The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Sonata · 2013

2013 Hyundai Sonata. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index127100 = average car
Complaints336NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold203,648U.S. model year
Per 100K sold165complaints
Year rank#16 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto 6-spdFWD22 / 33 / 26Regular$2,400
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdFWD24 / 34 / 27Regular$2,300
2.4L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD24 / 34 / 27Regular$2,300
2.4L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AM6)FWD35 / 38 / 37Regular$1,700

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 110,000 miles. Median 77,400, from 1,193 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine95,00064,200–125,000436
Steering52,0007,500–90,000259
Electrical80,00042,800–113,200142
Lights80,00060,000–110,000111
Brakes55,00020,000–90,00095

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Steering37%
Engine21%
Electrical11%
Brakes10%
Transmission & drivetrain9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2,024101102641186

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 9

  • 22V312000 May 2022 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. 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.

    Risk. A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. 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 n

  • 20V121000 Feb 2020 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. 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.

    Risk. If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. 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 recal

  • 18V934000 Dec 2018 Engine

    Defect. 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.

  • 18V137000 Feb 2018 Seat Belts / Pretensioner

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. 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.

    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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 17V617000 Oct 2017 Seat Belts / Pretensioner

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

    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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 17V226000 Mar 2017 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine

    Defect. 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.

  • 17V152000 Mar 2017 Seat Belts / Front / Anchorage

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

    Risk. In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 14V434000 Jul 2014 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.

    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

    Remedy. 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.

  • 12V352000 Jul 2012 Air Bags / Side/Window

    Defect. 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.

    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.

    Remedy. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023–
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023
ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities20212023
ClosedEngine fires20212024
ClosedElectrical overstress20192024

Manufacturer communications 233

Hyundai filed 233 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Issues with a minor clicking or thud type noise when turning the steering wheel
  • Slight leak from the oil feed

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20103780196,623Body structure
2011301792225,961Steering
2012130335230,605Engine
2013127336203,648Steering
201464152216,936Engine
2015138292213,303Engine
201687178199,408Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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