2013 Hyundai Sonata Powertrain (other) Problems

Car stalls when I’m at a red light, very dangerous

NHTSA ID

11752933

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

My vehicle began experiencing excessive oil consumption several years before the engine failed. In approximately 2019, I reported the oil consumption to an authorized Hyundai dealership and expressed concern that my vehicle might have one of the known Theta II engine defects. I was told the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) campaign had been completed and that my vehicle was not one requiring engine replacement. The excessive oil consumption continued. On June 6, 2026, the engine developed severe metal knocking, misfires, and became unsafe to operate. I was concerned the engine could fail completely or lose power while driving, creating a safety hazard for myself and others. The vehicle had to be towed to a Hyundai dealership on June 7, 2026. Hyundai of Kennesaw inspected the vehicle and verbally advised that the engine failure was caused by connecting rod bearing failure. Although the dealership identified connecting rod bearing failure, Hyundai Motor America declined to replace the engine and instead advised that it would not proceed with repairs because of the settlement provisions related to the vehicle's age and mileage. As a result, the vehicle remains inoperable. I am submitting this report because I believe this engine failure presents a significant safety concern due to the potential for sudden engine failure or loss of power while driving. I am also concerned that I reported symptoms years before the failure, yet the engine ultimately failed from the same type of defect associated with many Hyundai Theta II engines.

NHTSA ID

11747939

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

To Whom It May Concern: I am submitting this complaint to report ongoing safety concerns involving my 2013 Hyundai Sonata. I purchased this vehicle in 2022 through financing and paid it off in 2025. Since acquiring the vehicle, I have experienced persistent mechanical issues that I believe may pose a safety risk to myself, my child, and others on the road. The most concerning issue involves the braking system. I have had the brakes replaced and serviced multiple times, yet the brakes begin grinding again within a very short period, including an instance where the grinding returned approximately one month after replacement. Despite spending money on repairs, the problem continues to reoccur. I am concerned that there may be an underlying defect affecting the braking system that is not being properly identified or corrected through normal maintenance. In addition, the vehicle consumes an excessive amount of oil, requiring frequent monitoring and replacement between oil changes. I am concerned that this issue could potentially lead to engine failure or other dangerous mechanical problems while the vehicle is being operated. As a single mother, I rely on this vehicle daily for transportation to and from work and for caring for my family. I have experienced significant financial hardship attempting to keep the vehicle operational and safe. Despite my efforts to maintain the vehicle, these issues continue to occur. I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this complaint and determine whether these issues may be related to known defects, recalls, investigations, or patterns reported by other owners of 2013 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. I am willing to provide maintenance records, repair invoices, mileage information, and any additional documentation that may assist in evaluating this matter. Thank you for your attention to this complaint and for your commitment to vehicle safety.

NHTSA ID

11742339

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly locked up. The engine was previously replaced in March at an undisclosed location. The engine light was illuminated. While using the code reader, he received the P0711 code related to the temperature sensor in the transmission. The contact indicated the failure was due to the temperature wiring harness. The vehicle was shifting hard. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB 19-AT-015H. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID

11737624

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

Mileage

82,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact called to report a technical issue with a Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin and the software that the manufacturer was reprograming for the Hyundai transmissions; TSB Number: 13-AT017. The contact, a certified mechanic, purchased a 2013 Hyundai Sonata from a customer due to the transmission failure. The contact attempted to order a new transmission from the manufacturer, but no transmission was available. The contact ordered a compatible transmission from Kia. The contact successfully installed the transmission. The installation instructions which stated that the motor control unit and transmission control unit software needed to be reprogramed. The contact was able to successfully road test the vehicle and then had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact stated that after the software was reprogramed, while attempting to road test the vehicle, immediately there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact checked online and determined that the TSB issued by Hyundai for the software reprograming outlined temperature values that were not the values show on the testing equipment. The contact called the dealer and was informed that using the Kia transmission in a Hyundai vehicle, there was no assistance to be offered. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Hyundai software was incorrect and wanted to notify the NHTSA of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the issue. The failure mileage was not provided.

NHTSA ID

11682387

Incident

Jun 2, 2025

So my car started to stall when I started it an when I started goin down the road like it wanted to die. Then I started to smell gas very strong so had a code tester put to my car an i have 6 permanent codes. An not only that im smelling oil strong an noticing big oil spots under my car. So I look under the hood an behind the turbo I see oil behind an underneath the turbo. I definitely didnt feel safe driving but now its not even drivable. I purchased it couple months ago from an individual an i cant belive the amount of problems this car has. Im a single mom an trying to support my family an its hard to now with a non running car. I've put quite a few parts hoping it would fix some of the problems an nothing has. I absolutely love the car an very beautiful but unfortunately to many problems with it. Eninge, gas leaks, timing

NHTSA ID

11663453

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

Car is in park, refuses to shut off due to car saying car is not in park

NHTSA ID

11661110

Incident

May 8, 2025

The contact owns 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the gear indicator on instrument panel independently shifted. Despite the failure, the contact stated that the transmission continued to operate normally. The contact stated that several days later while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and the engine revved to a high RPM. The contact called and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was made aware that the failure was a common failure for the make and model of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V434000 (Power Train); which the contact linked to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11660328

Incident

May 2, 2025

Mileage

125,000 mi

1. I purchased this vehicle in 2016 and I have had my rear brake lights repaired several times because the rear tail lights continue to go out, This happens regularly. There is no warning lights on the dash to indicate an issue. The only way i learned that my brake lights don't work properly is another motorist driving behind me and almost rear ending me. I have had the rear brake lights repaired by the dealership before. My brakes always smell like burning rubber after driving having me to believe that the lubricant for the brake pads aren't working. 2.The dashboard lights also periodically blinks out without warning. After a few moments it will illuminate again. 3. My seatbelts sometimes doesn't tighten up. I have to pull them several times for them to catch and return after the seatbelt isn't in use.

NHTSA ID

11660077

Incident

May 1, 2025

I had an issue on my car where engine oil level is getting low day by day, then I have visited service center to solve they have said to change spark plug, pcv value and also done fuel induction service , said me to come after 1000 miles then after I had a another problem where my car RPM is increasing and speed is getting low. I have visited the service center again saying catalytic converter issue and asked me to pay 3000$ to do repair before that I have paid 700$ but mentioning you one thing till now I have spend 2000$ for the same issue what was happen. Today as now my car is issue to move in toll road it is very hard to move. And also Hyundai is denying my request and saying me I am out of warranty. My car has 94000 miles as for today. Please help me out from this I am struggling with the issue.

NHTSA ID

11647241

Incident

Feb 28, 2025

I have a 2013 Hyundai sonata in which the engine was recalled close to about 2 years ago. About 3 days ago my engine just randomly gave out on the highway in rush hour traffic the middle of me driving. And now I am without a vehicle and my car is sitting at lake Norman Hyundai dealership.

NHTSA ID

11611978

Incident

Aug 29, 2024

WHILE DRIVING AND USING THE ACCELERATOR , THE RPM WOULD REV UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR WOULD THEN JERK BACK AND FORTH. ONLY ABLE TO GO APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES PER HOUR, BUT THE RPM WOULD GO AS HIGH AS 6K OR 7K RPM. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHEN IDLE, ALSO FELT RPM GO UP AND JERKING MOTION

NHTSA ID

11594712

Incident

May 22, 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

We were part of the Hyundai Theta claim group. Our car did stop in traffic, luckily my husband was alone, and no one was hurt. It was towed to the dealer. This was October2023. Dealer gave a list of fixes & stated it had nothing to do with theta. We had all recommended maintenance done; as we always do. Roughly 2 months later, Dec., with a full car, it did it again, at a stoplight. We are lucky to be alive. We had it towed to our mechanic. I contacted the Theta claims line. Our mechanic stated oil was still in the filter, but the pistons had blown clear through the engine, which he still has. Hyundai contacted him. He sent pictures. Hyundai denied my claim for timely filing. I have called weekly, followed every instruction. Now they want me to mail a letter. I am a disabled veteran. Look how many recalls they have. They don't mind recalling. They will just deny people. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11578314

Incident

Dec 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a greasy taillight bulb, and then later diagnosed with starter failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that four years earlier the engine was replaced due to metal shavings being found in the engine. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11566907

Incident

Jun 15, 2023

Mileage

79,000 mi

My 2013 Hyundai Sonata lost acceleration power while on the road requiring an emergency departure from the road and it fails to acceleration beyond. Placed vehicle in park and attempted to proceed home but was only able to drive 5 to 10 mph max creating a dangerous situation for my fellow commuters and myselt. After about a few block I let the vehicle cool down and attempted to proceed home. The car would only go up to 5 mph requiring me to avoid rear end collisions. Ultimately, requiring a tow vehicle to bring it home. Our neighbor indicated it is the MAP sensor which was changes with no improvement to the car's acceleration issues. Checked all the fluids and assured they were correct. This vehicle has place me and others in a dangerous and potentially fatal situations.

NHTSA ID

11543686

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

The main power relay for the hybrid battery shorted out causing the safety plug to also short out. I was driving down the road in a rural location and an error message came up on the screen saying hybrid system error, pull over immediately, and the car would not restart after I pulled over. The car was towed to the dealer and the dealer said that the power relay and the safety plug were shorted out. The main issue that I have is that the hybrid system warning light has come on multiple times and the car had to be towed to the dealership. They always said it was a software problem. The hybrid system warning pull over light first occurred 5 or 6 years ago.

NHTSA ID

11538693

Incident

Aug 12, 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

Was losing power while driving, oil consumption issues (had to add oil every 1000 miles). Engine started knocking and went into limp mode, had it towed to dealership where they said they fixed it ($1100). Less then a week later while driving on the highway lost lower, went into limp mode (89 mph to 15 mph in seconds) and was almost hit by a semi truck. Car has been sitting at the dealership since May 2022, they said I need a new engine but Hyundai declined.

NHTSA ID

11521095

Incident

May 20, 2022

2013 sonata. Constant oil consumption. Had replaced the oil pan and piston, oil caps, pvc valve. Car stalled twice and kept getting check engine lights popping up. Turns out the engine is defective and needs to be replaced. The car is starting at my mechanic right now and trying to figure out how to get it to Hyundai dealer so the engine can be replaced. the car is unsafe to drive right now. my son has the car.

NHTSA ID

11520361

Incident

May 4, 2023

We were travelling from Minnesota to Arkansas to see our family for thanks giving on 11/24/2022. Car engine starts blinking and engine started to make rattling noise. Took exit and pull over our car in one of the gas station. It was closed, this was our first road trip and first time in Iowa. Called insurance and towed our car to O'reaily auto part. They found out the error code p1326 which is related to engine issue. Looked for nearby Hyundai dealership and booked hotel near them. We went to Hyundai dealer at 7:00am on Friday 11/25/2022. We told them what happened. They told us they will check in our car. We waited from 7am to 1:30pm our car was still outside. At 2pm service manager came and said they cant check our car. We booked rental car ourselves and decided to come back home. We forgot our apartment key went back to get it and they had already started to diagnose our car thinking we are gone. Service guy told me that's engine failure every Hyundai is facing now. My car have 61k miles on it and I bought it in 2020 from Hyundai dealership. I still have 9k loan to pay this car and i cannot afford new car or new engine. I do not have car now and they are saying it can take months to repair my car if it gets approved for engine replacement. Hyundai is playing with my life and put me in depression. I have no option other than to cry. I am feeling so helpless now. Nothing and nobody seems helpful. I try my best to do anything i can and i am just waiting for coming Monday for Hyundai to make excuse to not fix my car. Hyundai is playing with lots of people life. This might be small for them but not for a working people like us. My life is messed up because of them. I cannot sleep at night and I have been calling everywhere if I can get help.

NHTSA ID

11494986

Incident

Nov 24, 2022

While driving car started beeping and making noises - check engine light, brake light, lcd displayed brake warning and flashed "hybrid system warning! safely stop and do not drive". Brake pedal then went to floor, and engine power reduced. Re-starting the car only cleared the problem for a minute before the warning message re-occurs. Others have encountered this issue resulting in crashes. https://www.carproblemzoo.com/hyundai/sonata/2013/service-brakes-problems.php also reported here: https://www.carcomplaints.com/Hyundai/Sonata/2013/brakes/service_brakes.shtml

NHTSA ID

11483085

Incident

Sep 6, 2022

My car has been having issues for the last 3 years and dealership replaced the water pump 2 years ago. Went back to the dealership for engine issues like hesitation and stalling several times and they said they can’t find an issue, they adjust the brake light switch one time as they said they had the code for it, but the car still has the hesitation and stalling issue which they wanted to charge me again for a diagnosis. I looked up online and there are actually recalls for the engine connecting Rod and probably these recalls were cleared by the dealership from my previous visits but I can assure that the engine was not replaced nor the fuel system was not inspected at that time.

NHTSA ID

11479576

Incident

Apr 20, 2019

My car seized up a lot, like pushing forward, then all together stopped and went into only going up to 40mph. I just hot the car 10 months ago so it shouldn't have done that. Took it to a repair shop and they said the engine was on it's last legs even though I literally just got the car.

NHTSA ID

11455712

Incident

Feb 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon placing the vehicle into the (R) reverse position; the vehicle independently accelerated backward into her neighbor's driveway and hit two parked vehicles. The vehicle came to a stop when it crashed into the second vehicle and that second parked vehicle was deemed destroyed. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back across the street and parked the vehicle on the road. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that since her vehicle was involved in an assurance claim, they could not render any assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that an investigation could not be performed unless she signed a waiver. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the contact. The failure mileage was 76,876.

NHTSA ID

11445602

Incident

Nov 20, 2021

Mileage

76,876 mi