10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 20
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,969 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 4 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #168

Aug 282021

Sonata

  • miles

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

Hybrid system warning light comes on at random times and sometimes the car won't start.

- Windsor, CT, USA

problem #167

Aug 232021

Sonata

  • miles
When accelerating to 65 mph, the check engine light came on, and the vehicle stopped accelerating. Took the vehicle in to a mechanic, who stated there was poor acceleration at high RPM's and the car had jerking symptoms during hard throttle. For the engine diagnosis there was a fault code for the knock sensor found. Very low oil levels were in crankcase, no additional fault codes found, abnormal noises. Signs of internal engine problem low oil pressure suspected, no apparent lubricant to upper part of the engine. Recommended replacing the engine. The mechanic estimated the car was also losing oil faster than it should've. Prior to this incident occuring, the car has been regularly maintenanced at the dealership. Car was taken in to an independent mechanic to be looked at because dealership service repair did not have an opening for 2 weeks to look at the car. The lower acceleration could cause an accident on the freeway if driving at high speeds and the acceleration malfunctions without warning. No other persons have looked at the car yet. There was no lights, symptoms, or messages indicating a problem prior to this incident happening. This was the first time this incident has happened with the vehicle.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #166

Apr 262021

Sonata

  • miles
My 2013 Hyundai Sonata has been declared totaled by my auto insurance company and "unsafe to drive" by Hyundai Corporation. There is a case number associated with my car at Hyundai. While driving down the street my engine begins smoking and everything shuts off. I was scared and uncertain of what was happening. I had to dodge cars to get off the road. I have supplied more than 15 pages of maintenance records, Which has proven I have taken care of my car. The engine has locked. The first representative stated Hyundai Corporate will pay for repairs - a new engine. The second representative stated only if I had a warranty will they assist me. I believe I'm getting the run around.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #165

Jun 302021

Sonata

  • miles

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

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2013 - computer giving message " Check Charging System " while on the highway speed drops to 40 mpg. I had to stop the car on the roadside.. Hyundai dealer are not helpful. You go to them they just want to charge us $400 for diagnostic test. last week, Hyundai dealer told my car problem is with engine belt and tensioner assembly and I charged $900. but it did not fix the issue. I am not sure if above part was really needed to replaced, now the message on charging system and engine safety ( picture attached ) is too frequent. Ref. engine recall on this 2013 sonata hybrid, Hyundai dealer say car life is finish with 114K miles. and car engine is not issue as decide by Hyundai head office.

- Fremont, Ca, CA, USA

problem #164

Jan 152021

Sonata

  • miles
Unable to unlock and open front and rear passenger doors.

- La Quinta, CA, USA

problem #163

Apr 052021

Sonata

  • 65,000 miles
Seatbelt failed too retract correctly allowing door to be shut on it leading too door ajar sensor damage or failure leaving red light at bottom of driver door always turned on draining battery every time overnight. Only fix for this was too remove sensor to prevent battery drain but now my car locks door even with engine turned on. Saftey issue. Cost of fuel roadside unlock assistance and battery check or replacement cost.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #162

Apr 112021

Sonata

  • 0 miles

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

The steering column makes a very loud clunking noise whenever you go over a bump in the road, like something is loose. The wheel is sometimes hard to turn. Smell of rubber and bulbs have to be continously replaced. It seems the housing has melted

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #161

Feb 012021

Sonata

  • 145,000 miles
My airbag light came for no reason, they checked the error codes for airbag they got codes B1388 and B1481 airbag resistance too high and seat track position sensor which they stated is an issue with the clockspring. When I research this issue I found this recall tsb its the exact same issue for 2011-2013 Hyundai Sonata but for some reason my car or VIN number says I am not included or covered, I believe this should be covered under this as the dealer as there is a unlimited mileage warranty extension and the dealer is quoting me $400+ to replace it and this is a safety issue.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #160

Jan 032021

Sonata

  • miles
Driver side break light bulb no longer work properly. Even though its been changed it works sporadically because the bulb is loose in the socket of the wire harness or the socket will melt. This causes more than one safety issue. Car has no brake light on one side and could at anytime catch on fire.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #159

Nov 152020

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
My air bag light is on.

- Lexington, AL, USA

problem #158

Mar 092021

Sonata

  • 178,906 miles

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

I am constantly changing out my brake lights/ tail lights. As soon as I replace them., they go out. My brake lights may work but my tail lights will not. I'm afraid to drive at night for fear of not knowing if I have brake lights or not.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #157

Mar 012021

Sonata

  • miles
I'm getting a code P1326 and the vehicle is not taking the gas and can't drive it there was a recall on the fuel system gasoline; delivery hose lines/ piping and fitting.

- Sod, WV, USA

problem #156

Mar 082021

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
The break lights keep burning out. They have melted the plastic that holds the light bulb. I replace the light bulbs once a month. It seems like it has a bad power surge or faulty wires. I have switched to led light bulbs and they still don't work. I have seen thousands of other Hyundai Sonata drivers say the same exact complaint. I am highly surprised that this has not already been a recall due to an extreme safety issue of the electrical and wiring system. Hyundai Sonata drivers are getting pulled over a lot due to this defect and are replacing bulbs at an extremely high rate than they should be. This needs to be investigated and recalled for customers safety. This is an ongoing issue.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #155

May 072020

Sonata

  • 93,052 miles
Brake pedal went to the floor. Horrible grinding sound from all the wheels. Chiming. Hybrid system warning. Was driving and had to pull to the side of the street. Found out that the the hydraulic power unit is at fault and had to be replaced. My car is out of warranty and I had to pay over 2000 out of pocket. Complained to Hyundai costumer service and also to the BBB and they all told me to file a report with you. This is an ongoing issue with the Sonata hybrid since 2019. The information is found in Hyundai forum website. Https://www.Hyundai-forums.com/threads/brakes-failure-on-Sonata-hybrid.155580/page-5 this issue should please be investigated for recall purposes.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #154

Nov 172020

Sonata

  • miles
My car burns bulbs like crazy. When I went to change my tail light, I noticed that it had cought on fire. Ive put 6 headlight bulbs both high and low beems in my car in the ladt 2 yrs.. and changed my tail light 2 times. Tail light had caught fire and burned. Not cool..

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #153

Jan 122021

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
1) engine seized up during operation. Hyundai declined to repair under a program prior to official recall which the vehicle now falls within. I paid out of pocket to have the engine replaced. 9/2021 2) the hv battery failed without any indication, warning or diagnostic alarm and caught the vehicle on fire while parked overnight causing a total loss. 1/2021 * (recall related incident)

- Bon Aqua, TN, USA

problem #152

Jan 212021

Sonata

  • miles
My 2013 Hyundai Sonata issues: 1. my horn & left side of my steering wheel buttons doesn't work. I was told it could be related to fuses or clockspring replacement. Trip A/B and other buttons doesn't work, I've been driving for over a year without a horn because this isn't a recall. This is a huge safety issue. 2. my gears are start to slip in the transmission. I was told it could be two things it's either the transmission or speed quality censor. These cars were made either very fast or very poorly or both and this is another safety issue. 3. electrical issues. I have to manually adjust by back light/break lights daily because they never stay in place. The whole wiring for this vehicle is horrible. Sometimes while driving the car suddenly starts to slow down. Every once in a while my radio is on but doesn't light up. Light bulbs are melting into light sockets. Electrical issues that are a safety issue for many with these model cars. Eitherway none of these issues were a problem until after Hyundai performed all of the recalls on my vehicle. They charge $200 for a diagnostic that I'm not willing to pay, theses issues came from the makers of this vehicle, these should also be added to the recall list. I'm sure if you look around online there's others who's dealing with these issue from 2013 - 2021 today. I don't think it's fair that I purchased a vehicle and have to come out of pocket for all of these repairs that should have been repaired from the beginning. These are safety issues that should be taken more serious. I've almost got into multiple accidents because my horn doesn't work. My vehicle worked fined before all of the previous recall repairs.my transmission slipping left me in the middle of nowhere until my car started functioning properly to get home.the electrical on this car is costing me money non stop. Hyundai needs to fix this! 2.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #151

Jul 092019

Sonata

  • miles
The lights they go out I replace them they go out again. The lights burn in the sockets. I have replaced 1 already my brake lights will not work and the lights that I brought were from Hyundai which means it's a problem with the car.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #150

Jan 082021

Sonata

  • 106,000 miles
While driving home I heard a ticking sound that had sounded like the ticking when the oil gets low, but I had got the oil change done about 2 months ago. The next morning I had a important appt and while driving on the freeway there I heard the clicking turned into a very hard clanking sound while I pulled off the freeway cause it was a scary noise I went to pull over and the power surged like it was going to shut off so I immediately turned it off. After a few mins I tried to turn it on and it was making the sound still when I pressed the gas pedal it only went louder, I then turned it off and had to walk to the closest store that sold oil and walk all the way back I recently had heart surgery and I had stroke 3 weeks ago I can not be over exherding myself like this when adding the oil it made no difference the clanking sound got worsen and now I'm without a car when I have important apps to go to along with my terminally ill child there is major issues that need repaired immediately

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #149

Dec 052020

Sonata

  • 158,000 miles
Driving on the interstate when the car lost power and smoke started coming out from under the hood at the engine compartment. After opening the hood smoke was coming from around the fusebox/ battery area. After turning the car off the smoke stopped. It is at mack grubbs Hyundai in hattiesburg, Mississippi waiting on insurance and service to assess the damage.

- Raleigh, MS, USA

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