10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,310 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 Hybrid electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #18

Aug 172018

Sonata Hybrid

  • 140,000 miles

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

I have had my car for a couple years. Randomly, I got an alert while keeping regular maintenacnce on my car saying "check brakes" and "hybrid system warning". I brought it to the dealership and they said the "hecu, hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu)" is faulty. This is an issue with the Hyundai genesis, but not an active recall on the 2013 Sonata hybrid. However, I believe my model of car is affected by this issue, as well. The dealership said they could not do anything for me because there is not active recall, so I am reaching out to you to report this. I hope an investigation can take place for this because I know I am not the only one affected by this issue at no fault of my own. Thank you so much.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #17

Aug 022018

Sonata Hybrid

  • 106,000 miles
While I was driving the car stopped and wouldn't start, all the lights came on, message on dashboard read "hybrid system error" "check charging system" than everything went off, no power, no emergency lights, this in the middle of a busy street. Luckily a sheriff's was nearby and rerouted cars. Very scary. Seems I am not the only one that has a similar experience. This happened when I was going to work at 7:45am at S very busy intersection. Car is at mechanic's shop.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #16

Oct 282017

Sonata Hybrid

  • 72,000 miles
On October 28, 2017, I was injured in an automobile collision, which was caused solely by a malfunction by my 2013 Hyundai sonata. On that date, I was driving my vehicle safely and carefully, like I always do. I was proceeding slowly in my car, and traveling between 10 miles per hour. I stepped on the brake pedal and tried to bring my vehicle to a complete stop. However, when I stepped on the brake pedal, the brakes would not engage, and the car kept moving forward and the shifting gears got stuck. Despite my multiple efforts to apply sufficient force to the brakes, the car would not stop. I then tried to disengage the transmission by placing the shift selector to 'neutral, ' but I could not move shifter or move the shifter from 'drive' to 'neutral.' Despite pressing firmly on the button and shifter, I was unable to put the car in neutral, and it proceeded forwarded until it struck a street sign, whereupon my vehicle came to rest. This is not the first time I had these problems with my car. I purchased my vehicle on or about October 15, 2014 from mission hills Hyundai ('dealer'), and have always had it serviced there. Earlier this year, on or about May 18, 2017, I took my car to the dealer to have the brakes and transmission inspected and serviced. At that time, I explained to the dealer service department that I was having difficulty with the brakes and shifter when putting the car into reverse.

- North Hills, CA, USA

problem #15

Nov 282017

Sonata Hybrid

  • 114,000 miles

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

For the past 3 years a siren goes off in my car and the lites start flashing such as brake lights, the key fob light states showing as if it can't be found in vehicle. Most of all the vehicle can't start. The first time I brought it to one dealership to have my battery replaced. The second year I had the same thing happened right in the mist of traffic, the car stopped and couldn't move, same symptoms and had to have it towed from South phila. To burlington NJ., results were that the relays had failed. Just this week I went to start my car and nothing happened. Tried again and the interior lights started blinking and a siren like a diving submarine started blaring. Called the tow service and again brought it to dealership. This time my car is at the shop with no clue as to what's wrong with

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #14

Nov 212017

Sonata Hybrid

  • 118,700 miles
We bought this car used from the dealer early on we had hybrid warning system issues we have been stuck on the side of the road several times having to have the car towed to the dealer recharged and service each time we were told they don't find anything wrong the dealer charges the battery and gives the car back. Now 3 years later we got the oil changed as normal, it's thanksgiving week and we are headed to vacation 3 hours from home we ar E an hour away from destination and the car loses power going up hill the oil pan light comes on, we pull over in the middle of the mountains and sit on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck to find us. We tow the car to the dealer hoping something wasn't done right with the oil changed however dealer says the engine seized and the car is outside of warranty and extended warranty so we will need to pay $6600 to replace with used engine. This car is 4 years old we regularly had the oil changed. We are not given any reason for the seized engine. Please look into this. This car has been nothing but problems since the day we got it and the dealer has never provided much help as were asked to take pictures which we did but still nothing.

- Antioch, CA, USA

problem #13

Jul 012017

Sonata Hybrid

  • 59,650 miles
Car will not start. All the power, radio & the light comes on but when turn the ignition it doesn't make a sound. Problem is intermittently not start. Reviewed online seems like similar to or related to switch-inhibitor ("42700R00 switch assy-transmission range. Had the car at dealer due to warning light for hybrid system 2 weeks ago and was told they could not repeat issue

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #12

May 062017

Sonata Hybrid

  • 87,000 miles

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

Car failed to start normally. No ev ready mode. Determined that vehicle would start after depressing brake, pressing start button, moving shifter through gear selection quickly, then pressing start button again. Recurred 4 times in a 1 week period. About the same date, car had warning to stop the car immediately and do not drive. This warning came on several different times during the same week as starting problems.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 262017

Sonata Hybrid

  • 44,602 miles
I was driving on a interstate and suddenly I see "hybrid system warning message" + "check charging system" with continuous alarm beep sounds. I had to immediately move to the right most shoulder on the interstate (which I was able to as car was still on with engine running). Once, I moved to the shoulder, I turned off the engine and restarted the car with check engine light. It would turn on fine but wouldn't move and immediately it throws up the error. I have attached the pics for reference. Since car didn't turn off in the middle of highway, I was safely able to move it to the curb. I cannot imagine what would have happened if car had shut off. I had it towed to the nearest dealer and there are working on it. I just had a 45000 miles factory servicing with same dealership where the car got towed to and they checked on all the green boxes. Within a week, I had this issue. This is what troubling me.

- Cincinncati, OH, USA

problem #10

Jan 132016

Sonata Hybrid

  • 52,765 miles
Car stopped in the middle of local street road and not able to be driven to move to side of road. Car towed to delaer for repair. Want to warn about this danger to other owners. We were lucky since no one was behind us when the car immediately stopped in the middle of the road. Car was repaired by delaer as follows. Tech scan codes and found codes U1007, P1775, P1774. Tech check A/T fluid, red color, smell normal. Reset codes, codes come back. Tsb provided by tech line. Tech follow tsb#14-hc-003, result to replace oil pump control unit and recheck. After replacing oil pump control unit, same problem present. Tech replace oil pump, and found open yellow wire from oil pump unit to oil pump. Car runs normal and no codes present at this time. Tech try to put the old oil pump and pump module back in, problem happened again. Tech confirm the pump and module are bad. New oil pump and module reinstalled. Car under warranty and repair was successful. Delaer did a good job keeping me informed on the progress, even though it took longer than expected to repair the car.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #9

Nov 212015

Sonata Hybrid

  • 41,000 miles
As I started to slow down from 75mph the car started to beep and the ready light was flashing. Many indicator lights came on to include the battery indicator light, and the amber box with a wrench in it. It said "check hybrid charging system" and "safely pull over" as the car slowed down the car would no longer go forward, the lights dimmed and would no longer accelerate.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #8

May 012015

Sonata Hybrid

  • miles

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

I have a push button vehicle. I was at home and I attempted to start the vehicle (push the button and press down on the brakes), the car would not start. There was no "ready" button. Multiple unsuccessful attempts. The car appeared to be in standby mode. There was no additional "signal code" or alarm button that appeared on the standard dash board. After 1 hour, the car did not start and was taken to service at thornton road Hyundai. Initially, the car did not start upon arrival to the dealership, however after 10 minutes (without any intervention), the car did not start. The vehicle stayed at the dealer until 5/7/15, where the dealership could not duplicate the complaint/problem.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #7

Aug 182015

Sonata Hybrid

  • miles
I have a push button vehicle. I was at home and I attempted to start the vehicle (push the button and press down on the brakes), the car would not start. There was no "ready" button. Multiple unsuccessful attempts over 30 minutes. The car appeared to be in standby mode. There was no additional "signal code" or alarm button that appeared on the standard dash board. After 45 minutes, the car started without any intervention.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #6

Aug 252015

Sonata Hybrid

  • 43,000 miles
I have a push button vehicle. When I attempted to start the vehicle (push the button and press down on the brakes), the car would not start. There was no "ready" button. The car appeared to be in standby mode. There was no additional "signal code" or alarm button that appeared on the standard dash board. Had to call road side assistance to tow to the dealership. Initial wait time for the vehicle not starting was over 1 hour.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #5

Dec 012014

Sonata Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 17,200 miles
Rear taillight assemblies X 4 {left and right trunk hood assemblies and the outer turn signal/brakelight assemblies) have pooling of water and condensation/debris buildup inside the lens covers. Also noticed condensation and liquid buildup within the license plate illumination lenses. Very concerning as these are electrical components that are contained near the high-voltage lithium battery contained within the trunk space.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 212014

Sonata Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 707 miles
First repair done at the dealership on 2/21/14 for drivers door lock not working the car had 707 miles on it. I was given a rental car from enterprise for the duration of the repair. The repair took one day which they repaired the "left front door lock actuator latch assembly". I received a phone call stating my car was ready at 5pm, but as I did not want to drive in rush hour traffic I picked the car up the next day. Second repair for the same problem was on 6/18/2014 and the car now had 5,117 miles on it. I was given a genesis to drive while my car was being taken care of. I was phoned twice that day to say they were still looking into my car and they would get back to me. At 6pm that day they said they were still working on it. This service invoice now says the following "found loose terminal at door latch lock/unlock pin. Tweaked (?) door latch connector terminals and reassembled door locks. Doors working normally." I picked my car up on 6/20/2014. On 6/28/2014 at work with the car now showing 5406 miles on the clock it has happened again. I have phoned the same dealership and informed them I will be there Monday (6/30/14) when they open at 7am to have this car repaired again. They have now had the car for two days and I have not heard anything back from them. I am now suing Hyundai.

- Wylie, TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 122013

Sonata Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
Engine shut off and battery only lets you go 1/4 mile pulled into parking lot turned car off waited 5 minutes and car started back up. Took car to dealer but could not find anything wrong told me to drive it. It happened again in April they had car for 7 days but could not find anything. Told me to drive it. It started again on june17th they say there is nothing wrong.

- Beverly, NJ, USA

problem #2

Dec 272013

Sonata Hybrid

  • 3,650 miles
27 Dec 2013: Hybrid battery drained without any warning and car could not be accelerated more than 20 miles/hr while driving. Eventually the car stopped on the road. Dashboard showed "park safely and do not drive" with loud beeping warning sound. Turned off and restarted the car, the engine wouldn't charge the battery. After towing to the service, the car started as normal; the tech could not duplicate the problem so nothing was done. 16 Jan 2014: The same problem happened while driving. After I parked the car on the side of the road, the hybrid battery started to recharge to a quarter strength on the dashboard; started to drive again and car jerked twice without being able to accelerate more than 30 miles/hr and eventually had to stop the car on the side of the road. The engine would not start again and same warning on my dash. After being towed to the dealer again, the tech could not duplicate the case; suspected the computer system problem and changed bms control module.4 Feb 2014: Similar situation. Hybrid battery would not charge more than 1-quarter and the car would not accelerate more than 35 M/hr obtained a case number from Hyundai and identified a possible problem of the hybrid battery by the engineer. New hybrid battery was installed.14 Feb 2014: Started the car, the main screen showed discharge warning for a few seconds then the car runs normal. Turned off the car and tried to restart, the engine wouldn't start. After a couple hours, the car seems to running normal.the problem: Hyundai seems to give us an answer 'we cannot duplicate the problem, therefore keep driving it until it happens again. This is a lemon and Hyundai needs to accept it and negotiate with us to make things right. I do want to say that the local dealership should be commended on their service, its the management above them that needs to get things done.

- Hampton Cove, AL, USA

problem #1

Oct 192013

Sonata Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 300 miles
When stopping at a red light or a stop sign or going up a slight driveway there is a loss of power when you apply the gas for a few seconds, and then the car surges. We were stopped behind a car and when we went to drive around them the car would only go approx 1 mph with the gas pedal flat on the floor, then the car surges. Then at other times there are no problems. The dealership is trying to tell me we are driving with one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas. I do not use my left foot for the brake. I tried taking the car out of blue mode but still had the problem.

- Largo, FL, USA

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