9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,500
Average Mileage:
66,800 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace engine (3 reports)
2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #6

Jul 182019

Sonata Hybrid 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,513 miles

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

Purchased used 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid on 1/18/2019. On 5/22/19 had oil changed and requested diagnostic as car was showing signs of not starting with key fob. Could not repeat problem. Same issue occurred on 5/28 and brought car to dealer on 5/29/19 for review since we were going on an 800+ mile drive in July. Dealer could not repeat issue but replaced batteries in both key fobs.

Drove car to CT (from NC) on 7/12/19. Car was fine except the A/C was not cooling well. Turned car off and let sit for 10 mins and it was better. On 7/18/19 my 17 YO drove car on busy interstate 91 in CT. Car alarms rang out and a warning advised "Hybrid system failure" & "safely pull over". She was able to roll to the side. Highway safety patrol came and advised her to start car again. Lights came on but engine would not. Had car towed to Lia Hyundai in Enfield, CT. Called and left message the next day requesting RTC. No response. Tech called on Sat 7/20 stating he will review and call back before he leaves but they are super busy.

No response again so called back at 4:00 and tech left for the day. We left another message. Called back on Monday, left another message. Called Tuesday and held till tech came on line. Was told too busy and we would have to wait due to recalls on newer Sonatas. No loaner car available, no offer to get rental. I asked for manager who advised the same and said he would have to run a diagnostic to see what was wrong.

In the meantime, I called Hyundai corp and got a ticket number. Explained I saw this was not the first time this occurred on these models. Was told that if it was the battery they "may be willing to pay and may be willing to tow car back to NC once completed" again if approved. Need tech to submit a work order req and special tow request if prior authorization was approved. Diagnostic was ran and sent to HMA showing hybrid battery needs to be replaced which cost $5800. They would work with Hyundai tech line for more info. I called and was given a National Team ticket and was told will have a team member call me. Was advised it would take 3-5 business days to review. I asked for escalation as I had to drive the car home on 7/28.

I called dealership again on 7/24 and was advised tech is super busy and will call back. In meantime got a call from headquarters from Nicolette, from National Account team, advising that if repair was approved they may pay 50% up to 100% and may be able to get us a rental to drive back to NC (I had to fly back up on 7/27/19 as it was previously planned) and if approved may be able to do a "special Tow" to bring car back to NC as I was unable to come get it. Called dealer on 7/25/19 and was told tech too busy to talk but was told he has to run more tests. 7/26 called Nicolette and left 2 messages for RTC. No call back. Called again on 7/27 in AM very upset as I have been more than patient. Called back main number and was advised that Nicolette had it noted to RTC on 7/29. (I was supposed to be driving home on 7/28 with the car) Called dealer 7/27 and left message advising I will be calling consumer protection and may need to get a lawyer if no call back. None given that day. On 7/29 I got a call from service manager Rich advising Hyundai is requiring more tests and wants pictures but since Mike is only hybrid tech it may take some time.

Still waiting for prior approval to do any repairs. He called back to advise that Hyundai is now telling him to just replace the safety plug and relay switch and that they would pay 60% and we would need to pay 40%. Cost was $1000 but part needed to be ordered. Can't guarantee that it will work. I spoke to Nicolette and she was adamant that because the car was out of warranty and we were 2nd owners that this is all they would do. No rental car but may tow car back to NC once repaired and if approved. Was told they would do this as a good will gesture.

I asked that if this is a known problem why there was no recalls? I have read multiple complaints about this exact issue. They did not give an answer other then to say the car is no longer under warranty and we are 2nd owners. Car purchased in January 2019 at 96610 miles and only drove till 104,513. I had to rent 1 way rental for $503 and have not heard from either dealer or Nicolette as to what is going on. Concerned that this is a Band-Aid and the real issue is the hybrid battery that cost $5800 to repair. I am filing a complaint with the NC Atty Generals office and with NHTSA. I also saw that on Jan 17, 2019 — A Hyundai engine warranty extension has been granted for all owners of 2011-2018 Sonata yet they say that because this is a hybrid, we are 2nd owners and is out of warranty this does not apply.

- Karin C., Cornelius, US

problem #5

Apr 222019

Sonata Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

My husband was using my sonata hybrid to make a 60 mi/ one way commute to work. While on the interstate going 70 MPH, the car started giving a warning and saying "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING, DRIVE TO SAFETY" Shortly after the car started slowing down and he pulled on the shoulder. We had to have the vehicle towed yet again. This time, the Hyundai dealership told us that we would have to replace multiple parts along with the battery to ensure that this would not happen again. Paid almost $3K plus the $300 we paid 9 months earlier, only to have the same problem AGAIN 4 months later and now are being told that the ENTIRE engine needs to be replaced. When I tried to fight them and tell them that Hyundai needed to cover this, they said they would reach out to Hyundai. The dealership told me that they had to run numerous diagnostic tests, check all systems, etc. 6 MONTHS LATER, yes 6 MONTHS of hitching rides, borrowing vehicles, renting vehicles the dealership said that the found water in the engine. I never went through any water. Why would the car throw the same "hybrid system warning"?! So now the estimated repair is thousands of dollars, causing a total loss. Upon reading so many other people having similar issues, I just wanted to share my story. It was a terrifying experience.

- K S., Baton Rouge, US

problem #4

Jul 012018

Sonata Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

While driving on a two lane bridge with no shoulder, my car started making a warning sound and the dash lit up saying "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING, DRIVE TO SAFETY". Once off the bridge (Thank GOD!) the car shut down and started to decelerate as I coasted to a red light. Once there I could not move the vehicle at all. Thankfully two people helped me push the car off the road. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby Hyundai dealership where they told me it was a blown fuse. Quick fix- $300 bucks after the tow... but this was just the beginning of the nightmare that I'm still dealing with almost two years later!!!!

- K S., Baton Rouge, US

problem #3

Jul 042017

Sonata Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

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

got the car in January (6 months), Gave it one oil change, it was coming up on the second. We were driving on the highway and the car stalled. We had no lights or warnings. The piston went through the engine block. My mechanic does not believe it was related to the oil.

- Jenna L., denver, CO, US

problem #2

Feb 242016

Sonata Hybrid Limited 2.0t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,175 miles

Beautiful Luxury Vehicle, has all the bells and whistles anyone could dream of. This Luxury car is categorized in the Mercedes value grade for Insurance Quotes, but today it just proved to be in the lower class line of vehicles when it stalled in the middle of the Highway, exposing me to a possible two way accident with eighteen wheelers that were flying past at approximately 50-55 mph. This was very frightening because this is a new vehicle recently purchased, and I couldn't start the car to save my life. Stuck in the median of seven lane traffic is horrifying... Something is very wrong with this picture. I love my car... but not to death.

Hyundai? What happened?... Frightened Consumer.

- Cynthia B., Orange, CA, US

problem #1

Aug 002013

Sonata Hybrid Limited V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

The dealer could not find any thing wrong. Told me to drive car till it happened again. I drove car and it happened again in April 2014, dealer had car for 8 days and could not fix problem. Told me to drive it again and it happened again June 17th. They have car and they say there is no problem. Does anybody else have it?

- rbusch, Beverly, NJ, US

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