2012 Hyundai Sonata: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Engine · FL · fire

Vehicle engine caught fire in April 2026! Tow company sold for parts without my permission! Immediately after gaining possession of my car. I didn't have comprehensive insurance, only basic. I had a brain bleed stroke Nov. 2022 and this is causing stress, setbacks. No attorneys want to take the case because there was no injuries! I jumped out in time. THANK GOD!

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · IL · fire

UNKNOWN Car was driving fine no warning lights and the car died. tried to stat back up and engine wiring harness on top of motor caught on fire.

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA · fire · 1 injury

Vehicle: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Incident Date: August 14, 2024 Location: [XXX] Description of the Problem: The vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic fire without warning while in normal use. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms before the incident. The failure appears to have originated from the electrical system and/or engine (exact cause UNKNOWN), which resulted in the vehicle igniting unexpectedly. Safety Risk: This failure created an immediate and life-threatening safety hazard to all occupants. The vehicle caught fire suddenly, leaving no time to react or prevent injury. There was no crash or external cause associated with this fire. The incident required emergency response from Butts County Fire and Emergency Services, who generated an official report. Injuries and Trauma: My son suffered burn injuries to his fingers, requiring emergency medical treatment. There is neurological damage to the fingertips, indicating lasting physical injury. In addition, my son experienced significant psychological trauma due to sudden exposure to a life-threatening vehicle fire, including acute emotional distress during the incident and ongoing fear associated with vehicle safety. This demonstrates the extreme danger posed by a sudden, unpreventable vehicle fire. Inspection / Confirmation: The incident was documented by Butts County Fire and Emergency Services. At this time, manufacturer inspection is UNKNOWN, dealer inspection is UNKNOWN, and insurance inspection is UNKNOWN. Warning Signs Prior to Failure: There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the fire. The failure occurred suddenly and without notice. Defect Pattern Concern: This incident is consistent with known issues involving Hyundai Sonata vehicles, including engine and electrical system failures and reports of vehicle fires. This complaint is submitted to request a formal investigation. Prior Hyundai fire defects reported for this model. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Engine · FL

My 2012 Hyundai Sonata recently had an engine replacement completed under a Hyundai recall. Immediately after the recall repair, the vehicle began shaking while driving, produced a burning smell, and the air conditioning stopped working, none of which occurred prior to the recall repair. These symptoms started immediately after the engine replacement, indicating a possible improper or unsafe installation. I believe the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the burning smell and shaking. I contacted Hyundai Customer Service and was told the issue must be resolved with the dealership. However, the dealership has refused timely inspection, has dismissed my safety concerns, and has declined to provide a rental or loaner vehicle, leaving me without safe transportation. This is a post-recall safety issue, and I am concerned about the risk of fire or mechanical failure due to the burning smell and vehicle instability. I am requesting this issue be formally investigated.

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Engine · 136,000 miles · FL · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving to her residence at unknown speeds, the vehicle suddenly caught fire while making a U-turn. The brakes and emergency brake were inoperable. The seatbelt was inoperable. The driver jumped out of the window. A pedestrian attempted to alert her of the fire. The vehicle exploded after exiting the vehicle. The contact sustained an injury to her leg, but no medical attention was provided. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There was no report of a crash or airbag deployment. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000. The vehicle was auctioned off by the towing company.

Filed Oct 5, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · FL · fire

Driving came to a stop ,light turned green made a U-turn to go to the gas station heard a pop noise smoke came from inside the car tried stopping it but the brake pedal sunk into the ground pressed my emergency brake it was seized wouldn’t go down (never had that issue my brakes always work ) I smelled brake fluid and seen the abs light on the dash then the power started to go out and my girlfriend almost got trapped in the car

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · MO · fire · 1 injury

I was driving I seen smoke then full flames on my windshield and I tried to stop and put my car in park to get out but my brakes stopped working and I couldn’t get the gear in park so I opened the driver door and had to jump out of the car .I had an engine replacement a year before for it being recalled and police and firefighters were on scene after incident

Filed Jun 11, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · GA · fire · 1 injury

Butts County Fire and Emergency Services made a report about the car catching on fire. There was an electrical problem and/or the engine caught on fire. My son’s fingers got burned and he was taking to the emergency room. Further neurological damage done to all of his finger tips. No warning car just blew up in fire. My son’s fingers could have died during the car fire.

Filed Apr 13, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CT · fire

On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], my [XXX] Daughter was using my car to go to work. When she called us and informed my husband that the car did not start. At that point he asked to video call him so that he can visually see what was going on. She was directed to turn on the car again at and that point, the car started then smoke was noticed from coming out of the hood. My daughter managed to open the hood where flames emerged from the center of the engine. She then ran in the house to get a fire extinguisher and managed to put it out and it reignited. She then made a second attempt with another fire extinguisher where it briefly subsided and then grew larger. At that point the fire dept arrived and successfully extinguished the fire and deemed the car totaled after the Fire Marshall carefully inspected the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 26, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 125,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that various functions on the steering wheel including the horn, cruise control, and other electrical functions; all failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that a warranty had been placed on the vehicle for the clock spring which they linked to the failure. The steering wheel also began to stick soon after the diagnosis. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the dealer could not provide an appointment until months out. The contact then stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact began to pull over as the EPS(Electrical Power Steering) and several other warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. As the contact opened the door, a fellow motorist had also pulled over to alert the contact that the vehicle was on fire. Soon after exiting the vehicle, the entire vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames. The fire department quickly arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact was not injured, no other occupants were inside the vehicle, and the contact was unsure if a fire or police report was filed. Some of the grass and trees in the area had caught fire as a result of the failure. The remains of the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Engine · AZ · fire

Received Hyundai recall 251 the end of 2023. Car taken to Hyundai dealer in March 2024 and dealer could not make the repairs on the recall. The end of July, the car caught fire (engine fire) when the car was parked for 10 minutes. Car and adjacent structure was destroyed.

Filed Oct 9, 2024 · Engine · FL · fire

My daughter had her car towed to the Hyundai dealership because of engine failure. Upon inspection we learned that there was a recall on the engine. We had to wait a few weeks so that the dealership could get approval and authorization to replace the engine. Finally after 3 or so weeks we got a courtesy car to drive. After about 4 weeks our car was finally ready to pick up so we took the courtesy car back and picked up our car. After about 4 months or so maybe my daughter went to her friends house one afternoon and her and her friend left in the friends car. They had been gone maybe 10 minutes or so and her friends neighbor called her friend and said that her car was on fire and they had already called the fire department but the car was engulfed in flames and before the fire department could get to it the whole car burnt to the ground. Nothing left but the shell of the car. The fire marshal said that the source of the fire was under the hood. Thats where the fire ignited he said. Luckily no one was injured or hurt. But this is after I had the recall motor put in. It was super scary and very upsetting because no one seems like they want to help us either.