There are 14 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Azerain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Vehicle started having overheating issues around August 2024, took it to mechanics to get it looked at and tried various fixes, concluding in a blown head gasket. When I took my car to a third party mechanic to fix the head gasket they found that the head bolts of the cars engine had been pulled out of the threads and said that it was a manufacturing issue. Head gasket was fixed but the car was having the same issues due to the head bolts being loose. I've taken my vehicle to the nearest Hyundai Dealership and told them about the overheating and head bolts being pulled out of the threading. They ran their diagnosis and then charged $1000 for a thermometer change (which our third party mechanic had also done already) and a coolant flush, which did not fix the issue as the car would still overheating after pick up. After taking my vehicle back to the dealership they said it had a blown head gasket claiming over $14,000 dollars for an engine replacement. They failed to acknowledge the issue of head bolts being pulled of their threads which has become a common issue across their 3.3l v6 GDI Lambda II engines, as is documented by many online. The Hyundai 2017 Santa Fe which also uses the 3.3l v6 GDI Lambda II engine is currently getting an extended warranty for engine replacements for all models from 2013-2017. It's strange that Hyundai is only doing extended warranties/recalls for Santa Fe model cars when they have other vehicles, like my 2013 Hyundai Azera, that use the same 3.3l v6 GDI Lambda II engine that will have similar issues. All vehicles that use the 3.3l v6 GDI Lambda II engine should be getting recalled. Hyundai does not seem to want to take responsibility for their faulty engineering on this engine and lazily claim it to be a "blown head gasket" issue when the head bolts being pulled of the threads causes the vehicle to overheat is what is causing the blown head gasket in the first place. They dismiss it as a blown head gasket and don't look any further.
My Engines head bolts have been pulled out of the threads causing the engine to overheat
[XXX] Bought a used 2013 Hyundai Azera. Since day 1 it has overheating issue. Within the first 2 wks of ownership, we replaced the radiator cap, thermostat, and had engine checked for leaks at Pep Boys. Replacing the water pump was next. On the night of [XXX] we replaced the water pump. Cranked engine and no leakage, so I decided to take my car home which was 45 minutes away. After driving for 15-20 minutes, the temp gauge was almost topped out, so I slowed down. I was approaching a gas station in a town halfway to home and decided I needed to pull in, but the car suddenly and steadily lost power. I had barely enough power to pull into a space away from door (I just knew it was bad and I didn't want car in the business's way). Car would not crank after being shut off for about 20 minutes. I called my husband and he brought a car hauler trailer to put it on. The vehicle was checked for leaks by PepBoys, but it is going for a reputable mechanic inspection soon as can be scheduled. So I had this car not even 30 days, paid cash for it (which I hope to recover) and mechanic friend of mine tells me it's a blown head gasket. From what I've read, it has the 3.3L Lambda engine causing issues for other model vehicles. Is there a recall? What options for replacement are there? Anyone can inspect the car at any time. It is just taking up a space in the apartment parking lot right now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
My engine stalled. It is a GDI Lambda engine, which apparently has oil consumption issues.
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.
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.
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.
Engine failed; started knocking , lights came on dash, and caused car to cease. Car is available for inspection, luckily was able to get on side of road without incident; towed to dealership and they advised that the Hyundai has issues and they have about 10 on the lot now awaiting replacement for there is a recall on this year of the Sonata and the Santa Fe - it should be noted the Santa Fe and Azera have the same engine. Contacted dealer after towed and they told us what the likely issue is without looking at it (although later confirmed) for they have so many with the same issue. There were no warning lights or anything, dashboard suddenly came on and vehicle died. Dealership (Jim Johnson, Bowling Green, KY) service woman, Megan, said this is quite normal and there was a lawsuit about this.
MY ENGINE SEIZED UP A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE DOING ABOUT 38 MPH ON A CITY STREET. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING (I.E. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL TEMP GAUGE) NOTHING. THE CAR MADE A RATTLING NOISE AND STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS I TRIED TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE ENGINE LOOKED AT. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND WROTE IT UP AS AN ENGINE PARTS MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 14K TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND THE HYUNDAI REFUSED TO COVER ANY OF THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MOTOR ONLY HAS ABOUT 115,546 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY. NEVER OWNING A HYUNDAI DEATH TRAP AGAIN.
EXHAUST COMING INTO THE CABIN WHEN ACCELERATING WITH THE WINDOWS CRACKED OR DOWN (ALWAYS). *TR
THERE IS HEAVY BLACK CARBON BUILDUP ON THE TAILPIPES AND REAR OF MY AZERA. THE HYUNDAI DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL DUE TO THE TYPE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEY USE. MY LEXUS MECHANIC (OUR OTHER CAR) SAID IT PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TO AIR RATIO THE CAR IS USING. *TR
I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HYUNDAI AZERA. MY WIFE AND I WAS GIVEN A CLASS ON OUR NEW VEHICLE. THE DAY OF OUR PURCHASE MY WIFE AND I NOTICED THE BACK BUMPER WAS EVERY DIRTY, WE THOUGHT. THE BACK BUMPER WAS COVERED WITH BLACK CARBON THAT CAME FROM THE EXHAUST THAT ALSO HAD CARBON AS WELL INSIDE AND AROUND THE OUTSIDE TIPS. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASE THE CAR. THEY ASK WHAT GRADE GAS DID WE PUT IN THE CAR? I EXPLAIN THAT WE WOULD NOT PUT FUEL IN THE CAR AND THAT THEY FILLED THE CAR WITH FUEL. AND EXPLAINED THAT WE HAD JUST LEFT THE DEALERSHIP A FEW HOURS AGO. SERVICE ASKED US TO PUT 87 OCTANE IN THE NEXT TIME WE FILL UP. I CALLED HYUNDAI COMPANY AND THEY SAID TO USE 87 OCTANE FUEL AS WELL. I UNDERSTAND PUMP GAS HAS ADDITIVES THAT ARE ADDED TO GAS. I'VE ONLY SEEN THIS WITH GAS VEHICLES THAT ARE RUNNING BAD OR WITH PROBLEMS AND DIESEL ENGINES POWERED VEHICLES. DO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAVE ANYTHING ON A HYUNDAI'S 2013 AZERA? *TR
EXHAUST FUMES AND SOOT ACCUMULATE ON REAR BUMPER MARRING PAINT AND MAY CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS I.E. MONOXIDE. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET IT FIXED AT THREE DEALERS BUT THEY CLAIM IT'S NOTHING AND SIMPLY WASH SOOT OFF. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026