Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Major failure occurred. I was driving my car when I heard sharp bells ringing from the car dash. Check Hybrid systems lights illuminated on dash. The car was in motion when it just stopped. I had no time to pull to the side of the road. I turned it off and on again. I was in the center of the road and it would not move. Good samaritan pushed my car to side of the road. The check brakes light came on. Then the car would not turn on at all. The car would not recognize the key pad light came on. Locks would not operate. The window was stuck in the open position. The internal car lights were on and would not go off. The key pad could not lock/unlock the car. Luckily this happened on a side road. 1 mile earlier I was on a freeway that had no shoulder. If it had happened there, it could have been catastrophic. Numerous systems failed. I took it to they dealer. …
We bought this car used from the dealer early on we had Hybrid warning system issues we have been stuck on the side of the road several times having to have the car towed to the dealer recharged and service each time we were told they don't find anything wrong the dealer charges the battery and gives the car back. Now 3 years later we got the oil changed as normal, it's thanksgiving week and we are headed to vacation 3 hours from home we ar e an hour away from destination and the car loses power going up hill the oil pan light comes on, we pull over in the middle of the mountains and sit on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck to find us. We tow the car to the dealer hoping something wasn't done right with the oil changed however dealer says the engine seized and the car is outside of warranty and extended warranty so we will need to pay $6600 to replace with used engine. …
Car stopped in the middle of local street road and not able to be driven to move to side of road. Car towed to delaer for repair. Want to warn about this danger to other owners. We were lucky since no one was behind us when the car immediately stopped in the middle of the road. Car was repaired by delaer as follows. Tech scan codes and found codes u1007, p1775, p1774. Tech check a/t fluid, red color, smell normal. Reset codes, codes come back. TSB provided by tech line. Tech follow TSB#14-hc-003, result to replace oil pump control unit and recheck. After replacing oil pump control unit, same problem present. Tech replace oil pump, and found open yellow wire from oil pump unit to oil pump. Car runs normal and no codes present at this time. Tech try to put the old oil pump and pump module back in, problem happened again. Tech confirm the pump and module are bad. …
I was driving on a interstate and suddenly I see "Hybrid system warning message" + "check charging system" with continuous alarm beep sounds. I had to immediately move to the right most shoulder on the interstate (which I was able to as car was still on with engine running). Once, I moved to the shoulder, I turned off the engine and restarted the car with check engine light. It would turn on fine but wouldn't move and immediately it throws up the error. I have attached the pics for reference. Since car didn't turn off in the middle of highway, I was safely able to move it to the curb. I cannot imagine what would have happened if car had shut off. I had it towed to the nearest dealer and there are working on it. I just had a 45000 miles factory servicing with same dealership where the car got towed to and they checked on all the green boxes. Within a week, I had this issue. …
For the past 3 years a siren goes off in my car and the lites start flashing such as brake lights, the key fob light states showing as if it can't be found in vehicle. Most of all the vehicle can't start. The first time I brought it to one dealership to have my battery replaced. The second year I had the same thing happened right in the mist of traffic, the car stopped and couldn't move, same symptoms and had to have it towed from south phila. To burlington nj., results were that the relays had failed. Just this week I went to start my car and nothing happened. Tried again and the interior lights started blinking and a siren like a diving submarine started blaring. Called the tow service and again brought it to dealership. This time my car is at the shop with no clue as to what's wrong with it
I have had my car for a couple years. Randomly, I got an alert while keeping regular maintenacnce on my car saying "check brakes" and "Hybrid system warning". I brought it to the dealership and they said the "hecu, hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu)" is faulty. This is an issue with the Hyundai Genesis, but not an active recall on the 2013 Sonata Hybrid. However, I believe my model of car is affected by this issue, as well. The dealership said they could not do anything for me because there is not active recall, so I am reaching out to you to report this. I hope an investigation can take place for this because I know I am not the only one affected by this issue at no fault of my own. Thank you so much.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle decelerated, stalled, and shut off. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated and "charging system is not charging" was displayed. The contact called the local dealer (burns Hyundai, 550 w route 70, marlton, nj 08053, [phone]) where a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe and the failure could lead to a crash or fatality. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. While driving 50 MPH, a warning indicator illuminated directing the contact to place the vehicle in park. Also, the battery charge was low. After waiting an hour for charging, the vehicle jerked and bucked. The warning indicator illuminated again, stating that the battery voltage was extremely low. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
NHTSA investigations
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).
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Sonata Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 22% of the model year's 108 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, though it has 4 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 Sonata Hybrid electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.