2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems

The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH on the highway, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. No warning lights illuminated. The contact veered over to the right side of the road, turned the vehicle off, and she noticed smoke coming from the engine. A bystander behind her noticed the flames coming up from the engine. The contact mentioned she exited the vehicle and called 911. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to Atow lot. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the low battery warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the engine before the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed hybrid system and that the hybrid system needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the transmission was not the original transmission, and the cooler was damaged. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

While driving and everything is going along fine it will suddenly jerk and make a sound as if I've been hit behind. I'm not sure if it's part of the detached shift cables or transmission or something else. Sometimes it will jerk violently while going uphill also.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the low battery warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the engine before the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed hybrid system and that the hybrid system needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the transmission was not the original transmission, and the cooler was damaged. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

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.

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.

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.

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY, IT WILL JERK FORWARD AND THEN SHORTLY AFTER LOSE POWER. THE CAR SHOWS THE BATTERY AS BEING BARELY CHARGED. I PULL OVER (LUCKILY HAVEN'T BEEN KILLED YET) ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, RESTART IT AND THE BATTERY IS HALF FULL AND THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDS. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TWICE, AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, DIAGNOSTICS SHOW ITS FINE. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY LOCATED IN MY TRUNK FOR $485. THAT DID NOTHING, AS THE CAR IS STILL RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF, AND MOST TIMES IN THE MOST DANGEROUS AREAS OF THE ROAD. I DON'T THINK HYUNDAI WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS UNTIL NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE KILLED. FORGOT TO MENTION THAT SOMETIMES WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT COMES ON. I'VE HAD THE OIL REPLACED AND THE OIL SENSOR, SO THATS NOT THE ISSUE.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, the vehicle loss power and decelerated to 25 mph. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was referred to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY, IT WILL JERK FORWARD AND THEN SHORTLY AFTER LOSE POWER. THE CAR SHOWS THE BATTERY AS BEING BARELY CHARGED. I PULL OVER (LUCKILY HAVEN'T BEEN KILLED YET) ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, RESTART IT AND THE BATTERY IS HALF FULL AND THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRIDS. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TWICE, AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, DIAGNOSTICS SHOW ITS FINE. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY LOCATED IN MY TRUNK FOR $485. THAT DID NOTHING, AS THE CAR IS STILL RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF, AND MOST TIMES IN THE MOST DANGEROUS AREAS OF THE ROAD. I DON'T THINK HYUNDAI WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS UNTIL NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE KILLED. FORGOT TO MENTION THAT SOMETIMES WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT COMES ON. I'VE HAD THE OIL REPLACED AND THE OIL SENSOR, SO THATS NOT THE ISSUE.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, noticing an excessive amount of understeer. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 80,000.

CAR GETS VERY WOBBLY WHEN GOING 79 MPH.. I CAN HEAR A RATTLING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP. STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AND DOESN'T ALWAYS ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the low battery warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the engine before the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed hybrid system and that the hybrid system needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the transmission was not the original transmission, and the cooler was damaged. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to multiple independent mechanics who were all unable to diagnose the failure due to no warning lights illuminating on the instrument panel. The contact then had the vehicle towed to the dealer where the mechanic was also unable to diagnose the failure. The mechanic informed her that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

IN SEPTEMBER 2015 THE TRANS. WAS REPLACED IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS KEPT FOR 1 WEEK FOR REPAIRS.I REPLACED A BATTERY 12/13/2016, AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE AT LEAST 12 BATTERY PROBLEMS. THE RADIO WILL GO OUT, AND WITHIN A WEEK TO 2 THE BATTERY IS DEAD, RESULTING IN MY INSURANCE COMPANY COMING OUT TO START MY CAR. ON MAY 1, 2017, I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMENDED TRYING TO REPLACE THE RADIO,BUT WERE NOT SURE IT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. A RADIO WAS PURCHASED/REPLACED 8/2/17,AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED. BELOW ARE THE DATES OF OCCURRENCES: 9/14/15-TRANSMISSION- CAR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DEAD BATTERY: 1/22/16 7/30/16 10/2/16 10/13/16 12/11/16 4/30/17 7/30/17 10/16/17 1/2/18 4/18/18 I HAVE A COPY OF ALL CLAIM FORMS.

THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT A STOPLIGHT MIDWAY THROUGH MY TRIP HOME FROM OUT OF STATE. THE CAR STARTED "CHUGGING" LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING GAS AND HESITATED. SOON AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PULL OFF TO GET IT CHECKED. THE AUTO PARTS STORE CODE READER CAME UP WITH A FUEL PUMP OR FUEL FILTER PROBLEM. WE WERE DIRECTED TO THE CLOSEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP AS OUR CAR WAS UNSAFE TO KEEP DRIVING. WE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW HIGH PRESSURE FUEL FILTER FOR OUR CAR. $577 FOR PART, TOTAL BILL $734. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS ONLY COVERED FOR 5 YEARS/60 MILES. MY KIDS IS 5 YEARS/3 MONTHS AND 93000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOP STATE THEY ARE REPAIRING MORE AND MORE OF THESE. I FEEL THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR.

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 79 IN PENNSYLVANIA NEAR THE WEXFORD EXIT. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 8:15AM. NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND ME AND THE SUNROOF ON MY VEHICLE EXPLODED. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT. NOTHING HIT IT, NO ROCK, NOTHING FROM AN OVERPASS NOTHING. I WAS IN THE OPEN AND NO VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT OF ME OR BEHIND ME. IT WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING. THE NOISE IT MADE WAS THE LOUDEST NOISE I HAD EVER HEARD. I DID RESEARCH ON THIS HAPPENING BEFORE AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME CAR. I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY RECALLS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CARE ANY LONGER. *TR

GLASS PARTITION LOCATED BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF SHATTERED AFTER BEING HIT BY A SMALL PEBBLE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. *TR

WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY 125 WHEN MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE GROUND. WE HAD ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO JUMP OUT OF CAR. ALL 4 OCCUPANTS GOT OUT OF CAR THANK YOU GOD. *TR

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 79 IN PENNSYLVANIA NEAR THE WEXFORD EXIT. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 8:15AM. NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND ME AND THE SUNROOF ON MY VEHICLE EXPLODED. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT. NOTHING HIT IT, NO ROCK, NOTHING FROM AN OVERPASS NOTHING. I WAS IN THE OPEN AND NO VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT OF ME OR BEHIND ME. IT WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING. THE NOISE IT MADE WAS THE LOUDEST NOISE I HAD EVER HEARD. I DID RESEARCH ON THIS HAPPENING BEFORE AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME CAR. I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY RECALLS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CARE ANY LONGER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V137000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS) AND 17V617000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (CENTRAL VALLEY HYUNDAI, 4620 MCHENRY AVENUE, MODESTO, CA 95356) CONFIRMED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

18V137000 IS STILL PENDING A SOLUTION AND IT'S BEEN SINCE FEB. AND APRIL SINCE THE RECALL CAME INTO EFFECT. GIVEN THE SAFETY NATURE OF THIS RECALL AND POSSIBLE DISARMING OF AIRBAGS (A CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURE). I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A REMEDY ANNOUNCED FROM HYUNDAI.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V137000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS) AND 17V617000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (CENTRAL VALLEY HYUNDAI, 4620 MCHENRY AVENUE, MODESTO, CA 95356) CONFIRMED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

FAILURE TO PERFORM WARRANTY REPAIR. VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NO HELP. PLEASE ADVICE. MATTHEW HIGHWAY STALLING AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS, LITHIUM BATTERY REPLACED. CAR TOWED MORE THAN TWICE TO DEALERSHIP AND COSTS FOR TOWING. THANKS

THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY DIM FOR NO APPARENT REASON TO THE POINT YOU CAN NOT EVEN READ THE TIME ON THE CLOCK. SOMETIMES IF YOU HIT THE TURN SIGNAL THEY WILL FLICKER TO REGULAR BRIGHTNESS. ASL IF I HIT A SOEED BUMP OR POT HOLE THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER OFF/THEN BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAYS.

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.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while attempting to close the passenger’s side rear door, the door failed to lock as needed. The contact tied the door closed. The contact stated that the driver's side rear door was locked, and the contact was unable to open the door. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer when the passenger’s side door was not locking. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the latch and locking mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that when the driver's side rear door failed to lock securely, the vehicle was not returned to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY 125 WHEN MY 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT COMPLETELY BURNED TO THE GROUND. WE HAD ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO JUMP OUT OF CAR. ALL 4 OCCUPANTS GOT OUT OF CAR THANK YOU GOD. *TR

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with automatic transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.