2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2013 Sonata Hybrid report two dominant themes: hybrid-system and engine problems that can bring the car to a stop, and brake-pedal or hydraulic-unit faults. The hybrid stalling reports are scattered across the mileage range, from near-new to well past 100,000 miles, and many complaints describe warning chimes and a "do not drive" message before the car loses power.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine noise, stalling and engine replacement

   • 33 complaints (31%)
   • median 103,562 mi at 6.0 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe knocking or ticking from the engine, loss of motive power, smoke, and in several cases a dealer diagnosis that the engine or short block needed replacement. Some owners mention heavy oil use, such as adding a quart every few hundred miles, and one reports bearing wear found on inspection. A number of these owners had received a recall notice but said the repair part was not yet available. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 140,000 miles, sometimes preceded by a check engine light.

   Recall 20V7460009 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for knocking on a cold start and check the oil level and consumption history. Ask whether the knock sensor software campaign and any engine recall work were completed, and keep records of oil changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine recall I was driving home from work and suddenly loud ticking sounds starting coming from the engine. Then the power almost went to nothing and the car started slowly down (as if the car had been turned off (it was still on). The check engine light came on and the ticking sound got louder. I was able to safely drive off without any accidents. I got home and called several machanics to see if anyone could come by and see what's going on as I didn't feel safe to drive the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11204784, filed 2019-04, 117,650 miles

   “My husband and I were driving on interstate 81 south near woodstock, va on sunday morning, june 24, 2018. The car began making a knocking sound, then we lost power. By the time we were able to pull over, the engine was on fire. The entire car ended up burning. The va state police, vdot, and fire department responded and I-81 south was shut down for a time. I purchased my car new and did all required maintenance per factory recommendation including oil changes, tire rotations, etc. By the Hyundai dealer in bowie, md. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11104473, filed 2018-06, 91,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Hybrid system warning and loss of power while driving

   • 31 complaints (29%)
   • median 61,325 mi at 4.9 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2022

   Owners describe chimes and a hybrid system warning, sometimes with a "check charging system" or "do not drive" message, followed by the car refusing to accelerate or stopping completely. Some vehicles restart after being shut off, others do not, and a few dealers replaced an oil pump, a water pump for the hybrid cooling circuit, relays, or the 12-volt battery. Several complaints note that the dealer could not reproduce the fault or retrieve error codes. Reported from very low mileage up to about 140,000 miles, often at highway speeds or when pulling away from a stop.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the hybrid safety plug, power relay assembly and fuse have been inspected or replaced, and whether any stored codes were read. Have the car scanned for hybrid-related codes before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on a interstate and suddenly I see hybrid system warning message + check charging system with continuous alarm beep sounds. I had to immediately move to the right most shoulder on the interstate (which I was able to as car was still on with engine running). Once, I moved to the shoulder, I turned off the engine and restarted the car with check engine light. It would turn on fine but wouldn't move and immediately it throws up the error. I have attached the pics for reference. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10957914, filed 2017-03, 44,602 miles

   “For the past 3 years a siren goes off in my car and the lites start flashing such as brake lights, the key fob light states showing as if it can't be found in vehicle. Most of all the vehicle can't start. The first time I brought it to one dealership to have my battery replaced. The second year I had the same thing happened right in the mist of traffic, the car stopped and couldn't move, same symptoms and had to have it towed from south phila. To burlington nj., results were that the relays had failed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11051645, filed 2017-12, 114,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to the floor / hydraulic unit failure

   • 25 complaints (23%)
   • median 42,755 mi at 4.5 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking to the floorboard with little or no braking, sometimes accompanied by an abnormal noise or a brake warning light. In several complaints the car struck a sign or curb. Dealers diagnosed a failed hydraulic electronic control unit or hydraulic power unit, and some complaints note that a recall part was not yet available. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 125,000 miles, often at low speed while stopping or parking.

   Recall 23V651000

   What to check: Check the pedal for a firm feel and ask whether the ABS module recall (23V651000) was performed. Have a mechanic look for brake fluid weeping around the ABS/HECU unit.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had my car for a couple years. Randomly, I got an alert while keeping regular maintenacnce on my car saying check brakes and hybrid system warning . I brought it to the dealership and they said the hecu, hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) is faulty. This is an issue with the Hyundai genesis, but not an active recall on the 2013 Sonata Hybrid. However, I believe my model of car is affected by this issue, as well. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11120748, filed 2018-08, 140,000 miles

   “I was parking the car (after turning around and reversing) and as I applied the brakes to ease into the parking spot the brakes and car just stopped functioning. I depressed the brakes further and absolutely no response. The car moved forward at a slow speed and went up the curb, toppled a small tree and knocked a parking kiosk over on the sidewalk. Fortunately it was 8:10 am so nobody was walking on the sidewalk. Airbags did not deploy. Some damage from the metal kiosk and tie rod broken from curb. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10558015, filed 2013-12, 9,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering clunk or rattle over bumps

   • 10 complaints (9%)
   • median 42,143 mi at 4.9 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners report a clunking or clicking from the steering column area, noticeable when turning the wheel at low speed or going over rough pavement and speed bumps. Some describe play within a small angle of center, and one mentions a rattle after a bump that came with a shaking wheel. Complaints describe dealers finding a worn plastic or steering component, though some earlier reports were not resolved. Reported from around 10,000 miles to well over 100,000 miles, usually at low speeds or over uneven roads.

   What to check: Turn the wheel back and forth while stopped and drive slowly over a bumpy surface to listen for clunks. Ask whether the steering column or coupler has been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I am parked with the car on or stopped at a red light when I turn my wheel quickly left to right I hear a clicking noise. It seems to be coming between the steering wheel and steering column. When the car is moving it makes that noise when turning and going over any kind of bumps.”

   NHTSA complaint #11121210, filed 2018-08, 10,090 miles

   “While driving north on I-95 to a family fourth of july party this past summer I started to have a problem with my sonata's steering system. I felt the steering wheel grab and hold itself in place for an instant. In that instant I sensed that I had to exert extra strength to the steering wheel to force it to release itself from the surprising and frightening grab. Thankfully, the extra exertion on my part released the grab right away but another grab occurred within a few seconds. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10663256, filed 2014-12, 14,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hesitation and shuddering from a stop

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a delay or bog when accelerating from a stop or in stop-and-go traffic, followed by a surge, and in some cases revs climbing without the car moving or jerking back and forth. One complaint notes the dealer suggested driver foot position rather than finding a fault, while others had transmission fluid and control unit checks. Reported across a wide range, mostly between about 35,000 and 65,000 miles, common in stop-and-go driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the car from a dead stop several times, including a slight incline, and feel for hesitation or shudder. Ask whether transmission fluid and software have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When stopping at a red light or a stop sign or going up a slight driveway there is a loss of power when you apply the gas for a few seconds, and then the car surges. We were stopped behind a car and when we went to drive around them the car would only go approx 1 MPH with the gas pedal flat on the floor, then the car surges. Then at other times there are no problems. The dealership is trying to tell me we are driving with one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas. I do not use my left foot for the brake. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10549958, filed 2013-10, 300 miles

   “While driving and using the accelerator , the RPM would rev up but the car would not move. The car would then jerk back and forth. Only able to go approximately 10 miles per hour, but the RPM would go as high as 6k or 7k RPM. Dangerous to drive. When idle, also felt RPM go up and jerking motion.”

   NHTSA complaint #11205370, filed 2019-05, 61,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection should include a scan for stored hybrid and engine codes, a check of oil consumption and brake pedal feel, and confirmation that open recalls and the knock sensor software campaign were completed. Service records matter here, since several reported problems were addressed through dealer inspections and warranty extensions.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.