2012 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 97about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,559 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 97 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, 6% of the 1,559 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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.
“Press the start button and the car doesn't crank to turn on. Power to all other systems appears fine. I put the car in n then back to p and was able to turn the car on. Change battery and the battery on the key. Still having issues. No-start, no-crank due to gear selector range switch I was informed by Hyundai that my 2012 Sonata was not included in there campaign”
NHTSA complaint #11058143, filed 2018-01, 120,000 miles“Sometimes when I press the gas, the car will basically take an extra second to speed up, and probably 70% of the times that I press the brakes to slow down or come to a stop, itll (also) take an extra second and itll stall/jerk 1 time, then finish slowing down or stopping....its gradually been getting worse as time passes...the engine needs some work definitely! (I'll feel much more safe after this engine recall is fixed!)”
NHTSA complaint #11386346, filed 2021-01, 150,000 miles“The car will turn off while driving. We tested the battery and the alternator and everything else that will be the issue but everything is working fine and maintenance is up to date. We dont feel safe driving the car”
NHTSA complaint #11176388, filed 2019-02, 49,000 miles“While driving 25 miles on walnut st in rialto ca .all of a sudden my hybrid Hyundai Sonata made a grinding noise and stop responding I avoid hitting a car infront of me and approached the side walk messing up my right front bumper, when I finally stopped I put the car on park and it made a nasty grinding sound. I tried to put the car on d and it wouldn't move I put it on r and nothing. It was a very scarry experience, I want to know if there is anything you can help me with if there is a recall on the transmission because thats what it sounds like. …”
NHTSA complaint #11353895, filed 2020-09, 149,346 miles“While sitting still at stop light on a city street with foot on the brake pedal and in drive- the car lurched slightly like it was trying to go forward. The brakes stopped it from moving.it felt a bit like the car shifted to a another gear.the whole event lasted about 2 seconds. Otherwise the car behaved normally. This has happened three to four times since we bought the car new in dec. 2011. A disturbing event. We would like to know if others have encountered this, and is it dangerous?”
NHTSA complaint #10826058, filed 2016-02, 38,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V434000Jul 18, 2014Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 2011–2014
Related service bulletins
- 10253275Apr 9, 2024This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on…
- 10241874Aug 17, 2023Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response…
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 18% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 24 | 25% |
| 2021 | 25 | 19% |
| 2020 | 24 | 13% |
| 2019 | 8 | 5% |
| 2018 | 40 | 11% |
| 2017 | 56 | 7% |
| 2016 | 59 | 8% |
| 2015 | 135 | 12% |
| 2014 | 55 | 7% |
| 2013 | 94 | 5% |
| 2012 | 97 | 6% |
| 2011 | 173 | 5% |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% |
| 2009 | 41 | 9% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 3% |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% |
| 2000 | 19 | 7% |
| 1999 | 14 | 11% |
| 1998 | 12 | 24% |
| 1997 | 9 | 18% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% |
| 1993 | 9 | 35% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 24% |
| 1990 | 7 | 44% |
| 1989 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Sonata
568 complaintsSteering
301 complaintsElectrical system
235 complaintsAir bags
170 complaintsBrakes
158 complaintsExterior lighting
141 complaintsOther or unknown
125 complaintsFuel system
114 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