2013 Hyundai Sonata Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 94 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, about 5% of its 1,910 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 57,555 miles. A related recall (14V434000) covers a transmission shift cable that can detach.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 94
- 5% of 1,910
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 5
- Median mileage
- 57,555 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle rolls away after being shut off with the push-button start without the shifter fully in park, sometimes while the driver has stepped out.
- Unexpected forward or backward acceleration while shifting gears, including a case where the car lunged into a wall while parking.
- Loud bumping or jumping-gear sensation when shifting, in one case paired with heavy exhaust smoke at highway speed.
- Sudden unintended rearward acceleration when placed into reverse, leading to a collision with parked vehicles.
- Owners connect these incidents to the Hyundai transmission shift-cable recall even when their specific VIN was not listed as affected.
When 2013 Hyundai Sonata transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 7, 2012, latest Jul 26, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata
- NHTSA 14V434000Jul 18, 2014Transmission & Powertrain883,000 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sonata model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
- NHTSA lists 94 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Sonata, which is about 5% of the 1,910 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?
- Yes. Recall 14V434000, reported July 18, 2014, covers 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles where the transmission shift cable may detach, affecting the connection between the shift cable and the transmission.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2013 Sonata?
- The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2013 Sonata is 57,555 miles.
- Did the 2013 Sonata's transmission issues cause any crashes or fires?
- Within this complaint area, NHTSA records 8 crashes, 3 fires, and 5 injuries linked to the 94 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Sonata.