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: service brakes
283 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, May 17, 2013
I OWN A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES ON IT AS OF MAY 2013. IN JANUARY I HAD THE CAR SITTING OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT, AND WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. I STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO NOTICE ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE RUSTED. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER INSPECTION THEY SAID ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THEY MACHINE SHOPPED THE ROTORS DOWN SO THEY WOULD MAKE A NOISE OR MAKE THE CAR PULSATE WHILE STOPPING. THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY I LEFT THE CAR SIT OUTSIDE OVER THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. WHEN I LEFT FOR WORK MONDAY MORNING I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS PULSATING AND MAKING A GRINDING SOUND AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PREVIOUS SITUATION. THEY SAID THAT THIS TYPE OF SITUATION HAPPENS IF THE CAR IS LEFT IN MOISTURE OVERNIGHT. I TOLD THEM THAT IS RIDICULOUS SINCE MANY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF A GARAGE. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN THE SHOP AGAIN TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I AM NOW WAITING TILL THE NEXT APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE CAR IN. I HAVE A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON THAT SITS OUTSIDE MORE THAN THIS CAR AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES BEFORE! *TR
Service brakes, Feb 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. CLICKING AND GRINDING NOISES COULD BE HEARD. THE CONTACT COASTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE THE BRAKES ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000......UPDATED 05/09/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED A SECOND TIME COMING TO A STOP AT 20 MPH. CLICKING AND LOUD BLUNKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. DRIVER PUMPED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO ACTIVATE HALF WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED BY DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/04/2013 *JS
Service brakes, Jan 31, 2013
THERE IS AN EXTREMELY LOUD GRINDING NOISE THAT KEEPS COMING FROM MY BRAKES. I WAS PULLING UP TO A MAILBOX AND I WAS ON MY CELLPHONE AND SOMEONE ASKED ME WHAT THAT NOISE WAS AS IT WAS SO LOUD THEY COULD HEAR IT! I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF RUST ON THE ROTOR!! I JUST HAD THE 7500 MILE CHECK UP AND GOT ALL GREEN CHECKS BUT 10 DAYS LATER THE GRINDING IS EVEN LOUDER THAN BEFORE. I DREAD EVEN PUTTING ON MY BRAKES AND I AM NOT CONFIDENT IF PEOPLE JUMP OUT IN FRONT OF ME THAT THEY WILL RESPOND PROPERLY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND WENT ON TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING THE SAME THINGS WITH AS LOW AS 20 MILES ON THE CAR. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG HERE. THIS IS MY FIFTH BRAND NEW CAR IN THE LAST TEN YEARS SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE GOING ON. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 16, 2013, crash
HAD BEEN HEARING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WOULD RAIN OUT AND ON THE ADVICE MADE AN APPT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER THE BRAKES GAVE OUT AND MY CAR HIT INTO MY HUSBANDS CAR THAT WAS DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME TO THE DEALER SO HE COULD DRIVE ME HOME. AT FIRST THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITHTHE BRAKES I INSISTED THEY KEEP IT OVERNIGHT AND THEYSAID THEY WOULD DRIVE IT WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD. THANKFULLY IT RAINED HARD THAT NIGHT AND EVEN THOUGH THEY WAITED TIL THE AFTERNOON TO DRIVE IT THEY WERE STILL ABLE TO HEAR THE GRINDING ALTHOUGH NOT NEARLY AS LOUD AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THEY DROVE IT IN THE MORNING. THEY SAID THE ROTORS WERE BUILDING UP CORROSION SO THEY WOULD REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM I INTEND TO INSIST TOMORROW THEY CHANGE THE ROTORS TOO BUT THE FACT STILL REMAINS THAT THERE IS NOW EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING JUST 2 DAYS PRIOR MY HUSBAND LOST THE BRAKES FOR A FEW SECONDS THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE THAT WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE ONCE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED FOR AN ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 700.
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.
Service brakes, Sep 11, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD HE MOVED HIS RIGHT FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKE AND HIS SHOE BECAME STUCK UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT FENDER AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR BECAME DAMAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE ACCELERATOR POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60.
Service brakes, Jul 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE ROTORS AND THE RATTLE CLIPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO MEET WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. ... UPDATED 08/15/12 *BF UPDATED 08/16/2012 *JS