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.
Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE STATIONARY AND DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND STOPPED WORKING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. NALLEY HYUNDAI IN CONYERS, GEORGIA REPLACED ONE OF THE INOPERATIVE HEADLIGHTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE ALL OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. *TT
Suspension, Feb 10, 2018
MY CAR'S REAR FISHTAILS AS I TRAVEL OVER DEPRESSIONS OR SLIGHT BUMPS IN CITY ROADS AT ANY SPEED (BETWEE 35 - 50 MPH). IT IS SCARILY NOTICEABLE WHEN I HIT A SLIGHT BUMP DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS BALANCED. WHEN DRIVING, I FEEL LIKE I'M LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR EVEN ON SHARP CURVES, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A SERVICE CHECK 2 DAYS AGO (I BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO), AND THEY SAID THAT THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE IN THIS CAR IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS MODEL; IT'S THE WAY THE REAR AXLE WAS DESIGNED AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK THE SUSPENSION AND STRUTS AS WELL. THEY SAID THOSE WERE FINE BUT THEY "TIGHTENED IT UP". I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS IF IT WAS FINE IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOW I'M STUCK WITH DRIVING A CAR THAT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN ALL CONDITIONS. MY TIRES HAVE SUFFICIENT TREAD ON THEM, SO THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE EITHER. I WANT HYUNDAI TO INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINTS OF THE 2013 ELANTRA LIMITED EDITION.
Air bags, Feb 7, 2018
I HAVE A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4DR GLS WITH 80,000+ MILES ON IT. RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT TURN OFF.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 7, 2018
THEY IS MOVEMENT IN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND A THOPPING WHEN YOU LET UP OFF THE BRAKE. FLASHERS FREEZE WHEN ITS COLD.
Engine, Feb 6, 2018
MAKING A NOISE
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 5, 2018
AT LESS THAN 5 YEARS OF USE THE "CLOCK-SPRING" LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME "DEFECTIVE" CAUSING THE SRS IDIOT LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND INDICATING THE ENTIRE SRS SYSTEM IS SHUTDOWN. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OF AGE WITH A DEFECTIVE CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT FAILURE THAT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO COVER FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN FORCE BY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. THIS COMPONENT IS NOT EXTERNAL BUT RATHER WELL PROTECTED AND NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLUIDS, OR EXTERNAL FORCES OTHER THAN ITS NORMAL OPERATION OF SIMPLY TURNING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS COMPONENT CONNECTS THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG TO THE SRS SYSTEM HOWEVER INSTEAD OF SIMPLY DISABLING THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, IT'S FAILURE DISABLES ALL THE AIRBAGS AS WELL AS ANY OTHER SAFETY DEVICE CONNECTED TO THE SRS SYSTEM. THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE OWNER OR THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE, THE SRS SYSTEM CAN SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING WITH NO AUDIBLE INDICATION OTHER THAN A SMALL IDIOT LIGHT ON THE DASH WHICH CAN EASILY BE UNNOTICED. IF A CRASH SITUATION OCCURS, THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I CONTEND THIS PART IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN POORLY DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED AND BECOMES DEFECTIVE LONG BEFORE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SERVICE. THIS PART, AT THE VERY LEAST, SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY HYUNDAI. FURTHERMORE A STUDY OF EXISTING CLOCK-SPRINGS USED BY THIS MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE STUDIED AS THIS IS NOT A FIRST FOR THIS PART AND THIS MANUFACTURER. ATTACHMENT DOC SHOWS REPAIR, PART NUMBER, AND COST OF REPAIR. FURTHERMORE, THIS ITEM SHOULD NOT BE A MILEAGE WARRANTY PART...THE LIFE OF THIS PART IS BASED ON HOW MANY TIMES THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED, NOT HOW MANY MILES THE CAR IS DRIVEN..A CITY CAR WILL HAVE MUCH MORE TURNS THAN A HIGHWAY VEHICLE.
Air bags, Feb 2, 2018
AT 62,000 MILES MY AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY FLASHING AND NOW REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND SAYS THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL FAIL UNLESS FIXED. THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND I AM READING HUNDREDS OF STORIES ONLINE JUST LIKE MY EXPERIENCE. HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THIS ISSUE AND KEEP DRIVERS SAFE! I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A CAR WITH AIRBAGS FAILING AFTER LESS THAN 5 YEARS! I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.
Steering, Feb 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,300.
Engine, Feb 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRESTIGE HYUNDAI (768 E CHESTER ST, KINGSTON, NY 12401, (845) 339-3313) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER BEARING IN THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Engine, Jan 22, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL". I WENT IN TO FIND A CAR. RAN INTO MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA. RAN GREAT DID MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DID ALL MY ROUTINE CHECKS. NOW I'M HAVING TO FIX OR REPLACE MY ENGINE DO TO NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. 64,000 MILES 2ND OWNER. I NOTICED THE TICKING WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY CHILDREN AND PARKED, THE TICK NEVER WENT AWAY AND NOT ONE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OIL LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THAT THIS BECAME AN ISSUE FOR ME, I NOTICE IT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.
Engine, Jan 22, 2018
THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STALLED OUT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 19, 2018
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE THE "P" DOES NOT SHOW IN THE INFORMATION PANEL AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. VIGOROUS SHAKING OF THE GEAR SELECTOR SOMETIMES ALLOWS THE "P" TO ILLUMINATE AND THEN THE CAR WILL START. THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION AND HAS BEEN PARKED IN GARAGE. THIS STARTED IN OCTOBER AND HAPPENS MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY.
Steering, Jan 18, 2018
STEERING IS VERY STILL, CAUSING DRIVER TO OVER CORRECT AND GOING FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN THE LANE ON THE INTERSTATE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAD AN ONGOING WATER LEAK INTO THE REAR HATCH AREA AND UNDER INTO THE SPARE TIRE AREA UNDER THE CARPET/REMOVAL FLOOR. THE LEAK COULD NOT BE TRACED FOR MONTHS AND CAME AND WENT. FINALLY FROM ANOTHER OWNERS HELP WE TRACED IT TO THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF. THE OUTER PLASTIC "FRAME" THAT HELPS SUPPORT AND FIT THE SUNROOF TO THE CAR CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY ABOVE THE REAR SEAT HEADREST OR JUST BEHIND IT UNDER THE HEADLINER. DROPPING THE HEADLINER WAS NECESSARY TO FIND THE CRACK AND LEAK. IF THE CAR SAT ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR AT THE LOWEST POINT ABOUT .5" OF WATER WOULD ACCUMULATE INTO THE SPARE TIRE AREA OVER TIME. GRANTED THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT LEAKED IN DEPENDED ON HOW MUCH IT RAINED AND FOR HOW LONG. ALSO DURING THIS SAME TIME THAT THE LEAK WAS ONGOING, THE SUNROOF WOULD MAKE EXCESSIVE CREAKING AND NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. I CANT HELP BUT ASSUME THAT THE CRACK WAS EITHER DEVELOPING OR ALREADY PRESENT WHILE THE NOISE WAS HEARD. THE SUNROOF ENDED UP BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
Air bags, Jan 16, 2018
I HAVE A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4DR GLS WITH 86,000 MILES ON IT. RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. TOOK IT TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER IN LANSING, MI. TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $122 JUST TO READ THE FAULT CODE WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FAULT CODE B138200. THEY SAID IT WAS THE AIRBAG FRONT SEAT PASSENGER BACK ASSEMBLY. PART NUMBER 884003X631PBS. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I AM OVER 60,000 MILES. WHEN I LOOKED UP THE FAULT CODE IT STATED SIDE AIRBAG FRONT PASSENGER RESISTANCE TOO HIGH. THEY WANT $1,321.00 TO FIX IT. SEARCHING ON LINE REVEALED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA AIRBAG SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. THANKS
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 11, 2018
TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA --- ESC LIGHT CAME -- ELECTRONIC STEERING LIGHT VEHICLE HAS 58000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY --- CALLED DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP STATED VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY . STEERING LOCKED UP ON CONTACT AND THAT CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. CONTACT LEFT A VOICEMAIL FOR HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RETURNED PHONE CALL. CONTACT GIVEN NUMBER TO HYUNDAI CB
Service brakes, Jan 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V769000 (SERVICE BRAKES); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (KORUM HYUNDAI, 111 RIVER RD, PUYALLUP, WA 98371) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Jan 1, 2018
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, AND MORE FREQUENTLY, ONCE VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE THE DISPLAY GOES BLANK AND THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE MOVED PAST NEUTRAL TO BE PUT IN PARK. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL OR PARK.
Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2017
FREQUENTLY TIRE SIDE WALLS BULGE AND CRACKS. CANNOT SEE AS THE PROBLEM FOUND INSIDE AND PROBLEM INDICATED BY LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING IN DASH BOARD. SERVICE DEALER CONCLUDED TIRE DAMAGES FROM POT HOLES. FIRST TWO DAMAGES OCCURRED AT 11557 AND 13116 MILES. THIRD AND FOURTH TIME DAMAGES TOOK PLACE AT42244 AND 45634 MILES. DURING FIRST TIME FAILURE, CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ON THEIR ADVISE CONTACTED NEXEN TIRE MANUFACTURER. THEY INFORMED TIRE DAMAGE MIGHT BE FROM POT HOLES. SERVICE DEALER ALSO CONCLUDE THE SAME. ON 12-30-17 CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORPORATE SERVICE AND THEY SAID TO CONTACT NEXEN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEED ATTENTION
Engine, Dec 28, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE PROFUSELY WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (ADVANTAGE HYUNDAI, 440 PLAINVIEW ROAD, HICKSVILLE, NY 11801) WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Power train, Dec 20, 2017
MY CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A CODE P0711 CAR WAS JUMPING SLIPPING THERE'S BEEN A TECH BULLETIN ON THIS PART SINCE JUNE 2014. I'VE EXPERIENCED MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND ALWAYS BEEN TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT UTILIZE AN OBD-II SCANNER TO CHECK FOR A STORED P0711 TROUBLE CODE CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL AND COMPARE TO MANUFACTURER PRESET LEVELS CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID QUALITY CHECK TRANSMISSION PAN FOR CLUTCH OR OTHER DEBRIS, WHICH, IF FOUND, MAY REQUIRE A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD CHECK FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS VISUALLY CHECK FOR DAMAGED, CORRODED, OR LOOSE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CONNECTORS UNPLUG TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR FROM ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND TEST FOR REFERENCE VOLTAGE, WHICH IS TYPICALLY 5 VOLTS BUT CAN VARY DEPENDING ON VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL CHECK SENSOR GROUND WIRE TEST SENSOR RESISTANCE AND COMPARE TO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS DISCONNECT THE ECM/PCM ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO TEST RESISTANCE AS WELL AS CIRCUIT CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND ECM/PCM
Engine, Dec 14, 2017
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP TODAY BECAUSE IT HAD THIS HORRIBLE TICKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. I FOUND OUT A NEED A NEW ENGINE
Engine, Dec 13, 2017
THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT APPROX 62,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED WITH THE LARGER HYUNDAI/KIA ENGINE RECALL. IT TOOK 2 MONTHS TO GET A NEW ENGINE SINCE THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER.
Exterior lighting, Dec 13, 2017
PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BURNED OUT TWICE IN TWO MONTHS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 12, 2017
I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND MY BRAKES FAILED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD YAW SENSOR AND A BAD G SENSOR. I DONT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR ANYMORE AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.