2013 Hyundai Sonata: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Dec 6, 2025 · Engine · MD

New Battery keeps dying, car not starting and when it does start it shuts off when I brake. Oil light on after I already put oil in the car

Filed Jul 27, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · 18,178 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact became aware that the brake lights were illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the failure persisted. The contact stated that due to the brake lights remaining illuminated, the battery terminal had to be disconnected to avoid draining the battery. The contact stated that after one failure, a mechanic pulled over to the side of the roadway and the contact was informed that a sensor related to the brake lights had failed and needed to be replaced. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,178.

Filed Nov 26, 2022 · Electrical · MN

Since November 2021, my 2013 Hyundai Sonata is found to have a dead battery on multiple random occasions. I replaced the battery with a brand new battery twice before bringing it in for inspection at a Hyundai dealer on September 1, 2022. The dealer diagnosed the problem as an electrical short circuit within the rear view mirror console and replaced said part for $711. The vehicle has had a dead battery twice since that repair, indicating there is still an electrical draw/short circuit somewhere within the vehicle. Each instance of a dead battery was preceded by rainy humid weather. I brought the vehicle back to the Hyundai dealer on November 14, 2022. I explained that I suspected moisture was getting in somewhere that it shouldn’t be and causing the electrical short circuit thus draining the battery. The Hyundai dealer found no electrical short and documented that the electrical system was performing to specifications (no electrical draw found that exceeds 50MA). There have been no dashboard warning lights or messages indicating the issue. Hyundai has no solution. I have replaced the battery three times within one year. I am concerned that the undiagnosed electrical problem may lead to a fire while parked and off and/or a dangerous failure while driving. Vehicle is available for further inspection upon request.

Filed Oct 4, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · KS

Normal weather, normal day. Hybrid car. Starts fine and drives as usual. Yesterday at 55mph got immediate alert to pull over. Barely able to pull over safely then car turns off and will not turn back on. Clicking under hood. No indication of battery or hybrid issue. Scan codes completely different than dealership advice. No exact indication of issue. Could have caused accident at 55pmh and electrical system go out like that. Battery died while on side of road. Towed to dealership and they said its a bad 12v battery ( but it was fine ) and a fuse and a "pre-charge hybrid relay" whatever that is. Thousand dollar repair that caused car to be forced off road while driving highway speed. Bottom line, everything prior was fine, no indication of any battery issue, no hard starts nothing. While driving system failed and then unable to restart. Many similar complaints online.

Filed May 7, 2021 · Body, Electrical · 65,000 miles · FL

Seatbelt failed too retract correctly allowing door to be shut on it leading too door ajar sensor damage or failure leaving red light at bottom of driver door always turned on draining battery every time overnight. Only fix for this was too remove sensor to prevent battery drain but now my car locks door even with engine turned on. Saftey issue. Cost of fuel roadside unlock assistance and battery check or replacement cost.

Filed Apr 23, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · FL · crash

I was driving out of my home and my vehicle suddenly slowed down and stopped for no apparent reason.I jumped start the car for about 20 minutes and was able to reach a auto zone. They told me it was a dead battery so I buy a new $160 battery for the car to still not work and turn back on. Its like it would start but it would not fully turn all the way on. I recently purchased this vehicle 5 days ago and its already stopping in the middle of traffic.

Filed Nov 22, 2020 · Brakes · 124,000 miles · TX

Brake lights remain on, even after vehicle is parked and key is removed, draining the battery. Brake lights remain on throughout normal operation of vehicle and only extinguish when the negative battery terminal is removed from battery. When power is re-applied, the brake lights are lit- even with no key on the ignition. Hyundai believes the brake pedal stopper pad material can deteriorate, which allows the stop light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released by the driver. They recalled model years 2011-2012, but the defect persists in model years far beyond this- past the 2014 model sonata that I have discovered.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Engine · 138,945 miles · TN

Takata recall im driving on small road about to make a left turn in my 2013 hyundai sonata car completely shut off dashboard light blinking like the cars battery went dead. Made a slight ticking nose when I tried to restart car would not start. Had to disconnect the battery for the car light to stop blinking.