2012 Hyundai Sonata vs 2012 Tesla Model S
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Hyundai Sonata | 2012 Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,556 | 61 |
| Recall campaigns | 8 | 8 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 177 | 87 |
| Investigations | 7 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 51 | 4 |
| Fire reports | 95 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–36 | 89 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 82,800 mi | 68,481 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Hyundai Sonata | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 567 | 1 |
| Steering | 301 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 234 | 37 |
| Air Bags | 169 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 151 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 141 | 5 |
| Power Train | 97 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 99 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 169 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 143 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 102 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 71 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 65 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 61 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 48 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 20 | 0 |
2012 Hyundai Sonata
2012 Tesla Model S
Compare all Hyundai Sonata vs Tesla Model S 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.