2012 Hyundai Sonata: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Engine · VA

While merging onto the interstate my vehicle suffered sudden loss of motive power. All dash lights illuminated ,engine shut off instantly with no prior knock or warning.vehicle will not crank or restart.push button start activates accessories only .This matches TSB 22-EM-003H for connecting rod bearing seizure.No crash occured because I was able to coast to shoulder but loss of power steering/brakes at highway speed created a dangerous situation.

Filed Jul 20, 2022 · Engine · GA

I was on the highway during rush hour when the car was rattling during acceleration. I was going around 75mph. The car just died in the middle of traffic and I coasted to the berm. Once stopped, it smelled like something was burning and I had my 2 small children in the back in 5 point harnesses. They couldn't unbuckle themselves and I could not get the back door to unlock with the key fob to get into the back seat to help them. Once they were able to loosen their buckles, they had to crawl through the front seat to get out. Had the car actually caught on fire, I wouldn't have been able to get my children out in time. This was the absolute scariest ordeal I've ever been in. One shop has said the engine has seized. It's now sitting at Hyundai waiting for them to look at it. No warning lights came on until the car died.

Filed Apr 19, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · NY

The vehicle does not start as it doesn't recognize the key fob. My daughters and wife have been stranded on different occasions as they were not able to start the car. Something is wrong with the electrical as the engine does not recognize the key. I am scared to take the car on long trips as this happens frequently and it can take up to 20 attempts before the engine starts. Please help!!

Filed Sep 29, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 54,000 miles · NY

My car was in motion when headlights started dimming then car lost power and was begigging to stop..kept depressing gas pedal and car then started moving again. I was traveling on a main road in left lane when this happened which could have been a major accident. Also have numerous brake light bulbs replaced and key fob will not be recognized to start car but car will start when keyfob inserted into charger in miiddle console. Key fob will work to open and lock door but not for starting car.

Filed Sep 27, 2018 · Electrical · 123,000 miles · GA

Key fob in 2012 hyundai sonatas not recognized and don't allow you to start up your car using the push/start button; also, doors won't unlock with fob and manually have to be entered using actual key. Seems like some programming to the fob has been lost; dashboard would turn on and say"key not in vehicle" or "insert key" when depressing the push/start button. Apparently, dealerships are aware of the problem, but may not actually report it and treat as something else only after numerous other repairs. Youtube videos of these issues as I've described are available. Vehicle is stationery when this happens; then it would work and then stop again in a few days. Changed batteries in both fobs and still the same issue. Originally starting happening a week prior to 9/27/2018.

Filed Jul 2, 2018 · Brakes · 81,050 miles · IL

My car is not starting up. When I push key start and press the brakes the lights on the dash comes on but the car wont start. If I wait a fews hours then it will start. I have waited as long as 5 hours in a parking garage. The car reads "key not in vehicle". I have gotten new batteries for both key fobs. The first time the car did this after a few hours later it started and I didn't have an issue for about 3 weeks. Since that time the car has not started on 3 other occasions. I had to have it towed to the dealership. They said I needed the fuel injectors cleaned. So I paid to have that done and then the car started every time for one day. The very next day the wouldn't start again in my driveway. After an hour it started and then the next day it did the same thing and my daughter missed work. When the car doesn't start all the lights and radio come on but the car just wont start. Every time this has happened the car has been stationary. I cant leave my car running while I go to the store because I'm afraid it will not turn back on. I have read article about this same issue from other people with the push start vehicle.

Filed Jun 19, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn in either direction. In addition, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine. There was also an electrical short with the interior and exterior lighting and the key fob failed to connect outside of the vehicle. The contact had to start the vehicle with the fob being in the charger. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The dealer (round rock hyundai, 2405 n interstate hwy 35, round rock, tx 78665, (512) 904-6400) was contacted, but did not diagnose the failures. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · 51,000 miles · OK

Early this year when I started my 2012 sonata in the morning for work it started to stall. In march when I took it to the dealer for oil change I notified them of this issue. They said the battery needed replacing. It got better afterwards until two weeks ago. I thought maybe the keyless remote needs new battery and so switched to the spare remote that I had barely used. It did not help. But I noticed the stall happened in the morning when I leave for work, not in the afternoon when I go home. Maybe because I have to use the remote to unlock the car in the afternoon and make the car connect to the "key" rather than display " key not detected." this morning I could not get the car started after tried all my tricks for numerous times. I was stranded and had to use my vacation for work. Made an appointment last week with the dealer for this tuesday. Wonder how I am going to haul the car to the dealer if I can not get it started.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Electrical · 18,000 miles · FL

First let me tell you how many times I brought the car in for service, the service manager [xxx] telling me they could not find anything wrong, replaced the A/C unit. Blue tooth fuses have blown out several times no radio, they replaced the fuses, then replaced the battery ... There is a electrical short some where .. The date above in october I was so mad I was traveling on a inter state highway in the fast lane, then my car lost power,, at 67 MPH no brakes no nothing thanks god.. I had to wait to power down... I waited for about 20 minutes shaking ... I kept trying to start the car with the push button start nothing happened I then called hyundai road service ... After waiting ... Finally the car started .. I had power but no radio ,,, I drove off the inter state and it was only 2 miles from the car dealership.. I was so mad also my blue tooth and one light burned out.. After talking to the service mgr.. He told me to wait in which I did...2 hours later a service guy came to talk to me and said he could not find nothing wrong again.. Except that he would replace the light bulb... After that I asked the sales rep to put me into another car.. They said ok but for 50.00 more a month and a loss of 2 years paying for the car ... I then went to the same owner dealership and they worked with me for 2 days I got a new car 20.00 more a month and a loss of 2 years in payments... Please note that a new service manager at the dealership said he worked at another dealership and told me it looks like the starter switch was the problem.. After seeing the gm recall I guess anything is possible information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).