Your vehicle report
2013 Hyundai Sonata
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 1,917
- Received Jun 2012 to Oct 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Engine stalls and loses power while driving205 complaints · 11% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed118 complaints · 6.2% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Steering wheel clunks or clicks when turning106 complaints · 5.5% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #22V312000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
- Recall #20V121000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
- Engine stalls and loses power while drivingFirst signal: Mar 2013
- Steering wheel clunks or clicks when turningFirst signal: Jan 2016
- Vehicle catches fire from wiringFirst signal: Aug 2018
Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 93 crashes, 98 fires, 77 people injured, 1 death.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 21 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
1 more problem
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 67 |
| 2015 | 62 |
| 2016 | 89 |
| 2017 | 210 |
| 2018 | 196 |
| 2019 | 250 |
| 2020 | 236 |
| 2021 | 162 |
| 2022 | 192 |
| 2023 | 127 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 93 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 65 |
| Total | 1,917 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine stalls and loses power while driving | 205 | 11% | 9.6× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Mar 2013 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.5% |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 118 | 6.2% | – | |
| Steering wheel clunks or clicks when turning | 106 | 5.5% | 5.1× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jan 2016 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.4% |
| Tail light sockets melt and burn | 94 | 4.9% | 19.6× | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 83 | 4.3% | 3.7× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Aug 2018 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 4.9% |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 68 | 3.5% | 0.8× | |
| Engine knocking from rod or main bearings | 62 | 3.2% | 4.8× | NHTSA recall #17V226000 |
| Brake lights fail or stay on | 59 | 3.1% | – | |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 58 | 3.0% | 1.3× | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 47 | 2.5% | 1.3× | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 41 | 2.1% | – | NHTSA recall #18V137000 |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 38 | 2.0% | – | |
| Engine burns excessive oil between changes | 35 | 1.8% | 2.8× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Apr 2017 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.8% |
| Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline | 28 | 1.5% | 1.9× | NHTSA recall #18V934000, #20V121000, #22V312000 |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 26 | 1.4% | 2.9× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Feb 2020 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.5% |
| Glass shatters or cracks without impact | 24 | 1.3% | – | |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 19 | 1.0% | – | NHTSA recall #17V152000, #17V617000 |
| Automatic emergency braking applies without reason | 19 | 1.0% | – | |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 18 | 0.9% | – | NHTSA recall #14V434000 |
| Dashboard cracks near passenger airbag | 17 | 0.9% | 23.9× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Jun 2022 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.2% |
| Engine won't start or cranks intermittently | 15 | 0.8% | 4.7× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Apr 2020 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.6% |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #22V312000May 6, 2022215,171 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 227. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 20V-121. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-121 that did not receive a replacement fuel hose will need to have this new recall remedy performed.
NHTSA recall #20V121000February 28, 2020216,799 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the low-pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 189. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.
NHTSA recall #18V934000December 28, 2018150,730 vehicles affected
engine; fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
NHTSA recall #18V137000February 27, 2018580,058 vehicles affected
air bags; air bags: air bag/restraint control module; air bags: side/window; seat belts: pretensioner
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
NHTSA recall #17V617000October 4, 2017443,545 vehicles affected
seat belts: front: anchorage; seat belts: pretensioner
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
NHTSA recall #17V226000March 31, 2017572,000 vehicles affected
engine and engine cooling: engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.
NHTSA recall #17V152000March 8, 2017977,778 vehicles affected
seat belts: front: anchorage
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
NHTSA recall #14V434000July 18, 2014883,000 vehicles affected
power train: automatic transmission
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
NHTSA recall #12V352000July 24, 201229,767 vehicles affected
air bags: side/window
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN