2013 Hyundai Sonata Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 197about this part
- Share
- 10%of 1,917 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,684miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 197 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, 10% of the 1,917 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,684 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 12 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since buying this car as 2nd owner I have replaced the rear brake bulb 5 times in 1 yr. The wiring seems to be the issue. Last week car literally doesn't start when trying to it sputters and then I have to cut it off to go finally get it to start. Today it turned over but sputtering continues 2 more times when try to to start, then 3rd time it cranks.”
NHTSA complaint #11233251, filed 2019-07, 98,800 miles“The tail light bulbs continue to go bad. I replace bulbs almost 2 a month. I recently just got stopped saturday may 30 2020 for a non functioning tail light. I replaced it 10 min later and today june 1 2020 it went out again. There's obvious sign of why this keeps happening but I've spent so much money on bulbs its ridiculous.”
NHTSA complaint #11326904, filed 2020-06, 115,876 miles“I had to replace the cv joint on one side of the car and then months later the other side. I was told by my body shop that this was happening with alot of the Hyundai sonatas. Also, I have replaced light bulbs blowing monthly in my car and one ha actually burned. I have also found out that several people have had problems with this as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11176313, filed 2019-02, 40,000 miles“I was leaving a parking lot and my gear shift would not move, I had to put a pair of scissors in the shift lock so it would move, then my brake lights went out. I havent had it fixed yet. My engine blew also a few years ago, I had that fixed but I should not be having issues like this. It may be the brake light switch or the shifter cable”
NHTSA complaint #11183450, filed 2019-03, 65,000 miles“Sonata recall: well for starters I almost got hit by a 18 wheeler because the car shut off on the interstate while I was driving. Lucky I was to get the car to the side of the road but it hit the side rail because I couldnt get it to stop.now the car will not start at all. All of the lights came on at once and it scared me to death because my kids were in the car with me.”
NHTSA complaint #11164682, filed 2019-01, 89,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
- 11007584Sep 9, 2024Some 2011-14MY Sonata (YF) vehicles may exhibit inoperative brake lights that may be caused by melting/deformation of the rear combination housing lamps. Hyundai is extending…
- 11007583Sep 4, 2024Some 2011-14MY Sonata (YF) vehicles may experience inoperative brake lights that may be caused by melting/deformation of the rear combination housing lamps. Hyundai is extending…
- 10247588Dec 5, 2023Some 2011-14MY Sonata (YF) vehicles may experience inoperative brake lights that may be caused by melting/deformation of the rear combination housing lamps. Hyundai is extending…
- 10247587Dec 5, 2023Some 2011-14MY Sonata (YF) vehicles may exhibit inoperative brake lights that may be caused by melting/deformation of the rear combination housing lamps. Hyundai is extending…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
- 10170885Jan 27, 2020This bulletin provides information to assist with ordering the correct part when replacing a tail lamp harness.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 18 | 11% |
| 2018 | 22 | 6% |
| 2017 | 20 | 3% |
| 2016 | 38 | 5% |
| 2015 | 38 | 3% |
| 2014 | 120 | 16% |
| 2013 | 197 | 10% |
| 2012 | 141 | 9% |
| 2011 | 249 | 7% |
| 2010 | 10 | 3% |
| 2009 | 14 | 3% |
| 2008 | 20 | 5% |
| 2007 | 35 | 5% |
| 2006 | 45 | 4% |
| 2005 | 17 | 10% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata
739 complaintsSteering
342 complaintsElectrical system
261 complaintsFuel system
211 complaintsOther or unknown
181 complaintsBrakes
149 complaintsAir bags
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
94 complaintsVehicle speed control
86 complaintsSeat belts
62 complaintsBody and structure
50 complaintsSuspension
48 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology