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 This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2020
HAVE ISSUED TRAFIC SAFETY RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED WHEN I HAD MY CAR EMMISSIONS TESTED FOR PLATES, NHTSA#20V-121000; CALLED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FUEL HOSE REPLACED; SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME AND TO CALL BACK LATER; WHY ISSUE RECALL NOTICES THAT CANNOT BE FIXED AND WASTE MY TIME? CALLED HORNE HYUNDAI IN APACHE JUNCTION AZ THIS AM TO NO RESOLVE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 11, 2020
WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE IT JILTS AND WHEN DRIVING SHIFTS HARD, TOOK IT INTO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME ITS A RECALL AND THAT HYUNDAI IS BEING DIFFICULT WITH WANTING TO FIX IT. ALSO GAVE ME THE PAPERS FOR INFORMATION ON THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR RECALL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 11, 2020
WHEN I STOP TO GET GAS AND I TRY TO START THE CAR AFTERWARDS. IT DOESNT START THE FIRST TIME I PUSH THE BUTTON. I HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON. THEN LET IT GO BECAUSE IT DOESNT START. THEN PUSH IT A SECOND TIME FOR IT TO START. IT IS ONLY AFTER GETTING GAS. IT WORKS OK MOST OTHER TIMES. I AM NOT STOPPING GAS OFF.
Engine, Apr 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD. SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH. ALSO DISPLAYED WAS A MESSAGE WHICH STATED THAT HYBRID SAFELY STOP-DO NOT DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CRENSHAW HYUNDAI (330 HUFFMAN MILL ROAD, BURLINGTON, NC 27215), HOWEVER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.*DT*JB
Engine, Apr 2, 2020
I HAVEN'T PUT 500 MILES ON THIS CAR AND HAS USED 2 QUARTS OF OIL ALREADY. I GOOGLED THIS AND IT SEEMS IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2020
RECALL INCOMPLETE
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Seat belts, Engine, Mar 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 20V121000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 17V152000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SWERVED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE BATTERY DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 22, 2020
THE ENGINE SEIZED ON JULY 31 WHILE ON VACATION. WE WERE DRIVING INTO MERCED, CA, ON HIGHWAY 140, AND HAD ACCELERATED TO PASS A LINE OF CARS WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD AAA TOW IT INTO MERCED HYUNDAI. HYUNDAIUSA AGREED IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT, AND ULTIMATELY A RENTAL CAR FOR US TO USE (THEY ALSO REIMBURSED THE COST OF THE RENTAL WE HAD TO USE BEFORE THEY AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR). THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT THAT DEALERSHIP (AFTER 5 WEEKS OF CALLING JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY AND BEING IGNORED). WE PICKED IT UP ON SEPT. 6. ONCE AT HOME, A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL RAIL WAS DISCOVERED. OUR LOCAL DEALER 'FIXED' IT, AND WHEN WE PICKED IT UP THE TURBO NO LONGER WORKED AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER QUIT FUNCTIONING. WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE DEALER TO FIX IT OR BUY IT BACK AT THEIR COST, SINCE WE FEEL IT WAS NEGLIGENCE ON THEIR PART. WE LOVED THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED, BUT SINCE THE 'REPAIR,' IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE.
Engine, Mar 14, 2020
EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL. IT IS NOT LEAKING OUT ANYWHERE. IT IS BURNING THE OIL AT A RAPID RATE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 12, 2020
THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT DRIVE. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE. MOVING AT 55+ MILES PER HOUR. IT WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE ON.
Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2020
STARTER, CAR WILL NOT START
Exterior lighting, Mar 10, 2020
HAVING TO REPLACE EXTERIOR BACK RUNNING / BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AT LEAST OR NEAR EVERY 2 MONTHS. NOTICED THAT MAYBE THE BULB IS GETTING TO HOT CAUSING THE LENS TO WRAP WHICH IS MAKING CHANGING THE BULB A REAL TASK AND HARD TO GET THE BULB BACK IN PLACE. GETTING READY TO CHANGE IT AGAIN TODAY (3/10/2020).
Engine, Mar 10, 2020
RECENTLY BOUGHT MY CAR FROM MAXWELL FORD AND ENGING KNOCK LOUDLY AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS OF DRIVING. WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THERES METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL AND OIL PAN DAMAGE. TOLD HYUNDAI AND THEY REFUSED MY CLAIM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 10, 2020
AFTER FILLING MY CAR UP WITH FUEL I WILL SMELL GAS VERY STRONG INSIDE THE CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. SO, I NO LONGER FILL UP THE GAS TANK. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME WHAT IT WAS AND NOT TO FILL THE TANK. CAR WAS IN PARK AT THE GAS STATION NOT MOVING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2020
I WAS GOING DOWN A CITY STREET GOING ABOUT 35 OR 40 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN I LOST POWER STEERING OFF BRAKES I WAS ABLE TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND BEFORE THAT I HAD KIND OF THOUGHT THAT IT IT WASN'T REALLY FEELING LIKE IT WANTED TO GO.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 3, 2020
THE ENGINE IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IS HYUNDAI'S 2.4L GDI (THETA II). THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING EVEN THOUGH IT HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DETECTS ENGINE WEAR AND PREVENTS ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. HYUNDAI DID WELL AND REPLACED THE ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY AND PROVIDED ME A RENTAL VEHICLE. 8,000 MILES LATER WITH THE SAME VEHICLE NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND ACCELERATION IS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE SOME BACKROADS WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC TO A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND AM WAITING FOR DIAGNOSIS AGAIN.THIS STARTED ON A VERY BUSY LOCAL HIGHWAY.
Engine, Mar 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Suspension, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 2, 2020
EVERY TIME I GO TO START MY CAR IT GIVES ME A WARNING TO CHECK BRAKES. I READ ONLINE THAT MANY HYUNDAI OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. THIS WARNING KEEPS THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. ALONG WITH THIS, THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN AND SUSPENSION.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 1, 2020
2013 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES IN REGARDS TO MY CAR SHUTTING DOWN ON ME. IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING IT WILL START BEEPING LOUD AND WHILE LOSING POWER THE PANEL REEDS PULL OVER SAFELY AND SHUT ENGINE OFF. THE SECOND TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER HE SAID DON'T ALLOW THE GAS TO GET TWO 1/4 OF A TANK. SO I HAD KEPT IT AT HALF A TANK AND YET AGAIN IT LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT DOWN ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. TOTALLY NOT SAFE! TAKE IT BACK TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BATTERY AND EVERYTHING LOOKS OKAY. I WAS SENT HOME AGAIN! THEN ONE MORNING MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I READ A FORUM THAT SAID JIGGLE THE SHIFT AROUND OR PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THEN BACK UP TO PARK AND THEN PRESS THE BUTTON FOR IT TO START. IT LITERALLY WORKED AND I TOOK A VIDEO OF ME DOING THOSE STEPS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO HYUNDAI DEALER SHOW THEM THE VIDEO. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THE FORUM SAID TO REPLACE THE INHIBITOR SWITCH. THE MECHANIC AGREED BUT YET PUZZLED ABOUT THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN ON ME. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY FRIDAY FEB 28, 2020 AND I CALLED TODAY THEY SAID MAY BE LOOKED AT ON MONDAY. SO MY CAR IS YET AT THE DEALER UNTIL THE ENGINEERS ARE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT. I'M TIRED OF GETTING MY CAR BACK AND HAVING THE SAME ISSUES OVER AND OVER AGAIN. MY CAR HAS AROUND 87,000 MILES AND YET UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 100,000 MILES. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE DANGEROUS ISSUES. I CALLED A FEW TIMES TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR BUT NO RECALL. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2019 AND THE ISSUE STARTED A WEEK LATER THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. IT IS NOW FEBRUARY 2020 AND I'M YET DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES. I'M TOTALLY AT WIT'S END. IT WON'T LET ME UPLOAD THE VIDEO BUT HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES!
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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2020
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BURNING OUT QUICKLY. ONE SOCKET IN THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS COMPLETELY MELTED TO THE POINT THE LIGHT HAD TO BE CUT OUT.
Steering, Feb 26, 2020
STEERING IS NOT SMOOTH, HARD TO STEER, TIGHT, MAKING TURNING DIFFICULT WHEN IN MOTION.