CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT MORNING I GOT UP, STARTED MY CAR AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW CLOCKSPRING. MY CAR HAS 53000 MILES. NO ACCIDENTS, OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN. ITS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI.
2013 Hyundai Azera
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Azera years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Azera are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Azera years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
55 reports with mileage · 57 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
112 reportsOUR 2013 AZERA, WITH LESS THAN 29K MILES, STARTED WANDERING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. EVEN ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AT SLOW SPEEDS NOT JUST ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I STARTED NOTICING THAT I HAD PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AT FIRST IT WAS ONLY MAYBE A HALF INCH BUT IF I TURNED THE WHEEL FAST ENOUGH BACK AND FORTH, IT MAD…
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OUR 2013 AZERA, WITH LESS THAN 29K MILES, STARTED WANDERING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. EVEN ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AT SLOW SPEEDS NOT JUST ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I STARTED NOTICING THAT I HAD PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AT FIRST IT WAS ONLY MAYBE A HALF INCH BUT IF I TURNED THE WHEEL FAST ENOUGH BACK AND FORTH, IT MADE A THUMPING NOISE AND I COULD FEEL IT IN THE WHEEL. NOW THERE IS 6 INCHES TURN FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THE WHEEL AND COLUMN RATTLES AND THUDS ON EVERY IMPERFECTION IN ROAD SURFACE. THE FIRST INDICATION WAS NOTICED 4 DAYS AGO. TODAY I FEAR IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE. EVEN TO DRIVE IN TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM I HAVE SEEMS TO BE SIMILAR TO THOSE ALREADY DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL AND WILL BE FIXED AT MY EXPENSE SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY YEAR/MODEL HYUNDAI. AS IT IS STILL UNDER 30K MILES, THIS IS HIGHLY DISAPPOINTING TO SAY THE LEAST.
THE STEERING COLUMN HAS THE SAME FAULTY COUPLER THAT HAS TO REPLACED ON ALL THE SONATA, ELECTRA'S AND KIA'S IN THE YEAR RANGES FROM 2009 TO 2017. THEY HAVE A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING COUPLER IN THE 2009-2017 SONATA AND ELECTRA CARS, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE AZERA. AFTER TALKING WITH MANY DEALERSHIPS, THEY REPLACE THEM DAIL…
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THE STEERING COLUMN HAS THE SAME FAULTY COUPLER THAT HAS TO REPLACED ON ALL THE SONATA, ELECTRA'S AND KIA'S IN THE YEAR RANGES FROM 2009 TO 2017. THEY HAVE A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING COUPLER IN THE 2009-2017 SONATA AND ELECTRA CARS, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE AZERA. AFTER TALKING WITH MANY DEALERSHIPS, THEY REPLACE THEM DAILY ON THE AZERA'S AS WELL, WHY WAS THIS COUPLER NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? IF THE COUPLER BREAKS WHILE DRIVING ALL STEERING IS LOST. JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF RESEARCH WILL SHOW YOU HOW MANY AZERA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME REPAIR. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED AND IT MAKES A CRACKING NOISE, BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. THE NOISE INCREASES OVER TIME AND STARTS TO RATTLE ON BUMPS. THE PROBLEM CAN CAUSE DEATHS, IF NOT MADE AWARE OF TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
MY SRS LIGHT IS ON SO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY. I WAS TOLD AND IS ON MY PAPERWORK THAT VEHICLE HAS CODE ASSOCIATED WITH CLOCKSPRING AND IS OUT OF SPEC. CAR WAS STATIONERY AND WHEN I DROVE IT TO WORK ONE MORNING THE LIGHT WAS ON. IT'S NOT SOMETHING I CAUSED AND REALLY DON'T SEAM LIKE A NORMAL ISSUE.
THE STREEING WHEEL STARTED CLICKING AND OR STICKING A FEW MONTHS AGO WHILE TURNING. THE CLICKING/STICKING HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE AND UNSECURED. WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES LOUDLY AND SHAKES CONSTANTLY. I FEEL AS I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AT TIME…
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THE STREEING WHEEL STARTED CLICKING AND OR STICKING A FEW MONTHS AGO WHILE TURNING. THE CLICKING/STICKING HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE AND UNSECURED. WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES LOUDLY AND SHAKES CONSTANTLY. I FEEL AS I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AT TIMES AND HAVE TO ADJUST CONTSTANTLY WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROADS.
LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING AND VIBRATION WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND SEEN STEERING COUPLING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RESERACHING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY SONATA HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED. CLUNKING HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OR STILL …
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LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING AND VIBRATION WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND SEEN STEERING COUPLING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RESERACHING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY SONATA HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED. CLUNKING HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OR STILL AND, SOUNDS LIKE METAL LOOSE IN THE COLUMN.
STEERING WHEEL: THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIGOROUSLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING PAST 60. ALSO, BIG CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. FEELS LIKE STEERING WHEEL WILL FALL OFF. HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH MY SONATA. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SONATA ON THIS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COUPLING. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON: SAME ISS…
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STEERING WHEEL: THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIGOROUSLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING PAST 60. ALSO, BIG CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. FEELS LIKE STEERING WHEEL WILL FALL OFF. HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH MY SONATA. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SONATA ON THIS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COUPLING. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON: SAME ISSUE AS MY SONATA, HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE AZERA. THIS IS CLEARLY ISSUES WITH LOT OF HYUNDAI'S. THIS NEEDS ANEW CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY/SPIRAL CABLE. IF THESE ARE SAME ISSUES ON A SONATA THEN THERE SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL ON THE AZERA AS WELL. NOT LOT OF PEOPLE TALK TIME TO FILL THIS OUT AND REPORT THIS. I GUESS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT NEEDS TO OCCUR FOR HYUNDAI TO ACT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI AZERA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY A SECOND VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI AZERA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY A SECOND VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT KNEE, LEFT ARM, SHOULDER, AND FACE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST AND RIGHT ARM INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
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 ENG…
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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.
THE COUPLING IS BROKEN AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE 60,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING RATTLES AND SHAKES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND IS DANGEROUS IF NOT FIXED. HYUNDAI HAS RECALLED OTHER COUPLING SYSTEMS BUT NONE ON THE AZERA. I HAVE OWNED CARS WITH OVER 100,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS ERROR.
Official recalls
223V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Sep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
13V264000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Jun 25, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Azera vehicles manufactured May 22, 2012, through November 23, 2012. The occupant detection system may fail to properly differentiate whether the front passenger seat occupant is an adult, a child or a child restraint seat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the occupant is incorrectly classified, in the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, the airbag may deploy with greater or lesser force than appropriate, resulting in an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the airbag system. The recall beagan on August 13, 2013. Hyundai's recall number is "Campaign 111." Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
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