Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2013)

2,025 consumer complaints on file.

#11670368June 30, 2025
ENGINE
I purchased a 2013 Hyundai Sonata in 2022. I never had any problems or warning signs of vehicle until late Feb 2025. The engine begin to making a knocking sound and stalling almost causing my son to have an accident. After researching the issue I found that there had been a law suit filed against this company for the engines in those vehicles and that they had placed a limited lifetime warranty on the engine in my vehicle. I reached out to Hyundai and they assured me that my vehicle was covered under the TXXI warranty due to the class action suit filed against them. Next they set up an appointment for me to take the vehicle to the local Hyundai dealership which was Bentley Hyundai in Huntsville, Alabama. I had the vehicle towed there in March 2025 and was immediately met with unprofessional dialogue on my arrival. I explained that an agent from Hyundai corporate had set and appointment for that day but was told that they had no knowledge of it. They received the car and stated that diagnostics had to run on it and that they had to send the paperwork back to corporate for approval to replace/repair the engine. About a week later after unsuccessful attempts to contact the dealership, I was informed that my claim was denied due to maintenance neglect. Once I asked for further clarification the associate told me that it “looked like the oil had never been changed in the vehicle”. I assured him that it had been maintained properly since the date I purchased it. They pulled the carfax and was able to verify all of my maintenance records and that the vehicle never went over 5000 miles before oil changes. I then asked to speak to a supervisor as the rep began to be very disrespectful in his tone and language (which was always by text and not phone). The service manager that I spoke to after this helped escalate the situation to the appeals department. This was a known issue for these motors and the fact that they would put my family’s lives in jeopardy is upsurd.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668410June 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle DASHBAORD has been facing UV related reactive damages by small line cracks and now it's progressing to larger lines. Similar damages in other manufacturers like Toyota and Lexus are covered by manufacturer as recalls .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667463June 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2013 Hyundai Sonata 4 door sedan. I am unable to open the driver's left hand door to exit the car after turning off my vehicle. Only way I can open door to exit is to lower the window while motor still running, reach outside and grasp door handle from outside to open and Push/pull handle which doesn't allow me control over the door. Then I have to raise window with door standing open before I am able to turn off the ignition and exit my car. In Case of an emergency this is unsafe for driver and passengers. In this instance, I was trapped inside a hot car in Texas summer heat. In another instance, I could have had an accident and would have been unable to exit to safety. I searched for recall to this model which is covered for Hyundai Sonata manufactured in other years but my vehicle 2013 make is not included in same recall for exact same issue. There was no warning lamp, messages prior to failure. I have googled this "condition" and learned that this is a common problem for Hyundai Sonatas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666036June 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
my car caught fire. The area where the stereo, heater, all melted even the windshield cracked and the gear shifter melted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665753June 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Halogen headlight bubls H7 melting the casing socket. Making my headlight assembly smoke.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665039June 5, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 ridiculous
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663453May 28, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
So my car started to stall when I started it an when I started goin down the road like it wanted to die. Then I started to smell gas very strong so had a code tester put to my car an i have 6 permanent codes. An not only that im smelling oil strong an noticing big oil spots under my car. So I look under the hood an behind the turbo I see oil behind an underneath the turbo. I definitely didnt feel safe driving but now its not even drivable. I purchased it couple months ago from an individual an i cant belive the amount of problems this car has. Im a single mom an trying to support my family an its hard to now with a non running car. I've put quite a few parts hoping it would fix some of the problems an nothing has. I absolutely love the car an very beautiful but unfortunately to many problems with it. Eninge, gas leaks, timing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663549May 28, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The left rear door won't open from the inside or from outside. The door just suddenly stopped working without any warning or without any damage to the door, or to the key FOB. I use it to transport an elderly person or sometimes my grand kids, it is dangerous especially if someone has to exit the car immediately.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661110May 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Car is in park, refuses to shut off due to car saying car is not in park
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660328May 12, 2025
POWER TRAIN
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 while depressing the accelerator pedal and the engine revved to a high RPM. The contact called and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was made aware that the failure was a common failure for the make and model of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V434000 (Power Train); which the contact linked to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660542May 12, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
My car starts making noise then i pull over. my car completely shuts off and i tried to restart it, didn’t start. My engine i think is ruined
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660077May 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, POWER TRAIN
1. I purchased this vehicle in 2016 and I have had my rear brake lights repaired several times because the rear tail lights continue to go out, This happens regularly. There is no warning lights on the dash to indicate an issue. The only way i learned that my brake lights don't work properly is another motorist driving behind me and almost rear ending me. I have had the rear brake lights repaired by the dealership before. My brakes always smell like burning rubber after driving having me to believe that the lubricant for the brake pads aren't working. 2.The dashboard lights also periodically blinks out without warning. After a few moments it will illuminate again. 3. My seatbelts sometimes doesn't tighten up. I have to pull them several times for them to catch and return after the seatbelt isn't in use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657974April 30, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656407April 23, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated prior to the incident. The contact then crashed into the rear of a utility trailer, where it came to a stop. The contact broke a tooth. The paramedics were called and performed a check; however, the contact did not go to the hospital or urgent care. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The insurance company was contacted and declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656140April 22, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the contact pulled over by the local Police because the taillights were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to replace the bulbs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656142April 22, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai SONATA. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an unknown speed the contact was pulled over by local police due to their vehicles tail lights no longer functioning, no warning lights were illuminated. The contact attempted to replace the bulbs however the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected, however the vehicle was not diagnosed as the contact was advised that their VIN was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655836April 21, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown, caught fire. 😳
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654587April 14, 2025
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there were three cracks on the front dashboard. The contact stated that two cracks were on the front passenger’s side airbag and the other crack was in the middle of the front dashboard and was spreading over to the driver's side. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was parked and no longer driven due to the safety concern. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653338April 8, 2025
ENGINE
The car engine was sputtering and the check engine light came on. I was notified by a repair shop that the problem may relate to an engine recall. I called Hyundai about the recall and they advised me to take the vehicle to Cardinale Hyundai in Corona. I did take it there. Testing showed that the issue was, in fact, the same issue that was part of the recall (I believe it is called the internal engine bearing failure). HOWEVER, the Hyundai dealer then advised that, due to owner neglect, the problem will not be fixed by Hyundai. I firmly dispute Hyundai's contention!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653018April 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Within a span of 6 months, 3 out of 4 doors on this car failed. The interior handle on the driver's side snapped off; it crumbled apart and sliced through the hand of the person opening the door. This occurred while the car was in park. Within 6 months the door latches on both rear doors froze and made it impossible to open the doors. This meant that no one could enter or exit through the rear of the car. Children needing to ride in the car would have to climb through the front to get to the back but would be unable to open the doors to exit, since the door latches failed. Though this is an older car, it is gently used and, at most, is driven 13 miles a day to and from work. Rear doors had rarely been used when they broke.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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