VehicleVerdict

2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine problems

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 40 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 24% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

40

Engine complaints

24%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Sonata Hybrid engine complaints by model year74 complaints2011: 40 complaints2012: 71 complaints2013: 40 complaints2014: 12 complaints2015: 19 complaints2016: 74 complaints2017: 48 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 23 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 7 complaints2024: 1 complaints
Sonata Hybrid engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

20V746000EngineDecember 1, 2020 · 128,948 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

Consequence

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 24, 2018 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have?

NHTSA has 40 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine — 24% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 20V746000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.