2013 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Elantra years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 1,314 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. That is the most of any Elantra model year in the database (32 years). The most reported problem area is steering (271 complaints, 21%), typically at around 40,000 miles. Complaints mention 93 crashes, 31 fires, 66 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 1,314owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 93complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2013 Hyundai Elantra problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 271 | 21% | 40,000 | “steering coupler” (10%) | $490 |
| Engine problems | 233 | 18% | 65,000 | “ticking noise” (10%) | $10,300 |
| Air Bags problems | 168 | 13% | 71,088 | “air bag” (36%) | $510 |
| Service Brakes problems | 164 | 12% | 36,711 | “brakes failed” (6%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 155 | 12% | 55,500 | “clock spring” (6%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 123 | 9% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 116 | 9% | 123,200 | “brakes hydraulic contacted” (26%) | — |
| Suspension problems | 99 | 8% | 18,500 | “you hit” (11%) | — |
| Wheels problems | 75 | 6% | 10,500 | “front tire” (17%) | — |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 72 | 5% | 63,500 | “daytime running” (18%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 57 | 4% | 60,300 | “gear shift” (9%) | — |
| Tires problems | 55 | 4% | 10,500 | “tire pressure” (20%) | — |
| Structure problems | 51 | 4% | 33,315 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 50 | 4% | 42,800 | “suddenly accelerated” (16%) | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 46 | 4% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 27 | 2% | 52,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 27 | 2% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 19 | 1% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 17 | 1% | 83,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 8 | 1% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 0% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 0% | 36,920 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 4 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 4 | 0% | 67,975 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 0% | 130,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 0% | 40,003 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 0% | 59,094 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 0% | 10,150 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 7,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2013 Hyundai Elantra recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Problem: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure; air bags:side/window
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires (AQ23002) — opened Nov 17, 2023, still open.
- Engine Fires (EA21003) — opened Dec 22, 2021, closed Feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V877.
- Throttle control system vulnerabilities (DP21003) — opened Nov 12, 2021, closed Jun 20, 2023.
- Headliner Bracket Detachment (EA12008) — opened Sep 13, 2012, closed Dec 9, 2013, led to recall 13V115000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact inspected the engine compartment and there was grey smoke coming from the electrical box behind the…
Drivers air bag high resistance too high (2nd stage) B149000- PODS(passenger occupant detecting system) sensor (Bladder) Defect Start with replacing the clock spring assembly maybe be other problems. Airbag uncertain if operational. Not covered by Hyundai's Clock Spring Extended Warranty despite…
UNKNOWN There is no incident happened.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated. The following day, while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact's dog woke up the contact around 5:00 AM, at which point the…
The buckles on two of the rear seatbelts have cut through the belt horizontally - guessing from friction. I was not aware until a passenger in my back seat pointed it out to me, and it had happened on two of the three belts.
Other Hyundai Elantra years
← 2012 Elantra · 2014 Elantra →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Elantra | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 Elantra | 22 | 0 |
| 2024 Elantra | 54 | 1 |
| 2023 Elantra | 99 | 2 |
| 2022 Elantra | 102 | 5 |
| 2021 Elantra | 132 | 6 |
| 2020 Elantra | 254 | 3 |
| 2019 Elantra | 251 | 1 |
| 2018 Elantra | 283 | 0 |
| 2017 Elantra | 768 | 4 |
| 2016 Elantra | 293 | 2 |
| 2015 Elantra | 262 | 3 |
| 2014 Elantra | 386 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1,314 | 4 |
| 2012 Elantra | 653 | 4 |
| 2011 Elantra | 433 | 5 |
| 2010 Elantra | 380 | 3 |
| 2009 Elantra | 254 | 4 |
| 2008 Elantra | 314 | 7 |
| 2007 Elantra | 267 | 6 |
| 2006 Elantra | 155 | 1 |
| 2005 Elantra | 137 | 4 |
| 2004 Elantra | 182 | 5 |
| 2003 Elantra | 234 | 5 |
| 2002 Elantra | 342 | 6 |
| 2001 Elantra | 315 | 6 |
| 2000 Elantra | 197 | 1 |
| 1999 Elantra | 128 | 2 |
| 1998 Elantra | 55 | 0 |
| 1997 Elantra | 115 | 3 |
| 1996 Elantra | 100 | 3 |
| 1995 Elantra | 112 | 1 |
See all Hyundai Elantra problems by year, every Hyundai model, or the Hyundai VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners most often report steering, engine, air bags problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 271 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2013 Hyundai Elantra a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Elantra model years, the 2013 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.