2012 Hyundai Sonata Seat belts Problems

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side seat belt unexpectedly detached. Several attempts were needed to secure the seat belt while driving. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s seat belt became inoperable and failed to latch properly. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was also contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,819.

NHTSA ID

11731186

Incident

Apr 14, 2026

Mileage

127,819 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11722537

Incident

Mar 13, 2025

My 2012 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced complete engine failure at 241,433 miles on August 7, 2025. The failure aligns with known safety defect symptoms described under NHTSA Recall Campaign 15V568000 and 17V226000, which cite premature bearing wear due to metal debris during engine manufacturing. My vehicle had previously received the knock sensor update under Campaign T3G and failed the BCT (bearing clearance test), confirming bearing damage. Despite this, Hyundai denied my engine replacement claim, stating the issue was related to a fuel pipe and not a rod bearing issue—this is contrary to their own recall documentation and dealer diagnosis. Hyundai continues to deny engine replacement, in violation of their federal recall obligations under 49 U.S.C. §30120. Their refusal endangers public safety by ignoring engine failures that can lead to stalling and crashes. I request NHTSA intervention to compel Hyundai Motor America to comply with federal law and perform the necessary recall repairs on my vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11695628

Incident

Jul 25, 2025

It first started when the engine needed to be replaced, I spent thousands trying to get it repaired, soon after they fixed the engine everything started going wrong ( I truly think they put in a faulty or wrong engine @ Hyundai) the car was overheating, I would take it in they would say it’s one thing pay thousands and it wasn’t it, changed the coolant that goes into the cabin, there’s always been a chemical smell since…still overheats, they said maybe it’s the thermostat, spent more money still didn’t fix it, the battery now won’t stay charged(trunk battery) not sure if they hooked it up wrong…the seatbelt hasn’t worked in years, I take it in they say it’s fine, it never clicks, I have to click it in to the passenger seat for safety. They always say it’s fine! I will never ever buy another Hyundai in life due to all of the issues I’ve experienced with mainly Hyundai dealership service mechanics and dealerships, I’m now dealing with a faulty car that could still be a great car if they didn’t mess it up, I thought I was doing right by always only taking my car to Hyundai and goodness I was wrong! There are no “recalls” currently on my car but honestly, did they even do the recalls correctly?! I disagree! They have literally lied, drained my wallet and disappointed me all while making my car worse, it’s like dr’s take these meds that might fix the issue but it’s going to mess up something else, it’s a guessing game all while killing you or in this case my car!!! I don’t know dates, all I know is Hyundai has all the records! Oh and the last straw was them driving my car without my permission mint you, they took it to a totally different shop without my knowledge & had someone else repair the frame which I was unaware of & drive it with ZERO oil in my car which now my car has been sitting for the most part since they repaired my car(or lack there of) because they broke my car! yes I turned it in when it happened, I just never heard anything from anyone now I’m carless

NHTSA ID

11676453

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

My seatbelt in the front seat does not work effectively. My airbag light is on Recall 169 ANCHOR PRETENSIONER INSPECTION is the recall I see that is associated with my seatbelt Recall 174 AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT Is the recall that I see associated with the airbag light Both recalls say they are completed. I called the Hyundai Dealership and they said reach out to the manufacturer because there are no open recalls on my car. Both are safety concerns that I hope can get addressed.

NHTSA ID

11605141

Incident

Jul 29, 2024

Seat belt unbuckles from base. This was a recall for sonatas but ours is having this problem but it says it is not a part of the recall

NHTSA ID

11554660

Incident

Jul 7, 2021

My vehicle is experiencing several recall issues. The seat belt in driver seat randomly pops unlocked which is very dangerous while driving, the headlights and brakes lights go out once a month due to some electrical issues with the vehicle, the tire bearing clocks when the vehicle is turning

NHTSA ID

11522483

Incident

May 17, 2023

Seatbelt stopped locking on drivers side, not able to use and wipers now only work on high.

NHTSA ID

11519771

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

Oil leak

NHTSA ID

11514942

Incident

Mar 31, 2023

Our 2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited had some kind of seat belt recall done in 2017. Not sure what as we were not given any documentation. We are having problems engaging the Driver's seat belt that started in the last month of 2022. Hyundai keeps referring us to the local dealer to see if indeed it is part of that recall. The local dealer insists on charging $160.00 inspection fee, if it's covered Hyundai will be charged. A knowledgeable mechanic should be able to sit in the driver's seat and attempt to buckle the belt and know if it is covered, without charging $160.00. Pease help.

NHTSA ID

11504203

Incident

Dec 5, 2022

Driver's seat belt takes 3 to 5 times for it to engage. A recall was done for the front driver's seat seatbelt. Campaign recall was done in December 2017 at Chapman Hyundai Phoenix.

NHTSA ID

11501509

Incident

Jan 2, 2023

Driver’s side seat belt frequently unlatches on own while driving vehicle. This places the driver at risk for significant harm should this occur during a collision. This problem has not been inspected or confirmed by the manufacturer or other professionals. The only warning lamp possibly associated with this is the airbag warning lamp.

NHTSA ID

11480521

Incident

Aug 18, 2022

front Seat belts do not fasten properly and air bag light stays on. I don’t see a pending recall, however did notice certain models recalled. This is a huge safety issue that is very concerning to me. I would appreciate if someone could get in touch with me to discuss further. Thank you. [XXX]; [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11454763

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

Seat belt doesn’t latch properly. It’s been happening for a while now. I have to fidget with the metal clip into the slot several times, and sometimes I just can’t wear it at all because it doesn’t latch.

NHTSA ID

11422886

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

DRIVER'S SEATBELT WOULD NOT LATCH. QUOTED REPAIR COST (FOR REPLACEMENT) AT THE DEALERSHIP OF $337.58. IT WOULD TAKE OFTEN MORE THAN A DOZEN ATTEMPTS TO GET THE LATCH TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

11390130

Incident

Jan 20, 2021

Mileage

69,990 mi

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN HITTING BRAKES AND IS LOOSE. THE PASSENGER WINDOW ON ONE SIDE DOES NOT GO DOWN. THE AIRBAG SIGNAL STAYS ON.

NHTSA ID

11383245

Incident

Sep 2, 2020

THE EPS JUST CAME ON WHEN I CRUNK MY CAR UP YESTERDAY EVENING. THE SEATVELT LIGHT BEEN ON ABOUT A WEEK NOW

NHTSA ID

11348525

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

MY 2012 SONTA HAS TWO CRACKS IN DASHBOARD. I HAD MY CAR AT DEALER FOR ALMOST A MONTH.WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER TO PICK IT I NOTICED TWO CRACKS IN DASHBOARD. I QUESTIONED THE DEALER THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. THEY TOLD ME THEY LEFT MY CAR IN THE SUN.

NHTSA ID

11339631

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

Mileage

132,000 mi

THIS STARTED MAY 1, 2020...REAR BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY STAY ON WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF, SEATBELTS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON 2 DAYS THEREAFTER ON DASHBOARD, THEN ESC INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON 1 DAY THEREAFTER ON DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325949

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT LOCKING INTO PLACE

NHTSA ID

11311085

Incident

Jan 31, 2020

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS AND ON THE STEERING WHEEL IT'S SEEMS TO BE OPEN ON ITS OWN A LITTLE BIT COULD I DRIVE MY CAR THIS WAY? I WAS JUST ROUTINELY DRIVING MY CAR THE LIGHT CAME ON WENT OFF CAME BACK ON AND IT'S STILL ON IT'S BEEN A WEEK NOW

NHTSA ID

11300683

Incident

Jan 13, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A WARNING ON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, SEAT BELT FUNCTION, BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR OR ONE. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CANNOT FIT ME IN TO INSPECT FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR IF IT'S DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11257139

Incident

Sep 21, 2019

THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 169 ON MY VEHICLE AFFECTING THE SEATBELT PRETENSIONER. I HAD IT CHECKED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THAT TIME. NOW I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME MY SEATBELT PRETENSIONER IS FAULTY. THEY ARE CHARGING ME NEARLY $800 TO FIX IT. THEY ARE STATING SINCE THE RECALL WAS "CLEARED" THEY ARE UNABLE TO RE-OPEN IT. THIS IS DISHONEST. THEY KNOW THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT. JUST BECAUSE IT HADN'T BROKEN WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED, DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY STILL SHOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I AM NOW DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS.

NHTSA ID

11220390

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

SEATBELT DOES NOT ALWAYS CATCH. SOMETIMES IT TAKES UP TO 8 ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT CLICKS INTO PLACE. AT TIMES, WHEN DRIVING, THE SEATBELT COMES UNDONE.

NHTSA ID

11219751

Incident

Jun 3, 2019

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR MORE THAN 60 DAYS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR OF THE SAFETY RECALLS.

NHTSA ID

11208989

Incident

Mar 12, 2019

Mileage

74,772 mi