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.
Service brakes, Oct 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND MANUALLY PULL THE BRAKE PEDAL UP TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V769000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 21, 2019
CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED WITH ALL SYSTEMS OFF. LATER I NOTICED BRAKE LIGHTS ON. CALLED HYUNDAI AND INFORMED THEM INQUIRING IF THERE WAS A RECALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE TO DEALER AND HAVE THEM PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC TO DETERMINE CAUSE. THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.DEALER CHANGED SWITCH(2),RELAY. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *JS
Air bags, Oct 19, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE CAR IS RUNNING.
Steering, Oct 18, 2019
STEERING CLICKING AND POPPING. NOT REAL NOTICEABLE IN TURNS BUT WHEN GOING STRAIGHT CAR OFTEN DRIFTS. FEELS LIKE 1/4 TO HALF INCH SLACK IN STEERING WHEEL
Air bags, Oct 16, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN HER VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS SMASHED IN AND HAD TO BE FORCED OPEN. THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION AND BRUISING TO THE FACE AND UPPER BODY. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM VIA AMBULANCE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED IN TOWARDS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR ON JANUARY 9, 2018. AN UNKNOWN CARMAX DEALER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A SCRAP YARD BY THE POLICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,119.
Exterior lighting, Oct 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WOULD FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS. ALSO, THE TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK EVEN WITH THE NEW BULBS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V769000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 14, 2019
I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS A SECONDARY OWNER SINCE 64K MILES, IT'S NOW AT ABOUT 71K. I KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE REGULARLY, BUT LATELY IT'S DEVELOPED A BIT OF A NOTICEABLE TICKING ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD, AND IDLES PRETTY ROUGH WHEN COLD, SEEMS TO GET BETTER AS THE VEHICLE HEATS UP. 3 TIMES, ALL SPACED OUT BY A COUPLE OF MONTHS I'VE ALSO EXPERIENCE A REFUSAL TO START, TRYING AGAIN USUALLY GETS IT TO START BUT ONE OF THOSE TIMES IT ALMOST SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS MISFIRING SINCE IT SEEMED TO STUMBLE AND NEARLY STALL. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO SHOPS AND NOT ONE OF THEM AND HAS BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE UNDERLYING ISSUE LIKE IT'S NOT EVEN THERE, ONE OF THEM ONLY SUGGESTED A BATTERY REPLACEMENT WHICH FUNNY ENOUGH SEEMED TO HELP IT UNTIL RECENTLY, WILL BE TAKING TO HYUNDAI SOON PERHAPS BUT I SEE A TREND OF VERY SIMILAR SYMPTOMS ON HERE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 13, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICK IN IT . THE EPS LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WENT TOO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID IT WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS COMMON PROBLEM IT HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AT CITY SPEED
Steering, Oct 13, 2019
WHILE DRIVING STEERING MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND FEELS LOOSE. I HAD VEHICLE AT FIRESTONE FOR ANOTHER REPAIR AND WAS TOLD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY SAID IT WAS THE COUPLER AND THERE'S NO RECALL ON THIS BUT THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAY IT IS VERY COMMON IN THESE CARS, THE COUPLER WEARS DOWN AND YOU COULD LOSE STEERING.
Steering, Oct 12, 2019
I HEARD A SOUND WHEN I STARTED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, LEFT OR RIGHT DIRECTION. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS MODEL CAR HAS A RECALL ABOUT THIS ISSUE
Exterior lighting, Oct 10, 2019
BRAKE LIGHT IS STAYING ON AT ALL TIMES. I EVEN REPLACED THEM AND ONE STILL STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES
Engine, Oct 9, 2019
DRIVING IN THE PASSING LANE OF THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE BECAME UNABLE TO ACCELERATE THEN DECELERATED RAPIDLY. I MADE MY WAY OVER TO THE SHOULDER IN A PANIC AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND WOULD NOT START. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, AND EPS LIGHT UP AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. UPON TAKING TO MY MECHANIC I WAS GIVEN A TECHINCAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND ADVISED TO WORK WITH THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND IT WILL COST $9,000; I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE A YEAR AGO AND STILL OWE 5,800 DOLLARS ON IT. I AM AWARE OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST HYUNDAI FOR THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN CANADA FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I AM HORRIFIED AT THE LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SYMPATHY EXHIBITED BY HYUNDAI AS I MADE CONTACT WITH CORPORATE ABOUT THE ISSUE. I CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THIS ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT 116,000 MILES AND HYUNDAI KNOWS THAT THOUGH THE APPEAR IGNORANT TO THIS DEFECT WHEN CONFRONTED.
Steering, Oct 7, 2019
COUPLER
Air bags, Oct 5, 2019, crash
I WAS REAR ENDED AT A HIGH SPEED AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND BREAK MY NOSE.
Air bags, Oct 2, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL.
Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS ALL BURNT OUT AT THE SAME TIME INCLUDING THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT - REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR AND ALL LIGHT BULBS - WAS NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK - THE COST FOR REPAIR WAS $135.00 - I CAN SEE MAYBE 1 LIGHT OUT BUT NOT ALL BRAKE LIGHTS OUT AT THE SAME TIME
Steering, Sep 28, 2019
WHENEVER I START MY CAR, I RECEIVE A MECHANICAL ERROR IN THE DISPLAY. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EITHER STATIONARY OR MOVING, AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 76 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2019
AT APPROXIMATELY 93000 MILES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. AT THE SAME TIME THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR THE PHONE/RADIO ALSO FAILED. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH 2013 ELANTRAS.
Steering, Suspension, Sep 24, 2019
WHENEVER THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER SLIGHT BUMPS, OR INDENTATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE CAR UNSETTLES AND PUSHES RIGHT. WITH INCREASE IN TRAVEL SPEEDS, THE REAR END GET MORE UNSTABLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT BECOMES SO BAD THAT WHENEVER THERE IS ANY SLIGHT BUMPS OR SURFACE IMPERFECTION, THE REAR OF THE CAR HOPS RIGHT VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT OR STARTS TO FISHTAIL AND SOMETIMES BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE. SPECIALLY ON WET SURFACE. IT IS HARD TO GET THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL WHEN NOT CAREFUL AND MAY CAUSE A MAJOR AND FATAL ACCIDENT. WHICH CHECKING FOR THE ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT IT IS COMMON ISSUE AMONG ELANTRA OWNERS. IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE DRIVING, MY CAR FISHTAILED SO VIOLENTLY THAT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME AND IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL. FEW TIMES, THE CAR FISHTAILED AND ENDED UP IN RIGHT SIDE LANE WITHOUT ME WANTING IT TO DO THAT. THESE ALL HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT IS LESS SEVERE ON CITY SPEEDS BUT STILL NOTICEABLY BAD.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT AT THE 61,000 MILE MARK. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE THE CLOCK SPRING WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THEY WERE WILLING TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING BUT AT A COST OF $495 DOLLARS. I ASKED WHY THEY WERE CHARGING SINCE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER AND SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY DETERMINED THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER COVERED SINCE I HAD GONE OVER THE 60,000 MILE MARK. I CALLED HYUNDAI USA TO REPORT MY CONCERN FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS THAT THEY COULD NOT COVER IT DUE TO MILEAGE. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND SELF KNOWING THAT THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED IF A CAR CRASH WERE TO OCCUR. THIS IS THE ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION THAT I HAVE AND UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND HAZARD WHICH I FEEL HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX AT NO COST.
Steering, Air bags, Sep 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE TIMING SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. HYUNDAI OF ANDERSON (1925 PEARMAN DAIRY RD, ANDERSON, SC 29625, (864) 642-0900) MENTIONED THAT THE SPRING WAS A COMMON ISSUE, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CHARGE A FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Sep 16, 2019
WHEN MOVING STEERING FEEL LIKE ALOT OF PLAY IN IT. WHEN TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT THERE IS A CLICK NOISE ALSO. FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG ON INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN . THIS IS HAPPENING WHEN DRIVING AND IF YOUR JUST AT A STAND STILL IN MOVE STEERING
Air bags, Sep 12, 2019
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYING ON. TOOK THE CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS CODE WAS HIGH RESISTANCE. I AM TOLD THIS IS A BROKEN WIRE. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO PAY THE $360 REPAIR. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ALSO REFUSED TO PAY THE REPAIR. WHEN THE LIGHT IS STAYING ON, IF IN AN ACCIDENT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I SPOKE WITH THEIR CUSTOMER CARE DEPT, THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEIR WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SOME MODELS, BUT THEY SAY MY CAR ISNT ON THE LIST. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BBBAUTO LINE, AND THE MISSOURI STATE ATTY GENERAL. AT NO TIME IS MONEY MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONSUMER SAFETY. I ONLY ASK FOR THEM TO RIGHTFULLY REPAIR MY CAR. THEY ADVERTISE HOW SAFE THEIR CARS ARE AND THERE ARE 6 AIR BAGS. UNFORTUNATELY THEY DONT WORK. PLEASE HELP AND MAKE OTHER CONSUMERS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU
Steering, Sep 10, 2019
WHILE STATIONARY LOUD POPPING NOISE HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER WAY. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY IF YOU HIT A BUMP IT MAKES A LOUD POPPING SOUND NO MATTER YOUR SPEED.
Air bags, Sep 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED FOR A LONG TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.