2012 Hyundai Sonata Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 158about this part
- Share
- 10%of 1,559 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,784miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 158 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, 10% of the 1,559 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,784 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brake lights will not turn off, causing other drivers to think I have my foot on the brakes. Also, they do not turn off after I park the car and remove the key from the ignition. I have looked this up and it is a major complaint, but no recall on my vehicle. There was a recall in jan of 2016, but not on my car. It was for the brake light switch plunger.”
NHTSA complaint #11321097, filed 2020-04, 56,000 miles“When driving the car makes an awful beeping noise and says hybrid system malfunction safely stop and do not drive and the brake light is on in the dash. While all brake function is suddenly gone and I have to stop with the e-brake. This happened both on the city streets country highways and freeways at random times. I was told it was the hydrolic brake pump. This has been happening since november.”
NHTSA complaint #11387356, filed 2021-01, 130,165 miles“Driving home on november 24th 2018 I was on a gram to market road and a deer jumped in front of the car. When I went to brake and the car made a high screetch and didn't stop. When I hit the deer neither airbag deployed. It had just been returned to me from the previous engine recall”
NHTSA complaint #11386665, filed 2021-01, 10,000 miles“Having purchased the aforementioned VIN last month, the break lights stay on even tho the car is off, thus draining the battery. With a heightened fear of being rear-ended, or worse, for the now we disconnect the battery cable. Also, the car wants to stall when stepping on the gas pedal, the acceleration is delayed, this at any speed. Fearful of the engine catching afire, we appreciate post haste.”
NHTSA complaint #11337248, filed 2020-07, 135,000 miles“Stopped at a stoplight with the engine running, gear in drive and the brake depressed, but the engine started to rev and lurch forward--with my foot still on the brake. Moved forward a couple of feet with my foot still on the foot brake but finally came to a stop on its own.”
NHTSA complaint #11403294, filed 2021-03, 82,160 milesRelated recalls
- 15V759000Nov 16, 2015Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 2011–2012
Related service bulletins
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
- 10173548Mar 25, 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…
- 10142698Jun 7, 2018The warranty coverage for the brake pedal stopper has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever…
- 10074326Feb 1, 2016Summary to be provided on a future date.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 35% |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 4 | 5% |
| 2022 | 6 | 6% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2018 | 17 | 5% |
| 2017 | 22 | 3% |
| 2016 | 47 | 6% |
| 2015 | 80 | 7% |
| 2014 | 60 | 8% |
| 2013 | 149 | 8% |
| 2012 | 158 | 10% |
| 2011 | 175 | 5% |
| 2010 | 30 | 9% |
| 2009 | 98 | 21% |
| 2008 | 55 | 13% |
| 2007 | 103 | 15% |
| 2006 | 85 | 8% |
| 2005 | 12 | 7% |
| 2004 | 16 | 8% |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% |
| 2002 | 26 | 8% |
| 2001 | 24 | 12% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 3 | 6% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 3 | 13% |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% |
| 1993 | 2 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata
568 complaintsSteering
301 complaintsElectrical system
235 complaintsAir bags
170 complaintsExterior lighting
141 complaintsOther or unknown
125 complaintsFuel system
114 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
97 complaintsVehicle speed control
84 complaintsSeat belts
75 complaintsBody and structure
39 complaintsSuspension
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Hyundai Sonata
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