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: other or unspecified
128 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 16, 2014
UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF PARK. THE ELECTRICAL WORKED (RADIO, WINDOWS). I INSERT THE KEY AND TURN BUT THE CAR WONT TURN OVER (START). I HAVE TO USE THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TO START THE CAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND THERE IS NO PATTERN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2014
OVER THE PAST 11 MONTH THIS CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL INCIDENCES WHERE IT JUST WILL NOT START. ON A FEW OCCASIONS IT STARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF TRIES AND A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE IT WOULD NOT START WHEN I NEEDED IT TO BUT HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING AN HOUR OR TWO LATER. THIS WEEKEND WAS THE BIGGEST ISSUE. I PARKED MY CAR FRIDAY EVENING WITH NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE BUT ON SATURDAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START, LATER ON SATURDAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START, SUNDAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SENT SOMEONE OUT TO JUMP MY CAR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THEY SENT OUT A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE USED THE SHIFT OVERRIDE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP ONCE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND IT DROVE JUST FINE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS UP BUT WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR, THE PANEL GOES OUT AND THERE IS NOTHING BUT SILENCE FROM THE ENGINE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT IS NOT CAUSING ANY CODES TO GO TO THE COMPUTER. *JS
Steering, Wheels, Other or unspecified, May 30, 2013
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH, IT WAS MY FIRST TIME BUYING A NEW CAR. WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR I NOTICED A FEW RATTLING AND CLANKING NOISES. I BELIEVED THIS TO BE THE CARS MOVING PARTS, AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME, ESPECIALLY SINCE I WAS USED TO DRIVING USED CARS THAT SOUNDED WORSE. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, I NOTICED THAT THE NOISES WHERE NOTICEABLY LOUDER, ALONG WITH A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM (UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI IN ORLANDO) WAS BOOKED UP SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT ORLANDO HYUNDAI. SHORTLY AFTER BRINGING MY CAR IN, AND HAVING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOK AT THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME DEFECTIVE, THAT "THE LEFT AND RIGHT INNER TIRE RODS AND LOCK NUTS WERE LOOSE, THREADS WERE DAMAGED, AND THE LOCK NUTS WERE LEFT LOOSE FROM THE FACTORY". THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AND THAT "ONE TIRE WOULD'VE WENT ONE WAY AND THE OTHER TIRE WOULD'VE WENT THE OTHER WAY, CAUSING YOUR CAR TO COME TO A SUDDEN HALT". THIS MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AND KNOWING THAT I WAS DRIVING THAT CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, TAKING TRIPS WITH MY FAMILY AND CHILDREN, WHILE THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE WAS VERY SCARY AND UPSETTING. I WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT PURCHASING A NEW CAR, AND HOPED THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND WANT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH HYUNDAI. I HAVE THE STATEMENT FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATING THAT THE FACTORY MADE A MISTAKE AND I PLAN ON FILING A COMPLAINT THROUGH HYUNDAI AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. *TR