2011 Hyundai Sonata vs 2012 Hyundai Sonata
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2011 Hyundai Sonata | 2012 Hyundai Sonata |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 3,376 | 1,556 |
| Recall campaigns | 14 | 8 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 230 | 180 |
| Investigations | 8 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 116 | 51 |
| Fire reports | 112 | 95 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–36 | 26–36 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 79,000 mi | 82,800 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Hyundai Sonata | Hyundai Sonata |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 967 | 567 |
| Steering | 1,171 | 301 |
| Electrical System | 443 | 234 |
| Air Bags | 418 | 169 |
| Exterior Lighting | 248 | 141 |
| Service Brakes | 145 | 151 |
| Power Train | 173 | 97 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 105 | 99 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Clunking / rattling | 373 | 143 |
| Stalling | 361 | 169 |
| Vibration / shaking | 230 | 65 |
| Airbag warning light | 184 | 61 |
| Check engine light | 132 | 102 |
| Loss of power | 103 | 71 |
| Won’t start | 74 | 0 |
| Oil consumption | 45 | 0 |
2011 Hyundai Sonata
2012 Hyundai Sonata
Compare all Hyundai Sonata vs Hyundai Sonata years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.