Summary
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata has 13 recalls, with several serious issues including engine seizure risk, fuel leaks that can lead to engine fires, and airbags that may deploy without warning.
The engine concerns cover a few related problems: bearing wear can cause the engine to seize while driving, and on Sonata Hybrid models, worn connecting rod bearings can lead to engine damage that raises the risk of fire or stall. Separately, the low-pressure fuel hose running between the fuel pumps can crack from engine heat and leak fuel, and on vehicles that had prior engine work done under earlier recalls, a high-pressure fuel pipe may have been left damaged or misaligned, also leaking fuel near potential ignition sources. A curtain airbag on certain vehicles can inflate on its own without a crash occurring, posing an injury risk to occupants. The airbag control module on some vehicles can fail and disable the front airbags, side airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners all at once, leaving occupants without protection in a crash. On the restraint side, front seatbelt linkages can detach from their anchor pretensioners, meaning the belt cannot hold an occupant in a crash. The transmission shift cable can also detach from the shift lever, causing the gear shown on the selector to not match the actual gear engaged, which can result in the vehicle moving in an unexpected direction. Sonata Hybrid models have an additional concern where a blown fuse in the power relay assembly can cause sudden loss of hybrid drive power.
