2013 Hyundai Sonata
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 11 |
| 1990 | 16 |
| 1991 | 29 |
| 1992 | 22 |
| 1993 | 26 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1995 | 66 |
| 1996 | 23 |
| 1997 | 49 |
| 1998 | 49 |
| 1999 | 124 |
| 2000 | 276 |
| 2001 | 205 |
| 2002 | 319 |
| 2003 | 199 |
| 2004 | 202 |
| 2005 | 165 |
| 2006 | 1047 |
| 2007 | 696 |
| 2008 | 425 |
| 2009 | 460 |
| 2010 | 345 |
| 2011 | 3368 |
| 2012 | 1551 |
| 2013 | 1895 |
| 2014 | 740 |
| 2015 | 1123 |
| 2016 | 717 |
| 2017 | 758 |
| 2018 | 364 |
| 2019 | 153 |
| 2020 | 165 |
| 2021 | 119 |
| 2022 | 88 |
| 2023 | 83 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
38% of complaints: engine — 725 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2013 Sonata engine fire on 9/21/2023. Insurance totaled car Engine replace on 1/6/22I by dealership with reman sub engine 1) Engine aluminum flared gas line from engine fuel pump to cylinders was cracked and leaked gas.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230929
18% of complaints: steering — 339 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH13% of complaints: electrical system — 250 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS DRIVING A NEW 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA IN A PARKING AREA, APPROACHING A PARKING SPACE FOR A STRAIGHT-IN PARKING FACING A BUILDING. MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 10MPH. I BRAKE CONTINUOUSLY TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130424
9% of complaints: exterior lighting — 177 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY7% of complaints: service brakes — 141 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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 with
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.
Campaign 12V352000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 14V434000 — check if this car was fixed
Front Passenger Seat Belt Anchor Failure
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.
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.
Campaign 17V152000 — check if this car was fixed
Scope and Timeliness
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.
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.
Campaign 17V226000 — check if this car was fixed
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152.
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.
Campaign 17V617000 — check if this car was fixed
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
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.
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.
Campaign 18V137000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V934000 — check if this car was fixed
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Electrical overstress
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles.
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.
Campaign 20V121000 — check if this car was fixed
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Engine Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles.
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.
Campaign 22V312000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2013 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (725 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (339 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (250 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V352000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V434000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V152000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V226000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V617000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V137000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V121000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V312000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2013 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Hyundai Sonata is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Sonata have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.