2013 Hyundai Sonata Body & structure Problems

About a year ago, I went out one morning, and the Rear Passenger Door would not engage or open. I tried using the key fob, as well as manual lock, trying to lock and unlock, and it still would not open. No one can get into the car from the outside. No one can get out of the car from the inside. This especially is very dangerous. Nothing has changed. I would like Hyundai to repair my door, since it is inoperable. In case of accident, fire, or other reason, someone would be locked in to their detriment.

NHTSA ID

11707662

Incident

Dec 15, 2024

The right-rear passenger door will not open from either the inside or outside of the car. This happened suddenly with no warning. It was instantaneous. I went to go pick my toddler from daycare and when we were returning to the car, the right-rear passenger door will not open after unlocking the car with my key fob. All the other doors (3) could be opened with the key fob or without the key fob from inside the car. I tried to open the right-rear paasenger door from the inside and it still will not open. Additionally, you can hear the locking system on the door moving when locking and unlocking the car with the key fob but the door simply won't open. This is a safety issue because it hinders my ability to quickly get to my toddler in case of an emergency.

NHTSA ID

11692733

Incident

Oct 8, 2025

The left rear door won't open from the inside or from outside. The door just suddenly stopped working without any warning or without any damage to the door, or to the key FOB. I use it to transport an elderly person or sometimes my grand kids, it is dangerous especially if someone has to exit the car immediately.

NHTSA ID

11663549

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

The back doors will no longer open when unlocked. This poses a safety risk. I was unable to get my child out of his car seat when the locks or locking mechanism went out. I had to climb into the back seat from the front. The door do not open either from the interior or exterior of the vehicle. A mechanic stated that this could be from faulty solenoids. I was unable to get a print out of a quote at the time of writing this

NHTSA ID

11634770

Incident

Oct 2, 2023

Rear driver side door cannot be opened from the inside or the outside of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11627826

Incident

Aug 3, 2024

Vehicle driver and passenger door handles will not open from the outside despite being unlocked. No damage occurred to handles. Handles worked one day and stopped working the next. Huge safety risk, if there is an accident, the driver and passenger are completely inaccessible.

NHTSA ID

11595902

Incident

Apr 10, 2024

My rear drivers side door will not open. I cannot get my grandson out of his car seat without walking to the passenger side of the car. If there was an accident, first responders would not be able to reach anyone in the backseat behind the driver's seat. This is a common problem with this make/model vehicle. I asked the dealer to try to open it for me, but wouldn't even look at it for without a $185 charge. No one else has inspected the vehicle. There were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ID

11588905

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

My vehicle and a couple more vehicles that I have seen seem to have a cracked interior dashboard caused by the heat. This problem seems to be common on hyundai's of different models. I've owned several different manufacturered vehicles, and this is the first vehicle manufacturer with a common problem with the cracking of the vehicles interior dashboard it has plastic fumes. There seems to be no remedy for this defective product. I have done research and found alot of people online having the same problem.

NHTSA ID

11515108

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

Currently, Hyundai has issued a notification for extended warranty on a 2016 Hyundai Tucson and the Hyundai ELANTRA for an issue with the door latch system. However, this problem is occurring in several other Hyundai models. I own a 2016 Tucson and also a 2013 Sonata. the problem starts out usually when you try to open the door you have to pull the handle 2 to 3 times before it opens eventually it will not open at all. I had the problem fixed on the Tucson it was still under warranty, however, my 2013 Sonata rear driver side door just stopped opening from both the inside or the outside. I’ve watched videos on how to get the door open and I’ve looked up how to get it fixed. If I take it to the dealer it can cost up to $1500 which I don’t have. I don’t understand why it’s not a safety recall. I currently have one grand child who sits in a car seat in the back, and I only have one way of getting her in and out through the opposite door that opens , in another week, I will have a second grandchild to put in my car. I cannot install both car seats and use them if only one door opening. This is a safety hazard in all their vehicles. They use the same latch mechanism on all of their vehicles, if you look at YouTube, you’ll see hundreds of Tucson videos and if you search sonata you’ll find the same latch problem with sonatas. When I took my Tucson to be repaired, I asked about the Sonata and the repair person said if there’s no recall, I would have to pay to have it fixed. This is a safety issue because you can close your door and drive then Stop your car and try to open your door and it won’t open, and it is impossible to climb from the front seat to the backseat in a Sonata . There is no warning, It just happens. please look into this I need my doors fixed and I cannot afford $1500 to fix one door!

NHTSA ID

11503792

Incident

Nov 20, 2021

2013 Hyundai Sonata has massive white pearl paint peeling. Large swaths on both read roof racks (each about 48 square inches), trunk peeling (across the entire width on the trunk top edges), front engine compartment hood (4 spots ranging from 3 - 15 square inches). Paint peels away down to undercoating level - poor bonding of the paint to the undercoat).

NHTSA ID

11489416

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

The front passenger door does not open even when it is unlocked. The power locks will make the noise as if the door is unlocked but the latch is stuck. Even if you manually unlock the door, it will not open. This is a safety issue because you can not safely exit the vehicle if you were in the passenger seat. There were no warnings before this problem presented itself.

NHTSA ID

11470870

Incident

Jun 17, 2022

passenger rear door will not open, not from the inside or outside of the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11466388

Incident

May 1, 2022

Rear passenger door doesn’t open from the inside or outside. The actuator is unlocking but the cable that attaches to the handle is stretched and not releasing from the striker. The component at fault is the “latch assembly”. This is very dangerous and people can get stuck in the rear.

NHTSA ID

11437573

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

White paint peeling off from the car.

NHTSA ID

11430022

Incident

Aug 10, 2021

SEATBELT FAILED TOO RETRACT CORRECTLY ALLOWING DOOR TO BE SHUT ON IT LEADING TOO DOOR AJAR SENSOR DAMAGE OR FAILURE LEAVING RED LIGHT AT BOTTOM OF DRIVER DOOR ALWAYS TURNED ON DRAINING BATTERY EVERY TIME OVERNIGHT. ONLY FIX FOR THIS WAS TOO REMOVE SENSOR TO PREVENT BATTERY DRAIN BUT NOW MY CAR LOCKS DOOR EVEN WITH ENGINE TURNED ON. SAFTEY ISSUE. COST OF FUEL ROADSIDE UNLOCK ASSISTANCE AND BATTERY CHECK OR REPLACEMENT COST.

NHTSA ID

11415518

Incident

Apr 5, 2021

Mileage

65,000 mi

THE FRONT DASHBOARD HAS MULTIPLE LINES OF CRACKS NEAR THE DASHBOARD. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IT LOOKS LIKE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. THE DASH BEING CRACKER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON TOP OF THE AIRBAG MAKES ME REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE AIRBAG BLOWING OFF. ALSO THE CAR LOOKS SO BAD WITH ALL THE CRACKS THAT I HAVE PUR A COVER ON TOP OF THE DASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AIRBAG NOT OPENING UPON COLLISON.

NHTSA ID

11414387

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

MY ENGINE WAS RECENTLY REPLACED DUE TO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE WHICH DIED, THIS OCCURRED IN OCTOBER 2020 AND I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK TWO WEEKS AGO WITH A NEW ENGINE. LAST NIGHT ON 11/19/2020 THE ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE I WAS PARKED IN A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WITH NO NOTICE AND I HAD TO CONTACT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT THE FIRE OUT.

NHTSA ID

11375573

Incident

Nov 19, 2020

Mileage

156,000 mi

TWO CRACKS (6 INCHES OR LONGER) HAVE APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD (AROUND THE "AIR BAG" INDICATION ON THE DASH). I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS WILL COMPROMISE THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG IF NECESSARY. A FORMAL COMPLAINT (CASE#17284937) WAS LOGGED IN BY HYUNDAI, BUT NO REMEDY WAS GIVEN.

NHTSA ID

11359925

Incident

Jul 7, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 7:15AM I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. MY CAR WAS BUCKING. I WENT TO PULL OVER WHEN MY CAR TURNED A SHARP RIGHT INTO TREES. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY FLAMES.

NHTSA ID

11350819

Incident

Aug 17, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE PAINT IS PEELING ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR. ON THE DASH THERE ARE 2 CRACKS ONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AIRBAG ENCLOSURE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS THE RUBBER PEELING OFF. THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF PANEL IS CRACKED/READY TO PEEL OFF. THE CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR WITH HARNESS 6/03/2030 I ONLY HAD 42171 MILES AT THE COST OF $751.47 . MY WARRANTY IS FOR 10 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES BUT THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I MADE THE APPOINTMENT IMMEDIATELY AND BROUGHT IT IN 6/03/2020 TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11348619

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

Mileage

42,017 mi

THE TRUNK NO LONGER OPENS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON ON REMOTE KEY AND/OR TRUNK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR'S DISPLAY SYSTEM NO LONGER OPERATES PROPERLY AND WHEN TOUCHING THE SCREEN TO SELECT AN OPTION, IT OPERATES A DIFFERENT FUNCTION THEN PRESSED. SUCH AS. SELECTING VOLUME UP MIGHT CHANGE THE RADIO STATION INSTEAD. WHEN PRESSING THE SCREEN TO SELECT A DIFFERENT MODE FOR MUSIC, SCREEN WENT COMPLETELY BLACK WHILE NAVIGATING (CAR IN MOTION) AND WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE REAR VIEW CAMERA HAS FAILED AS WELL AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE, THERE IS MERELY A BLUE SCREEN AND NO VISUAL OF THE REAR. I HAD AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE SCREEN ON 15 JULY 20, BUT I AM UNCERTAIN IF THIS IS RELATABLE.

NHTSA ID

11341951

Incident

Jul 15, 2020

Mileage

86,000 mi

TOOK MY CAR TO (HYUNDAI SANOTA 2013 TURBO) TO DEALER TO GET BRAKE LIGHTS FIXED AND THE STEERING WHEEL FIXED ACOUPLE OF YEARS AGO...WHICH WAS COVERED BY MY WARRANTY THE UNDERWRITER NOTICE THE PAINT HAD PEALED FROM THE FRONT BUMPER AND STATED HE WILL HAVE THEM PAINT THE BUMPER AFTER HE CHECKED WITH SOMEONE THEY STATED THE OTHER OWNER HAD BUMPER WRAPPED SO HYUNDAI NOT RESPONSIBLE... SINCE THEN I'VE SEEN MANY OF HYUNDAI BUMBERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM 🤔 #2 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR LAST THIS WEEKEND A TAPPING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE SO I CHAGED MY OIL...AFTER I CHAGED THE OIL THE I DROVE MY CAR NOT EVEN 2 MILES AND IT SEEMED THE TAPPING SOUND WAS GETTING WORSE... THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STARTED KNOCKING AND SHUT OFF NOW MY CAR WANT EVEN START MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED 2/2020😖

NHTSA ID

11340709

Incident

Jul 19, 2020

MY FRONT AND PASSENGER DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS HAVE HAD THE LOCKING MECHANISM/ACTUATOR CABLES DETACH AND BREAK. REQUIRING ME TO HAVE A MECHANIC FORCEFULLY OPEN THE DOORS AND THEN REPLACE THE INTERNAL LOCKING ASSEMBLY AND CABLES AT A COST OF OVER $800 PER DOOR. ONE DOOR CABLE BROKE IN THE SUMMER OF 2019 AND THE SECOND DOOR, THE DRIVERS DOOR, JUST BROKE THIS FRIDAY 2/21/2020. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN IN THIS VEHICLE AFTER WARRANTY IS OUT. IF THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT SOMEONE KNOWING THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OPEN THEIR DOOR. I WORK WITH UBER AND LYFT AS A SECOND JOB AS WELL AND CANNOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF MECHANICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11310745

Incident

Feb 21, 2020

MY 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WHEN I UNLOCKED MY DOOR TO GET IN MY VEHICLE IT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL EVEN WITH THE KEY TO UNLOCK MY DRIVERS SIDE!

NHTSA ID

11296763

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

Mileage

53,000 mi

THE PAINT IS CHIPPING ACROSS THE WHOLE VEHICLE. SOME AREAS ARE JUST LITTLE SPOTS BUT OTHERS ARE LARGE CHUNKS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED YET THE PAINT IS CHIPPING.

NHTSA ID

11240182

Incident

Jul 27, 2019

Mileage

63,389 mi