2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T gas

Summary:

Good, not great

Faults:

The only issues mechanically with the car have been the recalls. There is a recall and a warranty extension for this model year of Sonata due to the engine's tendency to throw rods. There's also a recall for the seat belt pre-tensioner.

General Comments:

This car is good, albeit a little milquetoast. The turbo engine pulls nicely, but the transmission, which I keep in eco mode, is a little stupid, and acceleration is not even. There tends to be a power surge around 2500 RPM. The ride is comfortable, but there is some tire noise. Handling is compliant, but not at all athletic. Putting 18" tires on it is pointless. It doesn't make the handling any better, it just makes the ride worse.

My passengers like the heated rear seats, but the headroom in the back stinks thanks to the sloping roof line. On one occasion, a 5'7" passenger in the middle of the back seat toggled the rear light with his head when we went over a bump. The omission of power adjustment and auto up/down windows for the front passenger on a $32K car is an absolute sin.

The leather is comfy, the climate control works well, and the navigation touch screen is nice. The panoramic sunroof is a cool party piece. All said, if you want a car that is boring in good and bad ways, this is a good choice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th December, 2017

11th Apr 2021, 21:33

I agree, a fairly boring spacious vehicle with a very numb steering wheel feeling and suspension. Too bad the seats are so low and there is very little head room for tall drivers with the panoramic sunroof.

14th May 2021, 12:56

The Solus tires on my 2015 also become very noisy on the highway after 15000 miles.

25th Feb 2023, 22:51

Be aware of early starter failure due to a small plastic piece (part no 36131-2g100-fff) inside the starter. The starter itself is quite troublesome to remove from there.

2013 Hyundai Sonata

Summary:

I absolutely am in love with this vehicle

Faults:

I have had nothing go wrong with this car, and I've had it for a year and put almost 40 thousand miles on it.

General Comments:

The car runs beautifully. It's extremely reliable. I've barely had to do any maintenance besides the oil changes and I'll need a new set of tires before winter.

Also, my windshield was cracked due to a truck kicking back a rock, and it is a little pricey to replace due to the solar on the window and the heater.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th August, 2017

11th Apr 2021, 21:39

Hehe, nothing wrong in 40000 miles? I beg to differ. Quite a few issues with mine, from costly VCM to mechanical engine recall, driver's seat belt would not retract, driver's door seal worn, rear park sensors faulty $$$), terrible rust on the subframe welds, hood struts failed, radar sensor failed $$$$ sunroof and cabin rattles, brake pads stuck wearing very fast, stuck electronic parking brake and all this with only 30000 on the car.

2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.4

Summary:

Nice, comfy, reliable ride. Worth buying

Faults:

1) 33,000 miles: I bought the car from a Hyundai dealer; however, it was the second day of ownership and the car would have a growl or old creaking ship noise when braking. Just before I bought the car, the dealer replaced the brakes, but put in eco-friendly entry level brake pads. After being at the dealer 3x, they replaced the pads with upgraded ones for free and resurfaced the rotors, and I have never had an issue since.

2) 55,000 to present miles at 58,000: Lately I have been having an issue with the passenger side front seat. The passenger seat belt light will flash after making hard sharp turns. After the turn, the light will shut off. The dealer has tried to reset the system. Replaced the seat track where the sensors are located, but it still continues. I will be at the dealer tomorrow for the 4th time on the same issue.

General Comments:

This car really has been good to me. The engine defect did kinda of scare me, but every manufacturer has their issue. My 2.4 four cylinder engine is in the defect lawsuit that is plaguing many Sonata 2.4 engines. While making the engines, metal shavings were not cleaned from the cylinder walls. Thus over time, the metal caused excessive wear and eventually seizes the engine. It is mainly the 2011 and 2012 engines that are having this issue. But comparing it to the 2014 Chevy Cruze I had, this car blows it out of the water. I had the Cruze brand new with 16 miles on the car and had problems day one (CV axle replaced, coolant leak, list goes on, LOL).

The Sonata is pretty roomy. I do wish the rear passengers had more head room, but overall, even with my seat a good 70 percent rolled back, the back seat people have plenty of room. The trunk is crazy huge; I was amazed at what I could stuff in the trunk.

Gas mileage could be better, but is not horrible. Mainly city with one or two days highway. For Minnesota weather, below 32 degrees, I get about 20 MPG combined (negative degree weather, forget all about gas mileage, your car is just trying to survive at that point). Between 32-50 degrees, I can get about 21-22 MPG. Above 50 degrees and the weather is very warm, I can get 25ish MPG. (** all depending on my driving style**!!)

The ride control is very nice and smooth, but I do wish the car was not so noisy. I can definitely hear a lot of road and wind noise. On some phone calls, people think I have my window open. The engine does sound bit "tingy" like a four cylinder. I want a V8 power and sound, but there goes my gas mileage. Haha. The car has really nice throttle response. Very nice, peppy go for a four cylinder engine. I can haul butt when I want to. That also may be why my gas mileage is so random. Haha. I drove to central Illinois and it was very comfy for the 7 hour and 450 mile ride there.

I get my oil changes every 5,000 miles at the dealership. I put in synthetic oil, and suggested items like injector flushes just to help protect the engine a little more. Everything I do to this engine and/or car, I have done at the dealer (except tires, I bought elsewhere).

I have the Limited model, which has sunroof, leather, 17" wheels, but I do wish I had the touch screen navi, but my car insurance thanks me because they said if I did, rates would go up.

*** In the 1 year and 3 months, I really do love this car. I didn't rack up nearly 25,000 miles in just over a year for nothing. Haha. I really would look into buying another Hyundai. BUT... I am only at 58,000 miles, I have not owned this car long enough to see how long the parts will last and how much that will be to fix. This was more of how reliable is it and can I sit in the car without hurting? It is reliable and yes comfy enough to last a 7 hour drive without problems. Haha.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th February, 2017

9th Feb 2017, 16:44

Was looking at some used Sonatas recently because it's a good looking car, and prices can't be beat for that much extra equipment on a car. But carcomplaints.com has just too many complaints for me. Especially the 2011 model. Hopefully they will resolve some of those problems in the future, especially some who had engine problems. Hyundai left many of them high and dry, saying there was no problem with their engines.