VehicleVerdict

2013 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata has 764 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 29% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

764

Engine complaints

29%

Share of year

19

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Sonata engine complaints by model year1,008 complaints1987: 1 complaints1989: 7 complaints1991: 8 complaints1992: 5 complaints1993: 12 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 9 complaints1996: 6 complaints1997: 9 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 23 complaints2000: 33 complaints2001: 25 complaints2002: 22 complaints2003: 17 complaints2004: 10 complaints2005: 11 complaints2006: 74 complaints2007: 49 complaints2008: 50 complaints2009: 62 complaints2010: 29 complaints2011: 1,008 complaints2012: 573 complaints2013: 764 complaints2014: 319 complaints2015: 627 complaints2016: 459 complaints2017: 397 complaints2018: 218 complaints2019: 90 complaints2020: 28 complaints2021: 34 complaints2022: 23 complaints2023: 28 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Sonata engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

18V934000EngineDecember 28, 2018 · 150,730 units

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.

Consequence

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.

17V226000EngineMarch 31, 2017 · 572,000 units

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.

Consequence

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 report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EMITTED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. IN ADDITION, WHEN SWITCHING FROM GEAR TO GEAR, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 19, 2017 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2013 Hyundai Sonata have?

NHTSA has 764 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Sonata engine — 29% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 17V226000, 18V934000.

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.