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 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.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the warning message "Pull Over and Stop" illuminated and the vehicle began to stall. The contact veered to the side of the road in the intersection and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle was shuddering increasingly, and white smoke was coming out of the exhaust while driving. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact received a recall notification of an unknown recall and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who updated the electronic control module to improve the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) logic. The contact stated that after the recall repair was completed, the failure increased significantly. …
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, she noticed the temperature gauge rising rapidly and started to smell antifreeze. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated that the "DO NOT DRIVE" warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed to a family member's residence. The contact then towed the vehicle to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer for the fourth time where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replace. …
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled inadvertently in the middle of the road. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine and the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified that the vehicle had been repaired prior to the safety recall. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a claim for reimbursement. …
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated she had to add one quart of oil for every 200 miles driven. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 30 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to coast into the local dealer before the vehicle stalled. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer: Folsom Lake Hyundai (12530 Auto Mall Cir, Folsom, CA 95630: [phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the engine replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil warning light intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the oil level was extremely low. The mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for the engine to be inspected. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with bearing wear in the engine. The dealer informed the contact that repairs would be covered under warranty. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,661.
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.
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. …
Related recalls
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…
NHTSA investigations
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.
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.
Engine complaints in other Sonata Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 38% of the model year's 108 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-746 (engine, Dec 1, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 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.