9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,800
Average Mileage:
87,650 miles
Total Complaints:
34 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace engine (19 reports)
  2. not sure (14 reports)
  3. replaced engine, tachometer pegs in automatic still (1 reports)
2013 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Oct 082016

Sonata 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

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

I bought this car thinking it was a good reliable car and it broke down on me out of no where

- slimguy, Lake Elsinore, CA, US

problem #13

Dec 212015

Sonata GL 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,061 miles

First engine was too high of mileage Hyundai turned it down, replaced with used. It died 10k later same issue and covered by supplier parts only. That replacement just died August 10, 75k later. Not replacing engine this time have heard they really don't know the issue

- chrojoh, campbell river, BC, Canada

problem #12

Mar 132016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

I am the second owner and as such Hyundai's 100,000 mile powertrain warranty did not cover me.

The vehicle only had 62,000 miles (only 2,000 more than the bumper-to-bumper warranty) when I first noticed a knocking sound and excessive oil consumption. By the time the vehicle had 69,000 miles it completely died just as I was exiting the freeway. Luckily I was able to pull off the freeway and into a parking lot and have the car towed. Because the engine was not covered by warranty and repairing the engine was not economical I was forced to replace the engine with a junk yard engine.

I called Hyundai and the NHTSB but the only listed engine recall was for 2011-2012 engines and mine was outside of the window, even though it was made in the same Alabama factory just months later.

I later found out (In May, 2016) about the class action lawsuit and the corresponding extended warranty. I have filed a claim for reimbursement with Hyunday but it has been 2 months and I haven't heard anything back. They say to allow for 90 days, so we will see if anything happens in the next 30 days.

Update from Aug 3, 2016: Update. My extended warranty claim was approved and I was promptly reimbursed.

The engine which was installed in my vehicle is still in the effected group, but the vehicle is now covered by the extended warranty. I am happy with the outcome.

Thank you Hyundai!.

- Jeff M., San Diego, CA, US

problem #11

Jul 132016

Sonata GLS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

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

My 2013 Sonata engine seized today. It was 3 years old. I maintained it religiously. I absolutely can not believe how un-safe this problem is to Hyundai drivers! My car just died, no notice of anything. Power steering gone too as I am traveling on highway in construction zone. This car was 3 years old! Mechanic said there is metal in the engine. They used a crank bar to get it started and now a loud knocking sound in the bottom front. I still owe payments on the car! I guess the pending settlement is our only hope?

- George K., Boonsboro, MD, US

problem #10

Jun 302016

Sonata GLS 2.4L 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,200 miles

2013 Sonata began using oil and engine was making a knocking sound. Took it for service at Hyundai dealer. Dealer said the engine needs replacing. The dealer said the car was not safe to drive and provided a rental car.

- dex3, San Ramon, CA, US

problem #9

Jan 212016

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

Unable to use car for over 5 months, which means finding a way into work each and every day.

- Debra W., Unity, ME, US

problem #8

Mar 062016

Sonata SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,300 miles

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

Was driving car home from work late at night when it suddenly started acting up and just quit. Hyundai Road Side assistance responded nicely enough but tow truck took 2 hrs. Then they forgot to deliver it to the dealer for several days,,couldn't be found. Finally arrives at the dealer who needs several days to figure out what is wrong with it. Finally get a call saying engine is seized and it needs to be replaced, $6800 for a re-manufactured engine with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty or $8000 for a new one ,,but still only 12,000 warranty..WTF....said they found all kinds of metal in the oil pan, bearings most likely....never mentioned there was a recall on these engines for just this issue....needles to say it was out of warranty although only 3 yrs old,,,,they were not covering repairs....said poor maintenance was a contributing factor and that was on me. Yet I change it or had it changed with full synthetic every 5,000 miles, but "not by Hyundai" so "no new engine for you!!" No resolution at this point,,,,very frustrated and disappointed with Hyundai.....

- Steve B., Bradenton, FL, US

problem #7

Feb 132016

Sonata SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,800 miles

Engine failed with defective rod bearing, the same issue that 2011 and 2012 cars had but those we covered under a recall. Even though my car was only 800 miles under warranty (and had been making a slight noise for longer then 800 miles but it would come and go), and my vehicle was manufactured in 2012, it is not part of the recall and Hyundai refuses to fully cover. Engine was disassembled to some degree to get pics for Hyundai which showed no sludge and no excessive ware on the top end. All oil change receipts in hand but that didn't matter. I think it is a known issue and that Hyundai should make it right.

- daw1211, Scottdale, PA, US

problem #6

Aug 012014

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Was driving car and felt like it was hesitating. Took to repair shop (was scheduled for brakes) and the mechanic took it for a drive. At first no problem so he took it around the block again and it just died. Black smoke in the back. Had the car towed to Hyundai. 4 days later they took a look and said engine was seized. I was 2000 miles into an oil change. Told me it would not be covered (sludge) and cost was $7500. Much back and forth about recommended oil change intervals. Produced oil receipts they came down to $3000 then $1500 and finally $1000 but would only honor the $1000 IF I paid Hyundai to change the brakes as well and change the cabin filter. No brakes, no engine per the District Manager. We negotiated them down to pads at cost and refused the cabin filter on principal. Spoke to Hyundai who advised me that warranty repairs are at the discretion of district service managers and although they assigned me a customer advocate there was nothing they could do. 4 weeks after it began, I got my car back and total repair was $1200.

Counting down the days until I can return the car!

- gedsd, Bethpage, NY, US

problem #5

Nov 172015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

My daughter was driving to school. Entering the freeway the vehicle stoped running. Called tow truck to get it sent to dealership. After a couple of days dealership said the motor has froze! It is Dec.5 still at dealership. They called said waiting for parts and I am not the only one here at this dealership with the same problem!

- Robert U., Santee, CA, US

problem #4

Sep 122015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

Bought my 2013 Sonata in OH, tho I live in MI. Didn't have ANY problems until this year, the engine seized up a few months ago, and it happens intermittently The most recent was 9-12-15, tho it's happened about 6 times in total, just since June 2015. It's scary when the engine seizes and everything shuts down. I just had the 60,000 mile check-up, drove to IL in July, the engine seized, had it towed to a Hyundai dealership there. Cost me $900. They thought it was the fuel injector and pump. It seized up again on 9-12-15, had to have it towed home to the tune of $190. Soooooooooooo, made an appt. with the dealership it came from in OH and I have to have it towed there for another $175 This is ridiculous! I don't have this kind of money. I am feeling very much taken for a ride, but am in a quandary as to what to do . . . trade it in? Sell it?

I've also been told that it's whoever put in the anti-theft alarm. That they might have taken a short cut and screwed up something with the engine getting the signal that it's NOT being stolen. I bought the car WITH it all ready on the car, so why am I paying the price for this? Geez. I'm so damn frustrated.

Thanks for listening everyone!

- Karen S., Tecumseh, MI, US

problem #3

Oct 012015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,500 miles

My car is a 2013 Hyundai Sonata with only 24,500 miles---out of no where the car started acting up... real hard to go, black smoke coming from the back and the oil was sludgy. I took the car to the dealership where it was purchased and they said that I needed a new engine..... a new engine??? really?? its only 3 years old... has had oil changes and routine inspections.... the dealership stated since I was covered under warranty, I need not worry... they would have to get approval from Hyundai to cover this... to my surprise, they called me back and stated I was denied!!! I called Hyundai Corporate... oh, Ya, sorry...denied!!! When asked why?? How??? they stated that "poor maintenance on my part"---Your joking??? I am BEYOND furious.... I am so disgusted. I cannot believe that #1 Cochran and Hyundai would do this... Its a new car.... Its a 2013- with low miles.... WHY THE HELL do I even have a warranty????????? I am not stopping until I get this resolved.

- Bonnie V., Pittsburgh, US

problem #2

May 072015

Sonata

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

I bought my 2013 Hyundai Sonata at Napleton Hyundai in West Palm Beach brand new with 0 miles. I use my car a couple times a week since I have a work truck. Last week I was driving on I-95 and my car without any warning just shut off completely. Having a background in auto mechanics and having worked at several auto parts stores,my first thought was something electrical must of caused it.. Battery or alternator etc... I coasted to side of interstate and once I came to a complete stop and was glad that I wasn't rear ended by another car or possibly a semi truck. I began to restart the car. After a few minutes my car started like nothing had happened except I heard a conking noise coming from engine.

That night I safely made it home without any other incidents. The following day I took my car to Hyundai service and spoke to an adviser by the name of Calvin. I told him my issue and he immediately told me that there was another car there with same problem and that engine seized due to sludge buildup and that it was not covered under warranty since I didn't have all oil change receipts and or oil that I purchased from auto parts when I had my oil changed. He said he would submit my issue to the service dept and they had denied my claim. They are charging me 6800.00 for a new engine.. moral of my story is Hyundai does not honor their warranty and I will be going back to Toyota Camry that I owned before and never had anything like this happen..

- vitico4400, West Palm Beach, FL, US

problem #1

Jul 052015

Sonata SE 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,600 miles

While on an out-of-state road trip, the engine suddenly stopped when I attempted to accelerate to pass on a freeway. I was able to successfully coast to a stop on the shoulder, where the engine would not turn over at all. After a long and expensive tow home, the local dealer determined that the engine was seized.

Hyundai is replacing the engine and turbocharger for free under warranty with a rebuilt block and new pistons, head, and turbo. They didn't even question the maintenance or ask for records, and pointed out that it looks very clean under the valve cover and in the oil pan. I change the oil with synthetic every 5000 miles, which probably helped.

I was previously planning to keep this car long-term, but now I think I might trade it in during the coming months due to longevity concerns. This seems very similar to problems reported for 2011 and 2012 Sonatas, which use the same Theta II engine.

- mike_ca, Temecula, CA, US

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