2012 Hyundai Sonata: complete transmission failure

Filed Jun 13, 2024 · Transmission · IL

There is a widespread issue with the 2012 Hyundai Sonata hybrid transmissions failing as driver's are driving resulting in extremely dangerous and life threatening situations. It is hazardous for drivers, passengers, and other vehicles on the road. I was driving my 2012 Hyundai Sonata hybrid on an expressway when with zero warning the car stopped driving. I easily could have had a car slam into me from behind at a high rate of speed. This was when the car had 79,672 miles on it. The transmission was replaced by Hyundai under warranty. The second transmission on the vehicle has now failed with only 84,984 miles on that transmission. This time, once again, no warning. No engine lights came on or anything. My car began to stop driving on a main highway with a large line of cars behind me. Once again causing a hazardous dangerous condition for me and others. This time, I was able to get to the side of the road. So not only was I in danger while driving and the car failed with zero warning, I was stranded on the side of the road with my very young child in the car. A transmission failing with zero warning with a mother and young child stranded on the side of the road is a secondary hazard to the possibility of us having been hit by a driver behind us as the transmission failed. There are many forums and reports of people having transmission failures with this make and model. Others specifically shared how dangerous of a position it also put them in with no warning. One other gentleman in a forum detailed how he was on an expressway when it happened and how dangerous it was for him. The quantity of not just first transmissions, but second and third transmission replacements failing in the 2012 Hyundai Sonata hybrid and in some cases close model years is alarming. Hyundai needs to take accountability for their poor craftmanship and protect their consumers. This car is a death trap and will get people severely injured or killed.

Filed Aug 15, 2023 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the contact attempted to shift into gear, but the transmission failed to shift as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pressed the release button and the transmission shifted; however, the vehicle was driving abnormally. An independent mechanic was contacted and stated that the vehicle might be experiencing the failure listed in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V434000 (Power Train) and advised to contact the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2023 · TX

The vehicle have shift control problem, it jerks hard when put into drive or reverse, also when going up a small hill it feels like the vehicle hangs in between changing from electric to gas. Also there is always a warning that comes on saying " Hybrid System Warning Safety Stop and Do not Drive". The car stops when driving, which makes it dangerous. Took it to two dealership in MCkinney and Irving and they could not fix the problem but rather charge me for diagnosis. All they say is buy new transmission. I called Hyundai for help and all they tell me is that there is no recall on 2012 hybrid model. Its frustrating because thats the only vehicle that i used for work. Need help. Thanks

Filed Aug 4, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · NV

Hybrid System Malfunction. The "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" appeared on the vehicle dashboard. While traveling on the highway or in town the vehicle will want to slow down then stop. The dealership's (Wyatt Johnson Hyundai) Clarksville, TN, maintenance tech have troubleshot the vehicle. Since my daughter and I have owned the vehicle, it has been seen by the dealer a few times during this time a transmission replacement was completed for the Hybrid System Malfunction, which did not solve the problem and I had to pay out almost $6,000. Still, same issue arises and also, I was told by another tech that the transmission is sealed and should not have been opened. The only thing we heard from the dealer(Wyatt Johnson Hyundai) was to come and pick up the car. When my son-n-law went to pick up the vehicle, the engine was still torn apart. They said they would fix it and then let us know when it is ready to be picked up. We have not heard anything from the dealer (Wyatt Johnson Hyundai) at all, assuming they are still working on it. Until, we received a letter from Express Auto the the vehicle was towed and reported abandoned. So, I drove to Clarksville, TN and trailered the vehicle back to Las Vegas, NV to have the Hyundai techs here diagnose the vehicle.

Filed Aug 18, 2022 · Fuel system · 140,266 miles · GA

The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the hybrid system message displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no error codes were retrieved and the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then towed to Gray Epperson Hyundai (4100 APD 40, Cleveland, TN 37311) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was last towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 140,266.

Filed Aug 12, 2021 · Transmission · NE

The car transmission breaks down prematurely. And dashboard show hybrid system warning safely stop do not drive. Hyundai is asking for $5000 to replace the transmission.

Filed Jul 24, 2020 · Transmission · 145,200 miles · NJ

My 2012 hyundai sonata received a replacement engine due to a recall for excessive oil consumption. My car did not have any other problems, everything else was running as it should. After my engine was replaced, the dealership did a test drive and said everything was running well. I drove my car home everything seemed ok. I only drove the car to my local supermarket twice and lastly, my son drove it out to a best buy, which was 40 minutes away. Everything was normal during the drive on the highway as well as the local street until he pulled into the parking lot. As soon as he made the turn in, the car started to rev in an extreme way-taking the RPM needle to 6 and a little over- with very little application to the gas pedal and very little motion from the car. He parked the car then turned it on again, the engine turned on ok, but the car would not go forward or backwards. The car was towed to the dealership and after 4 days was told I need a new transmission. There were no indications, whatsoever, of issues with the transmission, and the sudden stoppage is very disconcerting to say the least. Are there issues with this model's transmission, as there were no signs of deterioration? My car has 145,000 miles on it. I contacted hyundai hq customer service and a case was made, only to get a call from the case mgr. Stating the transmission is out of warranty and there is nothing they can do. I understand I was given a replacement engine, but I fail to understand how it's even possible or even coincidental that my transmission would collapse after a major repair. The dealership told me that the diagnostics history shows there was an incorrect ratio in gear 3.why were there no warnings or telltale signs? This could have turned out very badly for my son had it happened just a minute sooner while he was on the highway.

Filed Mar 12, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 124,000 miles · MD

While driving in traffic car began to jerk and lose speed though the engine was running. The car stopped in the middle of moving traffic. Transmission fluid spilled out profusely. Transmission was replaced but started to slip again the same day I picked it up after new (remanufactured) transmission was installed by the hyundai dealer. Prior to this transmission issue, the alternator in my car failed while driving in the middle of moving traffic. This complete transmission failure occurred shortly after a new engine was installed because the original engine seized and failed prior. Alternator was replaced. The newly installed alternator failed again. A new alternator was once again installed. I am now having similar electrical problems yet again and there is a current concern that the vehicle may possibly stop suddenly and hazardously again while in motion.

Filed Aug 26, 2017 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · SC

The transmission has already been replaced once and now it's starting to do the same things it did before it was replaced... Jerking transmission shifts. Took it back to the dealership and they told me the transmission was acting up because the gas engine's battery (not the hybrid battery) was bad and needed to be replaced. The service guy said the battery only showed 10.8 volts which means it's dead. He said a new battery will likely fix the transmission problem because it's an "electronic transmission". I said, "if the battery is bad/dead, why does it start the gas engine with no problem??" so I reluctantly said to replace the battery. Then he tells me the battery is $400... I told him that was way too expensive and I can buy one myself for less than 1/2 their cost. So I took it first to an advanced auto where I asked them to load test the battery before I bought a new one. Their load tester showed the battery as good @ 12.8 volts (not 10.8). Before I left, I had them test it a 2nd time and that test showed 12.57 volts... Still good. 2 days later when my wife leaves work, the transmission starts jerking again and a yellow "wrench" icon pops up on the dash. She called me and I had her stop by a different parts store to have another test on the car battery. She stopped at an o'reilly's this time and their tester also showed the battery to be good. So the question is, is the jim hudson hyundai dealership giving us the runaround because they don't want to fix/replace the transmission again? Now we're trying to get the other hyundai dealership in town to check the car out. Gonna be the last hyundai we own...

Filed Jun 20, 2013 · Transmission · 21,000 miles · PA

The transmission ceased to work while driving. This is a new car only one year old and needs a new transmission according to the dealer.