What 1,551 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hev

Vehicle: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Incident Date: August 14, 2024 Location: [XXX] Description of the Problem: The vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic fire without warning while in normal use. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms before the incident. The failure appears to have originated from the electrical system and/or engine (exact cause UNKNOWN), which resulted in the vehicle igniting unexpectedly. Safety Risk: This failure created an immediate and life-threatening safety hazard to all occupants. The vehicle caught fire suddenly, leaving no time to react or prevent injury. There was no crash or external cause associated with this fire. The incident required emergency response from Butts County Fire and Emergency Services, who generated an official report. Injuries and Trauma: My son suffered burn injuries to his fingers, requiring emergency medical treatment. There is neurological damage to the fingertips, indicating lasting physical injury. In addition, my son experienced significant psychological trauma due to sudden exposure to a life-threatening vehicle fire, including acute emotional distress during the incident and ongoing fear associated with vehicle safety. This demonstrates the extreme danger posed by a sudden, unpreventable vehicle fire. Inspection / Confirmation: The incident was documented by Butts County Fire and Emergency Services. At this time, manufacturer inspection is UNKNOWN, dealer inspection is UNKNOWN, and insurance inspection is UNKNOWN. Warning Signs Prior to Failure: There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the fire. The failure occurred suddenly and without notice. Defect Pattern Concern: This incident is consistent with known issues involving Hyundai Sonata vehicles, including engine and electrical system failures and reports of vehicle fires. This complaint is submitted to request a formal investigation. Prior Hyundai fire defects reported for this model. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11729048

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)

NHTSA ODI 11654369

Unknown Cought fire under the hood was engulfed within minutes

NHTSA ODI 11652424

On the morning of April 15, 2024, at around 6 a.m., our 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid unexpectedly caught fire and exploded in front of our house. This incident occurred shortly after I started the car and left it to warm up. Smoke and flames emerged from under the hood, quickly escalating until the front of the vehicle exploded, shattering the windows and extensively damaging the driver and passenger sides. Previously, we had noticed a fuel odor emanating from the hood, which we suspected was related to a known fuel recall issue. We brought the vehicle to the manufacturer's attention, hoping for a resolution under the recall. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not address the fuel smell as part of the recall services and instead billed us for unrelated repairs. This oversight on their part raises serious concerns about the safety and reliability of the recall process and the manufacturer's accountability in ensuring the safety of their vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11593275

Vehicle caught on Fire.

NHTSA ODI 11484989

I AM CONTACTING YOU REGARDING THE FOLLOWING RECALLS, PART 573 SAFETY RECALL REPORT 17V-226 AND 15V-568 AFTER VISITING HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TWICE, MY CAR STILL HAS KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE LAST MONTH MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE

NHTSA ODI 11321241

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAD AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORT AND CONTAINED RUST AND CORROSION. ALSO, THE SOCKETS MELTED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT HAD TO BE REMOVED TO PREVENT THE MIDDLE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FROM REMAINING ILLUMINATED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS OPERABLE, BUT EVENTUALLY SHORTED OUT AS WELL. THE CONTACT ORDERED REPLACEMENT TAIL LIGHTS THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V137000 (SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS) AND 18V934000 (ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATIONS. MCGRATH CITY HYUNDAI (6750 W GRAND AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60707, (773) 889-9090) WAS CONTACTED, BUT HAD NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11193325

ON JULY 15TH 2018 AT 10:30 AM WHILE DRIVING AT 35+ MPH THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD AREA, AFTER PULLING OVER I NOTICED IT WAS SMOKING QUITE HEAVY, I RAISED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE... HYUNDAI OF CANADA REFUSES TO RESPOND TO MY REQUESTS FOR COMPENSATION...*DT *TR *JB *JS*JB

NHTSA ODI 11131691

OUR CAR ACCELERATED WITH OUT CONTACT OF THE GASPEDAL CAUSING COLLISION WITH 3 PARKED VEHICLES. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR SONATA.

NHTSA ODI 11016347