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: hydraulic
116 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact later received notification for the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced a failure related to the recall. The failure mileage was 148,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while accelerating at slow speeds or while idling at a stop, the vehicle hesitated. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil and alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while accelerating at slow speeds or while idling at a stop, she heard an abnormal humming and ticking sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that upon searching the NHTSA website, she confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnosis. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,200. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 28, 2023, fire
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that after she had parked the vehicle in her residential driveway and had turned the vehicle off after shifting to park (P) she had noticed that the "vehicle in a skid" symbol was illuminated. The contact was in her residence when she began to smell a burning odor. The contact observed that white smoke was being emitted from under the hood. The contact stated that her father used a garden hose to attempt to cool the hood off but was unable to open the hood. The contact stated that the fire department was called, however the engine compartment had been engulfed in flames. The contact stated that the fire department arrived and the firemen had pried open the hood and extinguished the flames with water. The contact stated that the engine had been damaged and all plastic parts and hoses had been melted. The contact stated that fire had caused the air bags to deploy and had melted the dash board. The contact stated that the police arrived on scene and wrote an incident report. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was 63,666.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated the while driving at various speeds, while slowing down, the vehicle consistently lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter sensor needed to be replaced. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V769000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage 145,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 12, 2021
WHEN BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED "SOFT" AND AFTER ABOUT 40 MILES OF DRIVING IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD REACHED HOME BY THEN. THERE WERE DROPS OF FLUID ON THE PAVEMENT AFTER I BACKED IN AND PARKED.I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER AND INSPECTION REVEALED THAT NOT ONLY BOTH BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH, BUT, THE FUEL LINES HAD ALSO RUSTED THROUGH AND WERE LEAKING.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Structure, Aug 12, 2014, crash
ON JULY 18, 2014, MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA RAN INTO A SUBWAY RESTAURANT AT 12150 S. CICERO, ALSIP, IL. I WAS GOING INTO THE SUBWAY PARKING LOT, MY GOAL WAS TO PARK, BUT MY CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN I PUT ON MY BRAKES. MY CAR KEPT GOING; IT DROVE OVER THE SIDEWALK, THROUGH THE SCRUBS, AND HIT THE BUILDING HEAD ON. HITTING THE BUILDING IS WHAT STOPPED MY VEHICLE, MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I THEN PUT ON THE BRAKES, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BACKED OFF THE BUILDING, BACKING INTO THE PARKING PLACE THAT I WAS ORIGINALLY GOING INTO TO PARK. ONCE MY CAR WAS PARKED, IT BEGAN TO SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE SUBWAY BUILDING, CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, STATE FARM AND MY SON. THE 2 EMPLOYEES IN THE SUBWAY, CALLED THE POLICE AND THE SUBWAY RESTAURANT OWNER. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 27, 2014
THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GRINDING OF THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2013 ELANTRA COUPE FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND NOW IT IS 15 MONTHS LATER AND 12653 MILES LATER AND 5 TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED, 1ST THEY SAID THEY TURNED THE ROTORS, 2ND THEY SAID THEY BALANCED THE WHEELS, 3RD THEY SAID THEY ALIGNED THE FRONT END, 4TH THEY SAID IT WAS A DUST PLATE, AND 5TH THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL. I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER THEY SAID HYUNDAI HAD MADE NEW SOFTER PADS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALER. ..UPDATED 04-16-14 *BF
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Steering, Sep 20, 2012
2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WINDSHIELD WIPER DESIGN FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIPER BLADE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS VERY SHORT AND THE BOTTOM END OF THE WIPER BLADE LEFT A SEMI-CIRCULAR WATER STREAK RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PERSON SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ON EVERY WIPE OF THE BLADE. ALSO, THERE WAS A SPOT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELDS WHERE THE PASSENGER WIPER BLADE LEFT A SHORT INVERTED "V" TYPE SPOT THAT THE DRIVER'S WIPER BLADE DID NOT CLEAN WHICH WOULD FREEZE INTO IN THE WINTER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WAS TOO SENSITIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC STEERING WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THE CONDITION. THE STEERING WAS SO SENSITIVE, THAT HE HAD TO CONSTANTLY MOVE THE WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT JUST TO STAY OUT OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE AND STAY IN HIS LANE OF TRAFFIC. SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE DRIVING, IN A SLIGHT CROSSING WIND WITH VARIOUS GROUPS OF TREES, THE LEVEL OF STEERING SENSITIVITY FORCED HIM TO RUN OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID ENTERING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. ALSO, ON A FEW OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES HARDER THAN NORMAL, BUT NOT HARD ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THE ABS. WITH THE ELECTRIC ASSISTED STEERING, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO FEEL IF THE VEHICLE WAS CENTERED IN HIS LANE PRIOR TO USING THE BRAKES.