Recall 12V352 affects 29,767 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata vehicles for curtain side airbags that deploy unexpectedly. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 29,767 2012-2013 Sonata passenger cars because the curtain side airbags can inflate without a deployment command. An unexpected airbag deployment can injure occupants, distract the driver, and limit visibility, and the dealer repair will be free once Hyundai makes it available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The side curtain airbags in the 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata are built into the upper side of the passenger compartment. In a side impact or rollover event, they deploy along the side windows to help protect occupants' heads and upper bodies. The system is supposed to wait for a crash signal before inflating.
On affected Sonata cars, a manufacturing error can make the curtain side airbags inflate without a deployment command. That means the airbag opens when the vehicle has not called for it. An unexpected airbag deployment can startle the driver, block part of the side view, and put sudden force into the cabin.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a clear symptom before the curtain side airbag inflates unexpectedly.
Who's affected?
The listed 2012 and 2013 Sonata sedans point to the same side air bag component.
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | side air bag |
| Units affected | 29,767 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 12V352 describes a curtain airbag that can inflate without a deployment command, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Unexpected deployment also distracts the driver and limits visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously until the airbag replacement is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Hyundai dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata is included in this recall.
- Wait for Hyundai's owner notice, then use it to schedule the free recall repair.
- Contact a franchised Hyundai dealer about the curtain side airbag replacement, which fixes airbags that inflate without a deployment command.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V352 when you call.
- Call Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151 with questions about recall number 12V352.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician replaces the curtain side airbags covered by recall 12V352. Hyundai's filing says the curtain side airbags can inflate without a deployment command because of a manufacturing error, so the repair focuses on replacing those airbag assemblies, not resetting a warning light. The owner notice process began on August 31, 2012. Confirm repair timing with a Hyundai dealer; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| July 24, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 31, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V352?
Recall 12V352 covers 29,767 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata cars with curtain side airbags that can inflate without a deployment command because of a manufacturing error. Hyundai dealers replace the curtain side airbags free of charge.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sonata is included in recall 12V352. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and ask for the curtain side airbag replacement. Reference recall number 12V352 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Hyundai's remedy says dealers replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. The free repair applies at franchised Hyundai dealers.
What is the safety risk?
The curtain side airbag can inflate without a crash or deployment command. That unexpected deployment increases injury risk for occupants, distracts the driver, and limits driver visibility, increasing crash risk. The repair path is to have Hyundai replace the affected curtain side airbags for free.
What if I bought my Hyundai Sonata used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Sonata is included, then call a franchised Hyundai dealer and reference recall 12V352 when scheduling the curtain side airbag replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V352000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-800-633-5151 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V352 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V352000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →