2012 Hyundai Sonata Accelerating Problem

Asked by benjaminashe Jun 15, 2012 at 11:23 AM about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

The car has been doing this since I got the car, brand new.
Randomly when I start my car, always when its been sitting overnight or all day, it won't really accelerate. It will slowly but if i give gas...its doesn't really react. Almost like you are trying to start in 4th gear.

BUT...when I shut the car off and back on....the problem is gone. Hyundai techs are scratching their heads and its really starting to upset me since the car has 8k miles on it.

29 Answers

73,240

Take it back to the dealership and leave it there until fixed. Contact Hyundai and make a lot of noise. Get a lawyer. You should have brought it back the first day you drove it off the lot and demanded a different vehicle.

12 people found this helpful.
510

Hello, I have an SE Trim 2.0T 2012 with exactly the same issue. It happened only once so far and by shutting the engine off and restarting the car, the trouble was gone and it was running fine again... I'm very pleased with my car but was still wondering if you found out what was responsible for the trouble you encountered. Hopefully there's a fix for this :o(

9 people found this helpful.
510

Guess what, just found out this is a known issue and relates to a deffective Wastegate actuator sensor... please contact your dealer to have it looked at since theere's a recall on it :o) mine isn't replaced just yet but will be looked at tomorrow... glad this news was all over the internet

39 people found this helpful.
110

I have a 2012 Azera with 600 miles on it and I can't accelerate above 25 mph. Almost killed a few times or close to a serious wreck. I am a first time Hyundai customer and I am not happy. It's at dealer.

11 people found this helpful.
190

Hi, I am the current owner of a 2012 2.0t Sonata. Currently 25k miles. Been having the same problem. Usually, I turn the engine off and after restart everything is normal again. Today I deed the same procedure, but engine light came on and power was gone for good. I take it to dealer tomorrow.

15 people found this helpful.
170

Agreed with past posts..The problem is electrical (electronic wastegate actuator). 90% of the time the voltage is out of specification. Take it back to the dealer till they fix it. You will need a scanner to view voltage for the actuator in order to set it correctly. It's not super simple so unless you have access to all the proper tools ( scanner, wrenches, and TSB info on procedures) take it back.

17 people found this helpful.
190

Thank you for your answer. In fact I told tech guy at dealer about this. So far, problem resolved.

4 people found this helpful.
60

It's not an answer is a problem that Nancy had on her 2013 Sonata, that the accelerator got stuck and she had a real bad accident in.P.R. and she's trying to sued the company. Have you heard of any kind of problems like this?

6 people found this helpful.
30

2012 sonata hybrid-they replaced throttle body & gasket and car seems OK. now Don Cassell

1 people found this helpful.
50

I have the 2011 Turboed Sonata and am now getting the wastegate gauge fixed for the 3rd time (at $250 a trip) and so I told them one it was fixed I was going to sell the car and would never buy another Hyundai. Shockingly, when they were fixing the wastegate the rod "broke" and it is going to cost me another $350. I cannot believe that they can have the same exact problem, 3 times on one car & still charge that much money to fix it. If anything, recalling the part makes since with so many complaints that are listed online. Instead, they are making sure to never have a repeat customer. I really like the car too (if it didn't cost me $250 every 6 months for the same problem).

5 people found this helpful.
510

I since sold the car after giving them an ultimatum and believe it or not they never bothered or offered an alternative solution. .. i got my self a brand new STI from Subaru and showed up at the dealership advising them to forget about me ever buying a Hyundai again. Don't get me wrong, because i sincerly liked my turbo Sonata. Now i see they have nerfed the power on new models, this is i understood that a definitive conception issue was found which in the process cost me 13K in loss switching to a new car. Bye bye Hyundai, gave Subaru 45K instead of doing business with them again. Never liked my new car as much as i like this new AWD with plenty of pickup.

3 people found this helpful.
80

I have a Hyundai sonata 2012 2.0t with less than 40k and having the same issue the dealership said my fuel system needs a cleaning some reason that doesn't sound like it's going to fix the problem thanks to you guys I may just have out what's wrong. It's a shame I can find out the problem on the Internet in 15mins vs wasting a whole day off work at the Hyundai dealership in Charleston South Carolina and they can't find the issue.. will not be buying a Hyundai again!

8 people found this helpful.
30

My problem is the same but I find when I let my foot slip off the brake it seems better but will see when it gets colder (-10 degrees) I plan keeping car until spring and see how pretty the tail lites look then ! ave no complaints against dealer as he;s done all he can

2 people found this helpful.
40

A similar thing happened to me. I am seeking modest compensation. Can you suggest how I should proceed? Newmac23@gmail.com

4 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2012 Sonata and had the fuel pump replaced last year. they said it was "faulty" and not covered under my warranty (BS). Now im having WORSE problems accelerating but its not all the time, its randomly, it stutters, i hear a rattling noise & a TON of smoke billows out the back. Im taking it back in monday, but am worried they are going to try to say its my issue. Im so tempted to get a lawyer, Ive had nothing but problems since I purchased this car.

2 people found this helpful.
525

Had the same issue. Dealer was no help. The only thing the discovered was that it happened while lights were on. Issues with cruise control while lights are on. Spent $350 replacing brake light switch and battery. Did not solve problem. I noticed a tiny tail light out during these issues. Replaced the light myself. $5 and it seems solved.

2 people found this helpful.
525

I had a similar issue with 2012 Sonata. Also had acceleration issues, or lack there of. Took it to the dealer who told me bad battery and brake light switch. Changed both as recommended. Problem persisted. I took it back and they found I was having issues while headlights were on. They mentioned unusual wiring under steering column and offered new wiring harness for $3500 plus labor with no indication it would solve the issue. I said no thanks. Got a Carfax and found the car used to be rental fleet. Realizing it was likely an aftermarket kill switch or GPS tracker, I took it to a stereo shop. They removed the aftermarket wiring for $75. Car now runs perfectly whether lights are on or not. Problem solved!

6 people found this helpful.
30

Ok guys I will share with you my story ! I dont know if there is still people here who's gonna read it but anyway ! I bought a 2012 sonata turbo new, after 8 days I past someone and i felt like my motor was on 3 cylinders. Ill spare you the details, but they change my motor because a valve was broken. When I get out of dealer, check engine again. They change the turbo and it wasnt fix! I had now the problem you all talked about ( no power and if you re-craink it it's gone). Finaly one day they find out ! The mecanic guy put loc-tight on the connector between the motor and the turbo and no problem until now ! .. 17 time to the dealer at the end. Imagine the time I've lost. ... 3 years later... I'm now at 60 000 miles and my check turn on after I put gas and of course I always gas the motor off and the cap was fine. No power and check stay on even if I re-start my motor. I'm pist off of hyundai, they don't care about there custumers and I was really suprise to see How much we are... I had broken hose for cooling fluid, my windows at the back on driver side explose on the high way and nothing happen, it was -15 for the first time of the car history.. So probably the widows was bad installes and too tight .. Dealer told me I have to talk to my insurance .. I'm sorry but I was like " fuck you " .. So I thinking to take a layer because my girl friend is one but not in the same field and see told me that with your stories we can have something big together.. For all the time lost and if we are a lot we wont pay a lot of money for layer ! Tell me what you think please and thank you !

3 people found this helpful.
525

My wife and I didn't feel like going through all of the trouble we saw in the future. We got her a new Jeep. She said she felt a weight being lifted off her shoulders. I had no idea it was bothering her so much. We will not buy a Hyundai again.

3 people found this helpful.
40

Chefmmoore what did you find out about your sonata hybrid? I have the exact same problems going on with my car except for the fuel pump. The dealership can't figure it out so they voided my warranty claiming lack of maintenance due to sludge they found in the oil pan 4000 miles after they changed the oil at the dealership.

4 people found this helpful.
30

I have the 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Turbo. I have had it at the stealership 5 times over the past year alone for this issue. It seems like every time I take it there for this they tell me there was a recall and that the recall will resolve the issue. I just got my car back last Saturday and it was dropped back off this past weekend because the issue is still there. As much as I don't want to get another vehicle and can't really afford another vehicle, I am going to have to look for another vehicle. The end goal for this vehicle was to give it to my daughter when she graduated this year, but at this point I don't feel like it will ever be a safe vehicle. Trying to cross any multiple lane roads or merge onto a highway is certainly a death wish in this vehicle and I am not willing to take that risk with my only child.

3 people found this helpful.
30

I have the 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Turbo with 113,000 miles on it. The vehicle started with a slow turn over time where it was having difficulties turning over and starting. Once it started, the car idled fine. Reversed out of my driveway with no issues and pulled out of the driveway transitioning from 1st to 2nd gear with no issues. When I went to accelerate after stopping at my stop sign (200') from driveway, the vehicle sputtered with no acceleration. As a previous person stated, felt like I was starting in 4th gear. I turned around and ran the car in neutral, rpm responded to my pressure on the gas peddle. Later that day, I drove 20 minutes on back roads to take it in the dealership, never exceeded 40mph. Started slow again with a long turn over time and I lost power once/sputtered 2 additional times with a decrease of power but the car did not turn off. The dealer replaced the fuel pump and so far/so good.

3 people found this helpful.
50

Sonata is really lousy car. Don't buy or recommend to anyone!!!!

2 people found this helpful.
50

If you need problem, buy a Hyundai car (especially SONATA) :))))))

3 people found this helpful.
80

I own a hyundia sonata 2012 turbo. I have the same acceleration problem. Sometimes my car will drive normal and sometimes I have to hold the pedal all the way down just to get to 45 mph to get on the interstate which is dangerous. Sometimes ill drive to the gas station. Turn the car off and wait ten minutes and cut the car back on and it will drive fine. My check engine light goes on and off randomly. This has been a problem since I got the car. Thought it was the cold weather at first but it has been 2 years regardless the temp outside. Also my low tire pressure will come on, I’ll put air in them and three days later it will be back on and cut off and on again. I have brand new tires put on my car. Recently had a problem with putting oil in my car and within ten minutes it would be all on the ground. Called dealership and it was a recall and and got that fixed after all the oil I bought trying to just make it there to get fixed. While my car was there they also fixed a seatbelt recall which my seat belt still gets stuck and I have to stick something in it to pull the red part up so it will click. Also had my AC go out in my car and had to get Some piece replaced with that. And my windshield wiper fuild pump has gone out also. Have not got that fixed yet. Do not know why but my head lights go out Too often. I have had the auto place put them in every time. I cut my lights off every time I leave the car. They are never left on auto. I have bought at least 4 head lights and 3 break lights changed in the last two years which is BS. What is the issue with acceleration in the car if anyone knows bc this has just been too much going on with this car.

8 people found this helpful.
10

my 2012 sonta 2.0t 77k miles is having intermittent acceleration issues as well. I had a CEL come on and replaced my MAPS sensor at the direction of the tech who gave me the CEL code. The car drove ok, but my MPG was about 25mpg on a 2 hour highway drive--- usually it is closer to 31mpg. spent the weekend and drove back- getting on the highway- i cold not get my car to accelerate over 60mpg with the pedal mashed to the floor. I got off highway- tuned car off sat a bit turned back on and drove 2 hours home with regular MPG and acceleration. Another weird thing -intermittently- when i turn (and use my signal) it will flash my brights. I am about ready to trade it in even though i had planned on keeping it long term, i dont want this can of worms

1 people found this helpful.

This is the exact same issue I've been having as well. Just a coincidence but it didn't start until they did a "computer upgrade" without even asking me. Now when I start my car I drive it with no acceleration to the stop sign down the street. Point it in park and turn it off and back on to get the acceleration back to how it was before. My turbo actuator has been replaced 3 times under warranty and now I'm going to have to pay for it. Same issues each time. 2011 Hyundai sonata se 2.0t here. Really sucks. Also when they did the computer upgrade my key fob no longer works. I have to stick the entire thing in the emergency slot just to start the car. Hyundai says my proximity sensor is bad $1,100 to replace for the smart keys to talk to.

Little did I know, when I bought my 2012 turbo I would have the acceleration problem. I had driven a 2012 Sonata, LE for 8 years without any problems (that wasn't covered by Hyundai). About 3 weeks ago, I was in an accident in which my insurance company decided to "total" it. So because I loved my car so much, I wanted another just like the one that was wrecked. But instead, I got a Turbo and so the problems begin. Today is the first day I've experienced the issue with the acceleration, so now the problems begin. I will continue to look at this page to see if there are any updates.

Hi Vickie, most of the problem with the turbo not kicking on while acceleration is due to the turbo wastegate actuator not kicking in because it's .out of voltage range. It's something someone with some mechanical knowledge can do easily and of no experience it's still doable just might take some more time. https://youtu.be/WUchBww2lAI

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