2013 Hyundai Sonata Body & Structure Problems
39 owner-reported body & structure complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (39)
About a year ago, I went out one morning, and the Rear Passenger Door would not engage or open. I tried using the key fob, as well as manual lock, trying to lock and unlock, and it still would not open. No one can get into the car from the outside. No one can get out of the car from the inside. This especially is very dangerous. Nothing has changed. I would like Hyundai to repair my door, since it is inoperable. In case of accident, fire, or other reason, someone would be locked in to their detriment.
The right-rear passenger door will not open from either the inside or outside of the car. This happened suddenly with no warning. It was instantaneous. I went to go pick my toddler from daycare and when we were returning to the car, the right-rear passenger door will not open after unlocking the car with my key fob. All the other doors (3) could be opened with the key fob or without the key fob from inside the car. I tried to open the right-rear paasenger door from the inside and it still will not open. Additionally, you can hear the locking system on the door moving when locking and unlocking the car with the key fob but the door simply won't open. This is a safety issue because it hinders my ability to quickly get to my toddler in case of an emergency.
The left rear door won't open from the inside or from outside. The door just suddenly stopped working without any warning or without any damage to the door, or to the key FOB. I use it to transport an elderly person or sometimes my grand kids, it is dangerous especially if someone has to exit the car immediately.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there were three cracks on the front dashboard. The contact stated that two cracks were on the front passenger’s side airbag and the other crack was in the middle of the front dashboard and was spreading over to the driver's side. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was parked and no longer driven due to the safety concern. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,900.
The back doors will no longer open when unlocked. This poses a safety risk. I was unable to get my child out of his car seat when the locks or locking mechanism went out. I had to climb into the back seat from the front. The door do not open either from the interior or exterior of the vehicle. A mechanic stated that this could be from faulty solenoids. I was unable to get a print out of a quote at the time of writing this
Rear driver side door cannot be opened from the inside or the outside of the vehicle.
Vehicle driver and passenger door handles will not open from the outside despite being unlocked. No damage occurred to handles. Handles worked one day and stopped working the next. Huge safety risk, if there is an accident, the driver and passenger are completely inaccessible.
My rear drivers side door will not open. I cannot get my grandson out of his car seat without walking to the passenger side of the car. If there was an accident, first responders would not be able to reach anyone in the backseat behind the driver's seat. This is a common problem with this make/model vehicle. I asked the dealer to try to open it for me, but wouldn't even look at it for without a $185 charge. No one else has inspected the vehicle. There were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
My vehicle and a couple more vehicles that I have seen seem to have a cracked interior dashboard caused by the heat. This problem seems to be common on hyundai's of different models. I've owned several different manufacturered vehicles, and this is the first vehicle manufacturer with a common problem with the cracking of the vehicles interior dashboard it has plastic fumes. There seems to be no remedy for this defective product. I have done research and found alot of people online having the same problem.
Currently, Hyundai has issued a notification for extended warranty on a 2016 Hyundai Tucson and the Hyundai ELANTRA for an issue with the door latch system. However, this problem is occurring in several other Hyundai models. I own a 2016 Tucson and also a 2013 Sonata. the problem starts out usually when you try to open the door you have to pull the handle 2 to 3 times before it opens eventually it will not open at all. I had the problem fixed on the Tucson it was still under warranty, however, my 2013 Sonata rear driver side door just stopped opening from both the inside or the outside. I’ve watched videos on how to get the door open and I’ve looked up how to get it fixed. If I take it to the dealer it can cost up to $1500 which I don’t have. I don’t understand why it’s not a safety recall. I currently have one grand child who sits in a car seat in the back, and I only have one way of getting her in and out through the opposite door that opens , in another week, I will have a second grandchild to put in my car. I cannot install both car seats and use them if only one door opening. This is a safety hazard in all their vehicles. They use the same latch mechanism on all of their vehicles, if you look at YouTube, you’ll see hundreds of Tucson videos and if you search sonata you’ll find the same latch problem with sonatas. When I took my Tucson to be repaired, I asked about the Sonata and the repair person said if there’s no recall, I would have to pay to have it fixed. This is a safety issue because you can close your door and drive then Stop your car and try to open your door and it won’t open, and it is impossible to climb from the front seat to the backseat in a Sonata . There is no warning, It just happens. please look into this I need my doors fixed and I cannot afford $1500 to fix one door!
2013 Hyundai Sonata has massive white pearl paint peeling. Large swaths on both read roof racks (each about 48 square inches), trunk peeling (across the entire width on the trunk top edges), front engine compartment hood (4 spots ranging from 3 - 15 square inches). Paint peels away down to undercoating level - poor bonding of the paint to the undercoat).
The front passenger door does not open even when it is unlocked. The power locks will make the noise as if the door is unlocked but the latch is stuck. Even if you manually unlock the door, it will not open. This is a safety issue because you can not safely exit the vehicle if you were in the passenger seat. There were no warnings before this problem presented itself.
passenger rear door will not open, not from the inside or outside of the vehicle
Possible compromise to the integrity of the passenger air bag due to known 2012-2013 dashboard cracking issue. Dashboard cracked approximately 8-9 inches on top of the passenger air bag. concerned for integrity if cracking persists of the air bad
Rear passenger door doesn’t open from the inside or outside. The actuator is unlocking but the cable that attaches to the handle is stretched and not releasing from the striker. The component at fault is the “latch assembly”. This is very dangerous and people can get stuck in the rear.
White paint peeling off from the car.
THE FRONT DASHBOARD HAS MULTIPLE LINES OF CRACKS NEAR THE DASHBOARD. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IT LOOKS LIKE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. THE DASH BEING CRACKER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON TOP OF THE AIRBAG MAKES ME REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE AIRBAG BLOWING OFF. ALSO THE CAR LOOKS SO BAD WITH ALL THE CRACKS THAT I HAVE PUR A COVER ON TOP OF THE DASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AIRBAG NOT OPENING UPON COLLISON.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 7:15AM I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. MY CAR WAS BUCKING. I WENT TO PULL OVER WHEN MY CAR TURNED A SHARP RIGHT INTO TREES. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY FLAMES.
THE PAINT IS PEELING ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR. ON THE DASH THERE ARE 2 CRACKS ONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AIRBAG ENCLOSURE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS THE RUBBER PEELING OFF. THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF PANEL IS CRACKED/READY TO PEEL OFF. THE CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR WITH HARNESS 6/03/2030 I ONLY HAD 42171 MILES AT THE COST OF $751.47 . MY WARRANTY IS FOR 10 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES BUT THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I MADE THE APPOINTMENT IMMEDIATELY AND BROUGHT IT IN 6/03/2020 TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP.
THE TRUNK NO LONGER OPENS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON ON REMOTE KEY AND/OR TRUNK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR'S DISPLAY SYSTEM NO LONGER OPERATES PROPERLY AND WHEN TOUCHING THE SCREEN TO SELECT AN OPTION, IT OPERATES A DIFFERENT FUNCTION THEN PRESSED. SUCH AS. SELECTING VOLUME UP MIGHT CHANGE THE RADIO STATION INSTEAD. WHEN PRESSING THE SCREEN TO SELECT A DIFFERENT MODE FOR MUSIC, SCREEN WENT COMPLETELY BLACK WHILE NAVIGATING (CAR IN MOTION) AND WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE REAR VIEW CAMERA HAS FAILED AS WELL AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE, THERE IS MERELY A BLUE SCREEN AND NO VISUAL OF THE REAR. I HAD AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE SCREEN ON 15 JULY 20, BUT I AM UNCERTAIN IF THIS IS RELATABLE.
MY 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WHEN I UNLOCKED MY DOOR TO GET IN MY VEHICLE IT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL EVEN WITH THE KEY TO UNLOCK MY DRIVERS SIDE!
THE PAINT IS CHIPPING ACROSS THE WHOLE VEHICLE. SOME AREAS ARE JUST LITTLE SPOTS BUT OTHERS ARE LARGE CHUNKS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED YET THE PAINT IS CHIPPING.
ONLY 50,000 MILES AND DASH CRACKED IN 2 SECTIONS AND DEALER SAID THAT IT IS NOT COVERED IN WARRANTY. NO HELP FROM HYUNDAI
THE GLASS SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO REASON.. I WAS DRIVING 9/5/18 ABOUT 5PM, NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME, NOTHING OVERHEADS, AND I HEARD A LOUD SOUND (LIKE A BULLET) DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AROUND ME, THE WINDSHIELD LOOKED FINE, BUT THE GLASS SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. THANK GOODNESS THE INSIDE ROOF LINER WAS CLOSED AND THE SHATTERED GLASS DID NOT FALL ON MY FACE OR INTO MY CAR.
THE WHITE PAINT IS CHIPPING AWAY FROM THE TRUNK AND RIGHT REAR PANEL. MAACO'S EVALUATION INDICATED A PAINT DEFECT WITH CERTAIN CAR BRANDS, WHICH INCLUDES HYUNDAI. THE PAINT BUBBLES AND THEN BREAKS. MAACO STATED THE LIKELIHOOD IS THAT IT WILL HAPPEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. IF UNTREATED, CORROSION WILL EVENTUALLY SET IN.
SONATA RECALL ON APRIL 14,,2017 DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I 75 MY ENGINE EXPLODED AND I SUCCESSFULLY WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER. I HA BE SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN SENT A RECALL FROM HYUNDAI ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF FOR OVER 18 MONTHS. HOWEVER THE DESTRUCTION DOES NOT END THERE. HYUNDAI MOTORS OF NORTH AMERICA REPLACED THE BLOWN ENGINE WITH A NEW MODEL ENGINE AND AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AGAIN FOR 36 HOURS AND UNDER 300 MILES...THE NEW ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE TOTALLY DESTROYING MY VEHICLE AGAIN DUE TO MY DILGENCE AND THE CINCINNATI FIRE DEPARTMENT WE WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH DAMAGE TO OTHER PEOPLE OR PROPERTY. HYUNDAI HAS SERIOUS QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES. THE CAR WAS ON 4 TH STREET IN DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI WHEN THE FIRE BROKE OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE WHEEL WELL FENDER PLASTIC COVER DETACHED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM UNLOCKING THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE (KUMHO) WORE OUT AFTER 30K MILES AND BECAME VERY NOISY AFTER ABOUT 20K MILES. REPLACED THE TIRES WITH A SET OF HANKOOK OPTIMA H727. NOW HAVE 27K MILES ON THESE TIRES AND THEY ARE JUST AS NOISY AS THE ORIGINAL STOCK TIRES, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE WEARING A LOT BETTER THAN THE KUMHOS. I BELIEVE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE ITSELF AS THERE SHOULD NOT BE THE TIRE NOISE ENTERING THE CABIN LIKE IT DOES. I AM RUNNING A SET OF HANKOOK OPTIMA H725 ON A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH 124K MILES AND 55K MILES ON THOSE TIRES. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO NOISE COMING FROM THOSE TIRES INTO THE CABIN AND I HESITATE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER SET OF TIRES FOR MY SONATA UNTIL A DETERMINATION IS MADE REGARDING THE EXCESSIVE NOISE.
LOCKED UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN A CLEAR OPEN AREA AND PANORAMIC GLASS ROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND OTHER SECTIONS STARTED MELTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY IN WARM WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO A STONE WALL. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT I KNOW DIFFERENTLY AS I DRIVE IT. IT CONTINUES TO RANDOMLY ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING ALONG, JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE TRYING TO PARK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A SCRAPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THAT FENDER LINER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,623.
2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BUMPER ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN MARCH 2014, THE BUMPER FENDER SKIRT AND INNER FENDER WELL DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING ON A WELL MAINTAINED ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED A PLASTIC BAG MAY HAVE WRAPPED AROUND THE BUMPER, AND PULLED IT DOWN, BUT THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP, WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THE DESIGN WAS NOT VERY GOOD, AS PLASTIC PARTS WERE USED. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON MAY 12TH. AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT END DROPPED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP, WHERE THEY FIXED IT AGAIN. *JB UPDATED 09/29/14. *JB
MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT TODAY WHICH SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY SOME KIND OF MECHANICAL ACCELERATION WHEN SHE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST THAT, AT FIRST, SHE THOUGHT SHE MIGHT HAVE PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. BUT, AS THE FOG OF THE INCIDENT CLEARS, SHE RECALLS SLOWLY APPLYING THE BRAKE TO PULL INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND THE NEXT THING SHE KNOWS IS THAT THE ENGINE IS RACING AND SHE'S KNOCKED DOWN METAL SIGNS, TREES AND BUSHES. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. SHE JUST MISSED THE FRONT OF A BUILDING. WE WERE RELIEVED THAT NO PEOPLE OR VEHICLES WERE ALSO INVOLVED. SHE SUSTAINED NO INJURIES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. WE ARE GLAD THAT SHE WASN'T ON A HIGHWAY AND WHERE MUCH MORE DAMAGE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO CASEY'S AUTO BODY, AT 4515 OHARA AVE, BRENTWOOD, CA 94513-2206 IN CASE YOU WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT FROM THE SIGNS, TREES AND BUSHES. WE DO NOT HAVE AN ESTIMATE YET FROM CASEY'S. I ALSO HAVE SENT THIS INFORMATION TO HYUNDAI. *TR
WHEN I CAME OUT TO GET IN MY CAR, AT WORK, I NOTICED THAT FRONT BUMPER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE BODY. NO SCRATCHES OR SIGNS OF IMPACT WERE VISIBLE. THE PARKING SPACE BUTTS UP TO GRASS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY GET 30 TO 40 OF THESE COMPLAINTS A YEAR. THEY SAID THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE BUMPER DO NOT HOLD UP UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME LOW CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BUMPER AND THE ROAD, ALMOST ANY POTHOLE OR BUMP OR CONCRETE PARKING BLOCK COULD CAUSE THEM TO BREAK. THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE CLIP ATTACHMENT OF THE BUMPER TO THE VEHICLE AND A DESIGN FLAW FOR THE CAR TO BE SO LOW TO THE GROUND. THE DEALER SAID THE REPAIR, WHICH ACTUALLY ENTAILS REPLACING, PAINTING AND ATTACHMENT, COMES TO JUST SHORT OF $900. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THE CAR HIT A POTHOLE AND THE BUMPER FLIES OFF, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VISION, SAFETY AND FOR THOSE BEHIND. *TR
THE CHROME OFF THE INDOOR HANDLES PEELED OFF AND CAN CUT YOUR FINGERS WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOORS
I WAS ON THE RIGHT MOST LANE ON HIGHWAY 121 AT 70 MILES SPEED WHEN MY CAR STARTED PULLING RIGHT & LEFT AS IF IT WAS SKIDDING ON ICE. THE WEATHER WAS FINE. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I WAS HOLDING THE STEERING WITH BOTH HANDS. AFTER THAT DAY, WHENEVER I GO OVER THE SPEED OF 60, CAR STARTS PULLING LEFT & RIGHT. I HAVE TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAYS. *TR
THE PLASTIC TABS ON THE LEFT SIDE BUMPER COVER (SO CALLED BUMPER) BROKE COMPLETELY OFF WHEN IT APPEARS THAT THE L- SHAPED LIP OF THE PLASTIC SHIELD UNDER THE CAR RUB UP AGAINST A PARKING CURVE. THE BOTTOM OF THE BUMPER OR THE SHIELD UNDERNEATH THE CAR WAS NOT SCRATCHED TO INDICATE THAT THE CAR DRAGGED ON THE CURVE. THE DEALER STATED THE L-SHAPED LIP OF THE SHIELD RUBBED UPON THE CURVE AND LIFTED THE BUMPER CAUSING THE TABS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER TO BREAK OFF. THE CAR WILL NEED A NEW PAINTED BUMPER INSTALLED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AS THE PLASTIC TABS ARE MOLDED TO THE BUMPER COVER. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT WOULD DO ANY DAMAGE IF THE CAR SHIELD SCRAPED A PARKING CURVE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TOY BATTERY OPERATED CAR BREAK LIKE THIS IF IT HIT OR SCRAPED AN OBJECT. IT APPEARS IF I RAN OVER A BOTTLE, PIECE OF WOOD, GRAVEL, ETC.,IN THE ROAD AND IT HIT THIS SHIELD, IF COULD BREAK THIS BUMPER COVER. I DID NOT PAY OVER $30,000 FOR A TOY? THE SHIELD (SHOULD BE OTHER THAN BENDABLE PLASTIC) UNDER THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE BOLTED TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR AND NOT THE BUMPER COVER. WHEN I PUSHED THE SHIELD UNDER THE CAR, THE WHOLE BUMPER COVER LIFTS UP! THIS IS NOT A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE ON THE ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD! THIS CAR WILL NOT MEET THE 0 MILES PER HOURS TEST IN A CRASH UNDER ANY FEDERAL REGULATIONS SAFETY TESTS. HOW COULD THE MANUFACTURER BE ALLOWED TO PUT THIS CAR ON THE MARKET? I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER FURTHER AND, ALSO, WOULD LIKE FOR NHTSA TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE INSPECT THIS CAR. BECAUSE IT IS SO FRAGILE, I AM SORT OF AFRAID TO DRIVE IT!. *TR