2012 Hyundai Sonata Life Expectancy
A 2012 Hyundai Sonata can last 13 to 14 years with proper care and light usage—but be wary of any models with high mileage and irregular maintenance.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has an average life expectancy of 200,000 to 250,000 miles and can usually last between 13 and 17 years. But above all, its longevity is dependent on regular maintenance.
Overall, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata was a pretty well-regarded car, thanks to its long list of standard features, fantastic fuel economy, and pleasant interior design—but how long will this Hyundai model last on the road? Let’s take a closer look!
How many miles can a 2012 Hyundai Sonata last?
Under perfect conditions, the life expectancy of a 2012 Hyundai Sonata should be somewhere between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. A properly maintained 2012 Hyundai Sonata has an estimated lifespan between 13 and 17 years, given that the average American drives 14,000 miles per year.
How long does a Hyundai Sonata engine last?
The engine of a Hyundai Sonata may last between 250,000 and 300,000 miles with proper care.
The 2012 Sonata is available with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 2.0-liter turbo-four-cylinder engine. The standard four-cylinder engine produces 198 horsepower (200 in SE variants), while the turbo engine produces 274 horsepower.
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Can a Hyundai Sonata last 500,000 miles?
Nothing is truly impossible, but it is exceptionally rare for a vehicle to last that long. The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has an acceptable reputation for reliability from its customers, but it was only given a 2/5 reliability rating by J.D. Power, and Consumer Reports gives it a reliability rating of just 1/5.
Like most other vehicles, the 2012 Sonata may have trouble making it to 500,000 miles.
Average life expectancy for a Hyundai Sonata
When properly maintained, Hyundai estimates that the Sonata can travel up to 200,000 miles before requiring significant maintenance, though some owners have reported going over 250,000 miles with hardly a hitch. A study from iSeeCars found that only 1.2% of vehicles have over 200,000 miles on them, so you'll need to take good care of your Sonata if you want to reach that milestone.
The longevity of any vehicle is largely proportional to the level of care and attention from its owner.
The actual lifespan of your 2012 Hyundai Sonata will be dependent on:
- Regular maintenance: The life of a car can be shortened by skipping just one oil change. Most Sonatas that have made it to 200,000 miles have been maintained meticulously.
- Reduced mileage: If a 2011 Sonata is driven less than the standard 14,000 miles per year, it could last much longer than 13 years—but be aware that a vehicle that’s inactive too long can develop its own set of problems, too.
- Accident history: The Sonata is a great car by most drivers’ standards, but even a small accident can shorten its lifespan because it can make affected parts more likely to break down in the future.
Taking a look at the vehicle's mileage should be one of your first steps when shopping for a used 2012 Hyundai Sonata. If it’s already in solid condition and you continue taking good care of it, a car with fewer than 200,000 miles on it could serve you well for several more years.
If the Sonata you're considering has nearly 200,000 miles on it, however, you should take your time investigating its maintenance records. It’s always a good idea to have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle for you.
How to extend a 2012 Hyundai Sonata’s life expectancy
We're sure you can guess our advice: maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!
Carefully maintaining a used Hyundai of any age—even a heavily-traveled 2012 Sonata—will extend the life of the vehicle and keep it running smoothly for years to come.
Brake service, flushing the automatic transmission fluid and power steering fluid, and changing the engine oil should all be done at the intervals suggested by the manufacturer, which you can find in your owner’s manual.
Common 2012 Hyundai Sonata problems to watch out for
Unfortunately, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata is one of several Sonata model years with a significant number of complaints, spanning from 2011 to 2012. If you own a Sonata from the aforementioned generation, keep an eye out for the following common issues:
- Engine failure: The 2012 Sonata has a lot of engine problems, including complete engine failures. When the warranty is over, the only way to fix a broken engine is to replace the whole thing, which costs more than $4,000. But because of a lawsuit about the engine breaking down, the warranty was extended to 10 years (or 120,000 miles), and if its failure is connected to a recall, Hyundai should be able to remedy the problem at no cost to you.
- Clicking while steering: Changing out the coupling on the steering column is often the most effective way to resolve this annoying problem. Depending on the going rate for labor in your area, you can expect to pay between $300 and $500 to replace it.
- Cracking dashboard: Cracks can form in the dashboard plastics as a result of thermal expansion and contraction in warmer climates. If the dashboard begins to crack, you can either buy a $70–$100 cover or replace the entire assembly, which could set you back around $800.
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has also been recalled eight times, which is more than the average number of recalls for cars from the same year.
Curtain airbags, a faulty shift cable, worn connecting rods in the engine, a faulty brake pedal stopper, faulty seat belt linkages, and a leaking high-pressure fuel pipe are all on the list of recalls. Worn-out connecting rods in the engine are the biggest problem you should be aware of because when they break, the engine can seize up. But fortunately, federal law requires that recalls on vehicles up to 15 years old be remedied at no cost to the owner.
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FAQs
What percentage of cars make it to 300,000 miles?
Only 0.03%! Very few cars make it to 300,000 miles, but the Sonata has a chance if you're careful and keep up with its maintenance.
What is the highest mileage on a Hyundai?
The Hyundai Elantra probably has the longest average expected lifespan of the brand's cars. This model's base mileage is 250,000 miles, but some Elantras still have the original transmission and engine with over 350,000 miles on the odometer.
Notably, Farrah Haines drove her 2013 Elantra a total of 1,000,000 miles behind the wheel over the course of five years, averaging 200,000 annual miles driven. Due to the extraordinary nature of her achievement, Hyundai created a custom badge for her vehicle and presented her with a brand-new 2019 Elantra!
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