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.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 25, 2019
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BECAME SLUGGISH IN ACCELERATING. IT HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE. I TRIED FUEL CLEANERS, PREMIUM GAS, AND NOW A TUNE UP REPLACING COIL PACKS AND PLUGS. THE VEHICLE CRAWLS AND DOES NOT ACCELERTE AS QUICK AS IT SHOULD. IT CUTS OFF OR REFUSES TO MOVE WHEN GIVEN GAS AT ALL STOPS. I SWITCH OFF THEN ON AT RED LIGHTS AS IT SEEMS TO WANT TO TAKE OFF WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED. WHEN I REACH ABOUT 50MPH THE RPM HAND GUNS AND THE BOTTOMS OUT TO STAY AT ZERO WITH NO CHANGE IN ACCELERATION. THERE IS NOW A WHIRRING NOISE SPORADICALLY COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER THE TI E UP THE ISSUES CONTINUE WITH CUTTING OFF ,ROUGH IDLING, EXTREMELY SLOW SNAIL ACCELLERATION WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON.
Air bags, Apr 24, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF BUT NOW BACK ON. I CALLED THE DEALER (DENNIS HYUNDAI) TODAY (4/24/19)TO ASK ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAG I WOULD ON THE NEW, IESHA THE LADY I TALKED TO SAID THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR? WHY NOT IF THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DESTROY. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO?
Air bags, Apr 19, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON RANDOMLY. NOW IT STAYS ON.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2019
I HAVE A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA COUPE WHICH IS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND SONATA BUT NOT THE ELANTRA COUPE 2 DOOR MODEL WHICH I HAVE. THE ELANTRA COUPE MODEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Engine, Apr 11, 2019
MY 2013 ELANTRA HAS IN THE PAST EXPERIENCED LABORED ENGINE ISSUES, AND SHUTTING DOWN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. AT MY APPOINTMENT THIS MONTH, I WILL ADVISE THE DEALERSHIP OF THE ISSUE, AS IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS WEEK. I STILL AM UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN 100,000K MILES, I AM HOPING THIS APPOINTMENT, THE DEALERSHIP WILL LOCATE THE ISSUE AND FIX THE PROBLEM.
Engine, Apr 11, 2019
MY 2013 ELANTRA IS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING, IT TAKES SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE CAR TO START, ALL I GET IS A CLICKING NOISE, A MECHANIC HAD ME PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED, THIS WEEK, I SPENT 10 MINUTES PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, NEUTRAL, AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FOR IT TO START, IT WAS TOWED A COUPLE YEARS BACK AND THE DEALER COULD NOT "REPLICATE" THE ISSUE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I HEARD A TICKING SOUND IN MY ENGINE, SEVERAL PEOPLE AND TWO MECHANICS HAVE LISTENED TO IT AND ARE SAYING IT IS EITHER THE VALVES OR LIFTERS. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS MONTH, SO WILL UPDATE WITH MY FINDINGS.
Steering, Apr 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL CLICKING AND RUBBING NOISE, WHICH WAS A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW RUBBER COUPLING FOR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN TWICE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 62,000. *TT *TR
Air bags, Apr 3, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT WITH HYUNDAI MODELS AND SAID IT WAS LIKELY DUE TO A "CLOCK SPRING" AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $100 JUST TO EVALUATE, AND THEN POSSIBLY ANOTHER $350 TO FIX. THE GUY I TALKED TO SAID THAT MY AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT APPEARS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON.
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.
Air bags, Mar 26, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON STAYS ON AND HAVE SEWN THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH MANY ELENTRAS AND NO RECALL. I E SEEN THIS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR YRS. I HAVE MADE MANY CALLS TO HYUNDAI AND I KEEP GETTING TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP YOUR OUT OF YOUR 60000 MILE WARRANTY AND PAY WHAT EVER FEE IT IS.
Engine, Mar 25, 2019
TAKATA RECALL ENGINE HAS TICKING NOISE WHICH HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND STILL ISN'T RECALLED WHEN A TON OF THESE EXACT SAME CARS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE.
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.
Engine, Mar 21, 2019
MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING TICKING NOISES AND MY OIL PRSSSURE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AT $6700! I SEE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THERE'S ONLY 58000 MILES ON MY CAR
Engine, Mar 20, 2019
ENGINE TICKING NOISE. DEALER SAID METAL SHAVINGS IN ENGINE AND PISTON KNOCKING. THEY SAID NEED NEW ENGINE. HAD TEGULAR OIL CHANGES ABD SERVICES.
Engine, Mar 19, 2019
THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, BUT IT WILL, AND TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER 1.8L ENGINES. WHY HAVE YOU NOT RECALLED THE HYUNDAI 1.8L NU ENGINES USED IN THE KIA FORTE AND HYUNDAI ELANTRA'S (ALL TRIMS AND LEVELS FROM 2011-2016). THIS ENGINE HAS THE SAME ISSUES AS THE 2.0L AND 2.4L ENGINES, AND MORE 1.8L ENGINES WERE SOLD THAN THE 2.0L AND 2.4L ENGINES COMBINED. MY ENGINE IS NOW EXPERIENCING 'ROD-KNOCK' AND SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 80000 MILES, HYUNDAI WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINE, EVEN THOUGH ITS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. YOU CAN FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS ENGINE ON VARIOUS CAR FORUMS AND CONSUMER REPORT WEBSITES, YET YOU FAIL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND MAKE IT PUBLIC.
Engine, Mar 16, 2019
ENGINE MAKING TICKING & KNOCKING SOUNDS.
Power train, Engine, Mar 15, 2019
MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING TICKING NOISES AROUND 75000, TOOK CAR IN FOR 75000 MILE MAINTENANCE AND ASKED SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK FOR NOISE AND CAR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. TECH LATER TOLD ME ITS NORMAL AND NOTHING THEY CAN FIND WRONG WITH CAR. NOW I SEE FROM LOOKING ON THE INTERNET ITS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT NOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I ALSO WENT IN BEFORE MY WARRANTY ENDED TO HAVE THE 100000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, THEY STILL SAID IT NORMAL. TODAY I JUST CONTACT MY LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE WHAT OPTIONS I HAVE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 15, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V574000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONICELLI HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT WEST 1208 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428, (610) 624-2029) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE TAIL LIGHTS MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2019
VEH SHUTS OFF WHEN DROPS BELOW 1-0 RPMS, USUALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS OR SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A STOP. ON FEW OCCASIONS IT TURNED OFF WHILE JUST DRIVING DOWN STREET. NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN . IT'S JUST LIKE SOMEONE TURNS THE KEY OFF, NOT A STALL . THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY DAY SINCE AT LEAST DEC OF 2018..IT IS NOW MAR 2019. IT IS HAPPENING MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY.
Steering, Mar 11, 2019
THERE IS ALREADY AN ELANTRA & SONATA STEERING COUPLING RECALL EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED BUT MY CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY?
Engine, Mar 10, 2019
WHILE ENGAGING IN NIRMAL DRIVE, ENGINE (APP.75K MILES) STARTING KNOCKING. FIRESTONE REFUSED TO WORK ON DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND STATED THAT OIL WAS DIRTY EVEN THOUGH RECENTLY CHANGED SHORTLY AFTER REGULAR 3K OIL CHANGE. TOOK TO DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE IS PISTON DETERIORATION/ DAMAGE ALONG WITH LIFTER DAMAGE. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Engine, Mar 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO KEY AUTO CENTER OF SOMERSWORTH (221 NH-108, SOMERSWORTH, NH 03878) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine, Mar 6, 2019
MY ENGINE RECENTLY DEVELOPED A LOUD TICKING NOISE AT 78,000 MILES. I TOOK IT INTO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND ADVICE ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE UP. THE NOISE LASTED NO LONGER THAN A WEEK BEFORE I TOOK IT IN. THE CAR WAS ALSO REGULARLY SERVICED AND I HAVE RECEIPTS. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND METAL DEBRIS IN THE OIL PAN BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE EXACT ISSUE WITHOUT COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLING THE ENGINE. WHEN LOOKING ONLINE, THIS PROBLEM POPS UP HUNDREDS OF TIMES FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR BUT HYUNDAI HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL.
Steering, Mar 6, 2019
STEERING WHEEL SHAFT BROKE WHILE TURNING INTO PARKING LOT.
Engine, Mar 3, 2019
ENGINE STALLED ON ME. EVERY TIME I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IT JERKS. SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR IT WON'T START. ALSO IF IT TAKES A WHILE TO START IT WILL STALL THE WHOLE TIME WHILE DRIVING. I CAN PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT WILL DRIVE LIKE 1 MILE PER MINUTE. I CAN HEAR THE ENGINE ROARING, BUT IT JUST WON'T MOVE. I TOOK IT IN TO HYUNDAI THEY FIXED IT, BUT NOW MY CAR IS STARTING IT AGAIN. I RECENTLY GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND RIGHT WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE IT JERKED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NOW IT'S STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING TAKING A WHILE TO START, AND STALLING OUT OF NOWHERE. I CAN ALSO HEAR ALMOST LIKE A KNOCK AND THE GEARS SHIFTING WHEN I'M DRIVING, WHEN I STOP AND GO I CAN HEAR EVERYTHING. I'M AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE FAR IN MY CAR BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. I THINK THIS ENGINE NEED TO BE ASSESSED BECAUSE THIS IS NOT NORMAL AT ALL.