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 1 of 12)

problem #228

May 012023

Sonata

  • miles

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

All bulbs in vehicle do not work. No matter how many times I have them replaced they continue to blow or not work. Without headlights I cannot drive, without brake lights other drivers cannot see me. This is a HUGE SAFTY ISSUE. I cannot drive my vehicle because lights are malfunctioning.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #227

Jul 012020

Sonata

  • miles
All 4 of my door lock actuators have failed since, 1 year in to owning the vehicle. There is a safety concern in not being able to get into or out of the vehicle due to the locks failing. As well as, making me a target for theft. Sometimes the locks will lock, other times they will not. I once put my dogs in the car and the locks would not open back up, it was terrifying. The component has not been checked yet, but I see there was a recall but my Vin was not included for some reason. This happens without warning.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #226

Apr 152024

Sonata

  • miles
Brake lights do not illuminate when parking lights are engaged. We have replaced the socket multiple times. The standard 1157 bulb causes the socket to melt and has deformed the housing for the bulb from extreme heat from the bulb. Replaced the socket 3 times in 3 months this last time it stopped working within 4 days. The obvious safety risk is that cars following the vehicle not being able to determine when the car is braking for a stop at night. The secondary concern is that the lights pose a fire hazard.

- White Settlement, TX, USA

problem #225

Apr 192024

Sonata

  • miles

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

On 04/19/24 I was driving my car like I normally do. There was no indication of a problem whatsoever. No lights were on, no malfunctioning, no nothing. Suddenly an alarm sounded while I was travelling about 60 mph in normal, dry weather conditions. The digital dashboard said "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" and suddenly every single light on the dashboard lit in sync with each other. I pulled my car over on the side of the road and thought maybe I could reboot it. Nothing worked so I had to have the car towed to my house because the service center was closed. I performed research to learn that my car was on the recall list and needed to be serviced. I spoke to the dealership on 04/20/24 and told them it was a recall and needed service. A man asked me to have it towed there on 04/22/24 and that was the last time I have seen my car as of today 05/26/24! I have been calling to very kindly get some kind of status on the repair and when my car will be available for pickup. Every time I call they tell me they will give me my car back "tomorrow, " but tomorrow never comes. I have reached out to Hyundai to ask them for reimbursement of my expenses and to be compensated for such an inconvenience and they are telling me they have a limit on reimbursements that only covers a certain amount of the expense I have had to pay for ride sharing. I would like to be compensated for the hardships this has caused me, the pain and suffering, work stoppage, and reduced quality of life since I do not have the car I paid cash for. The time I have had to wait for the repairs is beyond unreasonable and should result in compensation.

- College Park, GA, USA

problem #224

Apr 182024

Sonata

  • miles
Hello, My rear brake lights burn out frequently and the bulbs get so hot it deforms the plastic bulb holders and the light bulb falls out resulting in no brake lights. This has been happening for over 10 years. Hyundai has acknowledged the problem and sent a notice to repair it for free if the car is less than 15 years old or less than 200,000 mile. My Sonata has 210,000 miles and they will not repair the defect. I've replaced hundreds of bulbs and multiple bulb holders/wiring harnesses. My daughter has been pulled over multiple times and yelled at from other drivers because her brake lights do not work. The reason why these bulbs get so hot is because it receives to much voltage. Hyundai acknowledges this fact. My brake lights receive 13.4 volts instead of around 12. To much voltage gets them hot and burns them out quicker. It's a safety issue Hyundai acknowledges but wont repair. I guess I have no alternative but to keep replacing the bulbs.... This car is not ready for the scrap yard yet as it get a new engine from Hyundai because the original seized up from another Hyundai defect Do you have any recourse or advise on how to get Hyundai to repair it like they would if the car had 199,999 miles on it" Hyundai refused to budge on the matter. Any advice"

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #223

Jan 152024

Sonata

  • miles
Wires, reverse osmosis system unauthorized and unknown

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #222

Feb 152024

Sonata

  • miles

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

I see that the recall notice was issued in September of 2023 but I have to say that for no recall remedy to be available yet is disheartening. I drive my car every day and it is the only car I have, because of that I risk my life everyday. My car loses power because of this recall daily and it ranges from 3-6 times a day. I lose power on the highway, the main roads and back roads, it does not matter the speed or time of day. I would like them to push out a fix now. Eventually I will end up in an accident because sadly I cannot afford to get into a new car or a used car.

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

problem #221

Feb 072024

Sonata

  • miles
Driver side brake lights keep melting the housing replaced at my cost the housing and bulb 2 times took to dealer no help went in at 202258 miles for service had a extended warranty which had expired at 200,000 dealer offered no help told me about cost of new housing I looked and found bad bulb replaced it for $6 insteaded of $300 plus dollars for housing dealer was no help with this problem safety problem with no brake light

- Golden Valley, AZ, USA

problem #220

Jan 272024

Sonata

  • miles
While driving the car at freeway speeds it died and quit running, and the engine compartment began smoking, and a fire ensued under the hood. Gasoline could be smelled before it started fire.

- American Fork, UT, USA

problem #219

Jan 182024

Sonata

  • miles
Hyundai recall 23V651000 has no remedy after 4 months of the start of the recall.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #218

Jun 012023

Sonata

  • miles

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

When headlights are turned on, rear window brakelight stays illuminated but both the right and left rear brake lights do not illuminate when foot brake pedal is depressed.

- North Kingstown, RI, USA

problem #217

Dec 042023

Sonata

  • miles
Engine failure driving on the freeway. Many of the clusters in the dash suddenly lite up, check engine light also multiple warning lights.Suddenly vehicle would not accelerate. Feels like my life as well as my passengers were put at risk. Cars suddenly passing us at freeway speeds. As I pulled to the shoulder of cars were very close to hitting ours. Then when we pulled over we saw smoke coming out of the hood of the car and imediately smelled gas or plastic burning. We got out of vehicle thinking that the car might carch on fire.. The police pushed our car out the freeway to a safe zone. Had the car towed to a shop and confirmed engine failure. As of now the vehicle will not start.We are frightened that there may be a gas leak that might cause an explosion or engine may fail again while driving.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #216

Aug 242022

Sonata

  • miles
My electrical system is giving me constant issues and I have to change light bulbs frequently. Also the recall is for the fuel line system which the dealers are not contacting me back about getting repaired which is why I am submitting this report.

- Bristol, CT, USA

problem #215

Sep 152023

Sonata

  • miles
When activating gas pedal, there is a rattling and grinding when in motion and then it subsides. When stopped at light or intersection, when giving gas again, the rattling and grinding resumes. Car seemed to be running a little louder than it's ever been since purchasing a few years ago. At no time has there been any dashboard lights or warnings prompting any problems with engine, low oil or anything else which is what the dealer service center is now telling me is an issue with engine needing to be replaced. Current issues have not been occuring very long which causes me to give the service center a call for an appointment in the first place. Vehicle was dropped off a week ago today, Friday, 9/22/2023, waiting for parts. Currently no work has been done to my vehicle and is sitting on the service center's lot. Was told it will take quite a while to get parts. I've had a rental since Monday of this week and I'm scheduled to return it this evening. Rental is and was expensive and I don't have a spare vehicle to get back and forth to work. Service center hasn't offered a loaner vehicle or suggested a rental company that will provide reasonable rates and collaboration with them. I just want my vehicle fixed and not have to repair cost that would be equal to me just getting another vehicle which is what the quoted cost to repair my vehicle is equivalent to.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #214

Jul 202023

Sonata

  • miles
Tail lights constantly burn out. I have now replaced the same taillight harness 3 times and each time it is burned. This is a serious fire hazard

- Montgomery Village, MD, USA

problem #213

Jun 272023

Sonata

  • 18,178 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact became aware that the brake lights were illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the failure persisted. The contact stated that due to the brake lights remaining illuminated, the battery terminal had to be disconnected to avoid draining the battery. The contact stated that after one failure, a mechanic pulled over to the side of the roadway and the contact was informed that a sensor related to the brake lights had failed and needed to be replaced. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,178.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #212

Jul 022023

Sonata

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, the rear brake lights remained illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle failed to start up due to the battery being drained overnight. The contact researched the failure and discovered how to disconnect the brake lights to prevent the battery from being drained. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Stallings, NC, USA

problem #211

Jun 232023

Sonata

  • miles
The engine lost power while getting on the highway. I was able to let off the gas and then go again. This happened several times. I took the car to the dealer where I bought it new. I found out that there was a recall on the brake stopper. The dealership never mentioned this. They said the program was over and charged me $231 for a part that was recalled. Are they allowed to not inform us of recalls? Please advise. The dealership is Keith Hawthorne Hyundai in Gastonia NC. 704-824-6010

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #210

Jan 262023

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
I purchased the car used on 12/2/2022. Drove on local roads until 12/28/2022 then took the car on the high way for the first time, whiel driving 60 mph for approximately 5 minutes and warning siren came on and flashing dashboard that said to stop driving immediately, and pull to the side of the road if possible an electrical failure or battery failure and not power to battery or elctrical system. I pulled to the side fo the road, and got towed by AAA to Key Hyundai in Milford, CT. They kept the car for over 22days, and charged me $3148. Number 3 on the repair documet is Steering concern:ABS and traction control light DTC- it said it was a steering angle sensor circuit and they put a flexible coupling and removed and replaced sterring cupler and calibrated sterring angle sensor and reflash check. The car is leaking some type of fluid and still lurching which can cause an accident.

- Bethany, CT, USA

problem #209

May 092022

Sonata

  • miles
Car needs to rewired because my break lights keep blowing out & will no longer work. They are burned from the inside. Also when turning on lights to my car the car stalls.

- Haines City , FL, USA

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