Most common 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems
Share of the 108 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Sonata Hybrid years: 2019, 2018, 2014. Years to avoid: 2021, 2016, 2012. Compare all years →
2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.
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.
Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
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…
Seat belts › Pretensioner
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
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…
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 7 possible defects involving the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles equipped with Theta II and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles).
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
What 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid owners say
Engine & cooling all 41 →
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact heard an audible beeping sound continuously and saw a "W" in yellow on the driver's side instrument panel. Additionally, on the passenger's side the "Do Not Drive" warning was illuminated, and both warning lights were blinking. The contact pulled off the roadway safely into a parking lot. The contact turned off the vehicle and exited and observed that gray smoke was coming from under the engine compartment of the vehicle before the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was called out and extinguished the fire. The contact stated that a FIRE report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later declared a total loss by the insurance provider. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) however, the part to the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while her son was driving 30 mph, smoke entered the cabin of the vehicle from the floorboard. The contact stated the "Do not drive vehicle" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact parked on the side of the road for 30 minutes before continuing the drive to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Brakes all 26 →
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the malfunction indicator and coolant temperature warning lights illuminated, and the engine overheated and shuddered abnormally. There was smoke and an abnormal ticking sound coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Electrical system all 24 →
The vehicle's ABS system is engaging autonomously, causing the car to brake without any driver input. The dealer stated it was: BRAKE ACTUATION UNIT AND HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT BLEEDING AND PROGRAMING
On October 28, 2017, I was injured in an automobile collision, which was caused solely by a malfunction by my 2013 Hyundai Sonata. On that date, I was driving my vehicle safely and carefully, like I always do. I was proceeding slowly in my car, and traveling between 10 miles per hour. I stepped on the brake pedal and tried to bring my vehicle to a complete stop. However, when I stepped on the brake pedal, the brakes would not engage, and the car kept moving forward and the shifting gears got stuck. Despite my multiple efforts to apply sufficient force to the brakes, the car would not stop. …
2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 35 / 38 / 37 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid a good car?
Based on 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Sonata Hybrid rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sonata Hybrid at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
The engine & cooling — 41 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (26) and electrical system (24).
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the most recent from September 22, 2023 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2018 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2016 and 2012. See the full Hyundai Sonata Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 64,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.