Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2013)

2,025 consumer complaints on file.

#11684854September 3, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Theres a know recall for this issue. Recall 189 AND 227 for hyundai. Fuel leak right by the regulator on the hose. Mine is doing the exact thing. My motor isnt covered for some reason. Same make and model. So id like to make a complaint and make it know the exact same issue is happening STILL, 2013 hyundai sonata and they wont cover it. So if another recall could be opened to help others. I mean its the exact same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684617September 2, 2025
ENGINE
I am filing a complaint regarding my 2013 Hyundai Sonata in connection with a known recall related to connecting rod bearing wear (I believe this is Recall 198). My vehicle is experiencing issues consistent with this defect, but Hyundai has denied my warranty/recall claim. Hyundai’s denial was based on an allegation of “engine neglect,” which is not accurate. I have maintained my vehicle with regular oil changes since purchase, and I have records to support this. I work from home and therefore do not drive as frequently as the average commuter, but I have always performed at least the standard minimum maintenance required. The car has never shown signs of engine neglect or had prior engine issues until now. The failure occurred while I was driving on the highway, when the engine suddenly stopped running. This placed me in a very dangerous situation, as the car stalled in active traffic and posed a risk to myself and other drivers. This highlights the serious safety hazard associated with the known rod bearing defect. Since the failure, I have been left without reliable transportation, and it has been extremely difficult to get to and from work. The problem was reported to my Hyundai dealership, but they are refusing to cover the repair and appear to be attempting to avoid responsibility for this recall. Even if the specific recall campaign is now listed as closed, this is a well-documented defect, and Hyundai should remain obligated to fix it when it occurs. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance in ensuring Hyundai is held accountable for honoring their obligations under the recall. Consumers should not be penalized thousands of dollars for a safety defect that is the manufacturer’s responsibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684287September 1, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I have tried to have my Sonata 2013 gone over gor the previous ownership never gave me any RO in this bias was stared. This previous wherebpurchased and worked , was not on The the up and up. vwhere ,Steele hyundaibwhen owned know keating group purchased. I'm asking ngo iver the safety i the setvice ussues t hat hyundai is awarevand have all thr campsign numbers looked up I do not believe since ive oened the car ,sonata anythingbwas donen,agein nothing evervstated and knly oil changes done without any given paper wirk given on recalls except oil changes. ssues and . So wanting, asking that no chargeb,go iver make sure for the situation posted and Hyundai posts in 6bareas yes , go over for the brake system is causing the hybird tobshit down and the car with squiggly line know comes on Fuses and the the brake power booster sensor is the problem gor I had the sonatanon computer that came up also shavings in the engine campaign 162,994 251 to go iver no charge to make sure it was done and whatever faulty be replaced no charge . Charge to Hyundai for the problems if safety and service are on line stating should be taken care if no charge to consumer. Nothing is happening, just the insanity definition, to resolve. I ask forba new case manager I'm entitled to, can't turn down ,but is and lies about contact. Once, returned call no return call. Hope in the next 24 hours this be resolved so I can have this situation at no charge,don't believe ever done,no paper work in my possession, never had oil changes. Never told ,never anything from Hyundai. Almost got reat ended will send bill any to Hyundai tontalje carebofbas well something know NHTSa isn't helping After many complaints as this. Hyundai admits no charge for t his situation ,insanity and no cooperation just arrogance and belligerence . Mileage has nothing to do with. Engine should be looked at for whatnot NHTSA rant about engine in my sonata hybird and engine,problem still exists at
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684290September 1, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
This has been going on nothing resolved and no cooperation. Im going yo locate an Attorney that really don't want to. Requesting this be ,the situation be loojedvatb,at no chargevand replace whatbwasvsuppisedly replaced by Steele South Loop Hyundai ,Houston Texas ,sold to Keating groupbbased out if Texas. What I'm asking isn't make sure itvwas done ,and whatever replaced ,inexpensive to do to.repkace the parts , And computerbprograned to make current no chsrgebto ne for hyundaibsta t es in line and would not be getting emails from NHtsa as i do . Hope finally 24 hours resolve, cooperation and done finally.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682560August 23, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am driving and all of a sudden the brakevsystem lighthouse on bthe hybird system begins to fail and ge car loses power i almost got hit 4 times already, from this . The system starts to ding ,shut down and states to bring to a certified mechanic ir dealership. Hyundai has on line tgeybarevaware and this problem for this model and should be taken care if no charge for bis a problem for this year model and hybird model 3 diff we rent areas on lounge through Hyundai it states this a known issue. The part to replace and had a certified ASE mechanic on computer look and went through the computer system and stated it is a power booster brake sensor. This is starednin 3 different areas bon Hyundai websitebfornthe model and year. Suppised the recall in the nowhere done Oct 8 2024 but never had any letter of recall nor the dealership contact me anmboutbthis ,but had an oil change done at or about the supposed nrevapl been done. I have no documentation of this nor any given so inwantb,asking give me type kit needed, to take care nofbthis. .no documentation ofbanybkjnd given exceptb,no invoice given done, so I would like tge kit for fuses do go bad. Anything can be put in computer stating what is supposed done but not. Im not asking except to rake carebof this no charge for Hyundai it's free in 3 different areas should be done non published recall . For this year. All online. I asked for cooperation in this matterband the dealership that purchased has been sold to anormther and banner dealership stated in line ,not responsible for previous dealerships problems etc,take it up warmth them the Steele group out if canada,that sold to ge jeating group that know owns this dealership .. I asked for a newbcasemmanager ,drniedband I have a rightbtocaskband should be changed for her arrogance, belligerence in nmattrr should not be. I purchasednthe brake booster sensorbforbwhat Fred bactyally a little less with labor, beingshipped from Hyundai . Dot
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682372August 22, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her sister was driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal, fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Despite the odor, the contact's sister resumed normal driving operation and later refueled the vehicle. After fueling the vehicle, the fuel odor was stronger, and the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact's sister pulled over to inspect the vehicle, but found no failure. The next day, upon starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the mechanic immediately smelled a fuel odor and later discovered a fuel leak while inspecting the vehicle. The mechanic showed the contact the fuel leak and diagnosed the vehicle with a defective fuel system. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was unsuccessful. The failure mileage was 192,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682387August 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN
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 transmission failure. The contact attempted to order a new transmission from the manufacturer, but no transmission was available. The contact ordered a compatible transmission from Kia. The contact successfully installed the transmission. The installation instructions which stated that the motor control unit and transmission control unit software needed to be reprogramed. The contact was able to successfully road test the vehicle and then had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact stated that after the software was reprogramed, while attempting to road test the vehicle, immediately there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact checked online and determined that the TSB issued by Hyundai for the software reprograming outlined temperature values that were not the values show on the testing equipment. The contact called the dealer and was informed that using the Kia transmission in a Hyundai vehicle, there was no assistance to be offered. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Hyundai software was incorrect and wanted to notify the NHTSA of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the issue. The failure mileage was not provided.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681901August 20, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Sudden brake failure while driving at speeds around 40 mph, where both the accelerator and brakes became unresponsive, forcing me to coast before regaining limited braking ability after repeated pumping or having to "restart" the car completely. During these events, loud grinding or dragging noises and vibrations were present. Despite adequate brake fluid levels and pad condition, the brake pedal went to the floor. Could be a potential hydraulic or booster failure. It is available for inspection upon request. I was in the car with a significant other at the time of the incident, this happened around 9 times on a very busy highway during a rush. I have been able to reproduce the problem on my own but has now been inspected by a dealer or independent service center. Online resources indicate others with the same symptoms under same conditions have. The component has not been manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. But I have very recently (around 4 months ago) passed a vehicle inspection. There were no warnings or other symptoms prior to failure, it's very sudden and having no idea when and where it would happen makes the car inoperable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681123August 17, 2025
ENGINE
Losing oil somewhere in the engine and the oil smells like fuel.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680716August 14, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
With no warning light indication the Sonata lost all power on I-75 South near Dayton Ohio. After tow & vehicle I inspiration the engine was said to be dead. There is a recall for the 2015 for the SAME issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679683August 10, 2025
ENGINE
On freeway accelerated and it stalled the attempted to push button start all dash light were on and then it completely started smoking and that was from the starter getting to hot and died and nothing engine won't turn over so vehicle has no to started since
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677403July 31, 2025
AIR BAGS
Srs light on. Problem code indicates high resistance on driver's side air bag. Dealer said it was the airbag control module, but refused to give me the actual estimate or anything in writing other than problem description. There was a recall for other 2013 sonata airbag control modules, mine was not included apparently, but it has the same issue as the recalled ones. Dealer wants $3000 to replace the module.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676937July 29, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled fuel and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment with no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the engine had caught on fire. The contact stopped the vehicle, and the contact and the two passengers quickly jumped out of the vehicle. The contact stated one of the passengers sustained a minor leg injury, and medical attention was provided. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was not provided. The origin of the fire was not yet determined. A Police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11677058July 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There are 2 cracks on the dashboard directly over the passenger airbag that were there when I bought the car and there is another crack that happened some time between yesterday and today. The Crack is almost the width of the dashboard. If there is an accident I'm worried about get hit by pieces of plastic dashboard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676713July 28, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle shut off with an audible warning chime and several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to restart the vehicle soon after failure. The contact stated that on another occasion, while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle, and the engine shut off. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there was only an anti-theft recall on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and linked the failure to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676387July 26, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We were sitting in our car at a Hardees drive through when we noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I pulled forward to a parking space and opened the hood. Flames shot up at least 6 feet. I quickly ran a short distance into the fast food place and right near the door was a fire extinguisher, which i grabbed and put the fire out with. The fire burned for about a total of 2-3 minutes, and did not do excessive damage. Coil packs and wiring harness got most of the damage. With the hood closed, you cannot even tell there was a fire. I had the car towed to Grayson Hyundai for the recall part, but then entered a claim to Hyundai. Long story short, they stalled me for over a month and then denied the claim. Citing no damage to the cam. Unlike most of the fires with this carline, my car fire was put out very quickly. The recalled fuel line/tube was not damaged much at all. You could inspect the part and see the wear on it and tell it was the culprit. It didn't take a trained mechanic to see this. After i put the fire out and it cooled, i tried starting it, and there was fuel squirting out from the recalled part. There is absolutely no doubt that the recalled part was the cause of the fire. But Hyundai has given me a denial letter that does not state the reason for denial. The Hyundai rep on the phone told me it had to do with no damage to the cam. I then asked, Thats because i got the fire out so fast right? and he said no, didn't have anything to do with it. But he lied. First of all, the cam has nothing to do with the cause of the fire. a damaged cam only happens when the fire was long lasting and severe. They should have inspected the obvious recalled part right in front of them. This denial is completely unprofessional and hints of a concerted effort to categorically deny claims. They don't usually have this much evidence, they did this time and still blew it. had i let it burn to the ground,=approved
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675747July 23, 2025
ENGINE
My Hyundai vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure due to a known defect in Hyundai’s Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine. This engine issue is part of a widely documented safety concern that causes rod bearing wear, leading to stalling or catastrophic failure while driving. Despite the dealership confirming it’s consistent with the known defect, Hyundai denied assistance solely because my title is branded, even though the engine failure is unrelated to any crash or damage. Hyundai has replaced engines for others with branded titles, proving the inconsistency in their handling of a serious safety problem. This defect poses a risk of stalling in traffic, engine fires, and potential accidents. The vehicle shut down completely, and I believe this violates federal safety standards.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673605July 15, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:BULBS
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 wiring harness failure. The contact was informed that the taillight wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the contact stated that the recall notification was not received. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672228July 9, 2025
STEERING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670311June 30, 2025
ENGINE
while driving on the highway the engine caught fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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