2012 Hyundai Sonata Exterior lighting Problems

Painting chipping on front top car... Seatbelt don't fasten all the time...Lights are dim.

NHTSA ID

11722537

Incident

Mar 13, 2025

My car has a problem whith the break lamps, the sockets that hold the bulbs are melting and they have deformed making it hard to replace the fused bulbs. Also the brake light stay on even after the engine is off draining the Battery and causing a short circuit.

NHTSA ID

11692347

Incident

Aug 18, 2025

I’ve been having issues with my Gas Gauge not recognizing how much gas I have in my car. I can fill my tank up, and the gas light constantly stays on. I’ve been looking online and came across other Hyundai owners having the same problem. I also have been having what seems to be an electrical issue where my passenger door, does not open and it’s intermittent which also seems to be connected to why my car ceiling light won’t turn on all the time. Lastly, I have to constantly change the head light bulbs and the break light bulb. I’ve owned my car for 3 1/2 years now, and I shouldn’t have to keep having to put money into it when it seems to be a known issue.

NHTSA ID

11635770

Incident

May 1, 2024

My brake lights are constantly needing replaced. Sometimes they stay on even when I'm not braking, other times they won't come on at all when I brake. I've gotten them replaced many times but it doesn't seem to fix the problem. I've almost gotten rear ended 3 times now bc my lights have failed to come on when hitting the brakes.

NHTSA ID

11617319

Incident

Jan 30, 2024

The starter has been replaced 3 times in the last 2 years. I know this is a hyundai problem because talking to other Hyundai owners have the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11617087

Incident

Sep 29, 2024

The driver side seat belt wont click and stay in almost half the time i drive my car… after reading other complaints its looking like this is a common thing. Within the past year ive noticed lots of times that when im going to lock my car with my fob, it wont lock and its because the passenger side lock button on the inside of door is in a stuck between lock/unlock position… resulting in me having to lean over to manually unlock the door even when I’ve unlocked my car with both the fob and inside button… all the sudden i noticed too that my speed control will not work at all and be completely unresponsive most times. It will RANDOMLY work when i try checking it on highway. ive had SO many issues with my taillights going/burning out constantly and now my headlights have gotten really dim. Im scared to drive at night now. They are much more dimmer than a cars should look like usually. Within the past week i just noticed a random big crack in the dashboard on the passenger side as well… noticed that seems to be a common thing and concern of safety with lots of others who own and drive this same vehicle… my first thought was “what if this crack will effect the airbag and make it deploy?” The crack is literally right over and above where the airbag is… plan on trying to take my car to place on OKC that did the anti-theft system software update on my car… but my car has gotten so bad when driving ill be lucky if it makes it there in one piece. My car has started to shake SO bad when im driving!!! Almost “jumping” at times it feels like. This car has been a pretty good car but when there are MULTIPLE complaints of the SAME issues that continuously keep costing us money and its not because of our doing and in fact the manufacturers FAULTY equipment and parts that they used to make these cars… they should most definitely be doing recalls and fixing these problems at no cost!

NHTSA ID

11617074

Incident

Sep 15, 2024

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11612869

Incident

Feb 8, 2024

The rear tail lights repeatedly "burn out" and have to be replaced. This endangers me and other drivers when the tail lights are not working. The police have told me to fix it. I took it to the dealer who said it will cost $900 to replace wiring. Hyundai has issued an extended warranty (no recall) for this problem but will only fix it if the wires have melted. I believe this is manufacturer defect that they should repair.

NHTSA ID

11606358

Incident

Aug 4, 2024

Taillight not working. I purchased a bulb for taillight and it’s still out. I got a recall letter in the mail about the lights on sonata but I misplaced it.

NHTSA ID

11604783

Incident

Jan 12, 2023

Air bag light will not go off and has not been inspected by dealership. I was out here checking for any recall. I am in Texas and can not get inspection/registration with this light on. Also I have front light out on driver side front and back, I have had to change bulbs several times have even replaced brake light assembly back in 2022 and light is burned out again as of right not 4/2024 dealership says that extended warranty will not be covered for burnt out brake lights because of aftermarket part. I have also a case with BBB auto and at this date 4/10/2024 no response.

NHTSA ID

11582066

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the passenger's side headlight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the headlight bulb socket had failed, and the mechanic determined that the passenger's side headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a goodwill repair. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11570994

Incident

Feb 8, 2024

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the the passengers side tail light failed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tail light needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure reoccurred and was taken back to the independent mechanic where they stated the harness had melted and advised that he go to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the passenger's side tail light harness was charred and deformed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a second time where it was informed that the harness or housing had been scorched and the tail light socket melted. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator had been depressed but the vehicle was slowing down. The contact managed to drive home safely. The following day the vehicle did not start. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the battery failed due to the tail light being illuminated all night. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11537679

Incident

Nov 8, 2018

Mileage

78,000 mi

I have a 2012 Hyundai Sonta. The brake lights are not working properly. I have been changing the tail light for some time now but it doesn't seem to be working. At first all lights came on and they wouldn't go off until I took the battery cable wire off. Then on another day the brake light in the back window, got stuck and the turn signal wasn't lighting up(no brake , nor turn signal lights but it showed in the car like it was working.when hitting the blinkers. I have taken it to several car shops even the dealership to have it checked out. I was told that it wasn't nothing wrong, but got stopped by police on numerous occasions cs the car didn't have Bck lights. The last shop i took it to said that it was the cars electrical system. I've checked to see if there was recalls.Doesn'tshow anything. It should be recalls on this, cause that's a safety hazard. Knowing you just changed out the lights and then boom u have no lights to show your turning or just on the road period at night. This is dangerous , I've almost got rear ended by a semi n other vehicles that was behind me and i had my granddaughter in the vehicle. Please check into this for the safety of ppl like me. Thanks in advance..

NHTSA ID

11536842

Incident

Jan 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had remained illuminated. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VN. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the timing chain had fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlight and taillight bulbs would burn out and require frequent replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

NHTSA ID

11536105

Incident

Jun 2, 2023

Mileage

185,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle off, the rear brake lights remained illuminated. The contact had to disconnect the battery to turn off the lights. The contact stated that eventually the brake lights became inoperable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11534124

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Mileage

111,000 mi

Approximately a month ago I notice that my passenger side low beam head light was not working on my 2012 Hyundai Sonata so I purchased a replacement H7 halogen bulb thinking it was simply a burned out bulb. I replace the bulb with the new bulb only to find the low beam was still not working. I tried the new bulb in the drivers side to rule out a bad new bulb. The bulb worked fine in the drivers side. I also inspected the connector found no obvious problem. So far I have not been able to get the passenger side working so I did some on line research and found that this is not an uncommon problem on Hyundai vehicles and particularly with the Sonata. It appears that this is a wiring or computer issue not easily resolved. I believe this is a significant safety issue that Hyundai should repair at no cost.

NHTSA ID

11533510

Incident

Jun 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that an appointment could be scheduled in August. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the brake light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11533389

Incident

Jul 19, 2023

Mileage

130,000 mi

Came Home Saw that the break lights were on in my Sonata. Tapped the brake pedal, they went off. Came home the next day same thing. I found a re call (google) for stuck brake lights. 2011 - 2012 Sonatas. I purchased the car used, and was informed that everything is working and in order. I'm just curios if there were any other reports concerning this matter?

NHTSA ID

11530153

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

As stated by other owners the brake lights come on and off I have had the bulb replaced several times. I wiggle the blub it comes on and off. This is a danger to cars behind me as the brakes lights are not working properly I believe there should be a recall as many owners are having and have had the same issue with this problem. My sister has a Hyundai not a Sonata had the same issue but her type of Hyundai was recalled for fault wiring. The Sonatas should be recalled also.

NHTSA ID

11512451

Incident

May 31, 2012

We have had issues with the tail lights of the car not working properly. The lights have had issues with the daytime running lights not working or the brake lights not working. When we took it in they said that there was an issue with the wiring harness. I also noticed 4 separate hyundai sonata vehicles with they same body style in the last 2 days that appeared to be having the same issues. I think it is something to be checked out to see if there is an issue there because it is a major safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11504167

Incident

Jan 27, 2023

The lighting system on the front and back lights, tail lights and brake lights are shortaged and melts the housings thst the bulbs go in. I have had two of these cars with the same identical problems and my son has had two sonatas and I have more people that’s having the issue as well. It’s very dangerous because the tail lights work whenever and me as the driver can’t see behind me nor the person driving behind me will know that I’m stopping. I can’t drive my vehicles at all at this present time and has made s appointment with the company, Hyundai and filed a complaint as well. Something has to be done quickly to put this on the recall list because it’s very dangerous for myself and others on the national highways

NHTSA ID

11500569

Incident

Jan 6, 2022

My tail and brake lights sometimes work sometimes doesn't. Rear window brake light stays illuminated when car is turned off causing battery to drain. This problem has been on going for years. I can sometimes wiggle bulbs and make them work for a while but problem has been persistent for too many years. Tired of replacing bulbs.

NHTSA ID

11499631

Incident

Jul 15, 2018

Break lights don’t go off.

NHTSA ID

11497818

Incident

Dec 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal failed to return to the normal upright position. The contact stated that the taillights remained illuminated as if the brake pedal was still depressed. The contact stated that the stabili-trak warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 (Exterior Lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 147,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11492893

Incident

Nov 8, 2022

Mileage

147,000 mi

Brake lights stay on when the car is turned off. It is draining the battery and I cannot drive the car. No Hyundai dealers near me have availability until October or after.

NHTSA ID

11483011

Incident

Aug 29, 2022