2013 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 1,330 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 95 involved a crash and 31 involved a fire. 68 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesNov 30, 2017
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.
Campaign 17V769000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchAug 2, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 146.
Campaign 16V574000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Campaign 13V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
169 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 6, 2020
MY STEERING COLUMN MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE LIKE A CLICKING NOISE THE WHOLE TIME I'M DRIVING IT REALLY SCARES ME BUT I HAVE TO DRIVE IT BC IT'S MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. NOW MY BREAK LIGHTS ALL THE WAY ACROSS DOESN'T WORK AND IT'S NOT A FUSE.LAST THING IS MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALSO WHICH SCARES ME .PLEASE SOME ONE HELP GET THESE ISSUES RESOLVED QUICKLY I'M THE SECOND OWNER SO I PROBABLY HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE RECALLS ABOUT THESE ISSUES.PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME .THANK YOU
Air bags, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Dec 2, 2019
ON ENGINE START UP, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED INDICATING FAILURE WITH EITHER THE AIRBAG OR SUPPLEMENT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. DEALER DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED THE "CLOCKSPRING" PART HAD FAILED. THIS PART HAS FAILED OFTEN ENOUGH THAT HYUNDAI HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY ON "SOME MODELS OF 2011-2014" ELANTRA, BUT NOT THE MODEL OF MY CAR EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME PART THAT IS ON ALL 2011-2014 ELANTRA MODELS. SHOULD IT FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, THEN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT OR THE SUPPLEMENT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT WORK. THE "CLOCKSPRING" PART CONNECTS TO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 25, 2019
AIRBAG SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH PANEL WITHOUT REASON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN A PARKED POSITION AND HAS STAYED ILLUMINATED SINCE FIRST APPEARING. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. RECENT DIAGNOSTICS REPORTED AIRBAG FAULT (CODE B134600 DRIVER AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH STAGE #1). SERVICE FACILITY DEEMED FAULT IS SECONDARY TO DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. THE DEFECT CAUSES THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO FAIL AND AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT.
Air bags, Structure, Nov 9, 2019
2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON. DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO NOTICED 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED, THAT THE SUNROOF ASSEMBLY LEAKS, AND WATER POOLS AROUND THE SPARE TIRE. WORRIED ABOUT WATER DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE SPARE TIRE, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF MOLD GROWING.
Air bags, Nov 8, 2019
HYUNDAI HAS RECALLED CERTAIN MODEL YEARS ELANTRAS TO DUE A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING. HOWEVER, HYUNDAI WILL NOT HONER THIS RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE IN THE ELANTRA GT MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR. THESE MODELS UTILIZE THE SAME PART! FAILURE OF THIS PART PREVENTS THE DRIVERS AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING. THIS IS A MASSIVE SAFETY FAILURE!
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 30, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I GOT IT DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING. THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TECH SAID THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ITSELF WASNT BROKEN, JUST THAT IT SHORTED OUT. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I GOT IT FIXED AND THERE WAS A CONSENSUS THAT ELANTRAS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE CLOCK SPRING. HYUNDAI DID A PARTIAL RECALL OF ELANTRAS WITHIN 2011-2014 FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT MY VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE LIGHT WOULD GENERALLY STAY ON BUT WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT THEN BACK ON.
Air bags, Oct 19, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE CAR IS RUNNING.
Air bags, Oct 16, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN HER VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS SMASHED IN AND HAD TO BE FORCED OPEN. THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION AND BRUISING TO THE FACE AND UPPER BODY. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM VIA AMBULANCE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED IN TOWARDS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR ON JANUARY 9, 2018. AN UNKNOWN CARMAX DEALER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A SCRAP YARD BY THE POLICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,119.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2019, crash
I WAS REAR ENDED AT A HIGH SPEED AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND BREAK MY NOSE.
Air bags, Oct 2, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2019
AT APPROXIMATELY 93000 MILES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. AT THE SAME TIME THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR THE PHONE/RADIO ALSO FAILED. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH 2013 ELANTRAS.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT AT THE 61,000 MILE MARK. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE THE CLOCK SPRING WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THEY WERE WILLING TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING BUT AT A COST OF $495 DOLLARS. I ASKED WHY THEY WERE CHARGING SINCE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER AND SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY DETERMINED THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER COVERED SINCE I HAD GONE OVER THE 60,000 MILE MARK. I CALLED HYUNDAI USA TO REPORT MY CONCERN FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS THAT THEY COULD NOT COVER IT DUE TO MILEAGE. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND SELF KNOWING THAT THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED IF A CAR CRASH WERE TO OCCUR. THIS IS THE ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION THAT I HAVE AND UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND HAZARD WHICH I FEEL HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX AT NO COST.
Steering, Air bags, Sep 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE TIMING SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. HYUNDAI OF ANDERSON (1925 PEARMAN DAIRY RD, ANDERSON, SC 29625, (864) 642-0900) MENTIONED THAT THE SPRING WAS A COMMON ISSUE, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CHARGE A FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Air bags, Sep 12, 2019
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYING ON. TOOK THE CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS CODE WAS HIGH RESISTANCE. I AM TOLD THIS IS A BROKEN WIRE. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO PAY THE $360 REPAIR. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ALSO REFUSED TO PAY THE REPAIR. WHEN THE LIGHT IS STAYING ON, IF IN AN ACCIDENT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I SPOKE WITH THEIR CUSTOMER CARE DEPT, THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEIR WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SOME MODELS, BUT THEY SAY MY CAR ISNT ON THE LIST. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BBBAUTO LINE, AND THE MISSOURI STATE ATTY GENERAL. AT NO TIME IS MONEY MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONSUMER SAFETY. I ONLY ASK FOR THEM TO RIGHTFULLY REPAIR MY CAR. THEY ADVERTISE HOW SAFE THEIR CARS ARE AND THERE ARE 6 AIR BAGS. UNFORTUNATELY THEY DONT WORK. PLEASE HELP AND MAKE OTHER CONSUMERS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU
Air bags, Sep 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED FOR A LONG TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Air bags, Aug 30, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING, SINCE 8/17/2019. NOW IT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY RECENT ACCIDENTS, OR RECEIVED ANY DAMAGE. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS PROBABLY A CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. $79 DEALER FEE JUST TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE, BEFORE PARTS AND LABOR TO REPAIR. SEEMS TO BE PRETTY COMMON FOR HYUNDAI VEHICLES OF THIS AGE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL!
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 19, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AT 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO FOUR PARKED VEHICLES AND A FEW PARKING SIGNS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN PATELLA ON THEIR RIGHT LEG, THEY HAD A BAD ABRASION ON THEIR LEFT LEG, A HEMATOMA ON THEIR SKULL AND BLACK EYES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THEIR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE IN THE OTHER VEHICLES THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CURRENTLY INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED HYUNDAI OF ASHVILLE (860 TUNNEL RD, ASHEVILLE, NC 28805 (828) 298-4911) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSTRUCTED THEM TO NOT CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2019
AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT AT FIRST WAS FLASHING AND NOW REMAINS ON SOLID EVERY TIME VEHICL IS STARTED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MODELS FROM 2010 TO NOW. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL INSTEAD OF LEAVING THE CONSUMER TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
Air bags, Jul 3, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST ALMOST $400 TO GET THINGS FIXED. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S AFFECTING MY SAFETY TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jun 18, 2019
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE RECENTLY HAD MY AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON ON MY CAR. I HAVE WAITED A MONTH OR TWO AND THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE DONE NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY POPULAR MALFUNCTION WITH HYUNDAI SONATAS AND HYUNDAI ELANTRAS FROM THE YEAR OF 2012. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I ROLLED OVER MY 100,000 MILE WARRANTY SO IT WAS COVERED NO LONGER. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO MANY PEOPLE AS THIS IS A VERY POPULAR CAR. I'VE HAD DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON MY CAR AND TOLD IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING THAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. REVIEWS ALSO HAVE THE SAME MALFUNCTION.
Air bags, Jun 5, 2019
THE SRS (AIR BAG) INDICATOR REMAINED LIT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND THE STARTUP ROUTINE OF CHECKING ALL THE SYSTEMS. THAT HAS NEVER STAYED ON UNTIL 6-3-2019, AND NOW IT WON'T GO OFF. I'VE CHECKED THE FUSE TO THE SYSTEM, CHECKED THE SEAT BELT LATCHES, AND THE CONNECTORS. LIGHT STILL REMAINS LIT WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.
Air bags, Jun 4, 2019
SEAT BELT WARNING LITHT IS ONE IN RED ALL THE TIME, IS RELATED TO AIR BAG
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 28, 2019
THE ELECTRICAL VOLUME AND CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF
Air bags, Apr 24, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF BUT NOW BACK ON. I CALLED THE DEALER (DENNIS HYUNDAI) TODAY (4/24/19)TO ASK ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAG I WOULD ON THE NEW, IESHA THE LADY I TALKED TO SAID THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR? WHY NOT IF THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DESTROY. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO?
Air bags, Apr 19, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON RANDOMLY. NOW IT STAYS ON.