2013 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Recalls (2,015 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata is Engine (30% of 2,015 owner reports). There are 11 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-16 2,015 complaints · 11 recalls

What problems show up on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?

614 of 2,015 filings named Engine (30% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Steering (317 reports).

There are 11 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags, Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, Engine, Fuel system, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2012 has 1,705 reports on file; this year has 2,015. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2013 Hyundai Sonata

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 11 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Steering. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight.
  4. Lights. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 614 complaints · 30.5% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 101
  • Fires 102
  • Injuries 86
  • Deaths 1
Compare with 2012 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 614 of 2,015 owner complaints (30.5%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 614 complaints, 30.5% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 9 crash reports 47 fire reports 614 · 30.5% Steering (STEERING): 317 complaints, 15.7% of reports Steering (STEERING) 8 crash reports 1 fire reports 317 · 15.7% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 188 complaints, 9.3% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 3 crash reports 10 fire reports 188 · 9.3% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 164 complaints, 8.1% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 17 fire reports 164 · 8.1% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 97 complaints, 4.8% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 10 fire reports 97 · 4.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 89 complaints, 4.4% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 6 crash reports 1 fire reports 89 · 4.4% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 76 complaints, 3.8% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 10 crash reports 2 fire reports 76 · 3.8% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 69 complaints, 3.4% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 14 crash reports 1 fire reports 69 · 3.4% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 54 complaints, 2.7% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 28 crash reports 54 · 2.7% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 366 complaints, 18.2% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 11 crash reports 18 fire reports 366 · 18.2% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 614 30.5% 9 crashes · 47 fires
Steering (STEERING) 317 15.7% 8 crashes · 1 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 188 9.3% 3 crashes · 10 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 164 8.1% 1 crashes · 17 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 97 4.8% 1 crashes · 10 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 89 4.4% 6 crashes · 1 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 76 3.8% 10 crashes · 2 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 69 3.4% 14 crashes · 1 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 54 2.7% 28 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 366 18.2% 11 crashes · 18 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Apr 2012; the first recall shown was reported in Jul 2012. 2012-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2012-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2013-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2013-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 2013-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 2013-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2014-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2014-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2014-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2014-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2015-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 2015-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2015-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2015-Q4: 20 owner reports 20 2016-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2016-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2016-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2016-Q4: 31 owner reports 31 2017-Q1: 38 owner reports 38 2017-Q2: 91 owner reports 91 2017-Q3: 62 owner reports 62 2017-Q4: 36 owner reports 36 2018-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2018-Q2: 51 owner reports 51 2018-Q3: 67 owner reports 67 2018-Q4: 63 owner reports 63 2019-Q1: 72 owner reports 72 2019-Q2: 64 owner reports 64 2019-Q3: 67 owner reports 67 2019-Q4: 54 owner reports 54 2020-Q1: 48 owner reports 48 2020-Q2: 62 owner reports 62 2020-Q3: 81 owner reports 81 2020-Q4: 46 owner reports 46 2021-Q1: 40 owner reports 40 2021-Q2: 44 owner reports 44 2021-Q3: 48 owner reports 48 2021-Q4: 37 owner reports 37 2022-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2022-Q2: 44 owner reports 44 2022-Q3: 85 owner reports 85 2022-Q4: 33 owner reports 33 2023-Q1: 38 owner reports 38 2023-Q2: 37 owner reports 37 2023-Q3: 37 owner reports 37 2023-Q4: 20 owner reports 20 2024-Q1: 31 owner reports 31 2024-Q2: 26 owner reports 26 2024-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2024-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2025-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2025-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 2025-Q3: 27 owner reports 27 2025-Q4: 23 owner reports 23 2026-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 2026-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2026-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 2026-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 Owner reports Apr 2012 Oct 2026 Recall campaign 12V352000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V352000 Recall campaign 14V434000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V434000 Recall campaign 17V152000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V152000 Recall campaign 17V226000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V226000 Recall campaign 17V617000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V617000 Recall campaign 18V137000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V137000 Recall campaign 18V934000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V934000 Recall campaign 20V121000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V121000 Recall campaign 20V746000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V746000 Recall campaign 22V312000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V312000 Recall campaign 23V651000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V651000 Investigation PE16018 ● Investigation PE16018 Investigation RQ17004 ● Investigation RQ17004 Investigation PE18003 ● Investigation PE18003 Investigation DP18003 ● Investigation DP18003 Investigation DP18003 ● Investigation DP18003 Investigation PE19003 ● Investigation PE19003 Investigation PE19003 ● Investigation PE19003 Investigation EA19001 ● Investigation EA19001 Investigation EA19001 ● Investigation EA19001 Investigation DP21003 ● Investigation DP21003 Investigation EA21003 ● Investigation EA21003 Investigation EA21003 ● Investigation EA21003 Investigation DP22003 ● Investigation DP22003 Investigation DP22003 ● Investigation DP22003 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005 Investigation AQ23002 ● Investigation AQ23002
  • Campaign 14V434000 was reported 710 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V152000 was reported 890 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V226000 was reported 1,268 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V617000 was reported 1,100 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V121000 was reported 2,068 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V312000 was reported 2,866 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V651000 was reported 3,737 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2012-Q2 Owner reports 1
2012-Q3 Owner reports 6
2012-Q4 Owner reports 10
2013-Q1 Owner reports 16
2013-Q2 Owner reports 23
2013-Q3 Owner reports 17
2013-Q4 Owner reports 14
2014-Q1 Owner reports 15
2014-Q2 Owner reports 15
2014-Q3 Owner reports 23
2014-Q4 Owner reports 21
2015-Q1 Owner reports 18
2015-Q2 Owner reports 11
2015-Q3 Owner reports 24
2015-Q4 Owner reports 20
2016-Q1 Owner reports 27
2016-Q2 Owner reports 17
2016-Q3 Owner reports 23
2016-Q4 Owner reports 31
2017-Q1 Owner reports 38
2017-Q2 Owner reports 91
2017-Q3 Owner reports 62
2017-Q4 Owner reports 36
2018-Q1 Owner reports 35
2018-Q2 Owner reports 51
2018-Q3 Owner reports 67
2018-Q4 Owner reports 63
2019-Q1 Owner reports 72
2019-Q2 Owner reports 64
2019-Q3 Owner reports 67
2019-Q4 Owner reports 54
2020-Q1 Owner reports 48
2020-Q2 Owner reports 62
2020-Q3 Owner reports 81
2020-Q4 Owner reports 46
2021-Q1 Owner reports 40
2021-Q2 Owner reports 44
2021-Q3 Owner reports 48
2021-Q4 Owner reports 37
2022-Q1 Owner reports 35
2022-Q2 Owner reports 44
2022-Q3 Owner reports 85
2022-Q4 Owner reports 33
2023-Q1 Owner reports 38
2023-Q2 Owner reports 37
2023-Q3 Owner reports 37
2023-Q4 Owner reports 20
2024-Q1 Owner reports 31
2024-Q2 Owner reports 26
2024-Q3 Owner reports 16
2024-Q4 Owner reports 16
2025-Q1 Owner reports 20
2025-Q2 Owner reports 22
2025-Q3 Owner reports 27
2025-Q4 Owner reports 23
2026-Q1 Owner reports 21
2026-Q2 Owner reports 20
2026-Q3 Owner reports 22
2026-Q4 Owner reports 4
Recall campaign 1 12V352000
Recall campaign 1 14V434000
Recall campaign 1 17V152000
Recall campaign 1 17V226000
Recall campaign 1 17V617000
Recall campaign 1 18V137000
Recall campaign 1 18V934000
Recall campaign 1 20V121000
Recall campaign 1 20V746000
Recall campaign 1 22V312000
Recall campaign 1 23V651000
Defect investigation 1 PE16018
Defect investigation 1 RQ17004
Defect investigation 1 PE18003
Defect investigation 1 DP18003
Defect investigation 1 DP18003
Defect investigation 1 PE19003
Defect investigation 1 PE19003
Defect investigation 1 EA19001
Defect investigation 1 EA19001
Defect investigation 1 DP21003
Defect investigation 1 EA21003
Defect investigation 1 EA21003
Defect investigation 1 DP22003
Defect investigation 1 DP22003
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
Defect investigation 1 AQ23002
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Safety Recalls (11)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags, Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, Engine, Fuel system, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 12V352000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 14V434000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
    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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 17V152000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
    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. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 17V226000

    Engine

    Report date
    Component:
    Engine (ENGINE)
    Consequence:
    Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 17V617000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    Consequence:
    If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
    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. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 18V137000

    Safety recall 18V137000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 18V934000

    Safety recall 18V934000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
    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. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 20V121000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
    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. The recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 189. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Recall campaign 20V746000

    Safety recall 20V746000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Recall campaign 22V312000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
    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. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 20V-121. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-121 that did not receive a replacement fuel hose will need to have this new recall remedy performed.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Recall campaign 23V651000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-16
Safety incident filters
Showing 9 of 2,015 complaints · page 1 of 81
2026-10-12Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11770626
CrashFireInjuryDeath
My 2013 sonata caught fire from the engine I was barely able to get out safely
2026-10-07Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11769695
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2013 Sonata 2.4 81,953 mi, seized on highway with fresh oil change 1 week prior, loss of power, steering/braking. Happened on George Washington Bridge (NY/NJ) with near collision. Asssited by Police to move vehicle out of highway. Inspected by dealer (Paramus Hyundai) and confirmed loss of power due to engine problem. Dealer denied warranty for poor maintenance despite receipt showing recent maintenance. This vehicle is covered under life warranty by Hyundai for manufacture defective engine, yet they denying engine replacement. The engine problem is a serious safety risk.
2026-10-07Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11769598
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel shuddered violently, pulled towards the left or the right. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with Technical Service Bulletin: 17-ST-002. The contact attempted to repair the vehicle; however, the clockspring was damaged. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
2026-10-06Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11769361
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The driver airbag light came on along with the horn not working, steering wheel buttons not working, and cruise control not working. It has been verified as the time spring not working properly.
2026-09-28Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11767524
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Factual summary * Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Sonata * VIN: [XXX] * Incident date: XXX * Failure: Sudden knocking noise, immediate check‑engine illumination, loss of power, and catastrophic engine failure; vehicle towed to Allen Turner Hyundai, 6501 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505. * Recall: My VIN appears on Hyundai’s engine recall list; the recall notice was issued before the vehicle received a rebranded title. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026-09-23Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11766367
CrashFireInjuryDeath
When turning the steering wheel, left or right, there was a distinct “clunking” noise, and you could feel it in the steering wheel. When the car was inspected by the Hyundai service department, I was informed that the problem was a part in the steering coupler.
2026-09-18Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11765371
CrashFireInjuryDeath
In 2023, my Hyundai Sonota 2013 hybrid stopped on the freeway putting myself and others at risk. It told me to stop and pull over to a safe spot but everything locked up and I couldn't move it. I had to get a fuse replaced and it cost over $2k. 3 years later, my cars EBrake light has remained on for a few weeks, it will show a battery discharge warning upon starting up sometimes but now I can't even drive it as it displays "check brake and hybrid warning system" alerts appear on the dash display. I've already been terrified for years that this would happen again. This car is absolutely unsafe. It's still under 100k miles and has given me so many problems even though I have taken great care of it. I am taking it to the Hyundai dealership for another diagnostic. The fact that I see so many others online with similar issues leads me to believe that there should be more recalls on this car; moreover, I believe Hyundai purposely designs this models to break down regularly so we can take it to their dealership to be exonerated by their high prices for parts and labor. Hyundai is a con artist company. They do not design their automobiles with the safety of drivers in mind.
2026-09-10Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11763450
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The safety recall (Hyundai Recall 227, NHTSA Recall 22V-312) repair on my 2013 Hyundai Sonata (previously completed by a Hyundai dealership prior to my purchase in April 2026) has suffered a critical mechanical failure. In May 2026, within 30 days of driving the vehicle, the recalled safety component completely failed while the vehicle was in operation on a public roadway. This sudden failure created an immediate safety hazard, resulting in complete fuel loss, forcing me to immediately pull over and have the vehicle towed to a repair facility (Meineke).An independent mechanical inspection confirmed that the exact component covered under the manufacturer's original safety recall had failed again. Because a critical, manufacturer-designated safety recall remedy failed to permanently correct the underlying defect within 30 days of use, this vehicle remains an active safety hazard.
2026-09-09Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11763154
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Knock sensor has detected a failure. Check engine light is flashing and the car is in limp mode.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?

Owners named Engine most often — 614 of 2,015 reports (30%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA lists 11 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags, Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, Engine, Fuel system, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2013 Hyundai Sonata?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-16. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources