Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2013 Hyundai Sonata — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2014 to Dec 2019
The most reported issue is engine problems (469 complaints). 92 complaints involved crashes. 94 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (9)
NHTSA Campaign: 18V934000
Component: ENGINE
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V617000
Component: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V226000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 18V137000
Component: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V152000
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V434000
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 12V352000
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V121000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Risk: If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 22V312000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Risk: A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 1872)
Engine →10 issues
Your engine stopped running because the oil wasn't changed, even though your car hadn't reached its scheduled maintenance interval and no warning light appeared on your dashboard. This suggests the oil level or condition may have degraded faster than expected without any alert system to notify you. Your engine may require significant repair or replacement depending on the damage caused by running on insufficient or degraded oil.
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Your car was running normally with all maintenance current when it suddenly started making extremely loud knocking sounds on the highway at 70 mph. Dashboard warning lights appeared and the engine shut down without any prior warning, nearly causing accidents. The engine failure happened with 105,000 miles on a well-maintained vehicle.
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Your 2013 Sonata lost power while accelerating and stalled while driving, forcing you to coast to the side of the road. After a mechanic replaced the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors, the problem continued—rough idling at high RPMs and another loss of acceleration that caused the engine to seize and fail to restart. The dealer diagnosed complete engine failure. Addressing this will likely require a full engine replacement or extensive internal engine repair.
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Your 2013 Hyundai Sonata with a 2.4L engine is showing signs of engine bearing problems, including loud metallic knocking noises that get worse during acceleration, reduced power, check engine lights, and excessive vibration. These symptoms suggest manufacturing defects that can cause complete engine failure or stalling while driving, creating a serious safety risk. You've submitted a claim under the Theta Engine Class Action Settlement but haven't received a response as promised, leaving your vehicle potentially unsafe. The repair will likely require engine inspection, bearing replacement, or potentially a full engine replacement under warranty coverage.
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Your engine is losing power and shutting off while driving. You've found metal shavings in your oil, which suggests internal engine damage. This indicates significant engine wear that needs immediate inspection and likely repair or replacement.
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While driving on the highway, your engine suddenly shut down and locked up, forcing the vehicle to stop. This is a serious issue that could leave you stranded or create a safety hazard in traffic. The engine may need diagnostic testing to determine if it's a fuel system problem, ignition system failure, or internal engine issue.
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Your knock sensor warning light has come on three times in the last 6,000 miles, and each time the dealer clears the code but the problem returns. When the light appears, your car suddenly goes into limp mode on the highway without warning, forcing your speed down unexpectedly. The scanner shows a P1326 code each time. The issue will likely require diagnosing and repairing or replacing the knock sensor itself.
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Your 2013 Hyundai Sonata's engine is making a knocking noise and your check engine light is on (code P1326). A dealer initially approved an engine replacement under what they said was a safety recall, but then denied the approval the next day, claiming the salvage title made you ineligible and that it was actually just an extended warranty rather than a safety recall. Hyundai customer service said they would contact the dealer, but you haven't received updates. Resolving this will likely require clarification from Hyundai about recall eligibility for salvage-titled vehicles and whether the engine needs replacement.
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Your engine shut down unexpectedly without warning. Even though this issue was covered under a recall, the dealership refused to replace the engine when you requested it the first time.
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Your engine is consuming oil much faster than normal—burning through a quart every 375 miles. You may not get a warning when oil runs critically low, which can damage engine components and create a serious safety risk. The dealer has confirmed this is a known issue affecting multiple Hyundai vehicles. Fixing this likely involves inspecting the engine for internal leaks, worn seals, or piston ring problems.
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Engine,fuel/propulsion System →2 issues
Your engine was replaced a couple of months ago due to a recall, but today your car started smoking and caught fire while you were pulling into your driveway. This is a serious safety hazard that requires immediate investigation to determine why the engine fire occurred after the recent replacement.
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Your 2013 Hyundai Sonata with a replacement 2.0T Theta II engine is leaking fuel in a way that matches an existing Hyundai recall (22-01-047H), but Hyundai corporate has refused to acknowledge the issue or extend the recall to your vehicle's VIN group. The dealership confirmed the fuel leak matches the recall description, yet Hyundai is declining to cover the repair costs. Fixing this will likely require a fuel system inspection and replacement of the leaking component, such as fuel injectors, fuel lines, or related seals.
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Service Brakes →1 issue
Your brake warning light came on while driving, and your car immediately entered limp mode with a hybrid system alarm, causing your braking power to drop significantly and limiting your speed to 15 mph. This created a serious safety risk, especially on busy roads. The repair shop replaced your brake pump, which resolved the issue.
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Fuel System, Diesel,service Brakes →1 issue
While driving your 2013 Hyundai Sonata, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle even though the brake pedal was pressed. Your son heard an unusual sound from under the hood and lost control of the car, which rolled four times and caught fire. Your son was seriously injured and required emergency medical transport. There was also an unrepaired safety recall on your vehicle's fuel system that you were not aware of.
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Steering,unknown Or Other,service Brakes →1 issue
Your car suddenly accelerated on its own without you pressing the gas pedal, causing you to lose control and crash into another vehicle. This is a serious safety issue that requires immediate investigation of both the steering and braking systems to determine why the car didn't respond to your attempts to stop it.
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Electrical System,engine →1 issue
Your car suddenly slows down and stops while you're driving, displaying a "vehicle not safe to drive" warning message. This problem has occurred even after you replaced the engine two years ago. A Hyundai dealer diagnosed the issue as requiring only a software update (no parts replacement needed), but Hyundai wouldn't cover the $240 diagnostic fee. The fix will involve connecting your car to the dealer's diagnostic system to reprogram the engine control software.
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Fuel System, Gasoline →1 issue
Your car may develop a fuel odor while driving due to a leak in the high-pressure fuel pipe. You might notice the smell before any warning lights appear on your dashboard. The high-pressure fuel pipe can fail and will need to be replaced by a mechanic to stop the leak.
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Air Bags →1 issue
Your dashboard has developed cracks, even though you've protected it with sunshades and garaged the vehicle when not in use. You're concerned the cracks could affect airbag deployment in an accident. The dealership and Hyundai have denied your warranty claim for this issue.
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Electrical System,exterior Lighting →1 issue
Your headlights and brake lights are malfunctioning and won't turn on even after replacing the bulbs multiple times. Since it's not a fuse issue, the problem is likely in the wiring or electrical connections themselves. You've been pulled over and cited for the non-functioning lights. The fix will likely involve inspecting and repairing the wiring harness or electrical connections for the headlight and brake light circuits.
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Engine And Engine Cooling,fuel System, Gasoline →1 issue
I'm unable to provide a translation because the complaint references an attached document that wasn't included in the information provided. To help you, please share the actual text of the complaint describing what's happening with your engine, cooling system, or fuel system.
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Related Vehicles
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