10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,381 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

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

problem #70

Nov 202021

Sonata

  • 76,876 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon placing the vehicle into the (R) reverse position; the vehicle independently accelerated backward into her neighbor's driveway and hit two parked vehicles. The vehicle came to a stop when it crashed into the second vehicle and that second parked vehicle was deemed destroyed. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back across the street and parked the vehicle on the road. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that since her vehicle was involved in an assurance claim, they could not render any assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that an investigation could not be performed unless she signed a waiver. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the contact. The failure mileage was 76,876.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #69

Dec 052021

Sonata

  • miles
Ref: NHTA Recall Number: 20V-746 Hyundai REcall Number:198 (2nd recall fix ) After the above recall fix we had informed the Hyundai about engine heating up, we were told this is false alarm and car has monitoring system recall issue, Recall would would be mailed. I have all the dealer bill to prove the engine was heating up, they replaced certain part at our expense ( bill attached ) After above recall Fix by Hyundai Dealer in San Leandro, CA. we had engine overheating and car started engine started vibrating & I could see smoke from the exhaust. it ceased in the middle of the highway. Please note: Our Car has been services by Hyundai dealer. Note: if you look at the second safety recall notice, It does state in safety notice about engine compartments fire while driving for many reason and depending on the severity of the fire. the identification of the cause can be untraceable.. Above incidence happened just after your dealer did 2nd recall fix. IMO - It proves that recall fix was faulty and overheating engine cause the engine blew-up. Car has been with the dealership repair for 3rd recall. since a month Hyundai dealer asking us $9K to fix the car. I have reported the incidence to Hyundai Corporate under the case # 18811202. They are not responding. Dealer did contact Hyundai Corporate to get the engine change request, either the request if denied or gone unanswered.

- Fremont, Ca, CA, USA

problem #68

Aug 072021

Sonata

  • miles
After making a knocking noise for a few miles, the engine seized and the car completely stalled. I had to coast through traffic to stop on the side of the road. Would not start again. I towed the car to service department of Hyundai dealer in Lindon, Utah, who diagnosed a seized engine and is now assessing the seized engine for warranty coverage under the premature bearing wear recall.

- Heber City, UT, USA

problem #67

Jun 162021

Sonata

  • miles
Check engine light began flashing and my 2013 Hyundai Sonata went into "limp" mode whiIe my wife was driving on the interstate. In "limp" mode it made it difficult and dangerous for her to exit the highway nearly being involved in a crash. She then "Limped" her way home. I checked the code with a diagnostic tool and a P1326 Knock Sensor Detection System code was returned. We took the vehicle to our local Hyundai dealer who reports the engine needs replaced which is part of Hyundai's recall/ campaign 17V226000. After the dealer trying on our behalf for several weeks to have the manufacturer replace the engine, the manufacturer now refuses to replace it. This is the second Hyundai I've had the engine fail on. The first one in a 2014 Sante Fe, the motor completely locked up. So what am I to do drive this one till the motor locks up on it? I dont think so!!! HELP

- Beaver Springs, PA, USA

problem #66

May 192021

Sonata

  • miles
1. Car was parked at a rest stop, on a hot day, and idling in "PARK" with air conditioner on. One passenger was in the car in the front passenger seat. No one was in the drivers seat. The driver of the car was about 20 feet away and making a phone call to make hotel reservations. After about 10 minutes, the car suddenly started moving in reverse, while the passenger was sitting in the passenger seat. The passenger was alarmed by this movement and tried to get out of the car on the passenger side and opened the car door. The passenger then fell to the ground and avoided the door opening, but the front wheel of the car ran over her lower right arm, breaking the large bone in the arm and causing multiple lacerations. The car proceeded in reverse, finally coming to a stop against a small hill about 100 feet away. The passenger was rushed to a hospital and received emergency care.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #65

Apr 152021

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
Ikus bought car 3 weeks ago 11000 dollars was comming home was turning left in my neighborhood an motor died I could barley turn wheel was almost hit by a semi truck doing 50 mph an then almost wrecked I zcoudnt turn wheel back straight because no power because engine failure I coudve died or someone who didnt havee same stremgh to turn wheel im poor now poorer car payment no car

- Galloway, OH, USA

problem #64

Apr 112021

Sonata

  • 138,000 miles
I was driving and my 10 year old daughter was with me in the car. When car was changing gear it started shaking violently, although my daughter was restrained she hit her head and hands on the inside of the rear door. Afterwards every time car changed the gear it was jerking, shaking, behaving in unexpected manner that further driving was very dangerous. I was able to reach my home but I am very scared to drive that car again. I read the code that came up on dashboard P0711, turns out transmission oil temperature sensor and harness malfunctioned and that led to violent and rough shifting. Called dealer, they want $700 for a repair and my car is out of warranty. Checked internet and it's full of stories how this is a huge problem with Hyundai cars. It turns Hyundai modified the part since then and never recalled it, they have tsb 14-at-010. How come manufacturer put faulty part that compromises safety of the vehicle and they want huge chunk of money to fix it" why didn't they recall it" definitely going to court with this.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #63

Jan 202021

Sonata

  • 43,000 miles
Service engine light goes on and off load growling noise from engine

- Pine Bush, NY, USA

problem #62

May 072020

Sonata

  • 93,052 miles
Brake pedal went to the floor. Horrible grinding sound from all the wheels. Chiming. Hybrid system warning. Was driving and had to pull to the side of the street. Found out that the the hydraulic power unit is at fault and had to be replaced. My car is out of warranty and I had to pay over 2000 out of pocket. Complained to Hyundai costumer service and also to the BBB and they all told me to file a report with you. This is an ongoing issue with the Sonata hybrid since 2019. The information is found in Hyundai forum website. Https://www.Hyundai-forums.com/threads/brakes-failure-on-Sonata-hybrid.155580/page-5 this issue should please be investigated for recall purposes.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #61

Jan 212021

Sonata

  • miles
My 2013 Hyundai Sonata issues: 1. my horn & left side of my steering wheel buttons doesn't work. I was told it could be related to fuses or clockspring replacement. Trip A/B and other buttons doesn't work, I've been driving for over a year without a horn because this isn't a recall. This is a huge safety issue. 2. my gears are start to slip in the transmission. I was told it could be two things it's either the transmission or speed quality censor. These cars were made either very fast or very poorly or both and this is another safety issue. 3. electrical issues. I have to manually adjust by back light/break lights daily because they never stay in place. The whole wiring for this vehicle is horrible. Sometimes while driving the car suddenly starts to slow down. Every once in a while my radio is on but doesn't light up. Light bulbs are melting into light sockets. Electrical issues that are a safety issue for many with these model cars. Eitherway none of these issues were a problem until after Hyundai performed all of the recalls on my vehicle. They charge $200 for a diagnostic that I'm not willing to pay, theses issues came from the makers of this vehicle, these should also be added to the recall list. I'm sure if you look around online there's others who's dealing with these issue from 2013 - 2021 today. I don't think it's fair that I purchased a vehicle and have to come out of pocket for all of these repairs that should have been repaired from the beginning. These are safety issues that should be taken more serious. I've almost got into multiple accidents because my horn doesn't work. My vehicle worked fined before all of the previous recall repairs.my transmission slipping left me in the middle of nowhere until my car started functioning properly to get home.the electrical on this car is costing me money non stop. Hyundai needs to fix this! 2.

- Oakland, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »