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 This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.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
1,910 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 30, 2023
My 2013 Hyundai sonatas engine seized up while I was drive it. Lucky, I made it to a parking lot before it completely just died. The car only has 114,000 miles on it and I’ve only had it for a year and a half with no other major issues.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 29, 2023
Car needs to rewired because my break lights keep blowing out & will no longer work. They are burned from the inside. Also when turning on lights to my car the car stalls.
Air bags, Engine, May 17, 2023, crash
Something with the motor
Service brakes, May 17, 2023
I was driving and the brake light came on and I lost the brackes
Air bags, Seat belts, May 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that she had initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that one year after the recall repair was performed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact linked the failure to the recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was not related to recall and that the at vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 92,714.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 15, 2023
Last year March 2022, took my car in because of the recall made an appointment for them to tell me on my appointment day they do not have the solution/part so I would get a call back when they have it and it’s been over a year. Now my car is experiencing sensor and electrical issues
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 9, 2023
Was losing power while driving, oil consumption issues (had to add oil every 1000 miles). Engine started knocking and went into limp mode, had it towed to dealership where they said they fixed it ($1100). Less then a week later while driving on the highway lost lower, went into limp mode (89 mph to 15 mph in seconds) and was almost hit by a semi truck. Car has been sitting at the dealership since May 2022, they said I need a new engine but Hyundai declined.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2023
I have owned my car about a year. There were no problems from the beginning but just a few days ago I was waiting in my car and turned the heater on. The strong smell of fuel came through the vents I immediately shut off the vents and took the car home and did not drive it for a few days. After a inspection from myself to see if I could find the issue nothing was found and so I took the car into a shop to have them inspect it. They quickly found that the metal high pressure fuel line was leaking at the connection to the fuel pump. They said I was lucky that the car had not caught on fire during the drive to the shop as the leak was right near the spark plugs and the fuel vapors were very strong. They tried to reestablish the seal and the leak is worse now. The car is undrivable and I will have to replace either the fuel line and/or the fuel pump.
Engine, May 5, 2023
I was driving along and stopped at a double red light. As the light turned green and as I was driving through the first green light, all my dash lights came on my car lost power like it stalled out as I was going through second green light, I was able to turn into gas station and it came to a complete stop. So I put it in park and pushed the brake and button as I normally would to start my car and it wouldn’t do anything?! I had to have it towed and the driver informed me that there has been an engine recall and I never heard of this for my 2013 Hyundai Sonata!! I’m glad I wasn’t going faster and had a place to pull my car into and myself and my son weren’t hit by another vehicle causing us physical harm! I’ve tried several dealerships service centers and have yet to have a call back from any of them!! I’m extremely upset that the engine would shut down like that while I was going at least 35 miles per hour cause I had just got off the highway doing 70 mph! Why would an engine do this with no warning or issue prior to this?
Engine, May 4, 2023
My car would not exhilarate properly. When came to a stop it would spit and sputter to even move. Could not get up to 60 mph and no less than 20 without it wanting to sound like it was going to die. Took it into a dealership to have it looked at and was told their's several recalls on my make and model and the year of my car that I need to see if there's any on mine, then I drove it home. Now my engine won't even start after it made a loud noise. I use my car for work cause it's my only transportation.
Engine, May 4, 2023
Known connecting Rod recall since 2020. Hyundai manufacturer just installed a knock sensor and erase code or recall on system. Car having acceleration issues since and been going back to the dealership and states they can’t find any issues since the car is running and has no warning light. I demanded the connecting Rod to be repaired but dealership refused to do so. So where do we go with this recall?
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 4, 2023
2013 sonata. Constant oil consumption. Had replaced the oil pan and piston, oil caps, pvc valve. Car stalled twice and kept getting check engine lights popping up. Turns out the engine is defective and needs to be replaced. The car is starting at my mechanic right now and trying to figure out how to get it to Hyundai dealer so the engine can be replaced. the car is unsafe to drive right now. my son has the car.
Engine, May 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle decorated instead of accelerating as intended. The vehicle was restarted, and an abnormal amount of black smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 217,198.
Engine, May 1, 2023
Less than 80,000 miles on vehicle. Burning 3.5-4 quarts of oil during only half of recommended oil interval changes. Have had to two add nearly 4 additional quarts of oil during the middle of oil change intervals. Vehicle is consuming oil far greater than I have ever seen on a vehicle.
Engine, Apr 26, 2023
Rod bearing almost completely out making the vehicle unsafe to drive car only has148000 miles
Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2023
I was driving on the freeway 65 mph and my car just shut off and locked up and I couldn't break
Engine, Apr 20, 2023
Car stalled while driving with no warning at all. No indication of a problem, no lights on, no noises from car. We coasted to the shoulder and the car would turn over and die as the rpm decreased. Had car towed to repair shop. Was informed many codes had shown and they were in reference to the engine so I needed to get it towed to a dealer. Dealer called indicated codes p0014 and p0017 came up and that I needed to have my engine replaced. Hyundai was contacted and refused to help with cost based on age of car and out of warranty. My car is it 111,000 miles. The recall was refused because the bearings were not the engine issue.
Engine, Apr 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic drove the vehicle to the bay and the engine seized. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to bring the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Engine, Apr 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the brakes seized. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Engine, Apr 12, 2023
2 weeks ago, I was on the freeway and my car started sputtering while accelerating and engine light was flashing. I got it towed to a nearby mechanic. Got a diagnostic test, they found metal in my oil, my engine makes noise, etc. then I started looking into things while my car was in the shop, turns out there is a recall on the engine for that exact reason (code p1326). But by the time I called the mechanic about it he already cleared the codes. THE NEXT DAY I took it to a Hyundai dealership for the recall. Today I picked it up, they said they can’t do anything because the code was cleared even though I had the paperwork from the last place with all the codes that were shown. They refused service and charged me $175 for the test. And said they heard no knocking noise from the engine. The minute I pulled out of the dealership, the knocking continued the whole way home. Hyundai said there was no noise when clearly there is. Now at this point they said they won’t do anything unless my engine blows or the light flashes again. This is a HUGE safety concern that they should be taking care of.
Engine, Apr 11, 2023
We were driving down the road when the engine just seized without warning. When we got out of the car we noticed that there was a line of oil running down the road. The car was towed to a repair facility where it was noted that the oil plug was missing. At that time we were told that there are multiple reports of this happening with this vehicle and that it is being investigated by the NHTSA.
Seat belts, Apr 7, 2023
I bought this Hyundai 2013 Sonata in June of 2020 with 62,500 miles on it. I do not drive very much as have health issues and needed a good car to take my husband with dementia and myself to doctors and stores etc. After just a few months of owning the car the drivers side seatbelt does not retract when it is clicked in. It just stays loose across my chest. Very scary as don't think it will hold me in in case of accident. I am 67 yrs old so not like I abused the seatbelt and I see it is a common problem but a dangerous one. I am on a fixed income and cannot afford to fix it and think with so many complaints about the seatbelt not locking in place or pulling tight like it should Hyundai should be made to fix the seatbelt. After owning the car 3 years I have only put 1500 miles on it as now around 64,500. Thank you
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2023, fire
My 2013 Hyundai sonata caught fire yesterday after the car stalled at a red light - car is totalled - i am just hearing about this now that numerous car like mine have gone up in flames. I am devastated
Engine, Apr 3, 2023
Car just stopped running while driving in the morning. After lunch it wouldn't start up, nor turn over. Shop says engine is Seized. which sounds just like the other Sonata's issues, but my car says it doesn't have a engine recall on it
Structure, Apr 3, 2023
My vehicle and a couple more vehicles that I have seen seem to have a cracked interior dashboard caused by the heat. This problem seems to be common on hyundai's of different models. I've owned several different manufacturered vehicles, and this is the first vehicle manufacturer with a common problem with the cracking of the vehicles interior dashboard it has plastic fumes. There seems to be no remedy for this defective product. I have done research and found alot of people online having the same problem.