2013 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V934000Dec 28, 2018150,730 vehicles
  ENGINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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. 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.

  Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 17V226000Mar 31, 2017572,000 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

  Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026NYEngine

   2013 Sonata 2.4 81,953 mi, seized on highway with fresh oil change 1 week prior, loss of power, steering/braking. Happened on George Washington Bridge (NY/NJ) with near collision. Asssited by Police to move vehicle out of highway. Inspected by dealer (Paramus Hyundai) and confirmed loss of power due to engine problem. Dealer denied warranty for poor maintenance despite receipt showing recent maintenance. This vehicle is covered under life warranty by Hyundai for manufacture…

   NHTSA complaint #11769695 · source
2. Filed Sep 28, 2026FLEngine

   Factual summary * Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Sonata * VIN: [XXX] * Incident date: XXX * Failure: Sudden knocking noise, immediate check‑engine illumination, loss of power, and catastrophic engine failure; vehicle towed to Allen Turner Hyundai, 6501 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505. * Recall: My VIN appears on Hyundai’s engine recall list; the recall notice was issued before the vehicle received a rebranded title. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT…

   NHTSA complaint #11767524 · source
3. Filed Sep 8, 2026NCEngine

   On September 8, 2026, while driving a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited at highway speed, the check-engine light began flashing and the vehicle suddenly lost power. The vehicle slowed to approximately 40 mph, then approximately 20 mph, before the engine completely shut off. I had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the highway while surrounding traffic continued traveling at highway speeds. This created a serious risk of a rear-end collision or other accident. The engine would…

   NHTSA complaint #11762781 · source
4. Filed Sep 5, 2026ILEngine

   I am reporting a serious engine failure involving my 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The vehicle's engine was previously inspected by a Hyundai dealership as part of a Hyundai engine recall. I followed Hyundai's instructions and brought the vehicle to the dealership for the required inspection. I was informed that the engine passed the inspection, and an orange marking was placed on the oil dipstick. The Hyundai dealership should have the service record documenting this recall…

   NHTSA complaint #11762394 · source
5. Filed Sep 3, 202652,973 miFLTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was unable to restart on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis. The dealer asked the contact to…

   NHTSA complaint #11761893 · source
6. Filed Aug 25, 2026TNEngine

   I was on [XXX] . I was going 70 mph and then my car just instantly stopped accelerating. The check engine started flashing and I pulled to the side. There was a knocking noise and I just stopped. I called my son to come and get us and then my uncle told it to my house. I have several friends that work on cars and have a a tester. Of course they tested it in that same code came up as if it was the knocking center, so I had another friend come and tested with a different…

   NHTSA complaint #11759571 · source
7. Filed Aug 13, 2026AZEngine

   My engine was decreasing in speed and shutting off if i brake to slow down on major exressways and local roads. I was advise by my dealership mechanic shop that my engine had a recall and need to have it towed to a hyundai service dealer for a replacement engine . My engine light on the dashboard had a constant blinking light. My vehicle was inspected camelback hyundai and a new engine was replaced. The dealership is holding my vehicle hostage demanding i pay 2500.00 for…

   NHTSA complaint #11756752 · source
8. Filed Aug 11, 2026ALEngine

   Excessive oil consumption. I lose 3 qt of oil every 1200 miles. I have had the required maintenance on the car and still having excessive oil consumption.

   NHTSA complaint #11756370 · source
9. Filed Aug 1, 2026AZEngine

   This vehicle is subject to a known Theta II connecting rod bearing defect (Recall 162 / KSDS) and a related class action settlement. On October 2, 2025, the vehicle stalled while entering the highway. It was taken to Ken Garff Hyundai Surprise, and the following day, October 3, 2025, it entered engine protection mode (limp mode) during the dealership's own test drive, the exact behavior the Knock Sensor Detection System is designed to trigger for connecting rod bearing wear.…

   NHTSA complaint #11754108 · source
10. Filed Jul 17, 2026PAFireEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    When my father was driving, the vehicle stalled out with no prior odd activity. He pulled over to the side of the road and attempted to start the vehicle. He saw smoke, opened the hood, saw flames and cleared the area of the vehicle. Due to the large Hyundai/Kia engine recall for his year of vehicle, the engine had been replaced 2-3 times and ONLY EVER been serviced by the dealership. We do not know if all recall repair work had been done, because there was also a fuel line…

    NHTSA complaint #11751024 · source
11. Filed Jul 14, 2026AZEngine

    Bought car from a used car dealership, car fax report filed 3 other owners, with a well maintenance report on file with oil change done atleast every 5K miles. Bought car in January 2026, maintenance had been done before car was taken off the lot. At 3k miles since hsving the ca on 05/15/26 I got my oil changed and cabin filters replaced. It’s only been less than 1500 miles and car engine had reportedly seized.

    NHTSA complaint #11750382 · source
12. Filed Jul 8, 2026MOEngine

    Driving my car, oil light comes on. I take to a local mechanic who said he sees this often, my engine is going to seize up and confirmed via VIN my car is affected by the Sonata Engine Recall campaign XXX. Vanessa At Hyundai said to take it to a dealership immediately for further inspection as it may not be safe to drive. Took to dealership on XXX. While at the dealership, service manager said on XXX “my car was perfect, didn’t know why it was even there and trying to find…

    NHTSA complaint #11749190 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology