Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving my daughter's 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid to the gym early one Sunday morning. I pulled into the parking lot to park the car. When I stopped to put the car in park the car suddenly accelerated and I drove through the glass wall of the gym. The car accelerated through the gym, hit a metal pole , and crashed into a wall on the far side of the gym. The front end of the driver's side corner was smashed in and my airbags did not go off.
When accelerating to 65 mph, the check engine light came on, and the vehicle stopped accelerating. Took the vehicle in to a mechanic, who stated there was poor acceleration at high RPM's and the car had jerking symptoms during hard throttle. For the engine diagnosis there was a fault code for the knock sensor found. Very low oil levels were in crankcase, no additional fault codes found, abnormal noises. Signs of internal engine problem low oil pressure suspected, no apparent lubricant to upper part of the engine. Recommended replacing the engine. The mechanic estimated the car was also losing oil faster than it should've. Prior to this incident occuring, the car has been regularly maintenanced at the dealership. Car was taken in to an independent mechanic to be looked at because dealership service repair did not have an opening for 2 weeks to look at the car. …
This incident singled happen in a 20 or so miles on my way home commute, no freeway drive. I was driving pulling out of a parking street when I notice the vehicle tendency to pull me forward, even though I was preparing to stop. It continue to have this issue at a stop sign and traffic light. at first it was mild pull as if you are being towed. Sporadic pushing forward, but when I turned to the left I notice that the engine pick up speed on its own and the issue was exacerbated on turns to left and right. The issue continue to the point I stayed at a safety distance from other cars and the pull began to be more aggressive. I was driving slow at that point. With hazards lights on. On arrival to my home driveway and upon putting the car on park the engine RMP jump so high that scared me! The car sounded as if it would take off by its self. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Car continues to have inconsistent acceleration, hesitation, and sometimes lurches forward. On two occasions, the car felt like it was just going to turn off while driving. I was driving about 75 mph on I295 and driving about 15 mph on a residential road during the second occurrence. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I feel as though I am not in complete control of the acceleration but am mostly concerned with the car stopping on it's own. I am very scared I'm going to be hit by the car(s) behind me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …
When you accidently hit the side of the brake pedal or slightly touch the brake pedal there is a rubber brake pedal stopper that engages the brake light switch. The brake pedal stopper eventually gets a hole in the middle and will not completely push the tab on the brake light switch all the way and sometime it will not completely release. When this happens and you try to accelerate the car with the gas pedal the car will not respond. In fact, it will actually start to decelerate. This is dangerous if you are trying to pass a vehicle or trying to make a turn with oncoming traffic because the car is slow to respond. Sometimes the car will not respond when you are at a dead stop and press the accelerator. When you pump the gas the switch will let loose from the rubber pedal stopper that is holding it and the car will jump forward suddenly. You could rear end another car very easily. …
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. …
I bought the car before less than 3 months the car was good but before 10 days when I was driving it on highway , suddenly the car stopped without any light warnings I was In dangerous situations hard to got the car to right side way exit 19 A express highway when I opened the hood was smoking from engine and smile like plastic fire I brought the mechanic said starter I bought starter I replaced it the same problem they said the key I changed the battery program the key same problem they told me battery I checked the battery 95 % another mechcheck by computer said the engine and he said most of these car has manufacturers problems the engine replaced recall 162 before bought the car what my solutions and I know ther is extended warranty
The brake pedal bushing has completely deteriorated and caused my car to be able to shift gears without touching the brake. It also caused me to be unable to use cruise control (which I found out driving down the interstate thank god I wasn't in an accident) and caused me to be unable to park my car. Caused my battery to die and left me stranded at work. No pieces to remedy to issue are available. And Hyundai has said there was a recall with earlier models (up to year 2011) my car is 2013 and is obviously effected. I have now had a recall on y seat belts, air bags, engine, seat belt anchors, fuel line transmission fluid sensor and now my brakes. I'm not sure what is actually ok with this model at this point!!!
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.
I see that the recall notice was issued in September of 2023 but I have to say that for no recall remedy to be available yet is disheartening. I drive my car every day and it is the only car I have, because of that I risk my life everyday. My car loses power because of this recall daily and it ranges from 3-6 times a day. I lose power on the highway, the main roads and back roads, it does not matter the speed or time of day. I would like them to push out a fix now. Eventually I will end up in an accident because sadly I cannot afford to get into a new car or a used car.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Acceleration complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, 4% of the model year's 1,916 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, though it has 9 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 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.