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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jun 18, 2019
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE RECENTLY HAD MY AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON ON MY CAR. I HAVE WAITED A MONTH OR TWO AND THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE DONE NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY POPULAR MALFUNCTION WITH HYUNDAI SONATAS AND HYUNDAI ELANTRAS FROM THE YEAR OF 2012. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I ROLLED OVER MY 100,000 MILE WARRANTY SO IT WAS COVERED NO LONGER. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO MANY PEOPLE AS THIS IS A VERY POPULAR CAR. I'VE HAD DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON MY CAR AND TOLD IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING THAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. REVIEWS ALSO HAVE THE SAME MALFUNCTION.
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2019
PAINT IS PEELING IN SECTIONS ON BUMPER AND DOOR HANDLES. HAVE SEEN THIS ON OTHER ELANTRAS AND ONLINE
Steering, Jun 15, 2019
2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, EVERY TIME I STEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING. IT MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED ON OR OFF AND IN ANY GEAR. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPT OF THE HYUNDAI DEALER, THEY IMMEDIENTLY KNEW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. HE SAID IT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY A STEERING CUPPLER AND/OR STEERING BUSHING. MY CAR IS A 2013 AND ONLY HAS 59K MILES. THIS IS VERY LITTLE. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE ARE MORE THAN 120 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS A LONG TIME AGO AS A STEERING PROBLEM IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND VERY DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 15, 2019
2015-KEY WON'T RELEASE FROM IGNITION, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 2017-SAME ISSUE, CANT REPRODUCE ISSUE, NOT REPLACED BY DEALER. 2018-CAR WON'T START, BATTERY REPLACED. 2019-CAR WON'T START. DASH LIGHTS COME ON, CAR CLICKING BUT WON'T START. JUMPSTARTED CAR. WHILE DRIVING AFTER JUMPSTART THE RADIO INTERMITTENTLY WENT OFF. TOOK IN FOR REPAIR AND ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED. NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING, CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF TWICE. 6 DAYS LATER-CAR WON'T START AFTER DRIVING IT 3 MILES, CLICKING AGAIN AND THE ENGINE, OIL, AND CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT ON. HAD TO WALK HOME IN THE DARK IN A HIGH CRIME CITY
Engine, Jun 10, 2019
I WAS ON MY WAY BACK FROM CO TO MN. AS I ENTERED LUSK, WY, A STRANGE "CLUNKING" NOISE STARTED TO ARISE FROM THE ENGINE AND SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE OR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPORT STATED THAT THEY WERE "ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND SHORTLY AFTER THE CRANKSHAFT SEIZED AND THE ENGINE NO LONGER TURNED OVER." THE VEHICLE HAD ONE PREVIOUS OWNER SO THE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY. I HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND REPLACED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO POSSIBILTY THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE OCCURED DUE TO NEGLIGENCE ON BEHALF OF CHANGING THE OIL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2019
WHEN DRIVING OVER 40MPH, CAR FISHTAILS WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. WORSENS IN RAIN. FEELS VERY UNSTEADY AND UNSAFE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2019
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME SO THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. IT LEFT MY SUNROOF SHATTERED WITH A LARGE HOLE IN THE CENTER.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. NORTH FREEWAY HYUNDAI (20440 INTERSTATE 45 N, SPRING, TX 77373, (832) 446-4000) DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V574000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE STOPPER AND SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Structure, Jun 5, 2019
I OWN A WHITE 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND THE PAINT IS PEELING BACK EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THE AREA. AFTER RETURNING FROM A 120 MILES EXPRESSWAY TRIP THE PAINT IS PEELING AWAY.
Air bags, Jun 5, 2019
THE SRS (AIR BAG) INDICATOR REMAINED LIT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND THE STARTUP ROUTINE OF CHECKING ALL THE SYSTEMS. THAT HAS NEVER STAYED ON UNTIL 6-3-2019, AND NOW IT WON'T GO OFF. I'VE CHECKED THE FUSE TO THE SYSTEM, CHECKED THE SEAT BELT LATCHES, AND THE CONNECTORS. LIGHT STILL REMAINS LIT WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.
Air bags, Jun 4, 2019
SEAT BELT WARNING LITHT IS ONE IN RED ALL THE TIME, IS RELATED TO AIR BAG
Engine, Jun 4, 2019
2ND OWNER, REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON CAR, NO PRIOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATING A POSSIBLE ISSUE. CAR JUST OVER 100K MILES, STOPPED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. HOLE FOUND IN ENGINE BLOCK MOTOR, APPEARS TO HAVE THREW A ROD. ENGINE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. WHEN TAKEN TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, WAS NOT GIVEN A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS OF DAMAGE DESPITE ASKING FOR CAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE. SIMPLY TOLD NEW ENGINE NEEDED RANGING ANYWHERE FROM 4-10K. HYUNDAI DECLINED TO REPLACE ENGINE. HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT SANTA FE'S AND SONATAS WITHIN THE SAME YEAR RANGE HAVE BEEN ISSUED ENGINE RECALLS. BEGINNING TO THINK ISSUES ARE RELATED IN READING OTHER REVIEWS ON ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH 2013 ELANTRA'S. WONDERING WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS A POTENTIAL RECALL.
Engine, May 29, 2019
2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED A VEHICLE AND A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WAS INFORMED IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Suspension, May 24, 2019
AS WITH MANY OTHERS, MY 2013 ELANTRA LIKES TO KICK THE BACK END OUT OVER BUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I PASSED AN ACCIDENT LAST WEEKEND ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE A 2013 ELANTRA HAD CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER JUST AFTER A BRIDGE ON WET ROADS. MY CAR JUMPED OVER THE SAME BUMP ALTHOUGH I WAS AT A LOWER SPEED BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT AND IT WASN'T AS SEVERE AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I WAS GOING FASTER. IT IS MUCH WORSE AS THE CAR GETS OLDER. IT ALSO HAS OTHER ISSUES THAT OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SUCH AS NOT WANTING TO START (3 TIMES) AND WHITE SMOKE IF YOU ACCELERATE TOO QUICKLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NO HELP.
Steering, Power train, Engine, May 24, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE ENGINE SURGING, KNOCKING, RPM WAS GOING UP, AND DOWN, THEN WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO TAKE OFF FROM THE LIGHT LIKE A JET IN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO CAR WRECKS, IT WOULD GO BELOW 40MPH, WHILE RPM WOULD BE UP AT 5 WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THEN NOT GO FORWARD. THE CAR SHAKES SO BAD DUE TO THE SURGING OF THE TRANSMISSION
Engine, May 20, 2019
TICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE 82000 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAID AROUND $8000.00 TO REPLACE ENGINE. DEALER SAID EVEN IF I SHOWED I'VE TAKEN CARE OF IT HYUNDAI STILL WONT REPLACE THE FAULTY ENGINE. RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ENGINE PROBLEM IN CANADA WHY NOT HERE IN THE US? SO FRUSTRATING BEING A SINGLE PARENT TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND NOW HAVING TO DECIDE WHICH IS BETTER TAKE ANOTHER LOAN OUT FOR NEW ENGINE OF AN UPSIDE DOWN LOAN FOR A DIFFERENT CAR. I OWE 7000.00 ON THIS ELANTRA ALREADY AND HAVE HAD IT FOR ONLY A YEAR. TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES.SADLY I'M THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR SO NO WARRANTY TO HELP.HEARTBREAKING WHEN I THOUGHT HYUNDAI WAS A GOOD SOLID CAR TO PURCHASE. NOW I'M IN FEAR WHILE DRIVING IF ITS GOING TO DIE ON ME WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT MY BEST FINANCIAL OPTIONS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 20, 2019
THE VEHICLE HAS A STRANGE SOUND WHEN STARTED UP IN THE MORNINGS. ALMOST LIKE A TICKING OR SMALL KNOCKING SOUND. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK UP IT STARTS TO JERK LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. ALSO THAT SAME JERKING OCCURS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY CAR IS AT THE SPEED 35 IT STARTS TO JERK LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO SHUT OFF TOO. IT HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG BETWEEN THE SPEEDS 35 TO 65. WHEN I TURN ON THE AC MY CAR MAKES A WEIRD SQUEAKING NOSE AND ALSO JERKS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO GIVE OUT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD ALL MY FLUIDS CHECK AND EVERYTHING IS JUST FINE. I DONT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR. IT STARTED HAPPENING THE SAME DAY I GOT MY VEHICLE FROM A SMALL USED CAR LOT ON MARCH 4TH 2019. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE DAY I HAVE LEFT. I CALLED THE GUY WHO SOLD MY THE CAR AND HE TOLD ME T WAS PROBABLY THE GAS BEING BAD SINCE THE CAR SIT SO LONG ON THE LOT. BUT IT HAS NEVER STOPPED.
Engine, May 20, 2019
HOLE DETECTED IN ENGINE OF 6YR OLD VEHICLE AFTER ABRUPTLY STOPPING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD
Electrical system, Seat belts, Service brakes, May 20, 2019, crash
TAKATA RECALLS. MY RADIO BLUETOOTH DOESN'T WORK NOR DOES THE USB. I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CHANGE REAR LIGHTBULBS. WHEN MY CAR REACHES A CERTAIN SPEED IT STARTS TO SHAKE. MY TIRE SENSOR PUT A HOLE IN MY TIRE. MY SEAT BELTS WILL NOT CONNECT. I'M JUST HAD TO CHANGE THE ALTERNATOR. AND THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING SOUND.
Engine, May 14, 2019
WENT AND GOT AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A TICKING/KNOCK IN NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE GOING UP SMALL HILLS OR WHILE IDOLING. I HAVE ROUGHLY ABOUT 124,000 MILES
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 13, 2019
I'M HAVING SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS AT ONLY 44K MILES INCLUDING FAILED IGNITION COILS & SPARKPLUGS-NOW ENGINE STILL MISFIRING & COILS GOING BAD ONE AT A TIME. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER & CANNOT AFFORD ENGINE REPAIRS ESPECIALLY WITH THIS LOW OF MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE & AFTER JUST PURCHASING IT USED FROM CARMAX IN AMHERST, NY AT END OF JANUARY, 2019. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THE IGNITION COILS ARE DEFECTIVE. THANK YOU.
Steering, May 1, 2019
STEERING PROBLEM: WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL CATCHES NEAR THE CENTER POSITION, TAKING SOME ADDITIONAL FORCE TO MOVE IT. IT IS RELATIVELY EASY TO OVER COME, BUT IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS GETTING WORSE. MY HYUNDAI DEALER HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY INQUIRIES. THE POTENTIAL FOR A STEERING LOCKUP MAY EXIST, THUS THIS ALERT.
Engine, May 1, 2019
IN MARCH 2019 TAKEN IN FOR STATE INSPECTION. DURING THE INSPECTION, NOTIFIED THAT THE DOG BONE MOUNT AND LOWER OIL PAN LEAK BY SERVICE ADVISOR AT DEALERSHIP. . THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED LAST AUGUST AND A LEAK IN THE PAN OCCURRED. IT WAS COVERED BY 10 YEAR WARRANTY. PARTS NOT AVAILABLE SO AN ORDER WAS DONE. TOLD THIS NEED TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ANY OTHER DAMAGE OCCUR. A LEAK IN THE OIL PAN LESS THAN A YEAR AT 69,344 MILES.
Engine, May 1, 2019
ENGINE TICKING NOISE. DEALER SAID METAL SHAVINGS IN ENGINE AND PISTONS KNOCKING. THEY SAID NEED NEW ENGINE. HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 28, 2019
THE ELECTRICAL VOLUME AND CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF