One of the worst Sonata years
Owners filed about 2.5 times as many complaints as a typical Sonata year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 95,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sonata years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,918 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (776, 40% of complaints), followed by the steering and the electrical system. That is the most complaints of any Sonata year from 2012 to 2024. It has 9 recalls.
14 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Hyundai Sonata before you buy.
Engine and cooling
776 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 95,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Recall 162 bearing water I came to a stop sign n my car died and caused the engine to kick n wen I started it it was knockingOwner complaint, filed 2026
2013 Sonata 2.4 81,953 mi, seized on highway with fresh oil change 1 week prior, loss of power, steering/braking. Happened on George Washington Bridge (NY/NJ) with near collision. Asssited by Police to move vehicle out of highway. Inspected by dealer (Paramus Hyundai) and confirmed loss of power due to engine problem. Dealer denied…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
342 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel shuddered violently, pulled towards the left or the right. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with Technical Service Bulletin: 17-ST-002. The contact attempted…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 110,000 miles
Took car to my local mechanic for a clunking sound when turning steering wheel side to side, while standing still. Mechanic states problem at steering knuckle. In addition he stated that there is a Hyundai recall for this problem. I haven’t been able to find the recall for the steering problem when submitting my VIN.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Electrical system
262 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 84,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Hyundai Sonata on February 26, 2026. The vehicle was purchased as a dealer sale. The contact stated at the time of purchase, the odometer was recorded at 149,945. The contact later purchased a Carfax report, which recorded the odometer on November 10, 2025, at 279,966. In addition, the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 149,945 miles
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 180,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 230,000.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 230,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
214 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the taillight bulbs failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the taillight bulbs overheated and burned out quickly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with taillight…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 199,500 miles
The tail lights in this car are constantly burning out. We have to replace them about every month or two. It’s either one side or the other and it has happened so many times since we had the car it’s ridiculousOwner complaint, filed 2025
Fuel system
211 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 104,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The safety recall (Hyundai Recall 227, NHTSA Recall 22V-312) repair on my 2013 Hyundai Sonata (previously completed by a Hyundai dealership prior to my purchase in April 2026) has suffered a critical mechanical failure. In May 2026, within 30 days of driving the vehicle, the recalled safety component completely failed while the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026
NHTSA Recall Number22V312000 I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2013 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ), which is subject to a manufacturer recall #189 due to a fuel line defect posing a fire risk and potential severe injury. Today, I visited Wallace Hyundai in Fort Pierce, Florida, and the service manager Mr. Louis LaRussa…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
181 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 57,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving in the evening on 2/7/26. The red brake light came on in the dash and seconds later the car went into limp mode. An alarm went off indicating that the hybrid system was not functioning. The braking performance decreased significantly. The car slowed down immediately and could not exceed 15 mph. My safety was extremely…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Braking system failed on my Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2013. I was driving on the highway and suddenly the vehicle started a constant beeping noise and the dashboard illuminated with a message that read "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" as I driving 70 MPH on the highway, causing me to have to swerve onto the shoulder to…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Air bags
104 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 87,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The air bag light just came on and I know there was a recall on this. I would like to have this taken care of at the dealership for free as it was a recall.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The driver airbag light came on along with the horn not working, steering wheel buttons not working, and cruise control not working. It has been verified as the time spring not working properly.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
94 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 125,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
86 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
When you accidently hit the side of the brake pedal or slightly touch the brake pedal there is a rubber brake pedal stopper that engages the brake light switch. The brake pedal stopper eventually gets a hole in the middle and will not completely push the tab on the brake light switch all the way and sometime it will not completely…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Started car normally this morning, engaged transmission, car would not accelerate. Pressing gas pedal had no effect. After a couple of blocks, shut off engine. Then restarted, same problem. Had to get to appointment, so stopped and restarted twice more, second time ran normally and I reached my appointment. Started car to return home…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
63 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 88,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driver seatbelt doesn’t click and takes tremendous effort and time to get the belt to click into the holder. This is not safe and needs to be replaced asap. Afraid the seatbelt will come unclicked if a wreck occurs.Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt buckle assembly had failed and was unable to be buckled after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt buckle assembly was inoperable. The contact stated that he was an independent mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 170,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
51 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (43).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
About a year ago, I went out one morning, and the Rear Passenger Door would not engage or open. I tried using the key fob, as well as manual lock, trying to lock and unlock, and it still would not open. No one can get into the car from the outside. No one can get out of the car from the inside. This especially is very dangerous. Nothing…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The right-rear passenger door will not open from either the inside or outside of the car. This happened suddenly with no warning. It was instantaneous. I went to go pick my toddler from daycare and when we were returning to the car, the right-rear passenger door will not open after unlocking the car with my key fob. All the other doors…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
48 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving the vehicle at approx 10 mph the coil spring on the front driver side strut broke causing the spring to slide down over the strut and immediately hit the tire causing noise and vibration. Unable to drive and had to be towed. Hyundai dealer diagnosed problem, admitted it's a common problem with sonatas and cost to repair…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Took my car into jim click hyundai dealer..fixed rack and pinion covered under recall and they said they test drove, and found no issues regarding a bad ride on the road..I am beginning to think they are lying and haven't checked a full suspension check and may not have done a through test drive..it should ride nice instead of a bad ride…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 60,400 miles
Wheels and tires
21 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I purchased (4 tires) 205/65R16 Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 for my vehicle in January 2019. In the past few months I’ve noticed a constant rumbling noise from the rear while driving. I have had my vehicle serviced for an inspection and oil change. Each time I received no recommendations during the multipoint inspections related to my tires. The…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Brand new tire with 500 miles on it suffered catastrophic failure. Sidewall blew out and completely disconnected from the tread and the bead. I have pics.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 68,900 miles
Driver assist systems
4 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the rear back-up camera would not display, making it difficult to view additional vehicles and/or possible pedestrians located at the rear of the vehicle. The contact indicated that the defect was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the defect could not be…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 27,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal while at a stop light, the vehicle continued rolling forward. Additionally, while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced phantom braking causing the vehicle suddenly decelerate. The vehicle was taken to…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 158,000 miles
Hybrid and EV system
1 complaintLoss of power, warning messages and battery problems on hybrid or electric versions.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask for a hybrid battery health report from a dealer or hybrid shop.
- Watch for warning messages at startup and on the test drive, and confirm the car switches between gas and electric smoothly.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact stated that a warning message illuminated "Hybrid System Fault Stop Driving" and the check engine and battery lights illuminated as well as a warning chime sounded. The contact was able…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 51,803 miles
Hyundai Sonata complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | Among the worst years | 9 |
| 2013 Toyota Camry | About average | 2 |
| 2013 Honda Accord | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2013 Kia Optima | Among the worst years | 9 |
2013 Hyundai Sonata recalls
Fuel system
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts Pretensioner
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts Pretensioner
- 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…
Full recall summary
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.
Engine and cooling
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts Anchorage
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle.
- Fix
- Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2013 Hyundai Sonata questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata are the engine and cooling (776 complaints), the steering (342 complaints) and the electrical system (262 complaints).
Is the 2013 Hyundai Sonata a good year to buy?
One of the worst Sonata years. Owners filed about 2.5 times as many complaints as a typical Sonata year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 95,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019, 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sonata years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The most recent, from May 2022, covers the fuel system. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 95,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 55,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Hyundai Sonata years should I avoid?
The Sonata years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012 and 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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