We had a 2012 Hyundai Sonata with an intermittent poor-run, hard-start complaint come into our shop. This car came in from a body shop we work with, and we were pleased to see it was working well for a couple of days before it developed this problem.
It turns out this vehicle has a mechanical fuel pump – one that’s attached outside the fuel tank. In this case, that’s the reason it was running poorly and hard starting.
Power
The 2012 Sonata comes with a choice of 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines, which range in power from 190 to 274 horsepower. It also offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that’s more powerful and gets better fuel economy than the competition’s V6s, and a hybrid that can be driven at highway speeds in pure electric mode or blended gas-electric mode.
The 2.4-liter GLS, SE and Limited models feature an array of standard features such as air conditioning, a CD player with auxiliary input, power door locks, steering wheel mounted audio controls, an iPod interface, and a rearview camera system. Other options include a navigation system, a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, and leather seating.
Torque
The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Sonata, EPA ratings indicate it’s slightly more powerful than the competition’s V6 sedans and, as a bonus, much less thirsty. It’s also remarkably easy to live with, producing a responsive response to the driver’s throttle input across the line.
The 2.0T, meanwhile, wowed us with its 74 additional horses and 85 pound-feet of torque. But its acceleration lacked Germanic autobahn-competency; it felt a little twitchy, and susceptible to crosswinds.
In the Sonata GLS, ride quality is smooth but not as wallow free as in the SE models, which have a heavier steering load and longer, stiffer tire sidewalls, all resulting in firmer handling. The Limited, however, carries over the best combination of ride and handling characteristics from the GLS but adds luxury touches such as heated front seats, paddle shifters and a powered tilt and slide sunroof. It’s a good fit for buyers seeking a daily commuter, or those looking to turn their family’s long weekend drives into something special.
Fuel Consumption
Hyundai’s Sonata has become one of the most popular family sedans in America. Its sculpted exterior design, sophisticated features and suite of powerful yet fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines have set the Sonata apart from its competition.
The new Sonata has been completely redesigned and reengineered, and Hyundai now offers a lineup of fuel-efficient hybrids and turbo models. The Sonata Hybrid is a full parallel hybrid system that can be driven in zero emissions, fully electric mode or in blended gas-electric drive at any speed.
The 2012 Sonata 2.4 GLS is equipped with standard keyless entry and ignition, 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control and a six-speaker sound system. The SE and Limited trims add a rearview camera, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and Bluetooth. The Limited also includes an HD Radio and a seven-inch touch screen display.
Maintenance
Maintenance is the process of keeping a vehicle, machine, or building in good working order. It includes functional checks, servicing, and repairing or replacing of necessary devices, equipment, machinery, building infrastructure, etc.
A fuel pump transfers fuel from the gas tank to the engine, where it is sprayed into the cylinders by the fuel injectors. If the fuel pump is not functioning correctly, it can result in a low pressure or no spray of fuel, which may cause damage to the engine.
Similarly, if the fuel injectors become clogged with carbon and dirt, they can’t spray properly, leading to poor performance. The fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump can crack over time, allowing the leaking of fuel which can also lead to fires.
This is a common problem that Hyundai has seen in its fleet of vehicles. It’s why they’re recalling a small number of Sonatas from the 2013 model year to replace the fuel hose.