RoadVitals

2013 Hyundai Sonata Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
123
Latest Oct 9, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 1,902 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
16
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
7

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Hyundai Sonata submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 123 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 123, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 9, 2025
Fire reported1 injury reported

I bought this car before less than 3 months when. When I was drive the car on [XXX] the car just stop stopped no power without any warning when the car stop I just came from home. It’s far it’s like the distance between my home and the place the car stop in the highway. It’s like 5 miles. when I park the car to the side road right side road I open the hood. I see some smoke coming from the engine and smell like fire or burn or some plastic fire. I’m a mechanic he said before I bring the mechanic I seen that the screen light it’s like a car with the key in the middle of the car. The picture is the light the car stop starting. I thought I call somebody he told me maybe the car is the program or disconnect. We need to program it or they bring the battery I bring a battery. I tried to start the car again. It’s not working the mechanic. He told me that starter. I bought the starter and I start in the car. You still not working they told me after that. They told me the battery maybe I checked the battery I took the AutoZone. I took the battery. It was 95%. I called the company and the company. If they check the car, they say the car they have to recall just I get appointment with them the first time on October 1, 2025, but when I take the car there the end VIN number different with an appointment not my car. I get another appointment October 8. I told the car over there. Dixie Highway highway Louisville Kentucky. When I arrive to the car dealership in Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY they told me your car is rebuilt title. I told them what they mean. He said we can’t do nothing with it because it’s built. I told them why they didn’t tell me before I wouldn’t give the car here. They told me to bring the car appointment before you get appointment. You have to check the car as if you can see it’s built you are a company Even that time I don’t know what’s rebuilt car mean , idk if Hyundai worry just about people they have clean title? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11692386
Incident
Sep 20, 2025
Driver assistanceEngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 7, 2025

I bought the car before less than 3 months the car was good but before 10 days when I was driving it on highway , suddenly the car stopped without any light warnings I was In dangerous situations hard to got the car to right side way exit 19 A express highway when I opened the hood was smoking from engine and smile like plastic fire I brought the mechanic said starter I bought starter I replaced it the same problem they said the key I changed the battery program the key same problem they told me battery I checked the battery 95 % another mechcheck by computer said the engine and he said most of these car has manufacturers problems the engine replaced recall 162 before bought the car what my solutions and I know ther is extended warranty

NHTSA ID
11691817
Incident
Sep 20, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 3, 2025

When you accidently hit the side of the brake pedal or slightly touch the brake pedal there is a rubber brake pedal stopper that engages the brake light switch. The brake pedal stopper eventually gets a hole in the middle and will not completely push the tab on the brake light switch all the way and sometime it will not completely release. When this happens and you try to accelerate the car with the gas pedal the car will not respond. In fact, it will actually start to decelerate. This is dangerous if you are trying to pass a vehicle or trying to make a turn with oncoming traffic because the car is slow to respond. Sometimes the car will not respond when you are at a dead stop and press the accelerator. When you pump the gas the switch will let loose from the rubber pedal stopper that is holding it and the car will jump forward suddenly. You could rear end another car very easily. Go to this YouTube video for a better explanation: [XXX] . This condition has happened multiple times and occurs randomly. I have been fortunate not to have an accident. A $3.00 part suppose to fix the problem but most technicians don't know about this simple fix. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11645942
Incident
Jan 2, 2025
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 6, 2025

my car broke down and now the car does not pick up speed and rattles when i press the gas pedal.

NHTSA ID
11634254
Incident
Nov 22, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 22, 2024

Started car normally this morning, engaged transmission, car would not accelerate. Pressing gas pedal had no effect. After a couple of blocks, shut off engine. Then restarted, same problem. Had to get to appointment, so stopped and restarted twice more, second time ran normally and I reached my appointment. Started car to return home, same problem for some seconds, then normal. Later taking son to medical appointment, lost pedal function mid trip for a few seconds, then continued to appointment

NHTSA ID
11603800
Incident
Jul 22, 2024
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 31, 2024

The car was running well when suddenly loss power and stall. Have it check with a Scanner it read code P1326 (Knock Sensor) which has been recalled on other Sonatas, and Hyundai Models for the same Problem/Issue. This code (P1326) have Made Hyundai to REPLACE the engine in many cars (Recalls). My year made Hyundai Sonata it was not included on the Recalls. Now, I have a car with Loss Power and Stalls to move with No safety because of the 2013 was not included in the Recalls which has the same Issue as those Recalled.

NHTSA ID
11591833
Incident
May 27, 2024
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 11, 2024

When driving, an acceleration would sometime cause the car's RPMs would drop to zero with the throttle of the vehicle responding poorly. A lose of power occurs and the takes about 15 seconds to feel some power return to the throttle. The feeling of no throttle occurs which is very scary when your reason for accelerating is to pass a vehicle but the sudden lose of power makes it difficult to accelerate properly to pass. The RPMs remains none responsive. With the loss of power, the traction control light came on. When the vehicle is turn off and turned back on, the car's issue disappears. But the problem randomly occurs again.

NHTSA ID
11588214
Incident
May 2, 2024
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 15, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11572254
Incident
Feb 15, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 23, 2023

I was driving and the car slowed down in mid street on a busy road and started to stop then it sped up very fast then it slowed down again and sped up very fast again I had to drive all the way home 15 minutes without barley pressing the gas I went to AutoZone to get a code reader to see if what had happened would pop up on it and they said nothing but that incident was very strange because it has never happened before and it happened out of nowhere on a very busy street

NHTSA ID
11551296
Incident
Oct 21, 2023
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 21, 2023

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Car continues to have inconsistent acceleration, hesitation, and sometimes lurches forward. On two occasions, the car felt like it was just going to turn off while driving. I was driving about 75 mph on I295 and driving about 15 mph on a residential road during the second occurrence. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I feel as though I am not in complete control of the acceleration but am mostly concerned with the car stopping on it's own. I am very scared I'm going to be hit by the car(s) behind me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have an appointment in October for the car to be evaluated by a dealer. I hope it doesn't happen again before then. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The only time a warning lamp came on was during the second episode when the car felt like it was going to turn off; the engine light came on and immediately off.

NHTSA ID
11545821
Incident
Sep 13, 2023
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 29, 2023

This incident singled happen in a 20 or so miles on my way home commute, no freeway drive. I was driving pulling out of a parking street when I notice the vehicle tendency to pull me forward, even though I was preparing to stop. It continue to have this issue at a stop sign and traffic light. at first it was mild pull as if you are being towed. Sporadic pushing forward, but when I turned to the left I notice that the engine pick up speed on its own and the issue was exacerbated on turns to left and right. The issue continue to the point I stayed at a safety distance from other cars and the pull began to be more aggressive. I was driving slow at that point. With hazards lights on. On arrival to my home driveway and upon putting the car on park the engine RMP jump so high that scared me! The car sounded as if it would take off by its self. I had the foot on my brake and did not pump at that point. I took car to the dealership the next day and it continue to pull at sporadic times I drove slow and cautiously . Noticing that the pull got worse driving on a straight street versus the day before only on turns having more aggressive forward acceleration pulls. The dealer has check the car and has not been able to detect the problem with computer codes and apparently have not been able to reproduce the issue after driving the car. The mechanic, told me to take pictures of engine light if when I drive it has issues, and the light comes up. But not other solution was given.

NHTSA ID
11541395
Incident
Aug 23, 2023
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 13, 2023

Car has been knocking for a couple of months now, check engine started flashing and it lost acceleration. Towed to shop and code for knock sensor was reading bad. Shop replaced knock sensor, I picked car up and drove away and it happened again. Engine light flashing and lost acceleration, took back to shop and the next day which would be today they said take to the dealer cause it's still reading for knock sensor. My 2013 hyundai sonata 2.0 is now at the dealership in line with the rest of the seized engines. So I have spent $800 ($613 for shop and $200 rental car) and my car is still not drivable. Now I'm back in a rental at$300 a week until hyundai diagnose, test, and approve the process of fixing the issue with my 2013 hyundai sonata 2.0, it has a life time warranty! This will be the second 2013 hyundai sonata I have owned with the engine seizing up! Back in Nov. 2021 I went thru this very same thing!

NHTSA ID
11526879
Incident
Jun 8, 2023
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 27, 2023

I have been contacting Hyundai since before November 2022 on an issue with the engine. At this point, the engine was spuddering, hard to acclerate, lags, shuts off yet no warning lights were on. I was told about the engine recall which is why I went there. Set an appt and when I got in, he said it does not SOUND like a rod knock and sent me home even though there is an active recall on the car that is IMPORTANT to fix, the fuel line. He did not care to fix that. I wrote Hyundai and they sent me another dealer and that was that. No cares in the world at how we were treated. Its been now 3 months and the car has been sitting because Hyundai refuses to help. The car only has 105,000 miles on a 2013. I have a case manager assigned that is avoiding my calls and finance company yelling at me for maintenance receipts of the car. Maintenance receipts are not listed anywhere. I have barely had the car a year! The fact that they sent my family home in an unsafe car is not cool! Then on my travels, the car starts knocking loudly and the check engine AND oil light both come on but the check engine light was flashing. NOONE IS HELPING US. My fiance lost his job because we had to rely on uber or lyft for him to get to work and he was late a few times due to those services not being reliable. There is a recall on the engine with the same specifications that I am having AND an OPEN recall for the very very hazardous fuel line on the car to be replaced. I am tired of the run around. I need help! I have seen the numerous complaints on this car so why is it so hard to get help? When I start my car it sounds like a helicopter but with metal, not air so LOUD and is a rod knock. Another call to the case manager made today and again ignored. I cannot post a video

NHTSA ID
11514053
Incident
Nov 1, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 19, 2023

Hi last week I start my hybrid sonata 2013 when the engine get hot I start running car withing 5 minutes I was driving 35mph and suddenly my break fail and car start flush warning check brake this is the 4time is very unsafe car sonata hybrid

NHTSA ID
11508069
Incident
Jan 27, 2023
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 13, 2023

The Engine Light is on and when you first take off ,you can’t press the gas pedal as much as the engine start shaking

NHTSA ID
11507086
Incident
Feb 10, 2023
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jan 19, 2023

The air bag light is on. None of the functions/buttons on the right side of my steering wheel are working. It has not been inspected by anyone.

NHTSA ID
11502594
Incident
Dec 1, 2022
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2022
Crash reported

I was driving my daughter’s 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid to the gym early one Sunday morning. I pulled into the parking lot to park the car. When I stopped to put the car in park the car suddenly accelerated and I drove through the glass wall of the gym. The car accelerated through the gym, hit a metal pole , and crashed into a wall on the far side of the gym. The front end of the driver’s side corner was smashed in and my airbags did not go off.

NHTSA ID
11490079
Incident
Oct 16, 2022
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 25, 2021

When accelerating to 65 mph, the check engine light came on, and the vehicle stopped accelerating. Took the vehicle in to a mechanic, who stated there was poor acceleration at high RPM's and the car had jerking symptoms during hard throttle. For the engine diagnosis there was a fault code for the knock sensor found. Very low oil levels were in crankcase, no additional fault codes found, abnormal noises. Signs of internal engine problem low oil pressure suspected, no apparent lubricant to upper part of the engine. Recommended replacing the engine. The mechanic estimated the car was also losing oil faster than it should've. Prior to this incident occuring, the car has been regularly maintenanced at the dealership. Car was taken in to an independent mechanic to be looked at because dealership service repair did not have an opening for 2 weeks to look at the car. The lower acceleration could cause an accident on the freeway if driving at high speeds and the acceleration malfunctions without warning. No other persons have looked at the car yet. There was no lights, symptoms, or messages indicating a problem prior to this incident happening. This was the first time this incident has happened with the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11430511
Incident
Aug 23, 2021
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 22, 2021

The brake pedal bushing has completely deteriorated and caused my car to be able to shift gears without touching the brake. It also caused me to be unable to use cruise control (which I found out driving down the interstate thank god I wasn’t in an accident) and caused me to be unable to park my car. Caused my battery to die and left me stranded at work. No pieces to remedy to issue are available. And Hyundai has said there was a recall with earlier models (up to year 2011) my car is 2013 and is obviously effected. I have now had a recall on y seat belts, air bags, engine, seat belt anchors, fuel line transmission fluid sensor and now my brakes. I’m not sure what is actually ok with this model at this point!!!

NHTSA ID
11430035
Incident
Aug 18, 2021
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed May 11, 2021

I DO NOTICE SOMETIMES WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS, THE CAR LOOSES ENERGY, DON'T ACCELERATE. IT'S LIKE THE CAR MPH GOES DOWN TO ZERO WHILE I'M DRIVING THE CAR WHICH IS SCARY. I STEP ON GAS, AND IT DON'T MOVE, THEN IT PICKS UP AND SPEED OFF.

NHTSA ID
11416050
Incident
May 2, 2021
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 20, 2021
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. I JUST DROPPED IT OFF AT POHANKA HYUNDAI (1770 RITCHIE STATION CT, CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD; (301) 423-1100) DEALERSHIP REGARDING ISSUES I SUSPECT TO BE RELATED TO THE RECALL ON THE ENGINE. ABOUT THREE AND HALF WEEKS AGO, I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING SIGNS UPON START-UP IN THE MORNING AND DRIVING THROUGHOUT THE DAY. A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND AND VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE FOR 3-4 SECONDS WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING. HEAVY SMOKING(MORE THAN THE USUAL MORNING SMOKE ON COLD DAYS) SOMETIMES UP TO FIVE OR MORE MINUTES. ACCELERATION AND RPMTHAT DON'T PASS 2000 ISSUES WHEN DRIVING AT 60 MPH. RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN DRIVING, SOMETIMES ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPING OR REFUSING TO MOVE AFTER A MOMENTARY STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,925.

NHTSA ID
11413006
Incident
Apr 5, 2021
Mileage
169,925 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 24, 2021

5 HOURS INTO A 6 HOURS HIGHWAY DRIVE, NO ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED, APPROACHING A FLYOVER AT I-10E AND THE BELTWAY EAST I WAS DOING 70MPH, ABOUT HALFWAY UP NORTHBOUND APPROACH I LOST ACCELERATION, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH APPEARED TO ILLUMINATE, THE RADIO CONTINUED TO PLAY, APPEARS THAT POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO WORK. AFTER COASTING DOWN FLYOVER I PULLED TO THE RIGHT, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED UP FINE, I DROVE OFF THE BELTWAY TO THE FEEDER/SERVICE ROAD AND THIS HAPPENED ONCE MORE. I PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AND WAS ABLE TO PUT IN PARK AND START WITH NO ISSUE. NEITHER TIME DID I EVER SEE A CONSTANT WARNING LIGHT OF ANY KIND ON MY DASH. THE CAR HAS 99K MILES AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER, TAKEN TO DEALER 95 PERCENT OF TIME FOR MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ID
11397794
Incident
Feb 22, 2021
Mileage
99,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 25, 2020

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE PUSHING OF THE ACCELERATOR THEREBY EITHER SLOWING DOWN OR HESITATING CREATING SCARY AND HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ON THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ON THE CITY ROADS IN SLOW TRAFFIC. THE BEHAVIOR IS UNPREDICTABLE AND UNCONTROLLABLE. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT TOUCHED WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. UPON RESEARCH ON LINE, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE BUT HAS HAPPENED TO A NUMBER OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES. IT SEEMS THIS HAS TO DO WITH EITHER THE RUBBER STOPPER OF THE BRAKE SWITCH OR THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SWITCH OR BOTH. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT THE WARRANTY ON THE STOPPER HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 15 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILES. THEY SHOULD EXTEND THIS WARRANTY NOT JUST TO THE STOPPER BUT TO THE WHOLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT HYUNDAI HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH ASSEMBLY BUT IS NOT INFORMING THE OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THIS ASSEMBLY. IN REALITY THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA ID
11361104
Incident
Sep 15, 2020
Mileage
30 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Sep 8, 2020

SO MY STEERING WHEEL COUPLER HAS GONE BAD I KNEW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR; WHEN I WENT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP NOBODY WOULD FIX IT AND THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME $600 TO FIX IT. AND BECAUSE OF COVID I COULDNT GET IT FIXED SINCE I WAS FURLOUGHED. THEN I WAS CHARGED $500 TO TRY TO FIND WHAT A TICKING NOISE.WAS IN MY CAR AND I WAS CHARGED FOR.SOMETHING THAT HYUNDAI DIDNT FIX AND OTHER DEALERS CHARGED ME AND MY ISSUE STILL WASNT FIXED. ALL TOGETHER I WASTED ALMOST $1100 TO FIND A WAY TO FIX MY ISSUES AND NOTHING WAS FIXED. THE SECOND ISSUE I WAS TOLD WAS HEAT BOX AND ACTUATOR BUT IT WASNT FIXED BECAUSE HYUNDAI TRIED TO CHARGE ME $3,041.84..... I KNOW ALOT OF.THINGS ARE APART OF THESE RECALLS THIS CAR HAVE BUT NO ONE EVEN HYUNDAI WAS WILLING TO FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ID
11353891
Incident
May 8, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 25, 2020

A RECALL HAS BEEN SETTLED. WE ARE ENTITLED TO ENGINE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE MADE 14 PAYMENTS ON A CAR SITTING AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, IN A RECALL THAT IS OFFICIALLY SETTLED, AND IT WON'T/DOESN'T RUN AND THEY WON'T HELP AT ALL. THEY REPLACED MY DIPSTICK....LIGHT CAME ON...REPLACED MY OIL FILL CAP...REPEAT....

NHTSA ID
11351248
Incident
Aug 1, 2018

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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