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: steering
271 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Mar 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SLOWLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. RANCHO GRANDE MOTORS (1404 AUTO PARK WAY, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93405, (805) 543-4745) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,600.
Steering, Mar 23, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND DRIVING AT A SLOW PACE. STEERING WHEEL CLICKS NOTED WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND BACKING UP SUCH AS SMALL UNEVEN SURFACE LIKE BACKING INTO AND OUT OF GARAGE.
Steering, Mar 11, 2019
THERE IS ALREADY AN ELANTRA & SONATA STEERING COUPLING RECALL EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED BUT MY CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY?
Steering, Mar 6, 2019
STEERING WHEEL SHAFT BROKE WHILE TURNING INTO PARKING LOT.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 22, 2019
MY 2013 ELANTRA SEDAN BUILT IN ALABAMA ON JUNE 14, 2013, AND EQUIPPED WITH A 1.8L ENGINE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT CUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A CANYON, IN TRAFFIC. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CARS STEERING LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR MORE THAN TO VEER IT OFF THE ROAD WITH THE FORWARD MOMENTUM FROM COMING DOWN A HILL. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE OIL LEVEL BEING TOO LOW. I HAD JUST HAD IT REPLACED AND CHECKED ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE. THEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS A CONNECTING ROD THAT HAD BROKEN. I'VE LEFT THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND WILL NOT PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A REPAIR THAT WOULD BE COVERED IN CANADA.
Steering, Feb 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT SEEMED AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Steering, Jan 27, 2019
TAKATA RECALL WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL I REALIZED THAT THE EPS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUND NOISE WHEN TURNING.
Steering, Jan 16, 2019
VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL MAKES NOISE AND JERKS WHEN TURNING, EITHER AT A STAND STILL OR DRIVING. I AM IN FEAR OF MY LIFE. HYUNDAI RESPONDED VIA EMAIL AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THEIR EMAIL DATED 1/9/19 INDICATES MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT "CAMPAIGN TXX7," AND THAT "WEAR OF THE COUPLING DOES NOT AFFECT THE ABILITY TO STEER OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE." MY MOTHER IN LAW ALSO HAS A 2013 ELANTRA WHERE THE PART AND LABOR WERE COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE ISSUE IS WIDELY EFFECTING VEHICLES BASED ON A GOOGLE SEARCH. THEY WANT $125 TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AND I ADVISED THEM THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE A ROBO CALL TO POTENTIAL VICTIMS INFORMING OF THEM OF THIS WELL KNOWN ISSUE. THAT PROCESS WOULD HAVE COST THEM NOTHING. MY MOTHER IN LAW SPENT ABOUT $1,000 IN REPAIRS TO FIX THE ISSUE BEFORE MY CAR, SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I GOOGLED IT LEARNING HOW PREVALENT IT IS. HER MECHANIC CALLED HYUNDAI WHO ACTED LIKE THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS BROUGHT UP TO THEM. SHE WAS FEARFUL TO DRIVE HER VEHICLE AND BORROWED A CAR TO GO TO WORK WHILE SHE HAD THE WORN COUPLING ISSUE. HYUNDIA IS PUTTING PEOPLES' LIVES AT RISK DOWNPLAYING, NOT INFORMING, AND REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEPTH OF THE PROBLEM. BOTH MY MOTHER IN LAWS CAR (NOW FIXED) AND NOW MINE, ARE DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED.
Steering, Dec 29, 2018
'TAKATA RECALL' I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. TO REGAIN CONTROL I HIT MY BRAKES AND CONTINUE MY JOURNEY TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR SO I CARPOOL WITH A FRIEND TO WORK WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY OWN CAR
Steering, Dec 16, 2018
FREE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN 11 AND 1. VERY DANGEROUS ON SKINNY FREEWAY LANES...VEHICLE ALMOST DRIFTED INTO BARRIER WALL ON GROOVED PAVEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITHOUT ABILITY TO SAFELY CORRECT AND MAINTAIN LANE. IN RESEARCHING, APPEARS AS RECALL ON OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT ON THIS MODEL. SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE ON 12/17/18 AT DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE $2.00 FAULTY PART. NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE LABOR BILL TO REPAIR VEHICLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE DAILY FREEWAY TRAVELING CONDITION. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY COST LIVES AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH THE MANUFACTURER.
Steering, Dec 14, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STATIONARY. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SAW IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON HYUNDAI CARS. WE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND WERE ADVISED IT WAS THE COUPLING. HYUNDAI RECALLED THE SONATA AND REPLACED THE COUPLING BUT DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THE ELANTRA. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART $350.00
Steering, Dec 11, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT A MODERATE SPEED OF 45 MPH MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2 DOOR COUPE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS SUDDEN FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING TO HESITATE AND BE A LITTLE ERRATIC. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GO THE FEW MILES TO HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER, THEY IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM WITHOUT EVEN EXAMINING THE CAR, A DEFECTIVE STEERING COUPLING IN MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS). MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 11,750 MILES AND IS FOUR MONTHS PAST THE FIVE YEAR OVERALL WARRANTEE WHEN THE STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED LAST MONTH. IT CERTAINLY WAS NOT DUE TO EXCESSIVE WARE. SOME CAR OWNERS WERE ADVISED BY LETTER FROM HYUNDAI AND KIA OF THE PENDING PROBLEM I WAS NOT. ANY STEERING DEFECT IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS AND THIS ONE IS PERVASIVE ACROSS PRODUCT LINES. THIS PROBLEM IS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT IT IS RECOGNIZED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTEE BY HYUNDAI AND KIA IN VARIOUS MODELS OF ELANTRA, SONATA, FORTE AND OTHER MODELS PRODUCED FROM 2007 ' 2015. SEARCH WEBSITE 'HYUNDAI STEERING COUPLER'. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO RECOGNIZED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S ONLINE WEBSITE HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM AS FAR BACK AS 2007. THE OLD PART WAS REPLACED BY A NEWLY ENGINEERED PART IN 2015, PART NUMBER 56315 2K000FFF. HOWEVER, THIS SAFETY ACTION DOES NOT APPLY TO MY ELANTRA 2 DOOR COUPE, WHICH USES THE SAME PART. PERHAPS THIS IS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT COMPLAINTS FILED, OR LOWER PRODUCTION, AND LIMITED YEARS THAT THE COUPE WAS PRODUCED. THIS SAFETY INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE DISSEMINATED TO ALL ELANTRA OWNERS.
Steering, Dec 3, 2018
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLANKING NOISE AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN IT. WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND YOU TURN THE WHEEL IT CLICKS
Steering, Air bags, Engine, Dec 1, 2018
INTERMITTENT ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION. HAPPENS ONLY AFTER THE "VEHICLE CHECK IN PROGRESS". CAR HAS STARTED TO RUN ROUGH BOTH WHILE ACCELERATING AND AT A STOP. ACTS LIKE IT WILL SHUT OFF. HAVING TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PAT THE GAS TO KEEP IT RUNNING. THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NO ACTIVE RECALL. CONSTANT RUN AROUND AT THE SERVICE CENTERS. THEY SAY ITS NORMAL FOR IT TO RUN ROUGH. ALSO THE RUBBER STEERING COUPLER WENT BAD. WAS MAKING A THUD NOISE WHEN STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. ALSO A TSB FOR THIS....NO RECALL. BUT WAIT THERES MORE! THE CLOCK SPRING IS ALSO BAD! TSB FOR THIS TOO! BAD CLOCK SPRING RESULTS IN THE LOSS OF POWER TO THE BUTTONS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I REPLACED THE STEERING COUPLING, I FORGOT TO PLUG IN A WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE WHEEL AND THE BUTTONS STARTED WORKING AGAIN BUT HAD NO POWER STEERING. PLUGGED THE HARNESS BACK IN AND HAD STEERING BUT THE BUTTONS NO LONGER WORKED. PRETTY SURE HYUNDAI IS UPLOADING ERROR CODES AND GIVING PEOPLE THE RUN AROUND IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET MORE MONEY. RECALL THIS CRAP ALREADY BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. HOLD THIS COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING CRAP TO PEOPLE.
Steering, Nov 30, 2018
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLANKING NOISE AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN IT. WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND YOU TURN THE WHEEL IT CLICKS.
Steering, Nov 26, 2018
MY STEERING IS MARKING A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL FIRESTONE TO FIND OUT IT IS A LITTLE RUBBER SPIDER GEAR THAT IS RECALLED ON OTHER HYUNDAI CARS BUT NOT MINE I'M WANTING TO KNOW HOW CAN THIS BE AS IT'S THE SAME PARTY NUMBER AS RECALLED IN OTHER HYUNDAI CARS
Steering, Nov 17, 2018
STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY WHEN TURNED AND MAKES A THUMP/CLANKING NOISE.
Steering, Nov 1, 2018
THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE AT THE 11:00 AND 1:00 POINTS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURS IN MOTION AS WELL AS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE COUPLER IN THE STEERING WHEEL IS DETERIORATING AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT.
Steering, Oct 26, 2018
MY STEERING COUPLER HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE
Steering, Oct 19, 2018
ELECTRONIC STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON, AND SLOWED THE VEHICLE AT RANDOM MOMENTS. AFTER TWO DAYS, STEERING BEGAN MAKING A "POP" SOUND WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND CONFIRMED THE ISSUE IS WITH THE RACK AND PINION. CAR HAS 40K MILES AND IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. NO ACCIDENTS AND USED ONLY TO COMMUTE <10 MILES TO AND FROM WORK. THIS IS CONSIDERED OUTSIDE OF HYUNDAI'S 5 YEAR WARRANTY (EVEN THOUGH I AM WITHIN THE MILEAGE CONSIDERATION) SO IS NOT COVERED.
Steering, Seat belts, Oct 15, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI OF ST. AUGUSTINE (2898 U.S. 1, ST AUGUSTINE, FL 32086, (904) 797-7800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSING THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Oct 1, 2018
STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY AND MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING TO RIGHT, FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. THIS OCCURS EVEN WHEN STATIONARY. FEELS VERY UNSAFE AND WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR. PROBLEM SUDDENLY STARTED AFTER ONLY 31770 MILES. IN OVER 40 YEARS OF DRIVING AND OWNING 15 VEHICLES NEVER HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH A STEERING PROBLEM. TOOK IT INTO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A FLEXIBLE COUPLING , PART ONLY COST $1.26 BUT LABOR COST WAS $270.00. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY CAR COMPANY EITHER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY OR SAFETY RECALL. LOOKS LIKE A NEW BETTER DESIGNED COUPLING HAS REPLACED THE ORIGINAL. HYUNDAI SHOULD NOTIFY OWNERS BEFORE THE PROBLEM OCCURS .
Steering, Sep 25, 2018
STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLUNKING NOISE. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO COME LOOSE. IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS A SMALL GEAR INSIDE THE STEERING MOTOR, WHICH BREAKS APART LITTLE BY LITTLE, UNTIL YOU CANNOT LONGER MANEUVER THE CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. TALK ABOUT AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 54 MPH, THE SERVICE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF, BUT THEY FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED VAN HYUNDAI (1301 S INTERSTATE 35E, CARROLLTON, TX 75006, (972) 437-8334), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Jul 13, 2018
STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLUNKING NOISES WHEN TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. PROGRESSIVELY WORSENS PER USE. CAR IS AT 48,000 MILES.LIGHT DRIVING,MODERATE CONDITIONS. NO SNOW OR ICE. CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR MONDAY JULY 17,2018.