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: engine
237 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Engine, Jul 20, 2014
ON MY WAY TO WORK I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND I HIT A BUMP. I WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE AS WHAT FELT LIKE THE REAR OF THE CAR BOUNCED UP ABNORMALLY AND LURCH TOWARD THE GUARD RAIL. THE HANDLING ON ROUGH SURFACES IS AWFUL. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND THE ENGINE IS NOISY WHICH I AM TOLD THIS IS THE TIMING CHAIN. I NEVER HAD A CAR LIKE THIS IN MY LONG LIFE. THE HANDLING REALLY WORRIES ME. SUCKS! *TR
Engine, Jul 14, 2014
TAKING A CORNER AT 5 MPH IN 2ND GEAR, HEARD A METALLIC SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE CUT OUT, LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. PULLED OVER USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. TOWED CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE TOP OF THE PISTON HAD A CRACK IN IT THAT DEVELOPED OVER TIME AND FINALLY FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, WHICH IS BEING REPLACED UNDER MFG. WARRANTY. *TR
Engine, Jun 5, 2014
I'M HAVING A TAK,TAK,TAK SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ONCE I SHUT THE CAR OFF. ALSO, YOU CAN SEE A SPARK WHILE IT IS MAKING THE SOUND. I"VE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS AND THE SCRUBBING SOUND ON THE BRAKES AND THE MISSING WHILE THE CAR IS IDLING. I'M TOLD EACH TIME THEY CAN'T HEAR OR FEEL ANYTHING AND TO PLEASE COME BACK IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALER SO MUCH I HATE TO GO AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 29, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY APPARENT REASON. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A THREE LANE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH NO STEERING OR BRAKES DUE TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. ONCE AT THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE RE-STARTED IMMEDIATELY AND RAN NORMALLY AGAIN FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME ON A SIDE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN STARTED BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM. IT HAS RUN NORMALLY AGAIN AS OF THIS POSTING. *TR UPDATED 10/23/2014 *JS
Engine, Feb 25, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS POWERED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES WHEN DARK GRAY SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 4/4/14*CN *TR
Engine, Feb 21, 2014, fire
VEHICLE OWNER SMELLED A BURNING TYPE SMELL ON A COLD DAY WHEN HAVING THE HEATER ON FULL TO WARM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS SMOKE OR FIRE. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE OWNER HAD THE HEATER ON FULL TO WARM THE CAR, A FIRE RESULTED. THE FIRE CAUSED SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT THE INITIAL CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Sep 14, 2013, crash
I REAR ENDED A CAR AND NEARLY TOTALED MY CAR. FOR SOME ODD REASON THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED DURING THE TIME OF IMPACT. *TR
Engine, Jul 13, 2013
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STARTED IDLING ROUGHLY AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. DORAL HAD A HYUNDAI MOTOR "FIELD ENGINEER" ([XXX]) LOOK AT IT ON JULY 11 AND I WAS INFORMED THROUGH THE SERVICE ADVISER THAT THIS WAS TYPICAL OF THESE MODELS AND THAT SHE, PERSONALLY, HAD CHOSEN TO IGNORE IT; SHE WORKS FOR A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. FURTHERMORE, NOTHING CAN BE DONE. PLEASE REFER TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Jul 13, 2013
PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE TO ADJUST SEAT BELT AND THE CAR STARTED A VERY ROUGH IDLING AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE. REPORTED IT TO DEALER AND HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA AND FOLLOWING WAS THEIR REPLY: -DEALER: THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THESE VEHICLES THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO CORRECT -HYUNDAI: THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE WORKING TO RESOLVE IT. IN THE MEANTIME I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT IS NOT RELIABLE TO ME FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT AND TWO DEALERS IN MIAMI, DORAL AND LEHMAN HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGERS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNTIL THE FACTORY TELLS THEM HOW TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 5, 2013
MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO PARK HER CAR WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT HER TOUCHING THE GAS OR THE BRAKE. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. I'VE HEARD RECENT CASES OF PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *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
Steering, Engine, May 31, 2012
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGH WAY I 29 N AT ABOUT 68-72 MPH THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED ABRUPTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND WE WERE STUCK IN THE DIRECTION THE STEERING WAS PREVIOUSLY TURNED IT AND IT MADE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO STEER IT ON TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND US ALMOST CRASHED INTO US. WE WERE JUST A WHISKER AWAY FROM GETTING KILLED. WE HAD A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE AND MY FIANCE IS STILL HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT IT. *TR