2012 Hyundai Sonata: won't start

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Engine · NY

On August 19, 2026, at 76,170 miles, the engine in a 2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS suddenly lost power and shut off while the vehicle was moving on gas station property. The driver had traveled approximately 10 feet before the engine stopped. Repeated attempts to restart were unsuccessful; the engine would not crank. The driver shifted into neutral and pushed the vehicle to a safe location. Before the failure, the vehicle was running smoothly, with no warning lights, warning messages, unusual noises, or other symptoms. There was no collision, injury, smoke, or fire. The sudden, unannounced loss of propulsion created a safety concern because the vehicle could no longer move under its own power. Fortunately, the driver was still on the gas station property and was not blocking traffic. An independent repair shop inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the engine was mechanically locked up. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an authorized Hyundai dealership for inspection. The dealership’s service adviser reported lower rod-bearing failure. Hyundai later denied engine-replacement coverage, citing neglect and missing maintenance records. That denial is being disputed through BBB arbitration. The vehicle had received an oil and filter change and a mechanical inspection on August 4, 2026, at 74,548 miles—15 days and 1,622 miles before the failure. The vehicle remains at the Hyundai dealership, and the engine is available for inspection upon request. The exact underlying cause of the reported bearing failure is UNKNOWN.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Engine · VA

As I was merging onto the interstate I put my foot on the gas pedal to give it a little more gas then usual to get pulled out and all of a sudden all the lights on the dash board illuminated and it slowly lost all power I was able to move it out of the road ... There was no loud ,knocking or ticking noises prior to this happening there was no type of any kind of warning .. my car is the push start button so after the car died completely I hit the push button and all the lights on the dash came on the radio worked and everything else seemed to be working it was when I went to put my foot on the brake to start it it would do nothing it would not start at all .. I was still able to put it in neutral even after the incident happened . I had it towed t Hyundai of Bristol to have it inspected well they did verifi that the engine was locked up but failed to give me any information on the test they ran or how they keep it was locked up and what locked it up so then they have my car over a week and they tell me I need a new engine but then contact me to tell ke that HMA refused to replace the engine on warranty and I had the campaign 953 completed the knox sensor thing before my car broke down so then I had to pay for towing once again out of my pocket to go pick the car from their dealership so when I got there to get my car the service was not that great and my car was in a mess very uncalled for the battery to the car was completely dead with that being said we had to use another battery to just get it turned on to even put it in neutral well then fuel started spraying from the fuel line , the engine cover was left off right along with engine mount was taken off and they even took the belt off there were bolts laying all over my hood of my car and I'm pretty sure we lost a few transporting the car back ..their service they provided was not business/professional behavior and very disrespectful at that .. returning my car in that condition was very unnecessary

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Engine · OH

Around the end of May 2026, my vehicle stalled without warning while traveling at highway speed. The engine light and EPS warning light illuminated simultaneously. The engine cranks but will not start. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership on June 15, 2026 where the engine failure was confirmed. My safety was directly at risk. The vehicle lost power on an active highway with no warning, creating a collision hazard for myself and other drivers. The failure has been confirmed by the dealership. Hyundai Motor America acknowledged the engine failure falls under the TXXI Settlement Agreement and offered a buyback or cash settlement. However, Hyundai has had physical possession of my vehicle since June 15, 2026 and has repeatedly failed to provide a written buyback offer despite multiple commitments to do so. Prior warning signs included the engine and EPS lights activating at the moment of failure. No prior warning lamps appeared before that day. The vehicle has 2 open safety recalls as of the date of purchase in November 2025.

Filed Jun 6, 2026 · Engine · VA

Vehicle experienced sudden loss of motive power while merging onto interstate I accelerated to enter traffic and all dashboard warning lights illuminated at once. Engine shut off immediately with no prior knocking,smoke, or warning. Car coasted to shoulder with complete loss of power steering and power brakes. After incident vehicle will not crank or restart , push -button start activates accessories but engine does not turn over when brake is pressed. Vehicle has Campaign 953\Knock Sensor Detection system update completed on October 14 2020. This failure matches the federal safety agency PE-18-003 and Hyundai TSB 22 -EM-003H for Theta II Engine connecting rod bearing failure.This is a known safety defect causing sudden engine stall at highway speeds .. Dealer inspection is pending Vehicle is currently inoperable...

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 Oct 24, 2025 · Engine · VA

My 2012 Hyundai Sonata cut off and stopped working! The vehicle locked up in the middle of a main street and would not start back up causing a very unsafe situation. There were no check engine lights on or anything at the time of the incident I immediately had the vehicle towed and inspected it has been determined that the engine is failing! Upon research I found out that these engines have had recalls in the past. Carfax shows that the vehicle has been taken in for routine maintenance and oil changes when needed. I am looking to see if the engine replacement could be covered for this vehicle.

Filed Sep 26, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · PA

came off the highway to a stop sign went turn and the engine just seized and would not start no matter what I did. had to have it towed to my house. safety risk was just off the road so i did not get hit. police stop and told me to get a tow truck. and no warning signs at all

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Engine · PA

While driving on the highway with my two minor children, my vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. I lost power in the middle of traffic, which was extremely dangerous — we were nearly rear-ended and had to coast to the shoulder. The check engine light had been on for some time prior to the incident, but there were no other warning messages. After being towed, the car would not start again, even after attempting to jump-start it. A mechanic inspected it and believes the engine is seized. I later discovered that my 2012 Sonata is equipped with the Theta II engine, which is known for sudden failure due to oil starvation or bearing wear. Although there are no current recalls on my VIN, the symptoms are consistent with the known Theta II engine defect. This situation put me and my children at serious risk, and I believe this failure needs to be addressed as a safety issue.

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 Sep 30, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · IL · fire

While driving, the engine abruptly seized up and stopped without any warning. This was a replacement engine from a previous recall. The transmission warning light had illuminated the previous day, after which the car began to hesitate when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear but otherwise drove normally. When the engine seized up, every warning light illuminated on the dashboard. The car still had full battery power but the engine would not turn over or make any response when the key was turned. After placing the car in neutral and pushing it several blocks, the engine began to smoke. The smoke progressively and quickly worsened until fire was visible under the hood in the engine compartment. The engine compartment was then engulfed in fire which spread to the front of the passenger compartment. The car had to be extinguished by the local volunteer fire department.

Filed Aug 10, 2023 · Acceleration, Lights · 78,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the the passengers side tail light failed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tail light needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure reoccurred and was taken back to the independent mechanic where they stated the harness had melted and advised that he go to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the passenger's side tail light harness was charred and deformed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a second time where it was informed that the harness or housing had been scorched and the tail light socket melted. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator had been depressed but the vehicle was slowing down. The contact managed to drive home safely. The following day the vehicle did not start. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the battery failed due to the tail light being illuminated all night. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Engine · SC

The car completely shut off in the middle of the road. It coasted to a nearby gas station and would not crank back up. There was NO oil in the vehicle, but no leaks and is up to date on oil changes and servicing. After putting oil in the engine, the car was able to crank and we attempted to drive it home. It stalled in the middle of the road and completely shut off and would not drive. It had to pushed out of the middle of the road, stopping traffic and risking our safety. Two mechanics saw us and stopped by to take a look. Upon inspection of the oil/engine they noted metal shavings (gritty) oil and the engine sounded like a propellor when we tried cranking it. It is available for inspection, however it is currently sitting on the side of the road in someone's yard. This problem has been noted on a recall with Hyundai Sonata vehicles, (metal shavings inside the block, debris circulates through the block and ends up stuck in the oil galleries, which is exactly what appears to have happened) It has not been inspected yet, I'm trying to see where I can get it towed. There were no warning lamps whatsoever before it shut off. Now, the engine light is on. and the oil light came on after it shut down the first time, but went off upon putting oil in it.