2013 Hyundai Sonata: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Engine · TX

My 2013 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] , 2.4L Theta II GDI engine) is experiencing symptoms consistent with the known Theta II engine defects covered under prior the federal safety agency recalls (e.g., 17V‑226) and the related class action settlement for connecting rod bearing wear due to manufacturing debris restricting oil flow. The vehicle has begun exhibiting [describe your specific symptoms here, e.g.: "a loud metallic knocking/tapping noise from the engine that increases with RPM, especially during acceleration or at highway speeds; reduced engine power and hesitation; illumination of the check engine light and/or oil pressure warning light; excessive vibration; or sudden loss of power/stalling risk"]. These issues have [escalated/worsened over time or occurred suddenly while driving]. This poses a serious safety hazard because premature bearing wear can lead to complete engine seizure or stall without warning while the vehicle is in motion, potentially at highway speeds, resulting in loss of motive power, inability to maintain speed, or increased risk of collision, injury, or fatality. I have properly maintained the vehicle with regular oil changes using the recommended full synthetic oil [add if true: "and can provide service records showing no evidence of sludge or neglect"]. Despite submitting an appeal/claim under the Hyundai Theta Engine Class Action Settlement (Case Number XXX), I received confirmation on December 30, 2025, promising a decision within 14 business days, but as of January 16, 2026, there has been no response or update despite follow-up attempts. This ongoing delay prevents me from obtaining the necessary inspection, repair, or replacement under the extended warranty/safety coverage, leaving the vehicle in a potentially unsafe condition. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this as part of the pattern of Theta II engine failures in 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonatas, which have led to thousands of similar complaints, recalls, and investigations into untimely INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC

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 May 12, 2025 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · FL

The contact owns 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the gear indicator on instrument panel independently shifted. Despite the failure, the contact stated that the transmission continued to operate normally. The contact stated that several days later while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and the engine revved to a high RPM. The contact called and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was made aware that the failure was a common failure for the make and model of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V434000 (Power Train); which the contact linked to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2024 · Engine · PA

My car began consuming alarming amounts of oil as well as emitting a knocking sound and hesitating while been driven. I went to Patriot in Boyertown, PA and they advised me to contact Hyundai as my engine was failing, could cease at any minute and exhibited all of the signs associated with their engine recall/rotor warranty extension. I have had two diagnostics done to the car that found metal as well as three other major signs associated with their engine recall and warranty extension. Hyundai has now asked me to pay $529 out of pocket for additional diagnostics they are requesting as part of their recall and warranty despite the fact that I have already had diagnostics done telling me what is wrong with my engine and additional diagnostics provides no benefit to me. When researching the issue, it is alarming the thousands of other accounts detailing the lack of honoring the recall and warranty as well as practices that sound illegal when it comes to safety and consumers. I would welcome an inspection of my vehicle as I believe them to be trying to not honor their own recall and warranty and replace my faulty engine that they sold me.

Filed Sep 21, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · NJ

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Car continues to have inconsistent acceleration, hesitation, and sometimes lurches forward. On two occasions, the car felt like it was just going to turn off while driving. I was driving about 75 mph on I295 and driving about 15 mph on a residential road during the second occurrence. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I feel as though I am not in complete control of the acceleration but am mostly concerned with the car stopping on it's own. I am very scared I'm going to be hit by the car(s) behind me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have an appointment in October for the car to be evaluated by a dealer. I hope it doesn't happen again before then. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The only time a warning lamp came on was during the second episode when the car felt like it was going to turn off; the engine light came on and immediately off.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Engine · AZ

Driving on a busy interstate with my children, My 2013 Hyundai Sonata started giving hesitation and began to stall out while driving at interstate speeds of 75 MPH and completely dropped to 35 MPH at its own will. I had to limp vehicle off the highway and on to the shoulder to prevent a accident I had to safely drive the shoulder a half a mile to the nearest exit to prevent a sideswipe and couldn’t get vehicle to accelerate anything over 35 mph to the safe destination that I was trying to get my vehicle too. Engine light did not have any indication that there was a problem until after vehicle shut down

Filed Jul 3, 2023 · Engine · TX

My vehicle suddenly started to hesitate at a stop light and lunge forward, and the check engine light came on. After trying to drive 45 mph down a road, and get on a highway to avoid stoplights, the vehicle started to gradually slow down and would not accelerate. I managed to drop it off at a nearby auto shop (on a Sunday) and then went in the next day to see what the diagnosis was, and they said I was down 3 quarts of oil and the engine has a serious defect P1326 code, meaning it is consuming oil in parts of the engine it should not be entering. They recommended an entirely new engine, at a cost of around $8000.00, for a 2013 Hyundai Sonata that is not even worth $3500. I have researched this problem, and apparently Hyundai and Kia are actively in a lawsuit over this very problem on many of their vehicles. They are refusing to take responsibility for this issue and are trying to put the repairs on to the customer, for a defect that is a serious safety issue. The car can suddenly stop while on a highway. Hyundai needs to correct this issue for all customers. Unfortunately, we own two Sonata's (and an Elantra that doesn't seem to have the same engine problem) and so we are now faced with suddenly having to find alternate transportation for two vehicles that we have to check the oil levels on daily, and add as indicated, since the engine is consuming the oil at a rapid rate. For clarity, I had only driven approximately 2000 miles after my most recent oil change, and this issue occurred, when I should have been able to drive a minimum of 3000-5000 miles without concern.

Filed Dec 15, 2022 · Engine · GA

I was driving to working and I was going about 75 mph and then I started losing power. My speed reduced to slowly and a loud knocking was coming from my car. There was hesitation and shaking as I drove it to the side of the road. As I tried to accelerate to safely move to the side of the road the knocking continued. There is a lot of shaking. The next day the car would shaking and knock for 10-15 seconds and then shut off completely.

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · WV

The engine is burning oil again this is the second engine my car was part of the first recall after noticing how low n black my oil was I noticed it also smells like gasoline. Now I tried to get it in for the recall 227 part of recall 189, it hesitates to start will just stahl whenever n wherever it feels necessary I contacted Hyundai they said drop it off at dealership until it is repaired if no loaner was available then I would have to rent a car now that’s not even feasible considering I might not even get it back rent a car indefinitely that’s ridiculous and expensive. So it’s burning oil again, stahling out, has no power sometimes when u hit gas, oil smells of gas as well as my dipstick smells of gas as well.

Filed Aug 16, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · CA

My car has been having issues for the last 3 years and dealership replaced the water pump 2 years ago. Went back to the dealership for engine issues like hesitation and stalling several times and they said they can’t find an issue, they adjust the brake light switch one time as they said they had the code for it, but the car still has the hesitation and stalling issue which they wanted to charge me again for a diagnosis. I looked up online and there are actually recalls for the engine connecting Rod and probably these recalls were cleared by the dealership from my previous visits but I can assure that the engine was not replaced nor the fuel system was not inspected at that time.

Filed Jul 20, 2022 · Fuel system · 118,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V312000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed May 26, 2022 · Engine · FL

In 2017, Hyundai performed a complimentary engine inspection on my vehicle as part of the federal safety agency Campaign 17V226000 (Hyundai Recall 162). Now, nearly four years later, my vehicle is experiencing several of the symptoms of engine/bearing failure as indicated in the recall documentation. The engine is making a knocking/pinging noise, which a Hyundai dealership service department confirmed on 4/12/22. The vehicle sometimes hesitates during acceleration. The engine oil consumption has dramatically increased, but there are no leaks. On three occasions, the engine has burned through an entire tank (nearly 5 quarts) of oil in less than 3,000 miles and the "check engine" and "oil pressure" lights have never illuminated.