2013 Hyundai Elantra Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 5% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 63,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “daytime running” (18% of reports).
- 72exterior lighting complaints
- 63,500median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 21%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Daytime running: mentioned in 13 of 72 complaints (18%)
- Drl off: mentioned in 5 of 72 complaints (7%)
- Rear brake: mentioned in 5 of 72 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 44 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 72 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.
Hyundai Elantra exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Elantra | 3 | 6% | 21,000 |
| 2023 Elantra | 2 | 2% | 500 |
| 2022 Elantra | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Elantra | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2020 Elantra | 28 | 11% | 19,791 |
| 2019 Elantra | 65 | 26% | 40,000 |
| 2018 Elantra | 16 | 6% | 886 |
| 2017 Elantra | 23 | 3% | 35,500 |
| 2016 Elantra | 9 | 3% | 33,000 |
| 2015 Elantra | 5 | 2% | 38,000 |
| 2014 Elantra | 10 | 3% | 81,076 |
| 2013 Elantra | 72 | 5% | 63,500 |
| 2012 Elantra | 17 | 3% | 61,499 |
| 2011 Elantra | 10 | 2% | 109,000 |
| 2010 Elantra | 5 | 1% | 74,000 |
| 2009 Elantra | 3 | 1% | 135,535 |
| 2008 Elantra | 24 | 8% | 65,000 |
| 2007 Elantra | 23 | 9% | 80,265 |
| 2006 Elantra | 38 | 25% | 86,000 |
| 2005 Elantra | 6 | 4% | 110,391 |
| 2004 Elantra | 2 | 1% | 23,000 |
| 2003 Elantra | 13 | 6% | 48,480 |
| 2002 Elantra | 18 | 5% | 66,963 |
| 2001 Elantra | 11 | 3% | 40,000 |
| 2000 Elantra | 3 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 1999 Elantra | 4 | 3% | 78,250 |
| 1997 Elantra | 3 | 3% | — |
| 1996 Elantra | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1995 Elantra | 1 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My brake lights are not functioning. The fuses and bulbs are good and others have had this same issue occurring
Break light keeps going out no matter how many time I get the light changed. Got the harness changed last year and that did not help either.
After the recall at Hyundai, my car wouldn't run and there were many lights on the dashboard. It was later checked and the instability light problem persisted. They fixed on the same time, and say something problem with the update. They later informed me that I have a problem with the brake switch…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 Hyundai Elantras have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 72 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra (5% of the 1,314 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra exterior lighting?
Yes: 1 safety recall list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems start?
The median reported mileage is 63,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
The most frequent phrase is “daytime running”, in 13 of 72 complaints, followed by “drl off” (5).
Other 2013 Hyundai Elantra problems
- Steering problems (271)
- Engine problems (233)
- Air Bags problems (168)
- Service Brakes problems (164)
- Electrical System problems (155)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (116)
- Suspension problems (99)
- Wheels problems (75)
See all 2013 Hyundai Elantra problems or exterior lighting problems across all Elantra years.