I've had the same problem in both 1.1 and 1.2 starting in '41. I have reinstalled 3 times to see if it helped.
The search patterns are usually great for them but it seems their passive sonar is deaf and most importantly... I've
never heard
anyactive sonar pings. I don't know if the thermal layer is like a wall or what but they should at least go active when getting close.
Here are a couple screenshots demonstrating the extent of the problem. They are 2 completely different circling passes by the destroyer.
I will try using one of the mods to improve things in the meantime.