Recalled components: brakes, seat belts, engine, fuel system, and 3 more. Most-described problem: stalling or shutting off (254 complaints, 13%). Most-reported area: engine (776 complaints, 38%; median mileage when it happened: 95,000).
One of the Sonata years to avoid
The 2013 drew 238 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 92 for a typical Sonata year: 2.6 times as many.
Years to avoid: 2011 to 2013 and 2015; best year: 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Year to avoidBest year
Includes the Sonata Hybrid.
11 safety recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata
Parts with a do-not-drive or park-outside recall come first, then the rest, largest first. Within a part, do-not-drive and park-outside recalls come first, then the newest. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Brakes 1 recall
antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
1,649,478 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
580,058 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles.
NHTSA listing: SONATA. Components: Air bags; Air bags: air bag/restraint control module; Air bags: side/window; Seat belts: pretensioner. Hyundai campaign 174.
Risk: If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
443,545 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
977,778 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Fix: 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 (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
128,948 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
150,730 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226.
Risk: A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 227. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 20V-121. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-121 that did not receive a replacement fuel hose will need to have this new recall remedy performed.
215,171 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles.
Risk: If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the low-pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 189. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.
216,799 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles.
Risk: The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
Fix: Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
29,767 vehicles.
Hyundai's recall campaign number is 106.Customers may contact The National Highway Traffic Safety Vehicle Safety Administrations Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.
572,000 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles.
Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
883,000 vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014.
NHTSA listing: SONATA. Hyundai campaign 123.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 6 investigations that name the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, not counting audit queries; all 6 are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.
NHTSA listings: SONATA, SONATA HYBRID. Component: Air bags (air bag/restraint control module). This investigation names 46 models.
Engine fires
Engineering analysis EA21003Closed Feb 5, 2024 (opened Dec 22, 2021)
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… NHTSA's full summary
Preliminary evaluation PE19003Closed Dec 22, 2021 (opened Mar 29, 2019)
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… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recalls 20V-121 and 20V-746, listed above.
NHTSA listings: SONATA, SONATA HYBRID. Components: Electrical system; Engine and cooling; Engine; Exterior lighting; Fuel system; Unknown or other.
Scope and timeliness
Recall query RQ17004Closed Dec 22, 2021 (opened May 18, 2017)
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-004 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Hyundai’s Theta II GDI engine recalls (Recall Nos. 15V-568 and 17V-226), and Hyundai’s compliance with reporting requirements.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 17V-226, listed above.
NHTSA listing: SONATA. Component: Engine.
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Preliminary evaluation PE18003Closed Aug 30, 2019 (opened Mar 16, 2018)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 18V-137, listed above.
NHTSA listing: SONATA. Components: Air bags; Seat belts.
Front passenger seat belt anchor failure
Preliminary evaluation PE16018Closed Oct 23, 2017 (opened Dec 27, 2016)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on December 27, 2016 based on two ODI consumer complaints reporting a failure of the front passenger seat belt to remain connected to the seat belt… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recalls 17V-152 and 17V-617, listed above.
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 2,019 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Sonata. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Stalling or shutting off254 · 13%
Median 98,300 miles at failure, from 178 reports with mileage
Engine failure or replacement245 · 12%
Median 94,000 miles at failure, from 145 reports with mileage
Headlight or exterior light problems168 · 8%
Median 84,000 miles at failure, from 83 reports with mileage
Check engine light147 · 7%
Median 101,000 miles at failure, from 98 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode146 · 7%
Median 91,000 miles at failure, from 88 reports with mileage
Smoke or a burning smell118 · 6%
Median 110,000 miles at failure, from 77 reports with mileage
Steering rack problems: sticking, play or pulling87 · 4%
Median 34,000 miles at failure, from 67 reports with mileage
Won't start86 · 4%
Median 92,000 miles at failure, from 59 reports with mileage
Median 95,000 miles at failure, from 436 reports with mileage
Steering352 · 17%
Median 51,500 miles at failure, from 258 reports with mileage
Electrical system285 · 14%
Most named: instrument cluster/panel (3); wiring (3) · Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 142 reports with mileage
Exterior lighting199 · 10%
Most named: brake lights (9); tail lights (6) · Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 111 reports with mileage
Brakes175 · 9%
Median 55,000 miles at failure, from 106 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system146 · 7%
Median 97,000 miles at failure, from 55 reports with mileage
Powertrain108 · 5%
Median 57,600 miles at failure, from 72 reports with mileage
Unknown or other185 · 9%
Median 77,000 miles at failure, from 75 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Hyundai Sonata recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2013 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2011 Sonata drew the most (624) and the 2013 drew 238.
Owner complaints
2013: 2,019 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Hyundai Sonata
Model year
Complaints
2010
345
2011
3,472
2012
1,711
2013
2,019
2014
773
2015
1,197
2016
883
2017
876
2018
382
2019
171
2020
194
2021
189
2022
112
2023
102
2024
55
2025
27
2026
6
Safety recalls
2013: 11 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Hyundai Sonata
Model year
Recalls
2010
2
2011
17
2012
11
2013
11
2014
8
2015
12
2016
9
2017
5
2018
2
2019
0
2020
4
2021
4
2022
3
2023
2
2024
1
2025
0
2026
1
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 2,019 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, the problems described most are stalling or shutting off (254), engine failure or replacement (245), and headlight or exterior light problems (168). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2013 Hyundai Sonata safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, not counting audit queries. It lists 6 closed ones; the most recent closed on Sep 19, 2024.
How do I check if my Sonata has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Hyundai dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: SONATA, SONATA HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.