Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2013 Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA data on file today
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,917 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22V312000 Low Pressure Fuel Hose May Crack and Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V121000 Low Pressure Fuel Hose May Crack and Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V934000 High Pressure Fuel Pipe May Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V137000 Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V617000 Seat Belt Linkage Detaches from Pretensioner NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V226000 Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V152000 Seat Belt Linkages may Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V434000 Transmission Shift Cable Detachment/Rollaway Risk NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V352000 Curtain Airbag Uncommanded Deployment NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 739 complaints
- Steering 342 complaints
- Electrical System 260 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 197 complaints
- Unknown or Other 175 complaints
- Service Brakes 144 complaints
Of the 1,917 complaints on file, 93 report a crash and 98 a fire; across all 1,917 complaints, owners report 77 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata is rated below-average due to significant issues with the engine and fuel system. Multiple recalls and numerous complaints highlight problems with premature engine wear and fuel line deterioration. Prospective owners should carefully consider potential future repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 60,000–100,000 miles | $3,000–$5,000 | common |
| fuel system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $400–$900 | common |
| steering column | 40,000–70,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
| seat belt pretensioners | 50,000–90,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| transmission shift cable | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Replace air filter every 15,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 30,000 miles
- Cooling system flush every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine knocking or unusual noise
- Fuel smell from the engine bay
- Difficulty shifting gears
- Loose or unresponsive steering
- Airbag warning light illumination
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.