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.
Structure, May 18, 2017
I WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH WHEN MY FRONT SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT, THEN NOTICED MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. MOST OF THE GLASS THEN FELL INSIDE OF MY CAR. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF OR AROUND ME.
Wheels, May 16, 2017
BOUGHT CAR WITH NEW TIRES TOOK BACK FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE HAVE TO PUT AIR IN TIRES EVERY WEEK OR TIRES WOULD BE FLAT DEALER SAID THEIR IS NO PROBLEM. LOOKED ON LINE CAR HAS A LOT OF TIRE COMPLAINTS OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE DEALER WILL NOT FIX
Vehicle speed control, May 14, 2017
CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ON THIS 2013 ELANTRA GT. THE "SET" BUTTON DOSE NOT ENGAGE OR ACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL. IT "CANCELS IT. HOWEVER, PRESSING THE CANCEL' BUTTON DOES NOT DIS-ENGAGE OR STOP THE CRUISE CONTROL IT ACTUALLY ACTIVATES IT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
Visibility, May 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLOSED THE CARDBOARD CLUSTER TO PREVENT THE GLASS FROM FALLING INTO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,917.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 9, 2017
I BOUGHT A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LIMITED NEW. 3 YEARS LATER THE CAR STALLS OUT WHEN STOPPED AND IT DIFFICULT TO START. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SO MANY TIMES (10) WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD, I USE THE LOANER MORE THAN MY OWN CAR. THE LAST TIME I PICKED IT UP THEY HAD CHANGED OUT THE TIMING COVER WITH OIL PUMP, CAM SHAFT AND TIMING CHAIN. CALLED ME TO COME PICK MY VEHICLE UP AS IT WAS READY. WHEN EXITING THE DEALERSHIP, I CAME TO THE STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR STALLED ONCE AGAIN WITH IT BEING DIFFICULT TO START. TURNED AROUND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20 MPH. THE SERVICE MANAGER CAME OUT AND ASKED WHAT WAS WRONG. I ASKED HIM TO GET IN THE VEHICLE THAT THEY HAD JUST FIXED. HE DROVE IT AND THEY NOW HAVE MY CAR ONCE AGAIN AND I'M DRIVING THE LOANER. THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND SAY THEY KEEP CALLING THE MANUFACTURER FOR INPUT. APPARENTLY NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG AND I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI AS IT SEEMS THEY CAN'T REPAIR THEIR VEHICLES WITH THESE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, May 6, 2017
LOW TO NO VISIBILITY WHEN REVERSING/BACKING UP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERE WAS A VERY LARGE BLIND SPOT LOOKING IN THE MIRROR WHILE REVERSING. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE ADVISED ON OPTIONS CONCERNING RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPDATED 07/10/2017*JS
Air bags, May 5, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS DESTROYED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, SHOULDER, AND STOMACH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Traction control system, Apr 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD BE SWITCHED FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE PEDAL SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,795.
Engine, Apr 16, 2017
ALL LIGHTS CAME ON IN CAR AND IT IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF STREET. HAD ITT TOWED TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE SEIZED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 8, 2017
ON OR ABOUT 10/20/2016 MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD NOT START, I WAS WORKING OUT IN THE FIELD WENT INTO A PATIENTS HOME AND THE CAR AS I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF. CALLED LUTES KIA FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID IT WAS BATTERY PUT NEW BATTERY IN. THE NEXT DAY THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED WOULD NOT START, CALLED LUTES KIA AFTER SEVERAL DAYS I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT WAS WRONG AND REPLACED THE STARTER. I GET MY CARS OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES, KEEP UP ON MY MAINTENANCE. ELECTRICAL IS AFFECTED SOMETHING KEEPS SHORTING OUT HEAD LIGHTS/ TAIL LIGHTS. I HAVE RECEIPTS AND SERVICE ORDERS. IT LOSES POWER ON LOAD AND IS VERY UNSTABLE. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURNS ON WHEN IT WANTS TO.
Exterior lighting, Apr 6, 2017
CPSC:PURCHASED SYLVANIA H11 SILVERSTAR BULB REPLACEMENT FOR CAR HEADLIGHT THAT SHORTLY AFTER TURNING HEADLIGHT ON EXPLODED IN MY FACE DURING INSTALLATION IN WALMART PARKING LOT LEAVING VERY PAINFUL BURNS STINGING AND BLEEDING FROM GLASS SHARD LACERATIONS TO EYE, FACE AND HAND THEN HAD INTENSE HEADACHE NOSEBLEED NOT WELL FEELING IN GENERAL....RINGING IN EARS AND BURNS CONTINUE TO BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL NEXT DAY THOUGH BLEEDING HAS STOPPED. *BF UPDATED 04/17/2017*JS
Air bags, Apr 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Mar 27, 2017
O2 SENSOR NEEDS RECALIBRATION
Air bags, Mar 24, 2017
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WENT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. IS NOW ALMOST ALWAYS ON, BUT ON RARE OCCASIONS WILL TURN OFF ONLY TO COME BACK ON LATER. 77000 MILES ON CAR, SO NOT IN WARRANTY. SYMPTOMS SEEM SIMILAR TO EARLIER RECALL OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES FOR DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRINGS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2017
AFTER WATCHING A NEWS STORY ABOUT A WOMAN TRAPPED IN HER TRUNK BY A THIEF - SHE EVENTUALLY USED THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE PULL TO OPEN TRUNK AND JUMP FREE. LOOKING FOR THE TRUNK EMERGENCY UNLOCK LATCH AND CAN'T FIND ONE.... THOUGHT THIS WAS MANDATORY??
Air bags, Mar 16, 2017, crash
IT WAS JAN 8, 2017 AND IT HAD BEEN RAINING. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE HYDROPLANED ON THE FREEWAY GOING 55-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE DID A 90 DEGREE TURN ON THE FREEWAY AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. BOTH MY SON AND GRAND DAUGHTER HAD WHIPLASH BUT NO OTHER VISIBLE SIGNS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I OPENED A CLAIM WITH HYUNDAI. THEY SENT AN PRIVATE INSPECTOR AND HYUNDAI DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED (SEE ATTACHED)
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Mar 13, 2017
THE REAR END OF THE CAR JUMPS AROUND AND FEELS UNSTABLE IN WIND OR ON WET OR UNEVEN SURFACES. IT FEELS LIKE I COULD EASILY LOSE CONTROL, VERY FRIGHTENING. I HAVE 4/32 TIRE TREAD LEFT ON 60K MICHELINS AFTER ONLY 32K MILES DRIVEN. THE FIRST SET OF TIRES LASTED ONLY 28K. THIS FORM WILL NOT LET ME PROCEED WITHOUT A DATE, BUT THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, NOT A ONE TIME THING.
Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2017
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT FASTEN. AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT WORKING, CAR BLOWING HOT AIR.
Wheels, Feb 28, 2017, crash
DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AT LESS THAN 30 MPH HEARD A LOUD BANG AND WHEEL FLEW OFF CAR. UPON INSPECTION, THE WHEEL SNAPPED IN HALF LEAVING PART STILL ATTACHED TO THE CAR AND THE OTHER HALF ATTACHED TO THE TIRE WHICH WAS NO LONGER ON THE CAR.
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Jan 30, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 70MPH I HEARD A LOUD BANG UPON LOOKING AROUND REALIZED MY SUNROOF HAD BLOWN OUTWARD FROM THE CENTER. I KNOW NOTHING HIT IT FROM THE INSIDE AND NOTHING FELL ON TOP OF IT EITHER. I WAS LEFT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH A LARGE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY SUNROOF WITH CRACKED GLASS ALL ALONG THE SIDES. *TR
Engine, Jan 28, 2017
AT 60K MILES, A KNOCKING SOUND CAME FROM THE ENGINE AFTER ROUGH IDLING. THE ENGINE OIL NOW HAS METAL SHAVINGS. DEALERSHIP DENIED THAT THERE HAVE EVER BEEN PROBLEMS. NEVER MISSED AN OIL CHANGE. TRYING TO GET DEALER TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY.
Suspension, Wheels, Jan 28, 2017
REAR TIRES GO BALD PREMATURELY AND FRONT TIRES WEAR ON THE INBOARD SIDE PREMATURELY AND THE FRONT TIRE ARE REAL PRONE TO SIDE WALL BULGING. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 37,417 MILES AND IT NOW HAS 66,388 MILES AND I'VE BEEN MADE TO PURCHASE THREE SETS OF TIRES SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE US CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE FORCED INTO PAYING FOR DEFECTS LIKE THIS
Engine, Jan 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2017
THE ENGINE OF MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS FAILED TO START THE MORNING OF 1/3/17 WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T START OR EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. AFTER APPX. 15 ATTEMPTS, IT FINALLY STARTED. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY HOPING THAT WOULD FIX PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REPEATED ON 1/18/17, AGAIN WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. AFTER ROUGHLY 50 ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR AND TRYING TO WIGGLE THE GEAR SHIFT, IT FINALLY STARTED. I THEN DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LEFT THE CAR WITH THEM OVERNIGHT. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT SINCE THEY COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR TRIGGER ANY DIAGNOSTIC CODES, THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT OR REPLACE ANY PARTS. FORTUNATELY, TO DATE I HAVE BEEN IN SAFE PLACES DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS WHEN MY CAR FAILED TO START. HOWEVER, I MAY NOT ALWAYS BE SO FORTUNATE AND COULD POSSIBLY BE STRANDED IN A VERY VULNERABLE LOCATION IN THE FUTURE. OUT OF THE 430 COMPLAINTS LISTED AGAINST THE 2013 ELANTRA ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, ROUGHLY 7% OF THE OWNERS REPORTED EXPERIENCING THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. A FURTHER SEARCH OF THE INTERNET REVEALS MANY, MANY MORE SUCH COMPLAINTS. ONE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT COULD INDICATE THE EXISTENCE OF A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM; YET, IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS SPECIFIC TO MY VEHICLE MODEL TO ADDRESS/FIX THIS ENGINE FAILURE.
Engine, Jan 19, 2017
AFTER 50K MILES THE CAR STARTED TO IDLE ROUGH. CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, AIR FILTER, ETC. STILL RAN ROUGH. CAR NOW STALLS OUT WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, AND LATELY WILL NOT ACCELERATE UP TO SPEED FROM A STOPPED POSITION TOO WELL. STARTED TO HEAR A 'CLICKING' NOISE THAT IS SYNCED WHEN I PRESS THE GAS. THE VEHICLE IS NOW STALLING WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE AS WELL.