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2013 Hyundai ELANTRA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,312 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

45,302 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 794 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 269 of 1,312 complaints (20.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior31423.9%
Steering behavior28321.6%
Electrical and battery issues947.2%
Engine operation564.3%
Transmission and shifting282.1%
Fuel system concerns90.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering
269
Engine
233
Air Bags
167
Service Brakes
164
Electrical System
152
Unknown Or Other
123
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
113
Suspension
95
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering269
Engine233
Air Bags167
Service Brakes164
Electrical System152
Unknown Or Other123
Service Brakes, Hydraulic113
Suspension95

Steering: 269; Engine: 233; Air Bags: 167; Service Brakes: 164; Electrical System: 152; Unknown Or Other: 123; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 113; Suspension: 95

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
261
25,000 to 49,999
153
50,000 to 74,999
137
75,000 to 99,999
110
100,000 to 149,999
108
150,000 and above
25
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000261
25,000 to 49,999153
50,000 to 74,999137
75,000 to 99,999110
100,000 to 149,999108
150,000 and above25

Under 25,000: 261; 25,000 to 49,999: 153; 50,000 to 74,999: 137; 75,000 to 99,999: 110; 100,000 to 149,999: 108; 150,000 and above: 25

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (261). 518 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2012
18
2013
71
2014
144
2015
107
2016
75
2017
84
2018
122
2019
150
2020
93
2021
71
2022
52
2023
110
2024
158
2025
35
2026
22
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
201218
201371
2014144
2015107
201675
201784
2018122
2019150
202093
202171
202252
2023110
2024158
202535
202622

2012: 18; 2013: 71; 2014: 144; 2015: 107; 2016: 75; 2017: 84; 2018: 122; 2019: 150; 2020: 93; 2021: 71; 2022: 52; 2023: 110; 2024: 158; 2025: 35; 2026: 22

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 314 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 283 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 94 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10459204 · 2012-05-21 (May 21, 2012)

I GOT THIS CAR A FEW DAYS AGO. THE WINDOW STICKER CLAIMS IT HAS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE LIGHTING STOCK HAS THREE OPTIONS. THE OPTIONS ARE "DRL OFF, DAYTIME LIGHTS, AND NIGHT TIME LIGHTS." WHEN DAYTIME LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED, IT ACTIVATES THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, BUT ALSO ACTIVATES REAR LIGHTS AND DIMS INTERIOR GAUGE LIGHTS TO "NIGHT LIGHTING" LEVELS. THIS POSES SEVERAL SAFETY RISKS. FIRSTLY, PEOPLE MAY STRUGGLE TO READ INTERIOR GAUGES WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A COLLISION. SECONDLY, THE ACTIVATED REAR LIGHT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10459204 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10459463 · 2012-05-23 (May 23, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMPLETING A LEFT TURN, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD CONTINUE TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST WITH THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459463 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10460159 · 2012-05-31 (May 31, 2012)

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGH WAY I 29 N AT ABOUT 68-72 MPH THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED ABRUPTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND WE WERE STUCK IN THE DIRECTION THE STEERING WAS PREVIOUSLY TURNED IT AND IT MADE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO STEER IT ON TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND US ALMOST CRASHED INTO US. WE WERE JUST A WHISKER AWAY FROM GETTING KILLED. WE HAD A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE AND MY FIANCE IS STILL HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT IT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 275 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460159 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10461880 · 2012-06-15 (June 15, 2012)

A BLOW OUT OF A TIRE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LIMITED WITH 543 TOTAL MILES ON THE CAR. THE SPEED OF THE CAR AT THE TIME WAS 25 MPH ON A SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. IN TALKING TO OTHER OWNERS, AND SEARCHING THE INTERNET, WE FIND THAT PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY ON THE ELANTRA. FORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AT A VERY SLOW SPEED OTHERWISE THERE MAY WELL HAVE BEEN A FATALITY INVOLVED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 543 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461880 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10462736 · 2012-06-22 (June 22, 2012)

I RECENTLY GOT A NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS. THE STICKER CLAIMS THAT THERE ARE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON MY CAR DO NOT COME ON, THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND SUGGESTED I CALL HYUNDAI. THE SAME SWITCH THAT TURNS OFF THE HEADLIGHTS IS ALSO THE "DRL OFF" SWITCH. THERE IS NO SEPARATE "DRL ON" SWITCH. THE HYUNDAI CASE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT ON THE AMERICAN-MADE MODELS IT IS NECESSARY TO TURN THE PARKING LIGHTS ON, AND THAT THIS IS THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM. EVERY CAR HAS …

Owner-reported narrative. 7 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462736 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10465777 · 2012-07-16 (July 16, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE ROTORS AND THE RATTLE CLIPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO MEET WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. ... UPDATED 08/15/12 *BF UPDATED 08/16/2012 *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465777 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10469269 · 2012-08-05 (August 5, 2012)

PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS 4 DOOR. ONCE A PERSON TURNS ON THEIR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ALL OF THE VEHICLES PARKING LIGHTS TURN ON AS WELL. NO OTHER CAR MANUFACTURE HAS MANDATED ALL THIS ILLUMINATION DURING DAYTIME HOURS. ON AUGUST 3RD 2012 AT 11:40AM I WAS ISSUED A MOVING VIOLATION BY A LOS ANGELES POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF VAN NUYS, C.A. I WAS CITED FOR VIOLATING CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 24800 WHICH STATES "NO VEHICLE SHALL BE DRIVEN AT ANY TIME WITH THE PARKING LAMPS LIGHTED EXCEPT WHEN THE LAMPS ARE BEING USED AS TU…

Owner-reported narrative. 465 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469269 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10475104 · 2012-09-11 (September 11, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD HE MOVED HIS RIGHT FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKE AND HIS SHOE BECAME STUCK UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT FENDER AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR BECAME DAMAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE ACCELERATOR POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60.

Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475104 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

13V115000 · Structure | Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 2013-04-01 (April 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.

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V574000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch

Reported: 2016-08-02 (August 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V769000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages

Reported: 2017-11-30 (November 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

Reported: 2023-09-22 (September 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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗