2013 Hyundai Sonata Headlight Problems

Which parts fail

• Brake lights
  9
• Tail lights
  6
• Headlights
  2
• Brake lights › Bulbs
  2
• Tail lights › Bulbs
  2
• Brake lights › Switch
  1

Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1211%
• 25k–50k
  87%
• 50k–75k
  2018%
• 75k–100k
  3330%
• 100k–150k
  3027%
• 150k+
  76%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I bought my car used from a private party in March of 2022 with around 132,000miles. In a year's time I have replaced the rear passenger side tail light bulbs 3 to 4 times, the whole light assembly, and the wiring harness twice due to the bulb getting to hot and the plastic caught on fire the first time and melting the second. Noticed the smoke when I pulled into a gas station that day and opened the trunk quickly and beat the small flame with a small blanket I had in the trunk. My kids sit in the back seat. So I'm constantly worrying while driving when they are in the back. The headlight bulbs go out quicker in this vehicle as well. I've had to replace the headlight bulbs 3 times already. This is also too close to the fuel pump for this sort of thing to happen in my opinion. This needs to be resolved A. S. A. P.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the taillight bulbs failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the taillight bulbs overheated and burned out quickly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with taillight wiring harness failure. The contact was informed that the taillight wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the contact stated that the recall notification was not received. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,500.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the hazard lights would independently activate without warning. The failure would return soon after the depression of the hazard light button. The failure would continue while stationery with the engine off; the contact would have to disconnect the battery to stop the failure. The contact's wife had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they disconnected that button, cleaned out the area, and checked for loose wiring. Despite the services performed on the vehicle, the failure persisted soon after repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. Vehicle has been repaired.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact became aware that the brake lights were illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the failure persisted. The contact stated that due to the brake lights remaining illuminated, the battery terminal had to be disconnected to avoid draining the battery. The contact stated that after one failure, a mechanic pulled over to the side of the roadway and the contact was informed that a sensor related to the brake lights had failed and needed to be replaced. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,178.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while at a stop, a pedestrian informed the contact that both the driver-side and passenger-side brake lights failed to illuminate while the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that both rear housing lamps had melted and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that both brake light bulbs had been replaced several times. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately157,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the contact pulled over by the local Police because the taillights were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to replace the bulbs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the braking system malfunctioned and the vehicle would not immediately stop while depressing the brake pedal, causing the braking distance to be extended. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the front headlights would flicker off and on. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while replacing the rear driver's side taillight bulb and pulling out the socket assembly, the plastic melted onto the socket making it difficult to remove the bulb. The contact removed the light socket and the bulb fractured. The dealer was contacted but offered no assistance. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall and that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 167,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated noticed both bulbs of the taillights were inoperable. The contact stated that he was changing the bulbs and noticed that the bulb assemblies were melted on to the bulbs, not allowing for the bulbs to be removed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who offered no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair had to be paid out of pocket. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 15,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, the rear brake lights remained illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle failed to start up due to the battery being drained overnight. The contact researched the failure and discovered how to disconnect the brake lights to prevent the battery from being drained. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Headlight complaints in other Sonata years