My vehicle will suddenly drop in speed regardless of increasing gas, by adding pressure to the gas pedal. It is also making an odd noise from the engine. I took it to the mechanic who stated that they heard the noise but it was beyond their scope and I should take it to the dealer. I called the service department and told them the problem and also mentioned the lifetime engine warranty that…
2013 Hyundai Sonata engine problems
severe 539 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
539
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
6crashes
45fires
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 539 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 539 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Hyundai Sonata in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Having to add 1-2 quarts of oil per month and engine knock noise has started and been louder when oil is low.
While car was accelerating on the interstate a loud knocking noise began. The engine noise continued to grow. I stopped momentarily for an appointment praying the car would start. When I came back out it did restart but the engine noise was worse, I called the local Hyundai dealership & described the situation. I informed them I would be driving the car to them. Not once did they mention…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
It's a meaningful issue. 539 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 313 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 66,687 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 66,687; a quarter make it past 125,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Hyundai/Sonata.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.