2013 Hyundai SONATA HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
107 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
63,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 92 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 107 complaints (37.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 37 | 34.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 15.0% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 14.0% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 8.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 4.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 40 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Service Brakes | 16 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
Engine: 40; Electrical System: 22; Service Brakes: 16; Power Train: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 10; Steering: 10; Unknown Or Other: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 23 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 23; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2013: 4; 2014: 9; 2015: 13; 2016: 9; 2017: 17; 2018: 21; 2019: 7; 2020: 1; 2021: 8; 2022: 6; 2023: 5; 2024: 4; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 37 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10549958 · 2013-10-29 (October 29, 2013)
WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN OR GOING UP A SLIGHT DRIVEWAY THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER WHEN YOU APPLY THE GAS FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN THE CAR SURGES. WE WERE STOPPED BEHIND A CAR AND WHEN WE WENT TO DRIVE AROUND THEM THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO APPROX 1 MPH WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLAT ON THE FLOOR, THEN THE CAR SURGES. THEN AT OTHER TIMES THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO TELL ME WE ARE DRIVING WITH ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ONE FOOT ON THE GAS. I DO NOT USE MY LEFT FOOT FOR THE BRAKE. I TRIED TAKING THE CAR OUT OF BLUE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10549958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550918 · 2013-11-05 (November 5, 2013)
VEHICLE DRIFTS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. WILL NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT NEEDING CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. TWO ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY THE DEALER WITH NO DEFINITIVE RESULTS. THIS MAKES FOR TIRESOME AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551723 · 2013-11-11 (November 11, 2013)
THE 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID'S SPEEDOMETER REPORTS 5 MPH LESSER THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED. I HAVE TESTED THE SPEEDOMETER AGAINST 3 DIFFERENT RADARS THAT ARE PART OF SOME OF THE SPEED SIGNS IN OREGON. I FIRST REALIZED THIS WHEN I FELT I WAS TRAVELING FASTER THAN WHAT THE SPEEDOMETER REPORTED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558015 · 2013-12-31 (December 31, 2013)
I WAS PARKING THE CAR (AFTER TURNING AROUND AND REVERSING) AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO EASE INTO THE PARKING SPOT THE BRAKES AND CAR JUST STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES FURTHER AND ABSOLUTELY NO RESPONSE. THE CAR MOVED FORWARD AT A SLOW SPEED AND WENT UP THE CURB, TOPPLED A SMALL TREE AND KNOCKED A PARKING KIOSK OVER ON THE SIDEWALK. FORTUNATELY IT WAS 8:10 AM SO NOBODY WAS WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SOME DAMAGE FROM THE METAL KIOSK AND TIE ROD BROKEN FROM CURB. VERY DISCONCERTING THAT I LOST COMPLETE BR…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562526 · 2014-02-01 (February 1, 2014)
I WAS TRAVELING HOME RETURNING FROM A DOCTORS VISIT AND PULLED INTO A RESTAURANT. WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT I HEARD A SCRAPE OR DRAG UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I STRAIGHTENED THE WHEELS AND LEFT THE PARKING LOT. I TRAVELED A SHORT DISTANCE AND HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND UNDER THE FENDER. I FOUND THAT A PIECE OF THE PLASTIC UNDERCOVER UNDER THE WHEEL WELL HAD COME LOOSE AND WAS DRAGGING AND PULLED LOOSE. I LOOKED AGAIN AND THE COMPLETE UNDERSIDE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE FENDER WELL WAS LO…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,033 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564708 · 2014-02-17 (February 17, 2014)
27 DEC 2013: HYBRID BATTERY DRAINED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND CAR COULD NOT BE ACCELERATED MORE THAN 20 MILES/HR WHILE DRIVING. EVENTUALLY THE CAR STOPPED ON THE ROAD. DASHBOARD SHOWED "PARK SAFELY AND DO NOT DRIVE" WITH LOUD BEEPING WARNING SOUND. TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE ENGINE WOULDN'T CHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER TOWING TO THE SERVICE, THE CAR STARTED AS NORMAL; THE TECH COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO NOTHING WAS DONE. 16 JAN 2014: THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. AFTER I PARKED THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE HY…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10604424 · 2014-06-18 (June 18, 2014)
ENGINE SHUT OFF AND BATTERY ONLY LETS YOU GO 1/4 MILE PULLED INTO PARKING LOT TURNED CAR OFF WAITED 5 MINUTES AND CAR STARTED BACK UP. TOOK CAR TO DEALER BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN APRIL THEY HAD CAR FOR 7 DAYS BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT. IT STARTED AGAIN ON JUNE17TH THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10604424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607383 · 2014-07-01 (July 1, 2014)
THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD DURING DECELERATION THUS PULLING PRESSURE OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CAUSING YOU TO PUT EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES TO COMPENSATE. VEHICLE WILL SLIDE ON ICY ROADS AT THIS POINT. VEHICLE ALSO HAS LITTLE TO NO ACCELERATION ON ELECTRIC MOTOR AFTER THE VEHICLE IS HOT. MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS HAZARDOUS SINCE THE VEHICLE CAN TAKE UP TO 7 SECONDS BEFORE IT ACCELERATES ENOUGH TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND CLEAR THE ONCOMING LANE. BOTH PROBLEMS SEEM RELATED. THE FIRST WOULD APPEAR TO BE FREE WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10607383 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V152000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2017-03-08 (March 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 record ↗17V617000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2017-10-04 (October 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 record ↗20V746000 · Engine
Reported: 2020-12-01 (December 1, 2020)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2023-09-22 (September 22, 2023)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
NHTSA campaign record ↗