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: electrical system
155 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Visibility, Apr 8, 2013
THIS IS CONCERNING THE SAME VEHICLE AS IN MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT: 10507443. WHILE DRIVING INTO WORK ON 4/8/13, I PUT THE FRONT AND REAR DEFOGGERS ON. LATER WHEN I WENT TO SWITCH THEM OFF, THEY WOULDN'T. I THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS A TIMER. I WAITED FIVE MINUTES AND THEN WAS ABLE TO SWITCH OFF THE REAR DEFOGGER. I STILL WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH OFF THE FRONT. I PUSHED ALL THE BOTTOMS TO SWITCH THE AIR POSITION AND EVEN TURNED THE ENTIRE A/C-HEATING SYSTEM OFF -THE DEFOGGER STUCK "ON" AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN. I HAVE REPORTED BOTH THIS AND THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, AND AM HOPING TO SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE WITHIN THE WEEK. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2013
I JUST BOUGHT THE 2013 LIMITED HYUNDAI ELANTRA OVER THE EASTER WEEKEND, ON 3/31/13. TWO DAYS AFTER BUYING IT, I NOTICED THE LIGHT IN THE DASH SHOWING WHETHER THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON OR NOT WAS NO LONGER WORKING, BUT I PUT IT UP TO THE FACT I WAS DRIVING AT DAWN/DUSK AND THEY WERE PROBABLY NOT "ON" EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVING LIGHTS WERE ON AND SHOWING AS "ON". HOWEVER ON 4/6/13 WHEN DRIVING AT 10PM AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS MOST CERTAINLY "ON" THE INDICATOR LIGHT STILL DID NOT COME ON. *TR
Electrical system, Tires, Wheels, Apr 3, 2013
I BOUGHT MY 2013 ELANTRA ON 7/17/12 FROM ORLANDO HYUNDAI. ON 8/4/12 WHILE DRIVING ON I-95, THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE NEAREST TIRE SHOP AND HAD THE TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED ON ALL 4 TIRES AND THEY WERE ALL FINE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I HAVE MY DEALERSHIP TAKE A LOOK AND POSSIBLY HAVE THEM RESET THE SENSORS. UPON MY ARRIVAL HOME, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE SENSORS GOING OFF. THE ISSUE PERSISTED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS CAUSING ME TO SPEND COUNTLESS HOURS AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO KEEP MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK, DRIVE IT SEVERAL MILES AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM INCLUDING ALL FOUR TIRE SENSORS. DESPITE THIS, THE TPMS LIGHT STILL FLASHES. THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONVINCE ME THAT USB AND AUX CORDS IN MY CAR (USED WITH MY PHONE) ARE CAUSING A SIGNAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE SENSORS. IN MY OPINION THAT IS A BOGUS EXCUSE. THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THE FEATURES IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO COEXIST. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO ATTEMPTED TO REASSURE ME THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE EVEN WHILE THE TPMS LIGHT IS FLASHING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS EITHER AS I CONSTANTLY HAVE A SAFETY FEATURE ALERTING ME TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE. I HAVE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS THAT I BELIEVE THIS CAR IS A LEMON ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT A CAR IS ONLY A LEMON AFTER HAVING THE SAME ISSUE FIXED 3 TIMES. THUS FAR I HAVE HAD MY TPMS FIXED TWICE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING THIS CAR WITH DYSFUNCTIONAL FEATURES. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Mar 8, 2013, fire
THE 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF, AND AN ELECTRIC FIRE STARTED IN IT. IT BURNED COMPLETELY UP. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 5, 2012
PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS 4 DOOR. ONCE A PERSON TURNS ON THEIR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ALL OF THE VEHICLES PARKING LIGHTS TURN ON AS WELL. NO OTHER CAR MANUFACTURE HAS MANDATED ALL THIS ILLUMINATION DURING DAYTIME HOURS. ON AUGUST 3RD 2012 AT 11:40AM I WAS ISSUED A MOVING VIOLATION BY A LOS ANGELES POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF VAN NUYS, C.A. I WAS CITED FOR VIOLATING CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 24800 WHICH STATES "NO VEHICLE SHALL BE DRIVEN AT ANY TIME WITH THE PARKING LAMPS LIGHTED EXCEPT WHEN THE LAMPS ARE BEING USED AS TURN SIGNAL LAMPS OR WHEN THE HEADLAMPS ARE ALSO ILLUMINATED". I EXPLAINED THE SCENARIO TO MY LAWYER AND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE CITATION IS VALID BECAUSE IN C.A. THE WORD HEADLAMPS IN VC SECTION 24800 IS INTERPRETED BY THE COURTS AS THE VEHICLES PRIMARY SOURCE OF FORWARD ILLUMINATION AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT FALL INTO THIS PRIMARY SOURCE CATEGORY. TO AVOID FUTURE CITATIONS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT IF YOU OPERATE ANY 2013+ HYUNDAI PRODUCT DO NOT USE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FEATURE BECAUSE THE PARKING LIGHTS WILL LIGHT UP AND YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO A CITATION. I ADVISED HYUNDAI VIA A RECORDED PHONE CALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY DO NOT TAKE PROPER ACTION TO CORRECT THIS THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED NEGLIGENT. *TR