10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,283 miles

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problem #90

Jun 022025

Sonata

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact called to report a technical issue with a Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin and the software that the manufacturer was reprograming for the Hyundai transmissions; TSB Number: 13-AT017. The contact, a certified mechanic, purchased a 2013 Hyundai Sonata from a customer due to the transmission failure. The contact attempted to order a new transmission from the manufacturer, but no transmission was available. The contact ordered a compatible transmission from Kia. The contact successfully installed the transmission. The installation instructions which stated that the motor control unit and transmission control unit software needed to be reprogramed. The contact was able to successfully road test the vehicle and then had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact stated that after the software was reprogramed, while attempting to road test the vehicle, immediately there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact checked online and determined that the TSB issued by Hyundai for the software reprograming outlined temperature values that were not the values show on the testing equipment. The contact called the dealer and was informed that using the Kia transmission in a Hyundai vehicle, there was no assistance to be offered. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Hyundai software was incorrect and wanted to notify the NHTSA of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the issue. The failure mileage was not provided.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #89

Apr 012025

Sonata

  • miles
So my car started to stall when I started it an when I started goin down the road like it wanted to die. Then I started to smell gas very strong so had a code tester put to my car an i have 6 permanent codes. An not only that im smelling oil strong an noticing big oil spots under my car. So I look under the hood an behind the turbo I see oil behind an underneath the turbo. I definitely didnt feel safe driving but now its not even drivable. I purchased it couple months ago from an individual an i cant belive the amount of problems this car has. Im a single mom an trying to support my family an its hard to now with a non running car. I've put quite a few parts hoping it would fix some of the problems an nothing has. I absolutely love the car an very beautiful but unfortunately to many problems with it. Eninge, gas leaks, timing

- Rochester, IN, USA

problem #88

May 082025

Sonata

  • miles
Car is in park, refuses to shut off due to car saying car is not in park

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #87

May 022025

Sonata

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the gear indicator on instrument panel independently shifted. Despite the failure, the contact stated that the transmission continued to operate normally. The contact stated that several days later while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and the engine revved to a high RPM. The contact called and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was made aware that the failure was a common failure for the make and model of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V434000 (Power Train); which the contact linked to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Fleming Island, FL, USA

problem #86

May 012025

Sonata

  • miles
1. I purchased this vehicle in 2016 and I have had my rear brake lights repaired several times because the rear tail lights continue to go out, This happens regularly. There is no warning lights on the dash to indicate an issue. The only way i learned that my brake lights don't work properly is another motorist driving behind me and almost rear ending me. I have had the rear brake lights repaired by the dealership before. My brakes always smell like burning rubber after driving having me to believe that the lubricant for the brake pads aren't working. 2.The dashboard lights also periodically blinks out without warning. After a few moments it will illuminate again. 3. My seatbelts sometimes doesn't tighten up. I have to pull them several times for them to catch and return after the seatbelt isn't in use.

- Darby , PA, USA

problem #85

Feb 282025

Sonata

  • miles
I had an issue on my car where engine oil level is getting low day by day, then I have visited service center to solve they have said to change spark plug, pcv value and also done fuel induction service, said me to come after 1000 miles then after I had a another problem where my car RPM is increasing and speed is getting low. I have visited the service center again saying catalytic converter issue and asked me to pay 3000$ to do repair before that I have paid 700$ but mentioning you one thing till now I have spend 2000$ for the same issue what was happen. Today as now my car is issue to move in toll road it is very hard to move. And also Hyundai is denying my request and saying me I am out of warranty. My car has 94000 miles as for today. Please help me out from this I am struggling with the issue.

- Dekalb, IL, USA

problem #84

Aug 292024

Sonata

  • miles
I have a 2013 Hyundai sonata in which the engine was recalled close to about 2 years ago. About 3 days ago my engine just randomly gave out on the highway in rush hour traffic the middle of me driving. And now I am without a vehicle and my car is sitting at lake Norman Hyundai dealership.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

problem #83

May 222024

Sonata

  • miles
While driving and using the accelerator, the RPM would rev up but the car would not move. The car would then jerk back and forth. Only able to go approximately 10 miles per hour, but the RPM would go as high as 6K or 7K RPM. Dangerous to drive. When idle, also felt RPM go up and jerking motion

- Overland Park , KS, USA

problem #82

May 022024

Sonata

  • miles
When driving, an acceleration would sometime cause the car's RPMs would drop to zero with the throttle of the vehicle responding poorly. A lose of power occurs and the takes about 15 seconds to feel some power return to the throttle. The feeling of no throttle occurs which is very scary when your reason for accelerating is to pass a vehicle but the sudden lose of power makes it difficult to accelerate properly to pass. The RPMs remains none responsive. With the loss of power, the traction control light came on. When the vehicle is turn off and turned back on, the car's issue disappears. But the problem randomly occurs again.

- Skokie, IL, USA

problem #81

Dec 122023

Sonata

  • miles
We were part of the Hyundai Theta claim group. Our car did stop in traffic, luckily my husband was alone, and no one was hurt. It was towed to the dealer. This was October2023. Dealer gave a list of fixes & stated it had nothing to do with theta. We had all recommended maintenance done; as we always do. Roughly 2 months later, Dec., with a full car, it did it again, at a stoplight. We are lucky to be alive. We had it towed to our mechanic. I contacted the Theta claims line. Our mechanic stated oil was still in the filter, but the pistons had blown clear through the engine, which he still has. Hyundai contacted him. He sent pictures. Hyundai denied my claim for timely filing. I have called weekly, followed every instruction. Now they want me to mail a letter. I am a disabled veteran. Look how many recalls they have. They don't mind recalling. They will just deny people. Please help.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #80

Jun 152023

Sonata

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a greasy taillight bulb, and then later diagnosed with starter failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that four years earlier the engine was replaced due to metal shavings being found in the engine. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

- Sherman, TX, USA

problem #79

Sep 072023

Sonata

  • miles
My 2013 Hyundai Sonata lost acceleration power while on the road requiring an emergency departure from the road and it fails to acceleration beyond. Placed vehicle in park and attempted to proceed home but was only able to drive 5 to 10 mph max creating a dangerous situation for my fellow commuters and myselt. After about a few block I let the vehicle cool down and attempted to proceed home. The car would only go up to 5 mph requiring me to avoid rear end collisions. Ultimately, requiring a tow vehicle to bring it home. Our neighbor indicated it is the MAP sensor which was changes with no improvement to the car's acceleration issues. Checked all the fluids and assured they were correct. This vehicle has place me and others in a dangerous and potentially fatal situations.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #78

Aug 122023

Sonata

  • miles
The main power relay for the hybrid battery shorted out causing the safety plug to also short out. I was driving down the road in a rural location and an error message came up on the screen saying hybrid system error, pull over immediately, and the car would not restart after I pulled over. The car was towed to the dealer and the dealer said that the power relay and the safety plug were shorted out. The main issue that I have is that the hybrid system warning light has come on multiple times and the car had to be towed to the dealership. They always said it was a software problem. The hybrid system warning pull over light first occurred 5 or 6 years ago.

- Wilmington , NC, USA

problem #77

Jun 082023

Sonata

  • miles
Car has been knocking for a couple of months now, check engine started flashing and it lost acceleration. Towed to shop and code for knock sensor was reading bad. Shop replaced knock sensor, I picked car up and drove away and it happened again. Engine light flashing and lost acceleration, took back to shop and the next day which would be today they said take to the dealer cause it's still reading for knock sensor. My 2013 hyundai sonata 2.0 is now at the dealership in line with the rest of the seized engines. So I have spent $800 ($613 for shop and $200 rental car) and my car is still not drivable. Now I'm back in a rental at$300 a week until hyundai diagnose, test, and approve the process of fixing the issue with my 2013 hyundai sonata 2.0, it has a life time warranty! This will be the second 2013 hyundai sonata I have owned with the engine seizing up! Back in Nov. 2021 I went thru this very same thing!

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #76

May 202022

Sonata

  • miles
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.

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #75

May 042023

Sonata

  • miles
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.

- Port Jefferson, NY, USA

problem #74

Nov 242022

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
We were travelling from Minnesota to Arkansas to see our family for thanks giving on 11/24/2022. Car engine starts blinking and engine started to make rattling noise. Took exit and pull over our car in one of the gas station. It was closed, this was our first road trip and first time in Iowa. Called insurance and towed our car to O'reaily auto part. They found out the error code p1326 which is related to engine issue. Looked for nearby Hyundai dealership and booked hotel near them. We went to Hyundai dealer at 7:00am on Friday 11/25/2022. We told them what happened. They told us they will check in our car. We waited from 7am to 1:30pm our car was still outside. At 2pm service manager came and said they cant check our car. We booked rental car ourselves and decided to come back home. We forgot our apartment key went back to get it and they had already started to diagnose our car thinking we are gone. Service guy told me that's engine failure every Hyundai is facing now. My car have 61k miles on it and I bought it in 2020 from Hyundai dealership. I still have 9k loan to pay this car and i cannot afford new car or new engine. I do not have car now and they are saying it can take months to repair my car if it gets approved for engine replacement. Hyundai is playing with my life and put me in depression. I have no option other than to cry. I am feeling so helpless now. Nothing and nobody seems helpful. I try my best to do anything i can and i am just waiting for coming Monday for Hyundai to make excuse to not fix my car. Hyundai is playing with lots of people life. This might be small for them but not for a working people like us. My life is messed up because of them. I cannot sleep at night and I have been calling everywhere if I can get help.

- Saint Cloud, MN, USA

problem #73

Sep 062022

Sonata

  • miles
While driving car started beeping and making noises - check engine light, brake light, lcd displayed brake warning and flashed "hybrid system warning! safely stop and do not drive". Brake pedal then went to floor, and engine power reduced. Re-starting the car only cleared the problem for a minute before the warning message re-occurs. Others have encountered this issue resulting in crashes. https://also reported here: https://www.carcomplaints.com/Hyundai/Sonata/2013/brakes/service_brakes.shtml

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #72

Apr 202019

Sonata

  • miles
My car has been having issues for the last 3 years and dealership replaced the water pump 2 years ago. Went back to the dealership for engine issues like hesitation and stalling several times and they said they can-??t find an issue, they adjust the brake light switch one time as they said they had the code for it, but the car still has the hesitation and stalling issue which they wanted to charge me again for a diagnosis. I looked up online and there are actually recalls for the engine connecting Rod and probably these recalls were cleared by the dealership from my previous visits but I can assure that the engine was not replaced nor the fuel system was not inspected at that time.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #71

Feb 142022

Sonata

  • miles
My car seized up a lot, like pushing forward, then all together stopped and went into only going up to 40mph. I just hot the car 10 months ago so it shouldn't have done that. Took it to a repair shop and they said the engine was on it's last legs even though I literally just got the car.

- Belleville, IL, USA

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