I’ve been having issues with my Gas Gauge not recognizing how much gas I have in my car. I can fill my tank up, and the gas light constantly stays on. I’ve been looking online and came across other Hyundai owners having the same problem. I also have been having what seems to be an electrical issue where my passenger door, does not open and it’s intermittent which also seems to be connected to why my car ceiling light won’t turn on all the time. Lastly, I have to constantly change the head light bulbs and the break light bulb. I’ve owned my car for 3 1/2 years now, and I shouldn’t have to keep having to put money into it when it seems to be a known issue.
2012 Hyundai Sonata: headlights failing or too dim
46 of the 1,559 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 46
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 110,000
- recalls
- 1
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
The driver side seat belt wont click and stay in almost half the time i drive my car… after reading other complaints its looking like this is a common thing. Within the past year ive noticed lots of times that when im going to lock my car with my fob, it wont lock and its because the passenger side lock button on the inside of door is in a stuck between lock/unlock position… resulting in me having to lean over to manually unlock the door even when I’ve unlocked my car with both the fob and inside button… all the sudden i noticed too that my speed control will not work at all and be completely unresponsive most times. It will RANDOMLY work when i try checking it on highway. ive had SO many issues with my taillights going/burning out constantly and now my headlights have gotten really dim. Im scared to drive at night now. They are much more dimmer than a cars should look like usually. Within the past week i just noticed a random big crack in the dashboard on the passenger side as well… noticed that seems to be a common thing and concern of safety with lots of others who own and drive this same vehicle… my first thought was “what if this crack will effect the airbag and make it deploy?” The crack is literally right over and above where the airbag is… plan on trying to take my car to place on OKC that did the anti-theft system software update on my car… but my car has gotten so bad when driving ill be lucky if it makes it there in one piece. My car has started to shake SO bad when im driving!!! Almost “jumping” at times it feels like. This car has been a pretty good car but when there are MULTIPLE complaints of the SAME issues that continuously keep costing us money and its not because of our doing and in fact the manufacturers FAULTY equipment and parts that they used to make these cars… they should most definitely be doing recalls and fixing these problems at no cost!
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the passenger's side headlight was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the headlight bulb socket had failed, and the mechanic determined that the passenger's side headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a goodwill repair. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
my sonata 2012 the engine was replaced it seized up on the highway. since then ive had multiple issues; 1. my brake pedal seems to get pulled to the floor all the way at random times i have to pump the brake for it to release itself. 2. ive replaced the purge valve 3 going on 4 times as well as the cadilac converter due to it being clogged. 3. my car is so loud it makes a hissing noise and a winding sound people say its my transmission going out but no one can pinpoint the problem. 4. my brake lights and head lights go out all the time been replaced bout 100 times. lights on the dash r on; airbag, check engine tire pressure . please i need my vehicle looked over by a professional and or help replacing these issues ASAP
The headlights and rear break lights keep going out, we have changed the bulbs multiple times and they keep burning out and not within months it happens within weeks the bulbs completely burn out which has caused us to be stopped by police and given warnings. The headlights look very dim when on which as well have been changed but still give a dim look. The engine has given out, the last time driving the vehicle was a 60 mile road which it lost velocity momentum and the engine light turned on then it completely shut off almost crashing into a light post.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had remained illuminated. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VN. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the timing chain had fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlight and taillight bulbs would burn out and require frequent replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Approximately a month ago I notice that my passenger side low beam head light was not working on my 2012 Hyundai Sonata so I purchased a replacement H7 halogen bulb thinking it was simply a burned out bulb. I replace the bulb with the new bulb only to find the low beam was still not working. I tried the new bulb in the drivers side to rule out a bad new bulb. The bulb worked fine in the drivers side. I also inspected the connector found no obvious problem. So far I have not been able to get the passenger side working so I did some on line research and found that this is not an uncommon problem on Hyundai vehicles and particularly with the Sonata. It appears that this is a wiring or computer issue not easily resolved. I believe this is a significant safety issue that Hyundai should repair at no cost.
My vehicle is experiencing several recall issues. The seat belt in driver seat randomly pops unlocked which is very dangerous while driving, the headlights and brakes lights go out once a month due to some electrical issues with the vehicle, the tire bearing clocks when the vehicle is turning
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the rear taillights failed to illuminate upon depression of the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the socket to replace the light bulb had melted and that due to the failure, both light bulbs could not be replaced. The contact also mentioned that a white smoke had emitted from her driver side headlight when she attempted to replace the light bulb. The contact was able to replace the driver side headlight bulb; however, the driver side headlight bulb would illuminate very dim. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
3 of my light lamps where burning and front headlight could have start a fire
On 05/26/21 this vehicle was taken to crown hyundai for an engine recall and was not running. In fact, since purchased at the auction it has never ran more than 30 feet then suts off. Tech said, computer responded with a faulty wheel sensor, a dead battery, and fault ABS sensor. I picked up the car and put new battery in it, and a left rear wheel sensor and reported by hyundai. Our mechanic said take back to hyundai to reset the ABS sensor, so on06/24/21 we did return the vehicle to crown hyundai and was tolk now they could not set the sensor as the battery was the wrong type, now a code for a flap door and an allegation of the vehicle being wrecked in the front end causing door damage. My right headlight has always been loose but no damage. Now the computer says the door plap and front bumper damage is causing 30 more defaults to pop up my wrecker driver will tell you the car was not driving but would start and move until sensor shut down. Now it will not start or move and more sensors are being shown.. Service manager said ,, I cannot tell you not to fix it, but there are more codes poping up now... There is something wrong with this picture... He said he has several more hydrid's sitting in the back that also show many codes.
My break lights and head lights are constantly blowing out, I've had multiple repair orders to prove this & can have records pulled from my pull overs. My back up camera now has an electrical issue and will no longer come on. Also when I'm driving the gas pedal just stops working while driving!!! Very very dangerous. My car is well kept and maintained there is NO reason for these issues to be happening aside from a manufacturer issue. I know plenty of people with the same year make and model as me and they all have the same issues. There really needs to be recalls put out on these issues as they are a safety concerns and they are putting me and my children in danger every day. I wish I had researched these issues before buying a Hyundai. I WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN especially if these issues do not get resolved.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Inoperative brake lights that may be caused by melting/deformation of the rear combination housing lamps
- Inoperative brake lights that may be caused by melting/deformation of the rear combination housing lamps
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the...
- This bulletin provides information to assist with ordering the correct part when replacing a tail lamp...
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
- Risk
- If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑671‑3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136.
Recall number 15V759000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
46 of 1,559 owner complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata (3%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata?
There is 1 recall and 7 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2012 Hyundai Sonata
Engine failure 188Knocking 150Stalling 146Check engine light 133Steering noise 94Fire or smoke 91Airbag light 84Loss of power 84Won't start 58Warning lights 38Harsh shifting 37Jerking 37Hesitation 33Pulling 33Adaptive cruise 26Power steering loss 26Grinding brakes 24Fuel pump 22Oil consumption 18ABS 17Fuel smell 17Brake failure 15Overheating 15No deployment 13Battery drain 13Sudden acceleration 13Sunroof shattered 12Fuel gauge 11Won't shift 11Steering lock-up 10Transmission failure 10Ball joint 9Key fob 9Door locks 8Seat belt 8Fuel leak 6Shudder 6Misfire 5Tire blowout 5
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