10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,226 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #61

Feb 282019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Feburary 28 2019 coming home from my mothers birthday dinner my 2013 Hyundai Sonata accelerated on it's own. The vehicle went from 35mph to 65mph in a few seconds. Between the rain and sudden acceleration the vehicle lost traction. I tried the brakes, emergency brake and tried to put the car in neutral and failed.I was able to keep the vehicle from going off the side of the mountain with my 5 year old daughter. I was able to drift into a rock wall instead. We hit at approximately 40 to 45 mph. My 2013 Hyundai Sonata was totaled. I was finally able to get the gear shift to go in park and turn off the vehicle. Police report shows mechanical malfunction. We are lucky to be alive. This happened in helen white county Georgia. When the tow company arrived they turned the car on and it went to full acceleration. Emt police officer and tow truck driver witnessed. I also have pictures in addition I have 2 videos from my husbands ase certified shop of the car being turned on and accelerating on it's own in park.

- Hayesville, NC, USA

problem #60

Mar 122020

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
The car will shut off randomly while driving and will not drive. It has happened multiple times on the interstate. Moving at 55+ miles per hour. It will not turn the engine on.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #59

Mar 032020

Sonata

  • 107,000 miles
The engine in this particular model is Hyundai's 2.4L gdi (theta II). The engine seized without warning even though it had the software update that detects engine wear and prevents engine failure while driving. Hyundai did well and replaced the engine under warranty and provided me a rental vehicle. 8,000 miles later with the same vehicle now the check engine light is flashing and acceleration is dramatically reduced. I was able to take some backroads with little traffic to a local Hyundai dealership and am waiting for diagnosis again.this started on a very busy local highway.

- Butler, PA, USA

problem #58

Nov 292019

Sonata

  • 153,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Prior to this all starting the ESC dash light came on. We pulled over, shut the car off, turned it back on and the light went off. Not sure if it was related but the acceleration issues started the same day. When pushing on the gas pedal at times the car does not accelerate. Immediately leaving off of the gas pedal and pushing again it will then accelerate. It appears completely random and happens sporadically at different speeds. Happened 9 times within 3 days. 4 times within the first 30 minutes of a trip and then not again for 5 hours. I took it into the dealership and had the brake pedal stopper replaced which is under extended warranty 2 days ago and it just happened twice again. I also couldn't set the cruise control while going up a hill. I set it, left my foot off of the gas and it immediately decelerated. The cruise then worked on a level surface. After a google search this appears to be a major problem with 2011-2013 Sonatas and can be a very severe safety issue. My husband who is a truck driver and gas driven over 1 million miles has never heard of this happening. This does not appear to be normal wear and tear of a car. Not sure exact speed at time of incidents but between 30-60mph

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #57

Sep 012019

Sonata

  • miles
1.break light in back window remains on...as though break is depressed, when parked. Stays on 24/7! will not go off! I have tried placing the top of my foot up under break, and lightly pulling up; light flickers off for a second...in this upward motion, and then quickly returns to solid light! 2.accelerator intermittently de-accelerates...with no warning, which is dangerous when pulling into oncoming traffic, or on highway...when trying to stay with the flow of traffic. I have to keep pumping accelerator, until it "engages", once again. Very dangerous!

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #56

Oct 142019

Sonata

  • 170,000 miles
I took my car in to the hyundia dealership for a recall for heavy oil consumption; they told me the catalytic converter went out because it was clogged, I told them if it was clogged it was due to the oil loss that made it way into the catalytic converter. The hyundia corporation refused to fix the engine or catalytic converter.

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

problem #55

Sep 302019

Sonata

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering began rattling inside while turning - we repaired - 2 days later drove to tn visiting relatives, while coming back to ga car began making a warning sound and all the lights came on the dashboard steering started locking up powered down and stopped. Hasn't ran since

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #54

Aug 132019

Sonata

  • 234,500 miles
About 3 weeks ago around 6am I was driving to work while on the highway when suddenly the check engine light pop up and the throttle pedal went down and it won't pedal or move no more. Didn't know what was going on until my car was towed the dealership place where I was told is a recall. Two weeks after I was called that my car is ready and good to go but unfortunately before the car got to my place the check engine light is back on and the accelerator pedal don't move normally again, when you are on motion and you try to change lane or overtaking the pedal won't move until you force it with pressure and if you happen to be at traffic lights the same thing will happen, the car don't move normal again. I took it back to the dealership and explain what happened to them again and they took the check engine light off that it should be fine after but alas the problem is worsening day in day out and my safety is on the line now. Initially I was told they are going to replace the engine but I realized they didn't replace the engine instead some parts were replaced and that makes it worse than before. Driving the car now is at the high risk for me or other road users because I don't know what could happen next. The check engine light is still on and the pedal still not moving well and especially when you are moving uphill. Please I will like this to be investigated because I don't if other people have experience similar problem.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #53

Jul 022019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle at a compete stop when the brake pedal was released, the vehicle unintended accelerated causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a pole causing severe damage to the front of the vehicle. No warning lights illumined prior to the failure. The air bags did not deploy on impact. The contacts spouse sustained severe bruising from the seatbelt that required medical attention. It was unknown if medical attention was sought. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to fort mill Hyundai (805 gold hill road, fort hill, SC 29708, 855-615-6368). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and case number 15899953 was filed. The manufacturer had a copy of the vehicle logs and informed that contact the brake pedal was not applied. The failure mileage was 77,000. Photos attached 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #52

Jul 072015

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
We have a 2013 Hyundai Sonata (VIN #[xxx]). this vehicle has had problems with the cruise control and other functions controlled from the steering wheel for many years. The clock spring was replaced while under warranty and again in January 2019. The same issues that led to the clock spring replacement recurred two months after the latest replacement. An extended warranty for the clock spring for 2011-2013 Sonatas was issued in 2017. This extended warranty covers Sonatas with an sop before June 20, 2012. Our car was purchased in late September 2012 and is not covered by the extended warranty. Given the recurrent issues we have had, we a are asking that our vehicle be covered by the extended warranty. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #51

Nov 152018

Sonata

  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cruise control functions and indicator lights do not work consistently. Tried many times at highway speeds. False indications. Took to dealer for service and they indicated that they could not fix or replicate the problem.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

problem #50

Sep 222018

Sonata

  • 2 miles
Takata recall -all of the exterior lights on the car will blow within a few weeks of replacing. -the back lights will melt into the bulb socket and require the entire unit to be replaced. -the brake lights all shut off, even though the bulbs are fine. - cruise control wont work (this came on at the same time of the computer update on engine recall. -traction control warning light came on after recall to update computer on engine (from previous engine recall) -my radio completely stopped working after the initial recall for engine replacement.

- Cordova, MD, USA

problem #49

Feb 012018

Sonata

  • 34,000 miles
The cruise control buttons on the steering wheel do not work 50% of the time until you hit the steering wheel then the set button will work. I found several complaints about this searching online for 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata's

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #48

Jun 012018

Sonata

  • miles
The cruise control set function does not work. I can turn on the cruise control, but I can not engage it. The switch was replaced when this problem developed when the car was under warranty. However, the problem has recurred and the car is no longer under warranty.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #47

Sep 072018

Sonata

  • 62,000 miles
I experienced an unexplained, uncontrolled vehicle acceleration. I started the vehicle, moved the gear shift to drive and it immediately accelerated out of control. I was unable to control the vehicle as it raced across a parking lot, jumped a curb, ran up and then back down an embankment and crossed back across the parking lot until the acceleration ceased. I reported the incident to Hyundai America and they had the vehicle inspected. Their response was "we were unable to find any malfunctions or defects that would have caused the accident as you allege. Nor was our inspector able to duplicate the condition that you indicated caused the accident. Accordingly, while we sympathize with you about the incident, from the information we have, we must respectfully deny any liability in connection with the incident."

- Mebane, NC, USA

problem #46

Oct 102018

Sonata

  • 102,000 miles
Takata recall: My 2013 Hyundai sanota is not getting enough oil or to the bearimgs I have already taken the car to the hyunida dealership and let them fix the 5 recalls it already had on it which one was this issue after the fact they was "fixed" 3 months later in constantly having to replace purge valve manifister valves pretty much and thing thay has to do with fuel or air or gas getting to the engine now its constently stalling when im on the expressway amd today smoke started coming out from under the hood I really liked this car it only has 103,000 miles on it I do all the dealership recommended maintence amf this is what I get very upset with hyudai sense they supposably fixed the recall for that already theres nothing they can do so theres $10,000 dollars down the drain

- Jeffersontown, KY, USA

problem #45

Aug 012018

Sonata

  • 62,500 miles
Cruise control works erratically. Will turn on, but the "set" and "cancel" buttons often do not respond when pressed. When attempting to engage the "set" button, it either does not work, or will engage but the car will start accelerating and requires a tap on the brakes to disengage. When the set button does engage properly, the cancel button does not respond when pressed, and brakes must be applied to disengage the cruise control. In the past, this issue had occurred sporadically. The cruise control would work fine for a period of time, but then these set and cancel function issues would reappear. Lately, however, the problem has been persistent.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #44

Mar 262018

Sonata

  • 91,868 miles
Recently, clicking sound whenever turning steering wheel. Problem has been reported by many other owners, and Hyundai has extended warranty for this fix, for cars under 100K miles or 10yrs. My car only has 91876 miles and is a 2013 (5yrs old). Oild change due at 94874. Have not been driving car since then. Taking it to Hyundai service.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #43

Apr 102018

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
As I am driving my car tends to switch to manual drive from automatic on its own. The first time I was turning into a driveway and it switched to 2 on my dash. A few other times I was driving on a highway and regular raod way when it switched to manual and popped into 3 and 4.

- Avon Lake, OH, USA

problem #42

Feb 012018

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
I have taken my car in to the Hyundai dealer three times for service to and they have been unable to recreate the problem or diagnose the problem via a code. I had the transmission fluid replaced thinking that might originally be the problem. The car hesitates in lower gears when it is in ev mode and will rev at higher RPM before slamming into gear when it goes into gas engine mode. When coming off the highway and decelerating it will slam hard into gear as the car brakes and goes into ev mode. It is not consistent and every time the car is brought into the dealer they claim there is nothing worn with the car and they cannot duplicate the issue. When pulling out from a stop sign in ev mode there is absolutely no power some times and all of sudden the gas engine will kick in and accelerate. I have had other issues with the hybrid battery just shutting down on the highway so it concerns me that there is more of an issue that needs to be addressed.

- Pembroke, MA, USA

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