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
1,330 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 7, 2021
MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR IT WOULDN'T START, BUT IT BEGAN MAKING THIS KNOCKING NOISE. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS, BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING AND THE ONLY THING I COULD THINK OF WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. AND THAT'S WHEN I HEARD THE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.
Air bags, May 5, 2021
AIR BAG SENSOR JUST WENT ON FIR NO REASON. TOLD STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND COST WOULD BE CLOSE TO $400 FOR ENTIRE JOB. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME AS NEVER HAD ANY VEHICLES WITH THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Apr 29, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A BANGING AND RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WERNER HYUNDAI (252 CAPITAL CIR SW, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2021
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE LICENSE PLATE BULBS IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE LICENSE PLATE BULB HOUSING, AS WELL AS THE OUTER TAIL LAMP HOUSINGS, SHOWED EVIDENCE OF THE INTERNAL PLASTICS MELTING. IT APPEARS THAT THE HEAT FROM THE LAMPS WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE HOUSINGS AND INTERNAL LENSE PLASTICS TO HEAT BEYOND THE GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF THE PLASTICS UTILIZED BY HYUNDAI. BOTH OUTER TAIL LAMP HOUSINGS AND LICENSE PLATE BULB HOUSES WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE DAMAGED. THE ORIGINAL BULBS WERE ALL CHECKED TO ENSURE THEY WERE CORRECT PER THE VEHICLE MANUAL, WHICH THEY WERE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2021
SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2013, WE HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE PARKING LIGHTS, AND SOMETIMES HEADLIGHTS, COMING BACK ON AFTER BEING OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS OR WE WAKE UP TO HAVING A DEAD BATTERY. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER. IN 2013 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED FOR SAME PROBLEM AND/OR DEAD BATTERY. NEVER HAPPENED AT DEALERSHIP. OUR SECURITY CAMERA HAS CAUGHT IT POPPING ON, OR LIKE YESTERDAY, OUT NEIGHBOR CALLED US (AGAIN) TO TELL US LIGHTS WERE ON. THIS IS WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ALL THE WAY OFF. WE HAVE TRIED TO FIGURE IT OUT BUT CAN NOT. I DID REPORT AGAIN TO HYUNDAI THIS PAST FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL 2021. AGAIN, THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF EVERY SINGLE TIME WITH LIGHTS CONFIRMED OFF TO ONLY COME ON LATER WITH CAR OFF AND STILL LOCKED. IT HAS TO HAVE KEY IN IT TO START.
Power train, Apr 24, 2021
MY CAR WAS REPAIRED FOR NOISE IN ENGINE A YEAR AND HALF LATER MAKING SAME NOISE WHY IS THAT? THE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED WHEN I GOT THE RECALL ON IT NOW I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME SOUND OF ENGINE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 15, 2021
WE BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE IN, UNDER WARRANTY, FOR ENGINE NOISES AND STALLING. WE WERE TOLD THE PREVIOUS OWNER COULD HAVE NEGLECTED MAINTENANCE AND WE SHOULD DO MORE FREQUENT OIL CHANGES TO SOLVE THE ISSUE(OIL SLUDGE). THIS WENT ON FOR MONTHS AND THE ISSUE ONLY GOT WORSE. BY THE TIME THE ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED(PISTONS), WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOONE WOULD HELP US. WE LATER FOUND OUT THEY COVERED SOME BEARING ISSUES, BUT NOT PISTON ISSUES. WE DID EVERYTHING RECOMMENDED. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME DOCUMENTS, I HAVE ASKED MANY TIMES FOR THEM(MCGRATH HYUNDAI OF CEDAR RAPIDS). THIS WAS 2 YEARS AGO. WE ENTERED A CLASS ACTION SUIT THINKING WE WOULD GET THE HELP WE DESERVED. WE AREN'T GETTING HELP FROM THE SETTLEMENT AND THEY ARE NOW SAYING WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. IF WE HAD THE MONEY TO REPLACE WE WOULD BE GETTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT, BUT WE GET NOTHING SINCE WE WERE FINANCIALLY UNABLE. THE PEOPLE THAT DID GET THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE ARE STILL HAVING ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE THIS ENGINE TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE AND NOT THE DRIVER/PURCHASERS FAULT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2021
THE TRUNK'S LATCH FAILS TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I TRIED USING A LONG SCREWDRIVER TO RELEASE THE LATCH FROM THE INSIDE AND IT WON'T GIVE IN, EVEN WHEN I TRY OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE AT THE SAME TIME. I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS ON AND IN PARK. I ALSO FAILED TO OPEN IT WITH THE CAR OFF AND THE CAR IN PARK.
Steering, Apr 3, 2021
CLIPPING/POPPING WHILE TURNING STEERING COLUMN. FIX NOT COVERED BY DEALER AND IS KNOWN PROBLEM. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS CARS WITH THIS ISSUE BACK TO AT LEAST 2015. TO REPAIR AT MECHANIC/DEALER IS APPROX $400. WITH IT FIX CONCERNED ABOUT WEAR AND DECREASE IN STEERING ABILITY.
Air bags, Mar 28, 2021
IM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WHICH I JUST TOOK IN TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND TO ALSO SEE ABOUT GETTING AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CHECKED OUT...THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED ON THIS CAR......HOW CAN THAT BE WITH SOMETHING AS DANGEROUS AS THAT?
Engine, Mar 28, 2021
113,000-114,000 MILES ON CAR. STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE MOTOR. SOUNDED LIKE LIFTERS OR A HARD KNOCKING. PARKED AS SOON AS IT STARTED IT AND TOWED IT TO A SHOP. THEY SAID THE TICKING SOUND WAS MORE THAN LIKELY FROM THE PISTON ASSEMBLY. THEY CALLED IT A PISTON SLAP. HOWEVER UPON TAKING THE VALVE COVERS OFF THEY FOUND THE TIMING CHAIN WAS SLAPPING AROUND, BENT VALVES AND A BAD PISTON. OUR DAUGHTER DONE ALL OF HER OIL CHANGES REGULARLY AND DIDN'T HOTROD THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ALSO GOING SLOW UP OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. NO NOISE PRIOR TO THIS AT ALL.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2021
THE ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES PERIODICALLY AND WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 25 MPH. I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE ESC SYSTEM OFF FOR SAFETY REASONS, BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE DISASTROUS ON THE FREEWAY OR HIGHWAY. THERE ARE NO OBD2 CODES THAT ARE IN THE SYSTEM. I CHANGED OUT THE STEERING FLEX COUPLER, BECAUSE IT HAD DISINTEGRATED, AND WAS MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT.
Engine, Mar 18, 2021
HYUNDAI HAS A KNOWN FACTORY DEFECTIVE MOTOR FOR MY MODEL OF CAR. IT IS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CALLED THE ENGINE COLD ENGINE DEFECTIVE MOTOR CASE. MY MODEL AND LOCATION MAKES ME ELIGIBLE FOR A NEW MOTOR. HYUNDAI IS DENYING ME A NEW MOTOR BASED ON A REBUILT TITLE. MY CAR WAS REAR-ENDED AND THE BODY WAS REBUILT. THE ENGINE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE ACCIDENT. MY ENGINE IS KNOCKING AND WILL SEIZE UP AND QUIT ANYTIME IF MY MOTOR IS NOT REPLACED, WHICH HYUNDAI IS REFUSING TO DO. THEY ARE KNOWINGLY SENDING ME DOWN THE ROAD WITH A FACTORY DEFECTIVE MOTOR THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SEIZE UP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS MOTOR SHOULD BE RECALLED BY HYUNDAI SO THAT ALL OF US EFFECTED ARE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY.
Steering, Mar 16, 2021
STEERING BUSHING UNDER DASH, CAUSING STEERING ISSUES.
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.
Air bags, Mar 11, 2021
MY AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON A FEW MONTHS AGO. AT FIRST, IT WAS WHEN I WAS ONLY TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL OR WHEN I WAS IN PARK. NOW, IT'S ALWAYS ON. I HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE SO OFTEN AND FOR IT TO BE SUCH A COMMON ISSUE AND NOT RECALLED IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN BE FATAL IF I WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY AIR BAG WOULDN'T DEPLOY PROPERLY.
Engine, Mar 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODHOUSE HYUNDAI OF OMAHA (8410 S 145TH ST, OMAHA, NE 68138) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 100,000 MILES AND THEREFORE NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000.
Service brakes, Mar 7, 2021
I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE VEHICLE TO STOP COMPLETELY, VERY SCARY AND NERVOUS. I HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, NOW THEY SAY IT IS THE ABS. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST PASSED 100K MILES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN MFG BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE ,MODEL AND 2013. I WANT HYUNDAI TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS.. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP.. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Tires, Mar 4, 2021
2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE MOBILITY KITS SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. *JS
Engine, Feb 25, 2021
ENGINE MAKE TAPPING NOISE WHEN A COLD STARTING THE NOISE WILL SLOW DOWN WILL IT IS WORMING UP BUT YOU STILL HEAR IT WAS LOOK AT BY 2 DIFFRANT CAR SHOP REPAIR AND BOTH SAID IT COULD BE ROCKER ARM OR LEFFTERS
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2021
MY CAR FEEL LIKE IT DON'T WANT TO STOP I THINK IT'S SOMETHING GOING ON WITH MY BRAKES PADS IT FEEL LIKE IT'S NOTHING UNDER MY FEET LIKE I CAN FEEL EVERYTHING I DON'T KNOW IT'S IT'S LIKE A FEELING YOU HAD TO BE IN THE CAR TO FEEL IT AND IT DON'T DO IT ALL THE TIME THAT'S WHAT'S SCARY IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S WET TOO
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 6, 2021
BOUGHT USED 3 WEEKS AGO AND IT DIED WHILE DRIVING ON INCLINE, HAS BEEN MAKING A TICKING NOISE, AND SLUGGISH, STEREO TURNED OFF BY ITSELF.
Steering, Seats, Feb 5, 2021
1. THE FABRIC ON THE SEATS IS NOT COLORFAST. ANY DROP OF CLEAN WATER LOOKS LIKE A STAIN WHEN IT DRIES. 2. MY STEERING WHEEL KNOCKS WHEN TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT, WHEN IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. IT IS THE U-JOINT BEHIND THE BREAK PEDDLE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN MAKING A KNOCKING/CLUNKING NOISE.
Power train, Engine, Jan 27, 2021
A TICKING/KNOCKING NOISE IS GOING ON IN THE ENGINE, POWERTRAIN. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND IS WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. IT IS BELIEVED TO BE A VALVE TRAIN ISSUE. THE KNOCKING GETS WORSE WHEN I ACCELERATE, ALSO. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS, BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY'VE BEEN SLOW TO RESPOND. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE BUSINESS THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY'RE USING THE QUICK, TEMPORARY WARRANTY TO GET A NEW USED ENGINE, BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SAME TICKING/KNOCKING NOISE WILL OCCUR WITH THE NEW USED ENGINE, BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO USE A DIFFERENT BRAND ENGINE. I'D PREFER THAT HYUNDAI DO A STRAIGHT UP RECALL FOR THE ENGINES THAT CONSISTENTLY PERFORM THIS WAY - WITH A KNOCKING NOISE THAT HINDERS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 26, 2021, crash
I WAS IN MOTION AND MY EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT WORK . I CONTINUE DOWN HILL AND TO AVOID ON COMING TRAFFIC,,I TURN TO THE RIGHT TO HIT THE FENCE. MY AIR BAGS NEVER OPEN. THA K GOD I ALWAYS WERE MY SEAT BELTS.