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 This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.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.
Wheels, May 11, 2017
FOUND OUT TODAY FROM A NON-DEALER MECHANIC THAT I NEED A WHEEL BEARING ON THE FRONT-RIGHT OF MY 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. MILEAGE 56K. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT, AND WHEN I'M AT WORK IT'S IN A COVERED PARKING GARAGE. SYMPTOM: EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE, EVEN AFTER TIRE ROTATION. SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE PREMATURE FOR A WHEEL BEARING TO GO OUT, AND OF COURSE IT WON'T BE COVERED UNDER HYUNDAI'S 5/60 WARRANTY. WAS TOLD THAT OTHER FAILURES COULD OCCUR IF PART IS NOT REPLACED.
Steering, May 9, 2017
THE STEERING RATTLES MAKES ALL KINDS OF SOUNDS HAS A WEIRD MOTION WHEN TURNING IT FEELS LIKE IT FLOATS SOMETIMES. MAKES A CLANKING SOUND.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 8, 2017
THE HEADLIGHT KEEPS TURNING OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, May 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ALSO, A RUBBING SOUND WAS PRESENT WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURNS AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, BUT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS REPAIRED DUE TO A LEAK AND THE HABITUAL AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE NOISES WERE STILL PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Structure, May 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE WHEEL WELL FENDER PLASTIC COVER DETACHED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2017
CAR WILL NOT START HAVE PUSH START SYSTEM TRIED CHANGING BATTERIES IN REMOTES TRIED JUMP STARTING WITH NO RESULTS GOOGLED TO SEE IF IT WAS A RECALL OR ANYONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR OR SAME PROBLEM TO MY SURPRISE PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM SAY HYUNDAI HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS AND CAN'T COME UP WITH A REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING
Other or unspecified, May 3, 2017
RADIO VOLUME CONTROL BUTTON ON STEERING COLUMN EITHER DOESN'T WORK AT ALL, MUTES THE RADIO OR CAUSE THE "PLEASE SAY A COMMAND" PROMPT TO COME ON. THE PLEASE SAVE A COMMAND PROMPT BUTTON IS TWO BUTTON DOWNS FROM THE VOLUME CONTROL BUTTON. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE WEEK. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE A PATTERN. THIS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE OWNING THE CAR.
Engine, May 2, 2017
THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN #162 WHICH I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE A FAIRLY SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR IT EITHER.
Steering, May 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL LOUD SOUND WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (TXX7) FOR THE STEERING ON MAY 1, 2017; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Apr 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 AT MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT END OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 25, 2017
CAR LOSES POWER WHEN GOING INTO A TURN AND WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCE ON OPEN HIGH WAY , SOMETIMES IT'S LIKE THE CAR IS APPLYING BREAKS BY IT SELF , THEN JUST TAKES OFF LIKE YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT FULL FORCE ON THE GAS PUDDLE . BREAK LIGHTS AND HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY TWO MONTHS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 23, 2017
TAKATA RECALL" AS I WAS PARKING CAR JERK FORWARD, ENGINE REVIVED, CAR ACCELERATED LIKE A BULLET, BRAKE FAILED. (I HAD BRAKE JOB PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT) I JUMPED THE CURB AND RAN OVER SMALLER TREES. AS I WAS HEADED TOWARD BUSY HIGHWAY NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP UNTIL MY HUSBAND PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE NEXT DAY I HAD TAKING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HAD FRONT END REPAIR DONE, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE REASON WHY IT HAPPENED. THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017, AS I WAS GOING TO PARK THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN THAT THE CAR JERKED FORWARD, ENGINE REVIVED UP, CAR ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED LIKE A BULLET ON ITS OWN WITH NO ASSISTANCE OR WARNING AND BRAKE DID NOT WORK. I AM GOING TO GO AND GET IT CHECKED OUT AGAIN, BUT I AM TO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT DOES IT WITHOUT WARNING. CAR DOES IT BY ITSELF.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 22, 2017
CAR HAS BEGUN RANDOMLY AND UNPREDICTABLY "STALLING" WHILE IN MOTION. JUST SIMPLY STOPS MOVING FORWARD FOR A FEW SECONDS , NOT RESPONDING TO GAS PEDAL . THIS HAS BEEN BOTH AS CAR STARTS FROM STOPPED POSITION AS WELL AS DURING CRUISING. BECAUSE MOST OF OUR DRIVING IS CITY, WE DO NOT KNOW IF CAR WILL STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS NOW. HUNDAI WILL NOT ATTEMPT ANY REPAIR BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM. WE FEEL IT IS EITHER A BAD COMPUTER OR A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN INTO HUNDAI SEVERAL TIMES
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 14, 2017, crash
WELL I WAS ON HIGHWAY AND IT SOUNDED LIKE MY EGINE WAS ABOUT TO THROW A ROD I GET OFF HIGHWAY AND DRIVE HOME I GET HOME AND CHECK MY OLI ITS EMPTY BUT I DONT SEE OIL LEAK MY ENGINE IS MAKING NOISE AS IF SOMETHING IN IT I DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG UNTIL I SEEN Y LOCAL NEWS AND IT WAS SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL HYUNDAI SONANTA WHICH IS 2013 AND ITS LIMITED WHEN I GOT MY CAR FROM DRIVETIME IT HAD 91506 MILES ON IT AND EVERYTHING MS TO ATCH UP WITH THE RECALL...
Engine, Apr 13, 2017
ON APRIL 4, 2017 I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET IN NOON TRAFFIC, WHEN MY SONATA LOST POWER. STARTLED, I TRIED TO RE-START IT AND IT WOULD NOT MAKE A NOISE. TURNED ON FLASHERS AND CALLED FOR TOW. ONCE THE CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY IT TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, AND IT TURNED OVER ONCE AND WENT SILENT. MY SON IS A TRAINED MECHANIC, SO HE CAME FOR THE WEEKEND AND IT STARTED FOR HIM. SO, HE PUT IT IN GEAR AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKEING PINGING/TAPPING NOISE. HE WAS GOING TO BRING HIS DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT THIS COMING WEEKEND AS HE SUSPECTED MAJOR ENGINE ISSUES. I FOUND OUT ON MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2017 FROM A CONSUMER LAW ATTORNEY AT OUR OFFICE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON 2013 SONATAS AND OTHER MODELS FOR ENGINE FAILURE. HTTP://ABCNEWS.GO.COM/BUSINESS/WIRESTORY/HYUNDAI-KIA-RECALL-12M-CARS-ENGINE-FAILURE-46647403
Seat belts, Engine, Apr 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DEALER MADE NO MENTION OF ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V152000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Apr 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT STALLED TWICE BEFORE REACHING THE DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS PRESENT IN THE ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,097.
Service brakes, Apr 11, 2017
THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. A HARD STOP BY HITTING THE CURB.
Suspension, Structure, Apr 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS BEING ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. SIX DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH A SUDDEN LOUD CRUNCH NOISE OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING HAD DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ *CN
Engine, Apr 11, 2017
A HOLE WAS TORN IN THE ENGINE BLOCK DURING NORMAL STRAIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING USE. ENGINE WAS DEEMED UNUSABLE BY REPAIR SHOP AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPLACED.
Steering, Apr 10, 2017
MY STEERING COLUMN MAKES A NOISE , A CLICKING SOUND WHEN YOU TURN IT
Engine, Apr 8, 2017
2013 HYUNDAI SONATA BURNING OIL. AT 83,000 MILES WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE (BEFORE IT WAS DUE) ALERTED TO THE FACT THAT THERE WERE ONLY DROPS LEFT ON OIL DIPSTICK.( NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON) AGREED TO HAVE FULL SYNTHETIC OIL PLACED. AT THE SAME TIME THAT OCCURRED I NOTED DIFFICULTY GETTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK. DRIVER HAD TO USE THE MANUAL OVERRIDE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK MODE AND INTO DRIVE. CAR WAS STATIONARY AT 84,660 MILES WENT BACK TO HAVE OIL CHECKED AGAIN. OIL WAS DOWN 1.5 QUARTS.
Steering, Apr 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING FAILED TO STAY ALIGNED AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,126.
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 5, 2017
MY CAR HAS UNDER 50000 MILES, WITHEN 6 DAYS, MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, ALL THREE LIGHTS OF MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTS WENT OUT, AND MY AIR CONDITIONING DOESN'T WORK. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND THE FACT THAT THEY ALL WENT OUT IN SUCH A SHORT SPAN MAKES ME FEEL LIKE THERE ARE MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND AM NOT SURE IF THESE ARE COVERED BUT JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S A COINCIDENCE.
Steering, Mar 29, 2017
STEERING DEVICE COUPLING LOOSE OR DEFECTIVE SHOULD BE REPLACED AS A DEFECTIVE PART PER LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL ON THE SONATAS AS THE PROBLEM IS GETTING MORE COMMON.