2012 Hyundai Sonata Recall

On certain vehicles, brake fluid could leak into the control module for the antilock brake system (ABS) and cause it to short circuit. Note: This recall replaces recall R0246 (Transport Canada recall number 2023-527). For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid model is affected by this recall.

A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.

Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse for the ABS module. Hyundai recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.

Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.4 L MPI engine. For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid is affected by this campaign. All vehicles previously included in TC # 2021-033 are now part of this new campaign. Vehicles that were previously repaired under campaign R0181 (Transport Canada #2021-033) do not require this software update.

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire.

The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Hyundai recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual. If you experience unusual engine noise, reduced power, or a check engine/oil warning light, Hyundai advises you to immediately visit a Hyundai dealership to have your vehicle diagnosed.

On certain vehicles equipped with a 1.6 L GDI, 2.0 L GDI, or 2.4 L MPI engine, the connecting rod bearings could wear prematurely. As a result, there could be an abnormal knocking noise from the engine and/or the oil pressure warning light may turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with worn connecting rod bearings, the engine could fail. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. In some cases, a damaged connecting rod could puncture the engine block and cause an oil leak. Note: For the Sonata model, only the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) models are affected by this recall. Additional Note: Engine compartment fires can happen for many different reasons. In some cases, there is too much damage to find the cause of a fire.

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Oil that leaks onto a hot component could cause a fire.

Hyundai will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer for an engine inspection test, to determine if there is bearing damage. If damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also update the software for the engine control module. Note: Hyundai recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual.

Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This affects Sonata and Santa Fe Sport equipped with a 2.4 L GDI or 2.0 L Turbo GDI engine, as well as Tucson equipped with a 2.4 L GDI engine.

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident.

The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Vehicles previously repaired under Product Improvement Campaign R0153 (TC # 2019-130) do not require this software update. Owners can find additional information at www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca.

Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This affects Sonata and Santa Fe Sport equipped with a 2.4 L GDI or 2.0 L Turbo GDI engine, as well as Tucson equipped with a 2.4 L GDI engine.

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident.

The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Vehicles repaired under Service Campaigns, C0336, C0344, or C0347, already have this software update. Owners can find additional information at www.hyundaiengineinfo.ca.

When repairs were completed under recall campaign 2015-428 (Hyundai #R0101) or 2017197 (Hyundai #R0130), the high pressure fuel pipe may not have been properly installed on the fuel pump outlet. A fuel leak could occur if the pipe was damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the recall repair.

Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a fire causing injury and/or property damage.

The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an inspection. If fuel leakage is detected, the fuel pipe will be replaced with a new one.

On certain gasoline and hybrid engine vehicles, the circuits within the airbag control unit may become damaged. This could cause the airbags and seat belt pretensioners to not deploy in certain collisions where deployment is warranted, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will install a wire harness kit between the ACU connector and vehicle harness connector as necessary. Note: This recall does not affect the 2013 model year Sonata Hybrid.

A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the connections between the front seat belts and the floor mounted seat belt anchor pretensioners may not have been attached properly during assembly. This could result in a front seat belt possibly detaching from the anchor pretensioner. If the vehicle were to be involved in a collision, and the seat belt were to detach, it could increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the anchor pretensioner’s cable connector for both front seat belts and repair as necessary. Note: For the 2015 model year, it is only Sonata Hybrid models that are affected.

A failure of this component (seats and restraints) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the engine crankshaft may not have been properly cleaned to remove metallic debris during manufacturing. If the debris is not completely removed from the crankshaft’s oil passages, it can be forced into the connecting rod oiling passages restricting oil flow to the bearings, increasing the potential of premature bearing wear. If the vehicle continues to be driven with a worn connecting rod bearing, the bearing could fail, which could cause an engine stall while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of motive power which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. A worn connecting rod bearing could also result in the illumination of the oil pressure lamp in the instrument cluster. Correction: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the engine assembly. Hyundai will also increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/200,000 kilometers for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the shift cable may detach from the shift lever. As a result, the driver may not be able to select a different gear position, or place the transmission in the PARK position. If the driver cannot place the vehicle in the PARK position and exits the vehicle without applying the parking brake, the vehicle could roll away, which could result in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the shift cable connection and repair as necessary.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On some vehicles, due to a defect in manufacturing of the inflator module, the side curtain airbag(s) could deploy without warning. Unintended airbag deployment, in a non-warranted (non-impact) situation, could startle the driver, which could result in a vehicle crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. In some instances, inadvertent deployment could cause injuries to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will replace the affected side curtain airbag(s).

A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).