10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 21
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,790 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 9 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #74

Nov 072018

Sonata

  • miles

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

Summer of 2018 I complained to carmax about electrical problems to check. My horn unexpectedly will not work, my monitor stopped working and was replaced (Oct 2018) but now it blinks off and on, and I would replace my exterior lights almost every 2-3 months. Recently (Nov 2018) I was told my brake lights were out so I went to replace them at autozone and was told my light cases are melted as well as the bulb holder is burnt. I have only had this car for 1 year and 10 months. Since purchasing this car I have replaced my cv joints 4 times, had a new monitor put in the car, new engine and other recalls completed on this car. I feel it is important that the manufacturer completely recall this model year for safety reasons.

- Quincy, FL, USA

problem #73

Nov 062018

Sonata

  • 151,000 miles
06nov2018 full car electrical failure. Car died, and would not restart. 151000, Hyundai, says part is on back order till middle of Dec 2018. I have to pay all costs.

- Ridgecrest, CA, USA

problem #72

Nov 142018

Sonata

  • miles
Tail lights brake lights head lights keep blowing

- Belmont, MS, USA

problem #71

May 012018

Sonata

  • 116,000 miles

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

Vehicles steering column is rattling and shaking very bad steering is very loose... also brake light bulbs keep burning out for no reason every couple of weeks and having to be replaced

- Nacogdoches, TX, USA

problem #70

Oct 312018

Sonata

  • miles
The brake lights and head lights keep over heating. Causing the light to continuously burn out. It has caused damaged to the light housing to where the light bulb doesn't fit into the housing it has also caused the wire to be burnt leading to the sockets. I am afraid my car is going to catch fire with me and my kids in it. I have been pulled over for the brake light being out then had to explain that its not out the bulb just wont go back in the housing.

- Tooele, UT, USA

problem #69

Oct 252018

Sonata

  • 68,121 miles
Car was parked. No prior warning lights or indicators had previously come on. Went to start car, all lights on dashboard flashed on and off but vehicle would not start. Popped hood and found gray foam corrosion on positive battery terminal and main fuse on terminal blown. Multiple attempts to start vehicle failed and vehicle would not start. Had vehicle towed to Hyundai dealer in albany, NY. Dealer diagnosed vehicle as needing new battery, fuse (duh!) and starter! I have not in 30 years had a starter and battery need to be replaced at same time. This is a Hyundai battery too, not aftermarket. Over $800 to get vehicle fixed! the service advisor stated they checked the battery but could not find any cracks or anything and did not understand where the corrosion came from.

- Cairo, NY, USA

problem #68

Oct 242018

Sonata

  • miles

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

While car was parked, the passenger side headlamp caught fire and burned my light, bumper, and coolant tank. The front lights burned out and the brake lights are constantly burning out and staying on while car is off. Already replaced the brake stopper switch but still same issue.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #67

Jul 192017

Sonata

  • 145,000 miles
Hello: Beginning in the summer of 2017, while driving my 2013 Hyundai Sonata will occassionally smell like burning wires, but the cause of the smell could never be determined. It seems to be strongest on really hot days when the ac is running. I recently saw an article that many people with the same vehicle have experienced the same issue and some cars have caught on fire as a result of the issues and I realized that there is definitely something causing this and I needed to report.

- Bonner Springs, KS, USA

problem #66

Oct 012018

Sonata

  • miles
'takata recall' my car always has something going one. I have changed one of break light like 3 times because it keeps going on and off. It's some time of electrial issue which can lead to something dangerous. I am honestly scared to keep driving my car with my child inside. Don't even know if my airbag works because the light is always on. I have taken it to the mechanic but that light never goes off. I'm tried of changing my break light over and over again I don't know what to do.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

problem #65

Feb 012018

Sonata

  • miles
My car has an electrical issue. I've replaced only my left brake light bulb about 6 times and on the last time replacing it doesn't work anymore. I've taken it to Hyundai and they said I need a harness replacement. So now it has started to affect my third brake light. I comes on and stayed on once I turn on my head lights. Also my done light turns flickers on and off while the switch is in the auto/neutral position. This to me is a clear fire hazard being that it's an electrical issue. All starting from the harness I need for a brake light.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #64

Sep 202018

Sonata

  • 94,500 miles

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

My car shutdown while I was on the road, thurs. Sept. 20th, 2018 at 10 pm.. I couldn't get to turn back over, couldn't get the hazards to want to stay on, steering wheel locked up. I called 911 based on the fact I was on a back road, and had vehicles passing me in the middle of the night. I then noticed an odd smell, which I mentioned to 911. Less than a minute later, smoke began pouring through the vents. As they ask my location, I noticed a flicker outside my window towards the front end of the vehicle (almost looked like it came from the wheel well). I got out, answered the question, as the entire front end of my car was on fire. Within a matter of minutes, the entire car was engulfed. The fire department reacted quickly, but the car was a loss. I'm currently waiting to hear back from insurance, as I had recently bought the vehicle in Feb. Of 2017, with no knowledge of any problems.

- Rochelle, IL, USA

problem #63

Aug 052018

Sonata

  • 122,000 miles
Driving down the highway. Gauges all normal. No warnings suddenly starting knocking over heating. No smoke. Stop and pull over. Cam sensor was totally melted. Head was cracked motor no good. $4200 to replace motor. Dealership said there was no fire yet the sensor was melted outside of the head. Antifreeze came through pistons. Hyundai doesn't stand behind anything. One year ago idler bearing froze causing $1500 damage with 102000. These cars should last longer for the price you pay. They always lay the blame back in your lap.

- Doniphan, MO, USA

problem #62

Sep 032018

Sonata

  • miles
My brake lights constantly burn out and get hot. My harness even melts due to the heat and my bulbs. I have replaced my brake lights at least 6 times or more in less than 2 years. I have complained to hyundaiusa and the dealership about the issue since 2016 for them to want to charge me over $500 for the repair. I'm also having issues with my headlights blowing, my interior lights coming on when they want too(have to leave them on off all the time) and my lights flickering. I am terrified of my car catching fire due to the electrical issues it's having. There have been several issues with this car since I had it and it's ridiculous.

- Edgefield, SC, USA

problem #61

Aug 012018

Sonata

  • miles
Tail lights and brake lights constantly burn out. This issue has been going on for over 4 years for me and according to complaints online, it's been an issue as far back as 2010 for Sonatas. The bulbs are burning out too quickly and I am afraid that it may lead to a fire. I should not have to continue buying replacement bulbs or paying fees to fix this problem which Hyundai is responsible for.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #60

Oct 202017

Sonata

  • miles
Both rear brake lights keep blowing bulbs the housing for the bulb melted unable to change light bulbs forced to replace housing and wiring I've seen this on almost every same year Sonata gls and or turbo no matter how many times we replace bulbs they burn out and I'm left without brake lights

- Triangle, VA, USA

problem #59

Aug 012018

Sonata

  • 79,412 miles
Both brake taillights bulbs keeps burning out this is an ongoing issue, it happened four times for me this year 8/1/2018, and three times last year 2017. Every time it happens I change the bulbs with the manufacture standard ones but fails again and again, I have done some google research and find forums of complaints regarding this brake light problem. Its becoming a safety issue because the tail lights sockets are overheating causing the buld to melt and stick into the tail lights socket, I notice the same problem when I change my bulb earlier this year. There's a lot of Hyundai owners complaining about this issue it needs to be fix before someone's car catch on fire.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #58

Jul 282018

Sonata

  • 109,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle on the 95 N going onto 295 N highway for approximately 1 hour when it started to lose power and smoke. I pulled over and discovered via another car passing by that the vehicle was on fire and it went up in flames.

- Hanover, MD, USA

problem #57

Jul 282018

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
I went to drive my car to work Friday morning 6/27/2018 and it was dead. My husband had my battery tested, they said it was low so we bought a new battery and it worked. Car ran fine for the night and next afternoon, then out of the blue my car stalled and wouldn't start again ( 6/28/2018) I had to jump it. It started right away no problems, noises etc. I went ahead and drove it to our mechanics place across town (approx. 2-3 miles) for them to look at on Monday. As we were getting out of the car (it was turned off and parked) we noticed smoke coming from under the hood and then very quickly flames. When I drove the car those 2-3 miles there was no strange noises or sounds coming from engine. We called fire department. This happened 07/28/2018. And my car has been seen by the insurance company and is totaled.

- Salem, IL, USA

problem #56

Jul 242018

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle on July 25, 2018 and it suddenly stopped on the highway. I took it in and was told that there was an engine failure.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #55

Jun 012018

Sonata

  • 39,000 miles
I have been having an ongoing issue on my 2013 Hyundai Sonata limited. If you just look at 2011+ Hyundai Sonata's on the road while driving 90% of them have a tail light out! the issue is the tail light assembly where the bulb clips in is melted so the bulb will not stay in place. The bulb is constantly moving around while driving so it comes lose or blows over and over. The only proper fix for this is to change the whole tail light so I believe Hyundai needs to do something about this as if your tail lights are out you can easily meet in an accident. I have changed my bulb at least 6 times for far and I have only had the car for 6 months, its a 2013 Hyundai Sonata limited 2.4 non turbo na. I searched several forums online and others have reported this issue or spend $300 to fix one or $00 for both. This a manufacturer defect the tail light should not be melting.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

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