2013 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,910 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 93 involved a crash and 97 involved a fire. 77 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 6, 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 227. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 20V-121. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-121 that did not receive a replacement fuel hose will need to have this new recall remedy performed.
Campaign 22V312000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFeb 28, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the low-pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 189. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.
Campaign 20V121000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 28, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
Campaign 18V934000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerFeb 27, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
Campaign 18V137000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerOct 4, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
Campaign 17V617000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.
Campaign 17V226000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageMar 8, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
Campaign 17V152000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionJul 18, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
Campaign 14V434000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowJul 24, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 12V352000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
341 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 30, 2020
I HAVE AN UNREPAIRED RECALL SINCE FEBRUARY 28 2020 WITH NO REMEDY AVAILIBLE.MY STEERING WHEEL CAM SHAFT IS MAKING A LOUD CLICKING SOUND.
Steering, Jun 25, 2020
I HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I MADE A RIGHT AND LEFT TURN. *TR
Steering, Jun 24, 2020
STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE AND APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 15, 2020
THE ENGINE MAKES A NOISE WHEN I DRIVE, I KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE HEAD LIGHTS AND TAILS EVERY 3-4 WEEKS, STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING A NOISE I HAD TO REPLACE BUSHING. THIS VEHICLE HAS AS BEEN A PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, May 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO RESET THE STEERING MODULE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AND UNDRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, May 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V121000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Apr 13, 2020
VIBRATING AND CLICKING WITHIN STEERING WHEEL.
Steering, Mar 24, 2020
MY 2013 90K MILE HYUNDAI SONATA'S STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING A CLUNCKING/CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNED/MOVED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS NOTICEABLE PLAY WHEN PARKED AND WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS SEEMS TO NOT MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE PULLS RIGHT TO LEFT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER ON THURSDAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I WILL UPDATE WHEN I HEAR WHAT THE PROBLEM IS/REMEDY. IT LOOKS LIKE FROM WHAT I AM READY THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Mar 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN REPAIR. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 29, 2020, fire
I HAVE A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA AND FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF EVERY MONTH I'M HAVING TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IT KEEPS BURNING UP AND MELTING I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THIS WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM FROM THEM.. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS MY STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN MAKING A WEIRD CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY LOOSE I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI ABOUT THIS SITUATION AS WELL AND HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A MECHANIC FOR BOTH REASONS THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING AND THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE CONSTANTLY HAVING PEOPLE WITH HIGH ON DAYS COME IN WITH THESE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS
Steering, Feb 28, 2020
STEERING WHEEL HAS CLUNK WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL
Steering, Feb 26, 2020
STEERING IS NOT SMOOTH, HARD TO STEER, TIGHT, MAKING TURNING DIFFICULT WHEN IN MOTION.
Steering, Power train, Feb 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ROUGHLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO YOUNG HYUNDAI 3333 WALL AVE, OGDEN, UT 84401801) 821-2737 WHERE DIAGNOSED THE WIRING HARNESS AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,510.
Steering, Feb 16, 2020
WHEN STEERING, A CLUNKING NOICE IS HEARD AND FELT AS IF IT'S LOOSE. WAS ABLE TO TRACE NOISE TO THE AREA OF JOINT ASSY STEERING.
Steering, Feb 16, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. WHEN CORRECTING THE STEERING, A JERK IS FELT IN THE WHEEL. RECENTLY, MY PASSENGER COMMENTED ON FEELING IT JERKING. YOU FEEL A CONSTANT PULL WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE CAR GOING OFF TO THE SIDE. I HAVE PURCHASED NEW TIRES, HAD THE CAR ALIGNED AND COMPLETELY INSPECTED FOR BEARINGS, TIE ROD AND SUSPENSION ISSUES. NOTHING WAS FOUND. AT TIMES, IT BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON A WHILE AND IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY WORSE.
Steering, Jan 26, 2020
THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT CONNECTS THE STEERING INPUT TO THE SERVO MOTOR IS DISINTEGRATING, CAUSING DRIVER INPUT TO FEEL "STICKY". THE VEHICLE IS UNRESPONSIVE TO SMALL STEERING CORRECTIONS. THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN UNINTENTIONAL LANE DEPARTURE AND COLLISION. THIS SAME ISSUE WAS RECALLED ON ELANTRA MODELS.
Steering, Jan 11, 2020
WHEEL CLICKING BADLY AT ALL TIMES
Steering, Jan 6, 2020
MY STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A CLACKING NOISE WITH ANY TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND GOING OVER ANY BUMPS, DIPS IN THE ROADWAY MADE IT EVEN WORSE. THERE WAS SOME PLAY TO THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING IT SEEM LIKE YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL AT ANY MOMENT. IT WAS CAUSED BY A WORN STEERING COUPLER. IT COST ME OVER $240 FOR DEALERSHIP TO FIX. THIS APPEARS TO BE A CONSTANT PROBLEM FOR THE HYUNDAI AND SHOULD BE A RECALL INVESTIGATION BY YOUR AGENCY.
Steering, Dec 19, 2019
FREEWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS EITHER CENTER OR WHEN TURNING IT WILL STAY STUCK CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE WHEN PULLED . FORCE HAS TO BE USED TO UNSTICK THE STEERING WHEEL IT FEELS LIKE A MAGNET IS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT SHOULD NOT FEEL LIKE THAT. IT'S HAPPENED PLENTY TIMES STARTING ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL WHEN I GOT THE CAR AND IT GRADUALLY GOT WORSE. I BOUGHT A CAR EARLY MAY THE DEALER CALLED BACK AND TOLD ME I HAD TO RETURN IT FOR A DIFFERENT CAR DUE TO MY 'INCOME AND CREDIT' WHICH THEY WERE AWARE ABOUT WHEN I GOT THE CAR BUT THE DEALER GAVE FALSE INFO TO THE BANK WHICH CAUSED ME ISSUES. AND THIS SONATA 2013 WAS THE ONLY CAR THEY SAID THEY COULD GIVE ME .
Steering, Dec 17, 2019
THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING OR BUMPING NOISE WHEN MOVING IT AT A SLOW SPEED. THE STEERING ALSO SEEMED A BIT LOOSE. I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING WAS "TIGHT" AND THAT IT'S PROBABLY NOTHING SERIOUS. HOWEVER, I'VE READ REPORTS ABOUT OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR EXPERIENCES AND BEING TOLD IT COULD BE A FAILING STEERING COUPLER THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. I'M TRYING TO ASCERTAIN IF THIS IS SOMETHING I SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT.
Steering, Dec 16, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND/OR TEMPORARILY LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 MPH AND FASTER DOESN'T RECENTER AND FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS OR STICKS BECAUSE THE DRIVER HAS TO FORCIBLY RECENTER THE WHEEL. THE CAR HAS 97,699 MILES. 2 MONTHS AGO JIM CLICK HYUNDAI REPLACED POWER STEERING MOTOR ASSEMBLY $910.00 OUT OF POCKET COSTS. THE REPAIR DID NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. RETURNED TO SAME DEALERSHIP ON 12/9/19 SERVICE ADVISOR DID AN ALIGNMENT. THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS.
Steering, Dec 10, 2019
THE STEERING HAS BECOME VERY JERKY. THEY HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ONCE AT 50000 MILES BUT HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE IT NOW STATING THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY CAR HAS 96000 MILES AT PRESENT. WE FEEL THIS PROBLEM COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT GOT BAD BUT DOES IT ALL THE TIME WHEN DRIVING HYUNDAI STARTED A CASE # 16436714 ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THEY WOULD NOT WANT TO FIX AN ISSUE LIKE THIS
Steering, Service brakes, Nov 25, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SLID INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,037.
Steering, Nov 17, 2019
STEERING COLUMN CLUNKING NOISE AND EXTRA PLAY IN HANDLING. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON-LINE AND IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM OF THE STEERING COUPLER GEAR. THIS COULD LEAD TO A DANGEROUS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS DEALERS WANT $300 FOR REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ANYTIME STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED BUT WHEN DRIVING IT IS ESPECIALLY PRONOUNCED IN REVERSE AND TURNING.
Steering, Oct 24, 2019
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY IN TO UNLOCK IT YOU CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES BECAUSE IT SO TIGHTLY LOCKED THAT WEAK PEOPLE ELDERLY PEOPLE CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO START THE CAR AND THEY CAN BE STRANDED OUT IN THE HEAT ANOTHER TYPE PROBLEMS SO MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS WE PRESENTED THIS TO THE STATE AND HAD A IMPARTIAL MEDIATOR WHO ACTUALLY WAS PARTIAL BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL SHE HAD TO HAVE HELP FROM HYUNDAI TO TURN IT AND NOTHING WAS DONE OF IT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TO THIS DAY WHERE MY MOM CAN'T START HER CAR. IT'S WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND KEY IS OUT AND HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION. IT'S ON THE 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA AND ALL YEARS. CALL ME [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).