MSRP: $19,795 - $28,195
Invoice: $18,971 - $26,345
MPG: 24 City / 35 Hwy
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Hyundai Sonata Recalls & Reliability

Scorecard

Overall: 2012 Hyundai Sonata U.S. News Best Cars 8.8
Critics' Rating: 9.5
Performance: 8.0
Interior: 8.0
Safety: 9.6
Reliability:
How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

  • Exceptional fuel economy ratings
  • Standard USB and Bluetooth connectivity
  • One of the longest powertrain warranties in the class
  • Low-quality cloth seats
  • Base engine can be sluggish during highway passing

Research Other Years

Review Last Updated: 4/23/13

Recalls

There have been 2 safety recalls issued from NHTSA.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWRecall Date: 07/24/2012
  • Consequence: The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 12V352000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 22,512
  • Summary: Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
  • Remedy: Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall is expected to begin during August 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
  • Notes: Hyundai's recall campaign number is 106. Customers may contact The National Highway Traffic Safety Vehicle Safety Administrations Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
SEAT BELTS:REARRecall Date: 03/08/2012
  • Consequence: SEE NOTES.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 12V098000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 14,728
  • Summary: CERTAIN MODEL YEAR HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID VEHICLES PRODUCED BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 2, 2010, AND SHIPPED TO DEALERS THROUGH MARCH 7, 2012, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A CENTER REAR SEAT BELT INCORPORATING A RELEASE MECHANISM THAT DETACHES BOTH THE LAP AND SHOULDER PORTION AT THE LOWER ANCHORAGE POINT, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
  • Remedy: DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE NONCOMPLAINCE AND A STOP SALE WAS ISSUED ON MARCH 8, 2012.
  • Notes: HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELTS IN APPROXIMATELY 1,633 SONATA HYBRID VEHICLES CURRENTLY IN DEALER INVENTORY WITH CENTER REAR SEAT BELTS THAT ARE NOT DETACHABLE FROM THE LOWER ANCHORAGE POINT PRIOR TO DELIVERY TO CUSTOMERS. FOR THE APPROXIMATELY 13,095 VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO CUSTOMERS, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY INTENDS TO FILE A PETITION FOR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE RECALL REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT ON THE BASIS THAT THE NONCOMPLIANCE DESCRIBED IS INCONSEQUENTIAL AS IT RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY. THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT OBLIGATED TO CONDUCT AN OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN UNTIL NHTSA HAS RESOLVED THIS PETITION. IF THE PETITION IS DENIED, THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED AND MUST THEN UNDERTAKE ITS NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN OBLIGATIONS.

Reliability

Our reliability score is based on the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) rating or, if unavailable, the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating.

Predicted Reliability Score
  • Key:
  • Among The Best
  • Better Than Most
  • About Average
  • The Rest

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Warranty

Hyundai covers the Sonata with a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, as well as a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. In this class, that coverage is matched by cars like the Kia Optima and Mitsubishi Galant. Roadside assistance is standard for five years/unlimited miles as well.

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