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).
Car began to start braking on its own at approximately 94,000 miles while driving in clear weather both at high and low speeds. Shortly after, the ESC malfunction light on the dash came on. Took it to the dealership where the brake pedal stopper was replaced. (note: this has not been recalled on this model) less than two weeks later the problem was back. Took the car back to the dealership. Brake pedal switch was replaced. Again a few weeks later the problem was back. Dealership could not find the problem. After weeks of back and forth with Hyundai, they finally sent an engineer. Now they're saying the casing for the tail lights need to be replaced because the brake lights have burned the wiring and melted the casing. All during this time, my car will start (push button) without having my foot on the brakes. This is a serious safety issue. …
Vehicle is intermittantly cutting out while driving or at a stop. 88K miles multiple events within days now. ESC comes on and won't turn off since warm weather arriving. Normal dry running conditions. Loss of power to drivetrain. Accelerator depressed causes loud abnormal tin ringing sound from engine compartment. Have to pull the car over to shut off and restart. Condition occurs whether ESC switch is on or off. Manual shifting is disabled. Transmission feels jerky just before. ESC event seems to occur mostly when accelerator is released up to a stop or cruising. Release of accelerator, trans jerks, ESC engages but won't release till car is reset. Vehicle underwent a recall campaign for a bad transmission temp sensor cable recently. Dealer says no code, no fix possibility. Car occasionally smells like burning rubber.
So my steering wheel coupler has gone bad I knew there was a recall on this when I first got the car; when I went to the Hyundai dealership nobody would fix it and they tried to charge me $600 to fix it. And because of covid I couldnt get it fixed since I was furloughed. Then I was charged $500 to try to find what a ticking noise.was in my car and I was charged for.something that Hyundai didnt fix and other dealers charged me and my issue still wasnt fixed. All together I wasted almost $1100 to find a way to fix my issues and nothing was fixed. The second issue I was told was heat box and actuator but it wasnt fixed because Hyundai tried to charge me $3,041.84..... I know alot of.things are apart of these recalls this car have but no one even Hyundai was willing to fix it free of charge.
This issue has been a constant in my car, which I purchased new. My brake lights stop working. I have replaced them at least 10 times since I bought the vehicle. I consulted my dealership and they told me that the car had a defect. The brake light socket overheated and melted and caused the brake lights to fail. I checked the socket, and it is melted. I was told that it was a brake sensor problem. My dealership told me that I would have to pay to replace the whole brake/taillight assembly. This is obviously a safety concern. I only learn that my lights are not working when someone outside the vehicle, usually someone driving behind me, lets me know. Also, the melted socket would seem to be a real fire hazard.
While driving on a highway 60 MPH my vehicle began to stall and turn off. The vehicle mileage decrease and the car completely turned off I was unable to place hazards lights on or signals because the power on the vehicle had turned off. Upon pulling over the following day trying to start vehicle it began to smoke. It did not crank or make any noise just smoke coming up from the hood. This an result to safety recall NHTSA # 17V226000 or safety recall # 162. Which is wear within the engine. Engine failure May result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Thankfully I did not crash but my vehicle stalled and completely shut off with no power to dash/radio etc which is a very dangerous occurrence.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The traction control and brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was idle and after activating the headlamp switch. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Bentley Hyundai (3805 university dr, hunstville, al 35816, [phone]) and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The contact indicated that the engine was previously replaced under NHTSA campaign number: 17V226000 (engine). The failure mileage was 80,000.
The paint is peeling on the hood of the car. On the dash there are 2 cracks one on either side of the airbag enclosure. The steering wheel has the rubber peeling off. The paint on the top of the roof panel is cracked/ready to peel off. The car was in my driveway. I had to replace the transmission sensor with harness 6/03/2030 I only had 42171 miles at the cost of $751.47 . My warranty is for 10 years and 100,000 miles but they said it wasn't covered. I was driving when the check engine light came on and I made the appointment immediately and brought it in 6/03/2020 to the Hyundai dealership.
Takata recall -all of the exterior lights on the car will blow within a few weeks of replacing. -the back lights will melt into the bulb socket and require the entire unit to be replaced. -the brake lights all shut off, even though the bulbs are fine. - cruise control wont work (this came on at the same time of the computer update on engine recall. -traction control warning light came on after recall to update computer on engine (from previous engine recall) -my radio completely stopped working after the initial recall for engine replacement.
I feel like I'm investing more money into this vehicle than I should. You guys know that these Hyundai Sonata 2013+ has electrical issue and should have a recall to be fixed. My horn doesn't work and my tail lights are melting after I just payed to get them fixed. This is a safety hazard !!!!!!! You guys need to get this right , it doesn't take more than 24hrs to do a investigation and approve the recalls for people to get their cars fixed , I will never buy a Hyundai again.
I was driving 65 MPH on the garden state parkway southbound in the middle lane returning home from yankee stadium. Without any warning my car lost all power and was barely able to pull the car over to the shoulder of the highway avoiding several cars traveling at highway speed. Seven weeks later I am still awaiting car repairs from circle Hyundai in shrewsbury nj and a cost of over $400. My engine failed with barely 20,000 miles.
Traction Control complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, 2% of the model year's 1,916 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Sonata traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 34% before 25,000 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.