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
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 1, 2019
I DROVE MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TUESDAY EVENING AND PARKED IT AT 9PM. WENT TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AT 730AM AND IT WOULD NOT START. ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON, HEADLIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED THE CAR JUST WOULD NOT START. I TRIED TO START IT 5 MORE TIMES, IT IS PUSH START. I CALLED AND HAD MY CAR TOWED THAT EVENING, THE TOW GUY CAME AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I STILL HAD THE CAR TOWED BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SO MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. IT HAS BEEN AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR 4 DAYS NOW AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT HAS STARTED A COUPLE TIMES FOR THE DEALERSHIP BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY. I KEEP CALLING AND ASKING WHAT THE ISSUE IS BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMMENTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL THIS IS NOT FAIR TO US AS HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND PAID FOR BY HYUNDAI.
Engine, Jul 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A PISTON FLAP. THE MECHANIC DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BUERKLE HYUNDAI (651-484-0231, LOCATED AT 3350 N. HIGHWAY 61, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A FIFTY PERCENT DISCOUNT TOWARDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 15, 2019
2015-KEY WON'T RELEASE FROM IGNITION, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 2017-SAME ISSUE, CANT REPRODUCE ISSUE, NOT REPLACED BY DEALER. 2018-CAR WON'T START, BATTERY REPLACED. 2019-CAR WON'T START. DASH LIGHTS COME ON, CAR CLICKING BUT WON'T START. JUMPSTARTED CAR. WHILE DRIVING AFTER JUMPSTART THE RADIO INTERMITTENTLY WENT OFF. TOOK IN FOR REPAIR AND ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED. NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING, CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF TWICE. 6 DAYS LATER-CAR WON'T START AFTER DRIVING IT 3 MILES, CLICKING AGAIN AND THE ENGINE, OIL, AND CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT ON. HAD TO WALK HOME IN THE DARK IN A HIGH CRIME CITY
Engine, Jun 10, 2019
I WAS ON MY WAY BACK FROM CO TO MN. AS I ENTERED LUSK, WY, A STRANGE "CLUNKING" NOISE STARTED TO ARISE FROM THE ENGINE AND SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE OR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPORT STATED THAT THEY WERE "ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND SHORTLY AFTER THE CRANKSHAFT SEIZED AND THE ENGINE NO LONGER TURNED OVER." THE VEHICLE HAD ONE PREVIOUS OWNER SO THE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY. I HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND REPLACED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO POSSIBILTY THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE OCCURED DUE TO NEGLIGENCE ON BEHALF OF CHANGING THE OIL.
Engine, Jun 4, 2019
2ND OWNER, REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON CAR, NO PRIOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATING A POSSIBLE ISSUE. CAR JUST OVER 100K MILES, STOPPED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. HOLE FOUND IN ENGINE BLOCK MOTOR, APPEARS TO HAVE THREW A ROD. ENGINE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. WHEN TAKEN TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, WAS NOT GIVEN A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS OF DAMAGE DESPITE ASKING FOR CAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE. SIMPLY TOLD NEW ENGINE NEEDED RANGING ANYWHERE FROM 4-10K. HYUNDAI DECLINED TO REPLACE ENGINE. HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT SANTA FE'S AND SONATAS WITHIN THE SAME YEAR RANGE HAVE BEEN ISSUED ENGINE RECALLS. BEGINNING TO THINK ISSUES ARE RELATED IN READING OTHER REVIEWS ON ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH 2013 ELANTRA'S. WONDERING WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS A POTENTIAL RECALL.
Engine, May 29, 2019
2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED A VEHICLE AND A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WAS INFORMED IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Steering, Power train, Engine, May 24, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE ENGINE SURGING, KNOCKING, RPM WAS GOING UP, AND DOWN, THEN WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO TAKE OFF FROM THE LIGHT LIKE A JET IN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO CAR WRECKS, IT WOULD GO BELOW 40MPH, WHILE RPM WOULD BE UP AT 5 WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THEN NOT GO FORWARD. THE CAR SHAKES SO BAD DUE TO THE SURGING OF THE TRANSMISSION
Engine, May 20, 2019
TICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE 82000 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAID AROUND $8000.00 TO REPLACE ENGINE. DEALER SAID EVEN IF I SHOWED I'VE TAKEN CARE OF IT HYUNDAI STILL WONT REPLACE THE FAULTY ENGINE. RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ENGINE PROBLEM IN CANADA WHY NOT HERE IN THE US? SO FRUSTRATING BEING A SINGLE PARENT TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND NOW HAVING TO DECIDE WHICH IS BETTER TAKE ANOTHER LOAN OUT FOR NEW ENGINE OF AN UPSIDE DOWN LOAN FOR A DIFFERENT CAR. I OWE 7000.00 ON THIS ELANTRA ALREADY AND HAVE HAD IT FOR ONLY A YEAR. TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES.SADLY I'M THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR SO NO WARRANTY TO HELP.HEARTBREAKING WHEN I THOUGHT HYUNDAI WAS A GOOD SOLID CAR TO PURCHASE. NOW I'M IN FEAR WHILE DRIVING IF ITS GOING TO DIE ON ME WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT MY BEST FINANCIAL OPTIONS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 20, 2019
THE VEHICLE HAS A STRANGE SOUND WHEN STARTED UP IN THE MORNINGS. ALMOST LIKE A TICKING OR SMALL KNOCKING SOUND. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK UP IT STARTS TO JERK LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. ALSO THAT SAME JERKING OCCURS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY CAR IS AT THE SPEED 35 IT STARTS TO JERK LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO SHUT OFF TOO. IT HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG BETWEEN THE SPEEDS 35 TO 65. WHEN I TURN ON THE AC MY CAR MAKES A WEIRD SQUEAKING NOSE AND ALSO JERKS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO GIVE OUT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD ALL MY FLUIDS CHECK AND EVERYTHING IS JUST FINE. I DONT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR. IT STARTED HAPPENING THE SAME DAY I GOT MY VEHICLE FROM A SMALL USED CAR LOT ON MARCH 4TH 2019. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE DAY I HAVE LEFT. I CALLED THE GUY WHO SOLD MY THE CAR AND HE TOLD ME T WAS PROBABLY THE GAS BEING BAD SINCE THE CAR SIT SO LONG ON THE LOT. BUT IT HAS NEVER STOPPED.
Engine, May 20, 2019
HOLE DETECTED IN ENGINE OF 6YR OLD VEHICLE AFTER ABRUPTLY STOPPING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD
Engine, May 14, 2019
WENT AND GOT AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A TICKING/KNOCK IN NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE GOING UP SMALL HILLS OR WHILE IDOLING. I HAVE ROUGHLY ABOUT 124,000 MILES
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 13, 2019
I'M HAVING SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS AT ONLY 44K MILES INCLUDING FAILED IGNITION COILS & SPARKPLUGS-NOW ENGINE STILL MISFIRING & COILS GOING BAD ONE AT A TIME. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER & CANNOT AFFORD ENGINE REPAIRS ESPECIALLY WITH THIS LOW OF MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE & AFTER JUST PURCHASING IT USED FROM CARMAX IN AMHERST, NY AT END OF JANUARY, 2019. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THE IGNITION COILS ARE DEFECTIVE. THANK YOU.
Engine, May 1, 2019
IN MARCH 2019 TAKEN IN FOR STATE INSPECTION. DURING THE INSPECTION, NOTIFIED THAT THE DOG BONE MOUNT AND LOWER OIL PAN LEAK BY SERVICE ADVISOR AT DEALERSHIP. . THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED LAST AUGUST AND A LEAK IN THE PAN OCCURRED. IT WAS COVERED BY 10 YEAR WARRANTY. PARTS NOT AVAILABLE SO AN ORDER WAS DONE. TOLD THIS NEED TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ANY OTHER DAMAGE OCCUR. A LEAK IN THE OIL PAN LESS THAN A YEAR AT 69,344 MILES.
Engine, May 1, 2019
ENGINE TICKING NOISE. DEALER SAID METAL SHAVINGS IN ENGINE AND PISTONS KNOCKING. THEY SAID NEED NEW ENGINE. HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE.
Engine, Apr 11, 2019
MY 2013 ELANTRA HAS IN THE PAST EXPERIENCED LABORED ENGINE ISSUES, AND SHUTTING DOWN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. AT MY APPOINTMENT THIS MONTH, I WILL ADVISE THE DEALERSHIP OF THE ISSUE, AS IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS WEEK. I STILL AM UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN 100,000K MILES, I AM HOPING THIS APPOINTMENT, THE DEALERSHIP WILL LOCATE THE ISSUE AND FIX THE PROBLEM.
Engine, Apr 11, 2019
MY 2013 ELANTRA IS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING, IT TAKES SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE CAR TO START, ALL I GET IS A CLICKING NOISE, A MECHANIC HAD ME PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED, THIS WEEK, I SPENT 10 MINUTES PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, NEUTRAL, AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FOR IT TO START, IT WAS TOWED A COUPLE YEARS BACK AND THE DEALER COULD NOT "REPLICATE" THE ISSUE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I HEARD A TICKING SOUND IN MY ENGINE, SEVERAL PEOPLE AND TWO MECHANICS HAVE LISTENED TO IT AND ARE SAYING IT IS EITHER THE VALVES OR LIFTERS. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS MONTH, SO WILL UPDATE WITH MY FINDINGS.
Engine, Mar 25, 2019
TAKATA RECALL ENGINE HAS TICKING NOISE WHICH HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND STILL ISN'T RECALLED WHEN A TON OF THESE EXACT SAME CARS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE.
Engine, Mar 21, 2019
MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING TICKING NOISES AND MY OIL PRSSSURE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AT $6700! I SEE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THERE'S ONLY 58000 MILES ON MY CAR
Engine, Mar 20, 2019
ENGINE TICKING NOISE. DEALER SAID METAL SHAVINGS IN ENGINE AND PISTON KNOCKING. THEY SAID NEED NEW ENGINE. HAD TEGULAR OIL CHANGES ABD SERVICES.
Engine, Mar 19, 2019
THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, BUT IT WILL, AND TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER 1.8L ENGINES. WHY HAVE YOU NOT RECALLED THE HYUNDAI 1.8L NU ENGINES USED IN THE KIA FORTE AND HYUNDAI ELANTRA'S (ALL TRIMS AND LEVELS FROM 2011-2016). THIS ENGINE HAS THE SAME ISSUES AS THE 2.0L AND 2.4L ENGINES, AND MORE 1.8L ENGINES WERE SOLD THAN THE 2.0L AND 2.4L ENGINES COMBINED. MY ENGINE IS NOW EXPERIENCING 'ROD-KNOCK' AND SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 80000 MILES, HYUNDAI WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINE, EVEN THOUGH ITS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. YOU CAN FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS ENGINE ON VARIOUS CAR FORUMS AND CONSUMER REPORT WEBSITES, YET YOU FAIL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND MAKE IT PUBLIC.
Engine, Mar 16, 2019
ENGINE MAKING TICKING & KNOCKING SOUNDS.
Power train, Engine, Mar 15, 2019
MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING TICKING NOISES AROUND 75000, TOOK CAR IN FOR 75000 MILE MAINTENANCE AND ASKED SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK FOR NOISE AND CAR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. TECH LATER TOLD ME ITS NORMAL AND NOTHING THEY CAN FIND WRONG WITH CAR. NOW I SEE FROM LOOKING ON THE INTERNET ITS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT NOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I ALSO WENT IN BEFORE MY WARRANTY ENDED TO HAVE THE 100000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, THEY STILL SAID IT NORMAL. TODAY I JUST CONTACT MY LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE WHAT OPTIONS I HAVE.
Engine, Mar 10, 2019
WHILE ENGAGING IN NIRMAL DRIVE, ENGINE (APP.75K MILES) STARTING KNOCKING. FIRESTONE REFUSED TO WORK ON DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND STATED THAT OIL WAS DIRTY EVEN THOUGH RECENTLY CHANGED SHORTLY AFTER REGULAR 3K OIL CHANGE. TOOK TO DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE IS PISTON DETERIORATION/ DAMAGE ALONG WITH LIFTER DAMAGE. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Engine, Mar 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO KEY AUTO CENTER OF SOMERSWORTH (221 NH-108, SOMERSWORTH, NH 03878) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine, Mar 6, 2019
MY ENGINE RECENTLY DEVELOPED A LOUD TICKING NOISE AT 78,000 MILES. I TOOK IT INTO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND ADVICE ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE UP. THE NOISE LASTED NO LONGER THAN A WEEK BEFORE I TOOK IT IN. THE CAR WAS ALSO REGULARLY SERVICED AND I HAVE RECEIPTS. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND METAL DEBRIS IN THE OIL PAN BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE EXACT ISSUE WITHOUT COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLING THE ENGINE. WHEN LOOKING ONLINE, THIS PROBLEM POPS UP HUNDREDS OF TIMES FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR BUT HYUNDAI HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL.