2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 20%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 20% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving southbound I-405 near renton, washington around 7:30 a.m. Morning rush hour traffic. Message flashed on check charging system hybrid system warning safely stop and do not drive at 80,725 miles. Drove to Hyundai dealer 4 minutes away who read check engine light error code diagnosing problem as hpcu reservoir module failure. Hyundai dealer replaced part under powertrain warranty at no cost to me. Cost of module was $3,527.45 plus $135 for 1 hr labor.”
NHTSA complaint #11079977, filed 2018-03, 80,725 miles“Yesterday the car drove fine untill about an hour before I went home. Then it started with the bumping/jerking when switching from electric to gas. Worse than it has ever been. Then the revving started, more than usual, and wouldn't accelerate. Then it was like the throttle stuck. Got the revving noice, but the eco wasn't burried at red, for about 1/4 mile before I was able to pull over into a parking lot. Shut off the car. Restarted and drove 1 mile to home. Revved a few times in that period.”
NHTSA complaint #11171828, filed 2019-01, 151,000 miles“I had been experiencing a hesitation when accelerating, a lurch when hitting the brake as well as sometimes when accelerating as though the gears could not shift properly. This did not occur as often if the car was out of blue drive. This had been going on for about 4 months. I had taken it to a dealer and called a service department but none of them could explain why it might be happening and I could not make the issue repeat once I got it to the dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10614956, filed 2014-07, 23,200 miles“Upon obtaining my state inspection a couple weeks ago around 60k miles, my mechanic pointed out a slight thunk when turning the steering wheel and said to check for recalls. Since then it has become increasingly more noticeable. It thunks or clicks just to the right or left of center. First I only noticed it when parked, now I notice it when driving and the steering column rattles very loud when I go over even a small bump in the road. I am concerned that it is getting worse and trying to get an appointment to have it looked at. …”
NHTSA complaint #11119278, filed 2018-08, 60,000 miles“While slowly moving downhill, on the freeway, during rush hour traffic, I attempted to change lanes and accelerated quickly. The switch from hybrid to gas engine interface only caused the engine to rev (increase RPM) without any gear being engaged. I quickly let off the peddle and depressed it again. It then engaged the transmission, narrowly averting an accident. This has happened 5-6 times since purchasing this car when traveling slowly and then trying to get a burst from the gas engine. I spoke with the dealership, and took it in for a check per their recommendation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10489701, filed 2012-12, 7,450 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238380Jun 9, 2023On certain Sonata hybrid (YF HEV) vehicles, the HEV safety plug or power relay assembly (PRA) may cause the following symptoms and one or more current related DTCs. Follow the…
- 10190049Mar 30, 2021The Powertrain warranty coverage for certain engine repairs and/or replacement where the engine damage, defect, or failure is related to connecting rod bearing wear, has been…
- 10176194May 21, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10174799Apr 9, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10172227Feb 20, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10170899Jan 2, 2020This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10170511Dec 17, 2019If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each…
- 10165455Aug 12, 2019If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine? light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid…
- 10163279Jun 4, 2019This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 11% |
| 2023 | 3 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 11% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2019 | 2 | 40% |
| 2018 | 1 | 11% |
| 2017 | 10 | 12% |
| 2016 | 14 | 11% |
| 2015 | 7 | 13% |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% |
| 2013 | 14 | 13% |
| 2012 | 31 | 20% |
| 2011 | 10 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
68 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology