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 This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.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, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2018
VEHICLES STEERING COLUMN IS RATTLING AND SHAKING VERY BAD STEERING IS VERY LOOSE... ALSO BRAKE LIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING OUT FOR NO REASON EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED
Steering, Nov 6, 2018, crash
STEERING MALFUNCTION OCCURRED ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE TRAVELLING ABOUT 45 TO 50MPH, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT, AND WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE CHANGING LANES, IN THAT WHILE THE CAR WAS GOING FORWARD, IT ALSO KEPT MOVING TO THE RIGHT. THE CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE DIRECTION, EVEN THOUGH I KEPT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THIS CONTINUED ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF THE HIGHWAY, UNTIL THE CAR HIT THE HIGHWAY BARRIER WALL. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND THANK GOD THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND THEN CALL 911. THERE WAS DAMAGE MAINLY TO THE RIGHT-FRONT OF THE CAR. BOTH THE OFFICER AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER CHECKED AND CONCLUDED THAT THE TIRES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. THE ENGINE STILL STARTED WITHOUT HESITATION, HOWEVER DUE TO THE ENTIRE REPAIR COST, THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. CONSIDERING THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHER VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY AT THAT TIME, IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT MY CAR DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER CARS, AND THAT OTHER CARS DID NOT HIT MY CAR. THE NHTSA SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS DANGEROUS SONATA VEHICLE-STEERING ISSUE, TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, AND BEFORE IT RESULTS IN EVEN MORE HAZARDOUS, OR TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES.
Steering, Oct 24, 2018
MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO FEEL A LITTLE LOOSE AND STARTED MAKING A THUMPING NOISE WHEN STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT DOES THIS ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN IDLE OR WHILE BEEN DRIVEN, DOES NOT DO THIS WHEN TURNED OFF. I WAS JUST TOLD BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT IS NOT THE ONLY NEWER HYUNDAI SONATA WITH THIS ISSUE THAT HE HAS HAD TO REPAIR. COST OF REPAIR $900+
Steering, Oct 16, 2018
MY STEERING HAS STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURN OR WHEN HITTING A BUMP. IT ALSO MAKES THIS NOISE WHEN IN PART AND THE STEERING IS TURNED EITHER WAY.
Steering, Oct 8, 2018
EVERY TIME I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, EVEN SLIGHTLY, IT MAKES A CLICKING SOUND. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHENEVER I HIT A BUMP. THE CLICKING SOUND OCCURS WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND WHILE MOVING - IT HAPPENS WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED OR MOVED.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2018
THERE IS AND HAS BEEN A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN ON THE FREEWAY, I MUST DRIVE UNDER 60 MPH TO AVOID THE NOISE. IF THERE IS A DIP IN THE ROAD OR A SPEED BUMP IT RATTLES LOUD. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT SHAKE, SO IT ISN'T AFFECTING MY DRIVING, BUT VERY DISTURBING AND EMBARRASSING. THE LIGHTING,THERE IS A SHORT. I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE OR TIGHTENED EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. I SPOKE TO SOMEONE THAT WORKS AT KRAGEN WHO ALSO HAS A SONATA AND HE SAID HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM UNTIL HE ORDERED A $40.00 CASING. WHEN HE REPLACED MY LIGHTS, HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE BULB BY TWISTING. HE HAD TO BRAKE IT BECAUSE IT HAD MELTED. I HAVE NOT ORDERED IT YET, BUT HE DUCKED TAPED IT IN PLACE AND I STILL HAVE THE ISSUES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS. I'M AN UBER DRIVER AND I AM TRYING TO KEEP MY CAR SAFE AND IN GREAT CONDITION, BUT IT IS DISTURBING WHEN SOMEONE TELL ME MY LIGHTS ARE OUT.
Steering, Sep 26, 2018
STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TURN STEERING WHEEL EVEN VERY SLIGHTLY PLUS GOING OVER BUMPS IT MAKES RATTLING SOUNDS. CLICKS IN STEERING WHEEL HAPPEN WHEN ITS STANDING STILL OR MOVING AS WELL.
Steering, Sep 18, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKS AND STICKS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP STRAIGHT. THE STEERING FEELS VERY HEAVY. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, WHEN FIRST STARTING THE ENGINE UP AND TURNING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING HAS TOO MUCH PLAY.
Steering, Sep 17, 2018
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE.THE NOISE HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL. NOISE WHILE IN MOTION,ON A STREET/HIGHWAY,TURNING OR NOT TURNING. I'M AFRAID THE STEERING WILL GO OUT OR AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY.
Steering, Sep 16, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE AS IF SOME BOLTS ARE MISSING OR HAVE CAME LOOSE.
Steering, Sep 13, 2018
"CLICKING" OR "POPPING" NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN THAT CAN BE FELT WHEN STEERING. STEERING WHEEL LOOSE AND HAS "SLACK" WHEN STEERING THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 10, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CROSSED OVER SOME RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE I CROSSED THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND BEGAN TO COME UP A HILL, MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL. SUDDENLY, MY CAR'S GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK, THEN MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING, AND THEN ALL OF MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON (AS PICTURE) I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH AND I HAD NO WAY OF STOPPING MY VEHICLE AND HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP MY VEHICLE. I GOT MY CAR TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I COULD NOT CRANK MY CAR UP OR MOVE IT OUT OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AND MY WHOLE CAR LOCKED UP AND BECAME UNMOVABLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY EVERYTHING ELSE FAILED AND I ALMOST WRECKED INTO A WOODED AREA IN THE MIDDLE OF A CURVE ON THE BUSY ROAD. I HAD TO CALL POLICE TO CONTROL TRAFFIC AND TO KEEP ME AND MY VEHICLE SAFE. I WENT TO TUSCALOOSA HYUNDAI IN ALABAMA AND THEY SAID THAT MY CARS ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT OUT.
Steering, Sep 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT AND RIGHT AND WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN BEING TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Steering, Aug 25, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS DEVELOPED EXTENSIVE PLAY AND HAS A "THUMP" NOISE THAT IS FELT WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING IDLE. DURING DRIVING THE COLUMN HAS PLAY THE IS MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL, ALTHOUGH NOT TO A VERY LARGE EXTEND, IT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE. STEERING PLAY FORM CENTER IS ABOUT 3 INCHES WHEN BEFORE IT HAD NONE. DURING DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD THE STEERING IS A CHALLENGE TO MAINTAIN, BUMPS MAKE IT FEEL A IF THE COLUMN IS LOOSE THE CAR SWAYS IN LANE IF DRIVER IS NOT PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION. ITS BEEN CHECKED AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE TIGHT, WHEELS AND AXLES SEEM OK.
Steering, Aug 17, 2018
IT'S SOMETHING GOING WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL COLUM WHEN I DRIVE IT'S MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL GETS LOOSE AND IT DOES THIS EVERY WHERE I DRIVE IT AND IT'S GETTING WORSE
Steering, Aug 17, 2018
TAKATA RECALL THERE IS A RATTLING INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN PLACE I CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HERE IN CLEVELAND OHIO. RICK CASE HYUNDAI LOCATED AT EAST 200TH STREET AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL WHEN I CALL THEM. THEY TOLD ME I CAN PAY $250 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. SO I REALLY NEED SOME HELP SO I CAN GET THIS REPAIRED WITHOUT HAVE TO PAY $250. MY VEHICLE WAS RUNNING VERY FINE UNTIL I WENT TO DRIVE HER ONE DAY AND RATTLING STARTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR NO REASON. SINCE THEN IF I HIT ABOVE 60 IT STARTS SHAKING AND RATTLING FOR NO REASON. THANK YOU
Steering, Aug 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY: TXX7 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
Steering, Jul 26, 2018
STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE LOOSE LINKAGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR HITS A BUMP . BUSHING IS GONE/ MISSING?
Steering, Jul 18, 2018
MY STEERING IS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND OR MAKING A LEFT TURN. LOOKING IT UP ONLINE IT IS DEFECTIVE AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. MY CAR JUST PASSED THE WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE.
Steering, Jul 16, 2018
THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A HORRIBLE CLANKING NOISE THAT IS GETTING WORSE.
Steering, Air bags, Engine, Jun 26, 2018
I HAVE A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA AND I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CHANGE THE BACK/FRONT LIGHTS. THEY KEEP GOING OUT AND THE LIGHT BULBS ARE CHEAP. THE BACK TAIL LIGHT HAS MELTED THE SOCKET AND PLASTIC SO NOW I HAVE TO PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW ONE. ALSO EVERYTIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A REALLY BAD CLICKING SOUND AND THE ENGINE ALSO STALLS AND THE THING GOES ALL THE WAY BETWEEN 3 AND 4 AND THEN THE CAR FINALLY JERKS AND MOVES FORWARD.
Steering, Suspension, May 14, 2018
THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A HORRIBLE CLANKING NOISE THAT IS GETTING WORSE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL FRIENDS WHO HAVE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS NOW AND IT IS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
Steering, Apr 28, 2018
MY HYUNDAI SONATA 2013 STEERING COLUMN MAKES A CLUNK AND KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AND RECENTLY IT IS GETTING WORSE ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND RAISES A CAUSE OF AWARENESS AS IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WITH AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD STEERING COUPLER NEEDS REPLACEMENT. AT AT 130, 000 MILES I AM OUT OF WARRANTY.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Apr 28, 2018
RECENTLY, CLICKING SOUND WHENEVER TURNING STEERING WHEEL. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER OWNERS, AND HYUNDAI HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS FIX, FOR CARS UNDER 100K MILES OR 10YRS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 91876 MILES AND IS A 2013 (5YRS OLD). OILD CHANGE DUE AT 94874. HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING CAR SINCE THEN. TAKING IT TO HYUNDAI SERVICE.
Steering, Apr 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A CLICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED OUT OF POSITION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (HYUNDAI OF PHILADELPHIA IN PHILADELPHIA, PA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.