YearToAvoid

2013 Hyundai Sonata Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 341 steering complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, 18% of all 1,910 complaints for the year, including 11 crashes, 2 fires, and 9 injuries. No steering-specific recall is listed for this year, though the median failure mileage is 53,500.

Steering complaints
341
18% of 1,910
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
9
Median mileage
53,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the car swaying or wandering across lanes on the highway, with several saying dealers called it normal.
  • Some describe the steering wheel or column suddenly locking or freezing mid-turn, making the car impossible to steer until it released.
  • Others report the steering wheel pulling hard to one side and not responding when turned the opposite direction, even at highway speed.
  • A few describe loose play, clunking, or shaking in the steering wheel and column, sometimes with trouble staying in the lane.
  • One complaint mentions the steering wheel and brakes seizing together during a low-speed turn, causing loss of control.

When 2013 Hyundai Sonata steering complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 22, 2012, latest Aug 10, 2026.

2013 Hyundai Sonata steering complaints: complaints filed per quarter192012 Q22014 Q12015 Q42017 Q32019 Q22021 Q12022 Q42024 Q4
341 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q1 (19).

Steering recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Sonata model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201015 (4%)
  2. 20111,171 (35%)
  3. 2012301 (19%)
  4. 2013341 (18%)
  5. 201465 (9%)
  6. 201574 (6%)
  7. 201633 (5%)
  8. 2017173 (23%)
  9. 20189 (2%)
  10. 20196 (4%)
  11. 20207 (4%)
  12. 20212 (2%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20232 (2%)
  15. 20242 (4%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA lists 341 steering complaints for the 2013 Sonata, which is 18% of all 1,910 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
No related recall is listed in the data for the steering problem area on this year.
How serious are the steering complaints?
NHTSA records 11 crashes, 2 fires, and 9 injuries tied to steering complaints on the 2013 Sonata, with owners reporting issues like sudden pulling, locking columns, and wandering on the highway.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2013 Sonata is 53,500 miles.
How does the 2013 Sonata compare to other years for steering complaints?
The 2013 Sonata's 341 steering complaints and 18% share are lower than the 2011 model year, which had 1,171 complaints and a 35% share, but higher than most other Sonata years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.