2013 Hyundai Sonata: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Engine · FL

Knock sensor has detected a failure. Check engine light is flashing and the car is in limp mode.

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Engine · AZ

This vehicle is subject to a known Theta II connecting rod bearing defect (Recall 162 / KSDS) and a related class action settlement. On October 2, 2025, the vehicle stalled while entering the highway. It was taken to Ken Garff Hyundai Surprise, and the following day, October 3, 2025, it entered engine protection mode (limp mode) during the dealership's own test drive, the exact behavior the Knock Sensor Detection System is designed to trigger for connecting rod bearing wear. The dealership's own service advisor documented in writing, as early as December 27, 2025, that he did not like how the vehicle ran and drove and wanted to resubmit a warranty claim. Despite this documented concern, on May 5, 2026, the dealership's service manager told Hyundai corporate that nothing was wrong with the vehicle and that it could be picked up. Hyundai corporate maintained that the engine had passed bearing clearance testing on two occasions, October 3, 2025 and May 23, 2026. I was told the vehicle was safe and retrieved it on June 29, 2026, out of necessity after my family's other vehicle was totaled in an accident. Approximately ten days later, the engine failed completely while I was driving with my family in the vehicle. Hyundai's own repair order documented the crankshaft as seized at over 95 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai subsequently approved and completed a full engine replacement. I am filing this report because a vehicle with a documented, known defect and a documented internal safety concern was represented to me as safe to drive, and it failed catastrophically with my family inside it within days of that representation

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Engine · FL

My 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited equipped with the Theta II 2.4L GDI engine experienced a sudden connecting rod bearing failure while driving on the expressway in Florida. At the time of failure, the vehicle had approximately 153,000 miles. The Check Engine Light illuminated and the vehicle entered limp mode, causing significant loss of power while in motion at highway speeds. The engine and vehicle remain available for inspection upon request. Diagnostic scan confirmed P1326 — the exact code the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) is designed to trigger upon detecting connecting rod bearing wear or failure. Prior to this incident, no warning lamps or symptoms were present; the failure occurred suddenly while the vehicle was being driven normally. The KSDS software update was previously completed at an authorized Hyundai dealership. The vehicle has been maintained with regular oil changes and complete maintenance records are available. No engine sludge was found upon inspection at the dealership. The failure was confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership, which diagnosed connecting rod bearing failure consistent with the known Theta II GDI engine defect covered under the class action settlement lifetime warranty. Despite meeting all eligibility requirements — KSDS update completed, P1326 confirmed, full maintenance records, no evidence of neglect — Hyundai Motor America denied the warranty repair citing vehicle age and mileage exceeding 150,000 miles and 8 years. This mileage and age limitation does not apply to Theta II GDI engines under the lifetime warranty class action settlement. This failure represents a serious safety risk as the engine lost power while the vehicle was in motion on the expressway, creating a dangerous situation for the driver and other road users. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance, but is available for manufacturer or the federal safety agency inspection.

Filed Mar 21, 2026 · Brakes · VA

I was driving in the evening on 2/7/26. The red brake light came on in the dash and seconds later the car went into limp mode. An alarm went off indicating that the hybrid system was not functioning. The braking performance decreased significantly. The car slowed down immediately and could not exceed 15 mph. My safety was extremely compromised. Luckily i was not on a high speed road or interstate and was able to pull off onto a side road. If i had been on a busier road, I believe that i would have been in an accident. This could have seriously injured myself or others. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The braking pump was replaced and that rectified the problem so far. The old part has been disposed of. The problem was reproduced by the repair facility.

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Engine · MI

3rd time in the last 6000 miles the knock sensor came on and the dealer clears it, charges me repairs and sends me home with the code cleared car. All 3 times the car imeditently kicked into limp mode while I was on the highway at high speeds, suddently being slowed without warning. When checked with a local scanner it showed P1326 code and dealers all confirmed it. First incident happened in Utah in 2023 (108949miles) and the last 2 happened in michigan in 2025(114850 miles) and now 2026 (115890 miles).

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Engine · 126,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle regained power, and the contact was able to continue driving at slower speeds. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and went into LIMP Mode before regaining power approximately 3 to 4 times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact had spoken with another dealer, Sheehy Hyundai of Waldorf (2910 Robert S. Crain Hwy, Waldorf, MD 20601) and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

Was losing power while driving, oil consumption issues (had to add oil every 1000 miles). Engine started knocking and went into limp mode, had it towed to dealership where they said they fixed it ($1100). Less then a week later while driving on the highway lost lower, went into limp mode (89 mph to 15 mph in seconds) and was almost hit by a semi truck. Car has been sitting at the dealership since May 2022, they said I need a new engine but Hyundai declined.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Engine · CA

Driving at freeway speed and car shutdown. Multiple warning lights and warning alert continuously chiming just like connecting rod bearing Recall campaign 953 states. Car went into Limp Mode. I called and had a tow truck take the car to Hyundai service center. Service center contacted Hyundai and was instructed to borescope engine, take pictures, etc and send data to Hyundai. Took one week to hear back that Hyundai concluded it supposedly isn’t rod bearing failure even though the car is doing everything Campaign 953 says it would if rod bearing failure is the issue. I asked the service center if my vehicle had campaign 953 knock sensor software installed and they told me no because it didn’t affect the hybrid models, which is not true as the recall states Hyundai Sonata hybrids from 2011-2013. I believe my vehicle has been damaged by the issues prompting Hyundai to issue the recalls and do not want to pay for my vehicle. They did not get an independent center to make a determination. Of course they aren’t going to claim it as their fault if they are the only ones who get to check it. I believe Hyundai knows these vehicles pose a risk to owners lives and choose money over our lives. If you look up the other engine issues on this site you will see that the VINs are very similar and likely very close in manufacturing protocols, hence so many having these life-threatening issues. I asked the service center how much it would cost for an engine and they told me that since Hyundai has a lot of issues with parts to fix this issue that they would have to rebuild the engine at a cost of $17-18,000! An outside source should be able to check the issue and give Hyundai their findings in order to properly address this very dangerous issue.

Filed Jun 7, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA

For about a month, while driving lights go off during the night, MOST recently the lights and car shut off DURING the ride home!! No flashers working! When we attempted to move the steering wheel locked and would not go into drive! Feels like something was stuck, further inspection NOTHING WAS STUCK! when I fuel up the car seizes in the middle of my drives!

Filed Dec 3, 2021 · Engine · 90,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle went into limp mode and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the knock sensor software update was performed. The contact consulted with an independent mechanic and was informed that there were metal shavings in the engine causing bearing failure. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2021 · CO

The Engine Seized and went into limp mode. This happens on June 2 2021. It effected the turbocharger and the Engine tube fuel line. It is covered under the recall. It is currently at Spradly Hyundai in Pueblo Colorado. I have been waiting for 3 months to have it fixed and they had no loaner so I have had to pay for a rental before I got the rental I lost my job because I didn't have a way to get to work. I have spent almost 4,000 in rental which come to find out they only will pay upto 40.00 a day on a rental which there is no rental company that you can get a rental less then 92.00 a day. I have loss so much income and money because of this recall. I had just bought the car 5 weeks before this happened and I have not even been able to make my first car payment. So it will probably be repossed once I get it back. Thanks Hyundai I will never buy anouther car from this manufacturing company. I

Filed Dec 15, 2019 · Engine · 1 miles · TX

There has been a engine knocking sound slowly building up and my oil was still 2k miles good. After work saturday evening as I was driving home it was knocking hard then the engine light started flashing. I got code checked and the code was ' p1326' I need up changing my oil to see it anything would help and it did not. My car won't go past 2k rpms due to 'limp mode' asked my mechanic friend about help and he came over and looked at it. Told me he's had customers with same problems and there is a campaign recall 953 per tsb 18-01- 027 and they got it fixed.