Home · 2013 Hyundai Azera · Complaints

What 112 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Azera

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (112)Crash / fire / injury (9)Steering (33)Brakes (24)Airbags (18)Engine (17)Electrical system (14)Body & structure (9)Fuel system (5)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (3)Engine & cooling (3)Suspension (3)

Newest first · 112 complaints · page 2 of 5

Dec 26, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11561926

Dec 13, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11559878

Dec 6, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic) 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

NHTSA ODI 11558763

Nov 13, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, the brakes made an abnormal squeaking sound. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the brake fluid reservoir was low. Upon refilling the brake fluid reservoir, the contact became aware that the brake fluid was draining abnormally fast. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was brake fluid leaking within the engine compartment. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, but the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11554831

Nov 8, 2023BrakesEngine

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that right after the vehicle had an oil change, the contact was driving at 55 MPH when she noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, prior to the oil change, the engine made knocking sounds while driving. The police escorted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11554207

Oct 28, 2023Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire2 injuries

My car caught on fire while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11552388

Sep 28, 2023Steering

Vehicle steering wheel started giving a lag feedback about 9 months to 1 year ago. About 5 weeks ago, started noticing loud metal noise when going over bump with steering wheel being rotated. Did some research to find similar issues on Azera and many Hyundai Sonata and other vehicles where steering wheel rubber coupler were worn out. Later also saw many complains here for this vehicle alone. I found no recall has been giving to the Azera, while it was giving to Sonata and others. Had to take it to a mechanic to replace it, which charged for 4 hours of labor, and <$10 of part. The rubber couple was indeed worn out.

NHTSA ODI 11547023

Sep 10, 2023Fire

i was recently told my cam / crank sensor needed to be replaced, it was giving a code when the auto store plugged in the machine to the port. a few misfires also showed up. on september 6th 2023 at 715pm our car engines started to overheat, and then caught on fire. due to the fact we were homeless we lost our home. I have no idea why it caught fire or why it was over heating. The oil has been getting changed more often than when i first bought the car, the engine oil light came on once a few months ago, and the oil was low, i wasn't sure why it was doing this, especially since i had just recently had an oil change prior to this happening. As with the car fire, my recent oil change was on august 28th, the coolant was full. So i have no idea what was going on. The two mechanics that i took my car to do work on, never mentioned anything out of the ordinary. We are homeless the address is our mailing address. I do not have a phone because it was lost in the fire, along with my whole wallet, my social and any recent work that has been done on the car. the number being provided is my son's phone. it is there to reach me if needed. i would prefer to correspond though email if possible also.

NHTSA ODI 11543703

Jul 26, 2023Engine

I was driving on a highway when my vehicle started to stall. My acceleration had dropped quickly and I couldn't speed up. I put on my hazard lights and was able to drive off the closest exit. Once I got off the exit, my car stalled completely. I had to get it towed to my daughter's house because I am originally from a different city and was out of town. I had a mechanic take a look and it and they stated that he wouldn't be able to fix it because the engine that I had was under a recall. I researched the information on my engine and determined that the GDI engine that I have is the same engine that is on the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is currently under recall.

NHTSA ODI 11534563

Jun 12, 2023Engine

My engine stalled. It is a GDI Lambda engine, which apparently has oil consumption issues.

NHTSA ODI 11526506

Feb 27, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle delayed while accelerating, and the contact heard a knocking noise coming from the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic test. The dealer stated that the engine was not getting any oil, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11509347

Feb 14, 2023Airbags

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the volume of the radio failed to function as needed. Additionally, she also noticed that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the clockspring needed to be replaced and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11507302

Jan 9, 2023Steering

Steering problem started with an annoying dead spot of approximately 1/2 inch on center and now has expanded to approximately 2" accompanied by severe rattling on rough surfaces. Checked this condition on U-Tube and found it to be caused by a crumbling steering coupler in the electric steering assist unit. This same coupler was recalled in most Hyundai models EXCEPT the Azura. I believe its failure to be as grave a safety concern as it was in other models and erodes my confidence in Hyundai and in an otherwise trouble-free vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11500867

Nov 16, 2022Engine

Engine started knocking about 3 to 4 months ago, Car keeps having random times when it won't starr. The lights came on dash nothingto the engine. The dealership has "checked" it a few times but can'tfind anything. The knocking is consistentif you drive it for more than a couple of miles. Car is available for inspection. Also my MPG has been increasingly getting worse. The gauge says 19 but I'm averaging about 12. I was advised by a mechanic (all work done on my car is at a dealership) that the Hyundai has issues with this model/year car. The Santa Fe and Sonata on the 2013 models have been recalled. It should be noted the Santa Fe and Azera have the same engine.

NHTSA ODI 11493828

Sep 30, 2022Engine

I own at 2013 Hyundai Azera with a Lambda engine. The same engine that’s having all sorts of issues and being recalled for many reasons on Hyundai & Kia’s. It has only 79k miles on it. While driving down the highway at 75 mph the engine began to lose power and it quickly overheated. It was very terrifying as I had cars and a semi barreling behind me and my engine was seized up. I was able to throw my hazards on and make it to the shoulder safely. We towed it to my mechanic and he said the 4 rear bolts weren’t torqued/sealed properly and they were stripped and pulled right out of the block. He said this is a Manufacturer defect from when the bolt was installed in the factory. Another factor was Hyundai uses an Aluminum head and Alum block with steel bolts. The temp variant in Alum & steel is totally different so what happens is when they expand & contract at different temps like that they eventually pull out. Also, the threads in the block aren’t deep enough to begin with. I filed a claim with Hyundai and they denied my claim. My case manager Jasmine called and said: 1) “What are you expecting us to do about a car that’s old, it may only have 79k miles on it, but it’s OLD and engines break on old cars” 2) We are the 2nd owners so the 100k powertrain warranty dropped to 60k which sadly we are just over. **It was listed as a Certified Pre-Owned when we purchased it but after calling the dealership they claim it’s not a CPO otherwise we would still be covered under the 100k PT warranty. My mechanic called Hyundai to get a replacement engine and was told they discontinued that engine so when they get them in for that reason they just sell them a junkyard motor. So I have a perfectly great car, in otherwise pristine condition, and I’m unable to find a new motor for it.

NHTSA ODI 11487312

Sep 21, 2022Steering

Clunking noise and shaking in the steering wheel. Initial research points to steering coupler which has been recalled on various other Hyundai models but not the Azera ( this is a frequent occurrence with Hyundai recalls since not as many Azeras were sold) The mechanic I took it to would not replace just the couple and quoted replacing the entire rack and pinion.

NHTSA ODI 11485584

Sep 21, 2022Body & structure

Trunk latch; trunk will not open from inside of car. There is a current recall for this same issue on other Hyundai models but not the azera.

NHTSA ODI 11485585

Sep 9, 2022Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and pulling into his driveway, there was a clunking noise coming from the steering column. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found that there were complaints about the failure of the steering coupler. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11483710

Sep 6, 2022Seat belts

The Airbag light is staying on. The drivers side seatbelt doesn't tighten..it won't lock tight in the event of an accident. There was no accident..it just started. It's extremely scary..

NHTSA ODI 11482997

Jul 25, 2022Steering

The Azera uses the same part # for the Steering Coupler that was recalled on the Sonata and Elantra. This SAME part # is used in 3 other models which Hyundai did not recall and somehow was let off the hook for addressing. I have replaced one in a 2014 Santa Fe and 2013 Azera. I want to make sure the NHTSA is aware of the fact that the same part is used across multiple models, yet only 2 were recalled. This is unfair that we have to pay $400 for each car to replace a 5 dollar part that Hyundai has recalled. Below are the models and part numbers. Any help is greatly appreciated. Sonata, Elantra, Santa Fe, Azera, Veloster https://www.amazon.com/563152K000FFF-Flexible-Steering-Coupling-Veloster/dp/B07WSWHNCP

NHTSA ODI 11475831

Jul 24, 2022Steering

Vibration and banging and shudder felt from the steering column when driving over uneven pavement. The effect was more pronounced at higher speeds > 50 MPH. A Certified mechanic found the steering coupler badly worn and was replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11475604

Jul 15, 2022Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

The engine and electrical failed Car over heated, start up it rattles, retraction light on, back up camera not working

NHTSA ODI 11474070

Jul 6, 2022Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clicking sound in the steering wheel while turning to the left or the right. The contact stated that the longer the vehicle was driven, the louder the sound got. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the failure was with the steering coupler. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472596

Jul 1, 2022Airbags

Light on malfunctioning, supposedly airbags will no inflate according to repair shop.

NHTSA ODI 11471935

Jun 2, 2022Steering

The steering wheel coupler is defective. Steering became unstable. Rattle and shaking. It’s terrifying to drive and not know what’s wrong. Got told it was tires. Got told it was the alignment. Got told that it had something to do with the drive train.. too find out that it’s a $11 part.and to discover that Elantra and Sonata owners were notified but not Azera owners is just negligent behavior.

NHTSA ODI 11467178

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Working with the data? Download all 112 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Hyundai Azera verdict →