall repair was completed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11618661

Incident

May 29, 2024

Mileage

130,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS and hydraulic pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) that was previously performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact the failure was not related to the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 151,020.

NHTSA ID

11588172

Incident

Apr 24, 2024

Mileage

151,020 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11586614

Incident

May 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 155,290. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11585776

Incident

Apr 28, 2024

Mileage

155,290 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because she no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.

NHTSA ID

11583317

Incident

Apr 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Red McCombs Hyundai Northwest, (13663 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78249) who informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11572278

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11566338

Incident

Jan 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check brake and hybrid system message was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the ABS activated inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that unknown parts needed to be replaced; however, the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11565084

Incident

Nov 23, 2023

Mileage

126,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11562117

Incident

Sep 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Check Brakes and Hybrid System Warning: Safely Stop and Do Not Drive messages were displayed. The brakes then made a grinding sound while the brake pedal was depressed. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty HCU (Hybrid Control Unit) and AHB (Active Hydraulic Boost). The dealer retrieved DTC Codes: P1886 (Inappropriate and Low SOC) and C1237: (Primary Pressure Sensor Signal). The dealer replaced the oil valve gasket and recalibrated the brakes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,340. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11557250

Incident

Nov 17, 2023

Mileage

113,340 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that he heard a grinding sound in the wheels. The contact stated that the Hybrid System and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brake pads, rotors, and calipers were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for October. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 204,900.

NHTSA ID

11482452

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

Mileage

204,900 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that he had changed the battery due to a previous battery failure. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started a warning for "Check Brakes - Hybrid System Warning - Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" message was displayed along with warning beeps. The contact checked the brake fluid level which was full. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running and the brake depressed, the contact heard a high-pitched grinding sound coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the brake pedal shaking abnormally. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer and had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact no longer drove the vehicle due to the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ID

11451443

Incident

Feb 9, 2022

Mileage

128,000 mi

2 MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. ONE IS A BRAKE ISSUE AND ONE IS TRANSMISSION ISSUE I DO HAVE APPROXIMATELY 160K ON THE CAR NOW. THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE GOES BACK TO WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 50 K ON IT AND WAS TAKEN TO DEALER BECAUSE OF SEVERE BANGING FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER.. PERIODICALLY IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE THEN..DEALER COULD NOT GET IT TO DO IT.. AND SAID IT COULD BE NORMAL.. CAR IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND NOW NEEDS TRANSMISSION..BRAKES HAVE DONE WIERD THINGS. ONCE NEEDED TOWING BECAUSE OF ZERO BRAKES, FULL HARD PEDAL, NO BRAKE LIGHT ON OR ANY KIND OF WARNING..LUCKILY I WAS IN A SLOW DRIVE THRU.. TOWED AND PARKED CAR..2 DAYS LATER ..EVERYTHING IS GOOD..BIZARR AT THE LEAST IF NOT ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11187140

Incident

Feb 2, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND WAIT A MOMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION. THE HYBRID EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COCONUT CREEK AUTOMALL (4950-4980 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, (866) 847-2753) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC MODULE WAS REPLACED. OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE EXACT NAMES OF THE PARTS. THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,451.

NHTSA ID

11170712

Incident

Nov 28, 2018

Mileage

119,451 mi

WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE CHECK BRAKE WARNING STARTED GOING OFF. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE WHOLE SYSTEM OF THE CAR SHUT DOWN. MY HYDRAULIC UNIT FAILED AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. THANK GOD I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID

11149748

Incident

Nov 4, 2018

Mileage

90,132 mi

I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY BREAK LIGHTS 8 TIMES SINCE JANUARY. BOTH MY REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LAMPS KEEP BURNING OUT CONSTANTLY, EVEN THOUGH I'VE REPLACED THE BULBS MANY TIMES. I HAVE NOW RECEIVED 2 WARNINGS ABOUT IT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO HYUNDAI AND AFTER A LOT OF FRUSTRATION THEY DO A TEMPORARY FIX THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AS BRAKE LIGHTS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW, AND IF THEY AREN'T WORKING PROPERLY, THEY POSE A HUGE RISK TO DRIVER AND THOSE AROUND. OTHER SONATAS ARE ON RECALL FOR THIS BUT I AM BEING TOLD MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY. IN ADDITIONS I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY STEERING COUPLER. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS SINCE 96K MILES ON THE CAR AND AGAIN MY VIN IS NOT COVERED AND THEY WANT 500 TO FIX A $4.00 PART.

NHTSA ID

11110316

Incident

Jul 9, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED A BEEPING ALARM SOUNDED WITH A WARNING STATING THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE FAILURE. YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH BLACK EXCLAMATION POINT ALSO WARNING ME NOT TO DRIVE. BRAKES HAD SEVERE GRINDING WHEN TRYING TO MOVE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THE CAR. FIRST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THEN THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A HYDRAULIC PROBLEM BUT THEN TOLD THAT IT WAS A BAD CONNECTION SOMEWHERE. WAITED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AND CAR STARTS WITH OUT A PROBLEM. MY FEAR IS THAT THE BRAKES WILL LOCK OR FAIL WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10594158

Incident

May 27, 2014

Mileage

62,085 mi

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD DINNING AND THE PANEL ON THE DASH FLASHED "HYBRID SAFETY WARNING", "BRAKE FAILURE". THE CARE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. I PULLED OFF OF THE EXPRESSWAY AS BEST I COULD. I THEN SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE WARNING WAS GONE. I TOOK SIDE ROADS HOME, BUT THE WARNING DID NOT RETURN. THE TOTAL FAILURE OF ENGINE POWER WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER ON 4/21/14. THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED IT TO ME. AS OF TODAY 4/24/14. *TR

NHTSA ID

10584709

Incident

Apr 20, 2014

Mileage

6,700 mi

SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID NUMBERS: 10546231 & 10582880 - "CHECK BRAKES" ...2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID WILL NOT START OR MOVE (APR 2014). FROM PARKED POSITION, TURNED ON VEHICLE (STEPPED ON BRAKE AND DEPRESSED ELECTRONIC IGNITION). LOUD CHIMES OCCURRED WITH MESSAGE "CHECK BRAKES". NO BRAKES WERE ON, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD/REVERSE. CAR TOWED TO DEALER..DEALER SAID IT MAY TAKE A FEW DAYS TO A WEEK UNTIL "HYBRID" EXPERT CAN DIAGNOS DUE TO OTHER HYBRID'S AWAITING SERVICE! SAME "CHECK BRAKE" ISSUE OCCURRED 8-MONTHS AGO (AUG 2013) AND WAS "REPAIRED" WITH SERVICE SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TT

NHTSA ID

10582885

Incident

Apr 14, 2014

Mileage

31,990 mi

SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10546231 - "CHECK BRAKES" ...2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID WILL NOT START OR MOVE (AUG 2013). FROM PARKED POSITION, TURNED ON VEHICLE (STEPPED ON BRAKE AND DEPRESSED ELECTRONIC IGNITION). LOUD CHIMES OCCURRED WITH MESSAGE "CHECK BRAKES". NO BRAKES WERE ON, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD/REVERSE. CONNECTED TO BLUELINK WHO COULD DETECT "ALERT". CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAW CODE C1604 IN COMPUTER LOG BUT BY THEN CAR WAS ABLE TO START, COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. DEALER CONTACTED HYUNDAI TECH LINE, ENTERED CASE AND "REPAIRED" BY PERFORMING MULTI-ECV UPDATES VERSION #2 PER TSB#13FL004; RECALIBRATED RWOLVER AND EC PRESSURE. IT'S NOW 8-MONTHS LATER (APR 2014) AND THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. *TT

NHTSA ID

10582880

Incident

Aug 1, 2013

Mileage

22,392 mi

PURCHASED NEW IN MAR. 2013, NOT OUR FIRST HYBRID. CAR BEGAN TO HAVE SHUDDER/JERKY/ROUGH TAKE OFF FROM MORNING START AND FIRST STOP SIGN AT END OF STREET. THIS BECAME MORE OFTEN AND WORSENED. ONE MORNING LEFT CURB AS USUAL, BRAKES LOCKED UP AT STOP SIGN AND WARNING LIGHT ON DASH FOR BRAKE PROBLEM. WAS ABLE TO BACK CAR BACK INTO CURB SPOT AND HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DATE GIVEN WAS ABOUT THE TOWING DATE. CAR WAS IN SHOP AROUND THREE WEEKS DUE TO NEEDING NEW BRAKE MODULE OR SOMETHING THAT WAS LEAKING INTERNALLY INSIDE BRAKE UNIT FROM FACTORY. CAR ALSO HAD ISSUE TO WERE THE BATTERY WOULD NOT CHARGE PROPERLY. WORKED CORRECTLY WHEN PURCHASED BUT THEN WOULD NOT CHARGE PAST 50% AND USUALLY LESS THAN. REPAIRS MADE AND LOTS OF UPDATES AND SENSOR ADJUSTMENTS AND WE WERE GIVEN CAR BACK. SADLY IT ONLY LASTED A FEW MONTHS AND HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN. LATE AUG, EARLY SEPT, THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AT TAKE OFF AGAIN. I TRIED JUST SITTING AT CURB FOR AWHILE AFTER STARTING CAR TO LET SENSORS WARM UP. THIS SEEMED TO HELP FOR SHORT TIME. PROBLEM WORSENED AGAIN UNTIL WIFE COMPLAINED. I DROVE FULL TIME AND IT HAD GOTTEN WORSE TO BAD AND ALL THE TIME. BAD ACCELERATION, LIKE BRAKES NOT LETTING OFF. LAST STRAW! NOV 1ST 2013, CAR JERKED AND SHUDDERED AT TAKE OFF, BRAKES LOCKED UP SOLID AT STOP SIGN, LOCKED UP AGAIN AT SECOND STOP SIGN, ENTERING TRAFFIC TO GET BACK HOME ... CAR STOPPED DEAD IN MIDDLE OF LEFT HAND TURN IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY!! FULLY LOADED LOG TRUCK COMING AT ME PASSENGER SIDE. TOOK 2-3 HARD STOMPS ON ACCELERATOR PEDDLE TO GET CAR MOVING, GAS ENGINE FINALLY REVVED HIGH BUT CAR JUST CRAWLED FORWARD!!! THANKFULLY THE TRUCK HAD STARTED BRAKING AS SOON AS HE SAW CAR HESITATE IN STREET AND CAR CRAWLED FORWARD ENOUGH THAT I DID NOT GET HIT. BUT THAT GRILL FILLED THE ENTIRE PASSENGER WINDOW. CAR TOWED TO SHOP AGAIN ON MON 4TH AM. CALLED ON 5TH, HUGE SOFTWARE UPDATE, BUT NO GUARANTY !?!?? *TR

NHTSA ID

10551112

Incident

Jun 5, 2013

Mileage

1,800 mi

VEHICLE WILL NOT START. FLASHING "CHECK BRAKES" .NO FOOT BRAKE PRESSURE. WITH THE HOOD UP CAN DETECT A MOTOR PUMPING INTERMITTENTLY WHICH I THINK IS THE BRAKE POWER UNIT. CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT A MONTH. NO FLUIDS ON THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10546231

Incident

Sep 30, 2013

Mileage

6,389 mi

PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. BRAKES BEGAN MAKING LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PULLED BACK INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN BRAKES FAILED. BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT AND CHIME WAS ACTIVATED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND HIT THE CONCRETE HANDICAP SIGN STOPPING THE CAR. PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEM WITH NAVIGATION UNIT WHICH WAS REPLACED ONCE AND READY FOR SECOND REPLACEMENT. TOLD SERVICE MANAGER WE THOUGHT IT MAY BE ELECTRICAL RELATED, NOT DEFECTIVE UNITS. BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WITH NAVIGATION UNIT IS RELATED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. AFTER ACCIDENT, HYUNDAI HAD AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS EXAMINE CAR. HYUNDAI SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALER SAID THE CAR HAD MAIN HYDRAULIC FAILURE AND NEW PART WAS ORDERED. IF NOTHING WAS WRONG, WHY WAS HYDRAULIC UNIT REPLACED. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10514286

Incident

Nov 28, 2012

Mileage

8,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE HYBRID BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,300...UPDATED 03-13-13 *BF THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO PULLED A BRAKE BOOSTER CODE, BUT SINCE THE CODE WAS NO LONGER ACTIVE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA ID

10496738

Incident

Feb 7, 2013

Mileage

1,300 mi