Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Hyundai Azera owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that right after the vehicle had an oil change, the contact was driving at 55 MPH when she noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, prior to the oil change, the engine made knocking sounds while driving. The police escorted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle delayed while accelerating, and the contact heard a knocking noise coming from the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic test. The dealer stated that the engine was not getting any oil, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 92,000.
[redacted] Bought a used 2013 Hyundai Azera. Since day 1 it has overheating issue. Within the first 2 wks of ownership, we replaced the radiator cap, thermostat, and had engine checked for leaks at Pep Boys. Replacing the water pump was next. On the night of [redacted] we replaced the water pump. Cranked engine and no leakage, so I decided to take my car home which was 45 minutes away. After driving for 15-20 minutes, the temp gauge was almost topped out, so I slowed down. I was approaching a gas station in a town halfway to home and decided I needed to pull in, but the car suddenly and steadily lost power. I had barely enough power to pull into a space away from door (I just knew it was bad and I didn't want car in the business's way). Car would not crank after being shut off for about 20 minutes. I called my husband and he brought a car hauler trailer to put it on. …
Engine failed; started knocking , lights came on dash, and caused car to cease. Car is available for inspection, luckily was able to get on side of road without incident; towed to dealership and they advised that the Hyundai has issues and they have about 10 on the lot now awaiting replacement for there is a recall on this year of the Sonata and the Santa Fe - it should be noted the Santa Fe and Azera have the same engine. Contacted dealer after towed and they told us what the likely issue is without looking at it (although later confirmed) for they have so many with the same issue. There were no warning lights or anything, dashboard suddenly came on and vehicle died. Dealership (Jim Johnson, Bowling Green, KY) service woman, Megan, said this is quite normal and there was a lawsuit about this.
Engine started knocking about 3 to 4 months ago, Car keeps having random times when it won't starr. The lights came on dash nothingto the engine. The dealership has "checked" it a few times but can'tfind anything. The knocking is consistentif you drive it for more than a couple of miles. Car is available for inspection. Also my MPG has been increasingly getting worse. The gauge says 19 but I'm averaging about 12. I was advised by a mechanic (all work done on my car is at a dealership) that the Hyundai has issues with this model/year car. The Santa Fe and Sonata on the 2013 models have been recalled. It should be noted the Santa Fe and Azera have the same engine.
I was driving on a highway when my vehicle started to stall. My acceleration had dropped quickly and I couldn't speed up. I put on my hazard lights and was able to drive off the closest exit. Once I got off the exit, my car stalled completely. I had to get it towed to my daughter's house because I am originally from a different city and was out of town. I had a mechanic take a look and it and they stated that he wouldn't be able to fix it because the engine that I had was under a recall. I researched the information on my engine and determined that the GDI engine that I have is the same engine that is on the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is currently under recall.
I own at 2013 Hyundai Azera with a Lambda engine. The same engine that's having all sorts of issues and being recalled for many reasons on Hyundai & Kia's. It has only 79k miles on it. While driving down the highway at 75 mph the engine began to lose power and it quickly overheated. It was very terrifying as I had cars and a semi barreling behind me and my engine was seized up. I was able to throw my hazards on and make it to the shoulder safely. We towed it to my mechanic and he said the 4 rear bolts weren't torqued/sealed properly and they were stripped and pulled right out of the block. He said this is a Manufacturer defect from when the bolt was installed in the factory. Another factor was Hyundai uses an Aluminum head and Alum block with steel bolts. …
Vehicle started having overheating issues around August 2024, took it to mechanics to get it looked at and tried various fixes, concluding in a blown head gasket. When I took my car to a third party mechanic to fix the head gasket they found that the head bolts of the cars engine had been pulled out of the threads and said that it was a manufacturing issue. Head gasket was fixed but the car was having the same issues due to the head bolts being loose. I've taken my vehicle to the nearest Hyundai Dealership and told them about the overheating and head bolts being pulled out of the threading. They ran their diagnosis and then charged $1000 for a thermometer change (which our third party mechanic had also done already) and a coolant flush, which did not fix the issue as the car would still overheating after pick up. …
My wife was driving down the road when the car started smoking. When she pulled over she grabbed a bag and as she was getting out her flames were coming under her dash. Total loss
My engine seized up a few weeks ago while doing about 38 MPH on a city street. There was no warning prior to the engine seizing (I.e. Check engine light, oil temp gauge) nothing. The car made a rattling noise and started to shake violently as I tried to pull it off the road. I had it towed to a Hyundai dealership to have the engine looked at. The mechanic could not figure out what caused the engine to seize and wrote it up as an engine parts malfunction. I was told it would cost 14K to replace the motor and the Hyundai refused to cover any of the repairs. The current motor only has about 115,546 miles on it and it was serviced regularly. Never owning a Hyundai death trap again.
Engine complaints in other Azera years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Hyundai Azera?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Hyundai Azera, 18% of the model year's 112 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Azera engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2013 Hyundai Azera, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Azera engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.