2013 Hyundai SONATA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,907 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,100 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 734 of 1,907 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 353 | 18.5% |
| Braking behavior | 322 | 16.9% |
| Engine operation | 194 | 10.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 170 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 40 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 36 | 1.9% |
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 | 734 |
| Steering | 340 |
| Electrical System | 250 |
| Exterior Lighting | 177 |
| Unknown Or Other | 174 |
| Service Brakes | 142 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 133 |
| Air Bags | 100 |
Engine: 734; Steering: 340; Electrical System: 250; Exterior Lighting: 177; Unknown Or Other: 174; Service Brakes: 142; Fuel/Propulsion System: 133; Air Bags: 100
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 198 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 132 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 197 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 213 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 274 |
| 150,000 and above | 86 |
Under 25,000: 198; 25,000 to 49,999: 132; 50,000 to 74,999: 197; 75,000 to 99,999: 213; 100,000 to 149,999: 274; 150,000 and above: 86
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (274). 807 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 67 |
| 2015 | 62 |
| 2016 | 89 |
| 2017 | 210 |
| 2018 | 196 |
| 2019 | 250 |
| 2020 | 236 |
| 2021 | 162 |
| 2022 | 192 |
| 2023 | 127 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 93 |
| 2026 | 55 |
2012: 17; 2013: 66; 2014: 67; 2015: 62; 2016: 89; 2017: 210; 2018: 196; 2019: 250; 2020: 236; 2021: 162; 2022: 192; 2023: 127; 2024: 85; 2025: 93; 2026: 55
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 353 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 322 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 194 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 10462741 · 2012-06-22 (June 22, 2012)
STEERING FEEL IS EXTREMELY LIGHT/LOOSE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE WANDERS ENOUGH FROM LEFT TO RIGHT TO REQUIRE CONSTANT CORRECTION TO KEEP IT FROM GOING OVER CENTER LINE OR OFF SIDE OF ROAD. IF I ADJUST STEERING TO LEFT VEHICLE CONTINUES TO LEFT REQUIRING AN IMMEDIATE ADJUSTMENT TO RIGHT WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO RIGHT AND THEN TO LEFT AND THEN RIGHT...I AM CONSTANTLY FIGHTING WITH THE STEERING TO STAY IN MY LANE. CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10469605 · 2012-08-07 (August 7, 2012)
A LADY WITH A BRAND NEW 2013 SONATA TURNED OFF HER CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITHOUT PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. WHILE SHE WAS NOT LOOKING AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD AND EVENTUALLY CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF MY BRAND NEW CAR. THERE WAS NO ELECTRONIC WARNING THAT SHE NEEDED TO SHIFT INTO PARK! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472957 · 2012-08-29 (August 29, 2012)
TPMS LIGHT HAS CAME ON NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM 7 TIMES.THE TIRE SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE AND THE MODULE WAS REPLACED ON THE NEXT TO LAST TIME AT THE DEALER. AFTER THE MODULE WAS REPLACED THE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON FOR 1400 MILES. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DECIDED TO MOVE THE MODULE TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION. EACH TIME THE DEALER CHECKED AND IT WAS REPORTED TO BE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. I HAD THEM TO ROTATE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TO THE RIGHT FRONT AND THE RIGHT FRONT TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 89 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472975 · 2012-08-29 (August 29, 2012)
PURCHASED 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS AT STREETBORO OHIO HYUNDAI DEALER NEW IN MID JUNE 2012. VEHICLE SEEMED OK BUT AT ABOUT 1500 MILES IDLE BECAME ROUGH PARTICULARLY AT IDLE IN DRIVE AT LIGHTS AND STOPS. TOOK IN TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD AFTER 4 DAYS IN SHOP THAT PROBLEM WAS FAMILIAR TO THE DEALER AND AN ENGINEER WAS BEING CALLED IN TO FIGURE OUT THE SOLUTION AS NO CODES WERE STORED IN COMPUTER.I LEFT THE DEALER AFTER BEING TOLD CAR IS WITHIN HYUNDAI SPECS BUT WAS RUNNING STRANGE. THE DEALER SEEMS TO BE AVOIDING DOING ANYTHING TO ADMIT THERE IS A ISS…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,533 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10474571 · 2012-09-10 (September 10, 2012)
I PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED IN AUGUST'12. AFTER BUYING WHEN I WAS RIDING BACK HOME ON FREEWAY(APPROX SPEED 60 MPH) THE CAR TENDS TO DRIFT IN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT AND KEEP ON WANDERING IN THE LANE. IT IS PRETTY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE. THERE ARE ALMOST TWO INCIDENTS WHERE I JUST ESCAPED THE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY TOLD THAT IT IS BECAUSE OF BANKING ON THE ROADS BUT I TESTED THE SAME ROAD AND ROUTE WITH OTHER VEHICLE WHICH PERFORMED A…
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10475026 · 2012-09-11 (September 11, 2012)
WHILE GETTING ON THE ON-RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO USE. THE EPS LIGHT AND SKID CONTROL LIGHTS BOTH CAME ON, AND LATER BLUELINK NOTED ERROR ALSO. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 590 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10476626 · 2012-09-21 (September 21, 2012)
THIS CAR HAS A DISTURBING REFLECTION OF THE TOP DECK OF DASHBOARD ON THE WINDSHIELD..IT INTERFERES WITH CONCENTRATION....CAR WAS PURCHASED 7/19/12 IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE WITH OTHER HYUNDAI SONATAS....... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10476626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479957 · 2012-10-12 (October 12, 2012)
AIR CONDITIONER BLEW HARD, INTERMITTENT AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO CONTROLS. CAR DRIFTS LEFT TO RIGHT, HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479957 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V352000 · Air Bags:Side/Window
Reported: 2012-07-24 (July 24, 2012)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 record ↗14V434000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 record ↗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 ↗17V226000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2017-03-31 (March 31, 2017)
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.
Consequence: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 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 ↗18V137000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module | Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags:Side/Window | Air Bags
Reported: 2018-02-27 (February 27, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 record ↗18V934000 · Engine | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2018-12-28 (December 28, 2018)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 record ↗20V121000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2020-02-28 (February 28, 2020)
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.
Consequence: If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 record ↗22V312000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2022-05-06 (May 6, 2022)
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.
Consequence: A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗