2013 Hyundai Sonata: pulls to one side

Filed Nov 12, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 128,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and hesitated. The brake and the hybrid system warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the right side of the road and waited for her husband to arrive. The contact turned off the vehicle and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the hybrid ECU needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer checked the error on the brake failure light that was illuminated, but had not yet gotten a response back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone where it was diagnosed, and determined that the hybrid ECU needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions for the past three years. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and informed the contact that they have not heard from the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2022 · MS

While traveling on interstate, while untouched and with shade closed, sunroof made a loud explosion noise and shattered. The temperature yesterday was in the 80s in south Mississippi. This is a safety hazard as it is optional to drive with the sunroof shade open or closed. It just so happened that I had the shade closed during my drive yesterday. Should I have had my shade opened, there would have been shattered glass flying throughout the vehicle while the car was moving at 70+ mph. I also have a car seat in the rear which I am grateful no glass got into. There were no warning signs that this was going to happen, there were no flying objects. The traffic was actually very light with the nearest car being +200 feet away. I contacted Hyundai and my insurance regarding the incident. The insurance USAA offered repairs through a 3rd party with $500 comprehensive deductible. Hyundai inspected, confirmed incident occurred due to heat, and referred to glass shop with no repair solutions due to car being out of warranty. No rental or loaner car offered from either company. Another safety hazard here as it has rained nearly every day this summer, and the car is now at risk for being accessed by wanderers. Technician at Hyundai dealership did offer to cover sunroof with tape which I accepted. Incident occurred on 8.5.2022 at approximately 9:45 am in Gulfport, MS

Filed Jun 12, 2021 · Steering · AL

I love my 2013 Hyundai Sonata SE, but with that being said I hate driving it. When on the road the 2013 has the same exact issue that the 2011's had, it will constantly wander in and out of the lane making it nearly impossible to keep a straight line. Its very fatiguing having to keep moving the steering wheel back and forth just to keep it straight. And for two its a serious safety issue!! The slightest slip could send your car off the road or into another car! When bringing the car into my local dealership they blew me off and said its " a normal thing because of the electric power steering and how the car rides the grooves of the road." And they refuse to help me out further to fix the issue. PLEASE GUYS. I know I am not the only one to report this issue please ask Hyundai to create a recall on it.

Filed Feb 24, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 99,000 miles · TX

5 hours into a 6 hours highway drive, no issues have occurred, approaching a flyover at I-10e and the beltway east I was doing 70mph, about halfway up northbound approach I lost acceleration, all warning lights on dash appeared to illuminate, the radio continued to play, appears that power steering continued to work. After coasting down flyover I pulled to the right, put the car in park and it started up fine, I drove off the beltway to the feeder/service road and this happened once more. I pulled into parking lot and was able to put in park and start with no issue. Neither time did I ever see a constant warning light of any kind on my dash. The car has 99k miles and I am the only owner, taken to dealer 95 percent of time for maintenance.

Filed Mar 24, 2020 · Steering · 90,100 miles · CA

My 2013 90k mile hyundai sonata's steering has been making a cluncking/clicking noise when turned/moved from right to left. The steering wheel has noticeable play when parked and when driving at freeway speeds seems to not maintain a straight line pulls right to left. I have an appointment at the hyundai dealer on thursday to have it checked to see what the issue is. I will update when I hear what the problem is/remedy. It looks like from what I am ready there are many complaints on this issue.

Filed Jan 4, 2019 · Steering · 70,700 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 hyundai sonata. While driving 67 MPH, the steering lost power and pulled to the left. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and taken to brown's manassas hyundai (703‑361‑9600, located at 8651 centreville rd, manassas, va 20110). The dealer replaced the steering coupling, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,700.

Filed Nov 24, 2018 · Steering · 22,900 miles · CA

The power steering wanders whenever trying to drive in a straight line. It also makes a clunking noise when turning the wheel in a static position with the engine running.

Filed Nov 6, 2018 · Steering · 93,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Steering malfunction occurred about 10 minutes into a drive on the highway. While travelling about 45 to 50mph, the car unexpectedly started pulling to the right, and would not respond when the steering wheel was turned to the left. It was almost like changing lanes, in that while the car was going forward, it also kept moving to the right. The car would not change direction, even though I kept turning the steering wheel to the left. This continued across several lanes of the highway, until the car hit the highway barrier wall. The airbag deployed, and thank god that I was able to get out of the car, and then call 911. There was damage mainly to the right-front of the car. Both the officer and the insurance adjuster checked and concluded that the tires were in good condition. The engine still started without hesitation, however due to the entire repair cost, the insurance company totaled the car. Considering that there were many other vehicles on the highway at that time, it was a miracle that my car did not hit any other cars, and that other cars did not hit my car. The federal safety agency seriously needs to investigate this dangerous sonata vehicle-steering issue, to prevent this from happening again, and before it results in even more hazardous, or tragic consequences.

Filed Aug 2, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 25,000 miles · MD

The hyundai sonata 2.0t limited 2013 sedan has a lose stirring wheel - which causes wandering from left to right and vice versa at low and high speeds - the driver has to constantly keep adjusting the car which is not only dangerous but also causes fatigue especially on long routes. Many have complained online about this issue but hyundai is dodging the issue by saying its as per specs or you aren't used to power/electronic stirring. [the car will not maintain a straight line you can be holding the wheel with all might or let go and see it wander to one side even without needing wheel alignment] the shocks are also too hard on the car resulting in a rough/bumpy ride

Filed Feb 28, 2017 · Brakes, Steering · 33,000 miles · CA

Can not hold the car in a straight line at highway speeds .car will drift left and right and needs constant corrections . These result of these corrections have a varying result in the car over correcting or under correcting . Main safety issue is the car wanders on its own with the steering wheel centered and results in drifting into other lanes .the drift seems to be more apparent on flat stretches of freeway as compared to roads with a bigger crown which you can hold the steering wheel into to stay centered . The feeling in the steering wheel is tight and hard while going straight then requires a good solid pull to correct the drift ,the steering will then correct or over correct mostly over correct.I actually feared taking this car on a trip last weekend due to the fact that we were going to be driving in snow ,luckily at 30 MPH with chains on the drift was minimal. Thank you for reviewing this letter

Filed Dec 29, 2016 · Steering · 38,000 miles · AL

The steering of the car, especially at highway speeds requires constant correction to keep centered. It does not pull to the left or right like when a vehicle is out of alignment. When the wheel is centered it feels "sticky", which causes the car to jerk to the left or right as corrections are needed to stay centered. The infamous steering coupler has been replaced when it was at its' worst. However, the problem persisted. The car was taken to tameron hyundai in hoover, al and the steering mode was set to gls, but did not improve steering. I took the car back a second time to be evaluated, and the service technician deemed it "normal operation".

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Steering · AZ

Like many other complaints I've read recently, I am also having trouble with the 2013 hyundai sonata steering. When driving over 60 MPH the steering doesn't center, instead the car wanders to the left, there is a blank space in the steering, and when you go to turn right it doesn't catch right away, then over-corrects, which then causes you to turn the steering wheel the other direction, so it's a constant, exhausting battle while driving. My forearms get tired. It was barely noticeable when I first purchased the car used with low mileage. At first I thought it was my imagination, but now it's worse and tiring. Current mileage 25,000. I took it in to my local dealership (who is great) and they said exactly what I have been reading previously, that it's the electronic steering system instead of hydraulic, that there isn't much they can do, and to get used to it. They did try, and reprogrammed the car to the sport steering mode, which does help the overall handling of the car, which I appreciated, but the problem is still there. They said there is no imminent danger, which I was relieved to hear, but driving long distances does not excite me any longer. I'm afraid this could be damaging for hyundai as the complaints are starting to stack up. It sounds like a recall for the steering coupler needs to happen, but I hope by registering my complaint, something may get done about it. If anyone knows a direction to go with this please let me know. They did not offer to replace the steering coupler. Each day that I drive it it seems to be more difficult to control the car from side to side increasing risk of sideswiping other cars or obstacles.