One of the worst Elantra years
Owners filed about 4.5 times as many complaints as a typical Elantra year. The main thing to watch is the brakes and stability control, which half of owners reported by about 51,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Elantra years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,316 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The most reported problem area is the brakes and stability control (317, 24% of complaints), followed by the steering and the engine and cooling. That is the most complaints of any Elantra year from 2012 to 2024. It has 4 recalls.
7 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Hyundai Elantra before you buy.
Brakes and stability control
317 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 ABS Module. The vehicle was towed to a…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 78,000 miles
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 contact discovered that the vehicle was on…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 120,000 miles
Steering
271 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that a cushion located within the steering wheel had deteriorated, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the steering wheel made clicking sound while turning to the left or the right. While driving at speeds of 55 MPH or higher, the steering wheel vibrated abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
235 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was wondering if you can help me. I have a Hyundai Elantra that had a recall for my engine to get fixed by the dealership. I’ve never got it fixed because I was unaware of a Hyundai letter that i just found on the internet that was issued by them but I never received it. I went to a mechanic the other day and he informed me that they…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My vehicle has a piston slap ticking issue and Hyundai will not help me fix this because it’s a common issue by Hyundai.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
168 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 fitting within model year. Unacceptable…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 140,980 miles
Electrical system
155 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
During the incident, there was an aggressive flow of smoke coming from behind the steering wheel within the dashboard indicating overheating and/or a fire. My vehicle was inspected by my local dealer, Ed Voyles Hyundai, who stated that their inspection found a burning left rear tail light assembly with fluid inside of it. No warning…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there were several warning lights illuminated. The contact pressed START/STOP button several times before the vehicle started. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went black, and the radio and clock were inoperable. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 99,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
114 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (19).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Driver's side rearview mirror smashed by vandal. This is because of having to park away from structures due to Hyundai's recall # 251. The original recall notice was apparently dated 9/22/23, but no remedy is yet available. That's 4 months, and it's creating great hardship for me and probably many others. I am afraid to use my car…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Wheels and tires
104 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Was getting onto the freeway i15 southbound at 2100 in lehi utah as I was making the turn i ran over a street sign that had fallen Onto the road. There was no avoiding it due to it taking up most of the road that was available. As running over the sign I was hoping it didn’t cause damage. The front passenger side tire started going flat.…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Premature wear on inside edge of rear tires. Wheel alignment indicates that the rear wheels are at the high end of the specification but there is no adjustment. On wet or icy road conditions the car lurches from side to side losing traction shifting side to side. Tires wear out after approximately 30k multiple brands have been tried.…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 22,000 miles
Suspension
99 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Without warning, car bump steers going over bumps on a curve of the road. Rear end of car will swing to the outside of curve, right or left depending on curve taken. This will cause a control problem, causing car to steer into oncoming traffic. Car will bump steer on a straight road depending on road condition.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Since I purchased this vehicle in 10-2012 I have had major suspension tracking issues. When driving at normal highway speeds (50-70MPH), the slightest bump in the road makes the rear of the vehicle sway and "dog walk" . This has been an issue within the first few months of ownership, but the dealership found no issues. The situation…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
57 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
2013 Hyundai Sonata has a loud knocking noise from engine. Purchases 8/5/25 at 43K miles, currently at 44K miles. There is a Technical Service Bulletin, # 22-EM-009H dated June 2022 about an extended warranty but its time limit is questionable. Unknown and undocumented when purchased. Not listed as an official recall so not covered under…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The car failed to go into the park. The vehicle was in park and continued to roll, and we placed the emergency brake on. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership replaced it with a new shift cable clip, and now the car operates. We noticed the vehicle had a previous recall that was repaired in 2019. The shift clip repair…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Body, doors and structure
53 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (46).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it was locking up. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was previously repaired under a recall. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 110,000 miles
Front (engine) subframe rusted out in 2026 after recall work was completed in 2023 for the known issue. Here is the service campaign information: "Service Campaign 984 2011-2016MY ELANTRA (MD/UD) UNDERBODY CORROSION PREVENTATIVE SERVICE"Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
50 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 43,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while in the process of parking the vehicle at the residence and driving 1-5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and hit another unoccupied parked vehicle, causing the other vehicle to move 50-60 ft. away. The rear end of the other…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 72,000 miles
The driver owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra with 37,657 miles. While slowly turning left into a parking space, the car had a sudden acceleration event. The Elantra sped into the parking space and ran over two concrete parking spot blocks. The Elantra glanced off a grey pickup truck and scraped by a grey SUV. The Elantra entered the empty…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Fuel system
32 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The vehicle developed a fuel line leak (diagnosed by ASE certified technician). The problem was first noticed when the odor of fuel filled the cabin. This may or may not be similar to the same issue arising in 2013 Sonata models for which a recall was issued. I have tried to locate a replacement part (Hyundai part# 31310-3X400) but am…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2013 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that a raw fuel odor entered the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to round rock hyundai (2405 n interstate hwy 35, round rock, tx 78664, (512) 920-5397) on november 15, 2016 to be diagnosed, but they could not duplicate the failure. The failure continued and the vehicle was taken…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 35,311 miles
Seats and seat belts
21 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 2026
After starting car i tried to put the driver left side seatbelt on. It seemed to be stuck and would not budge after trying to pull over me. I noticed other people who owned Hyundai cars same year also had the same trouble. When I called the dealership they gave me a quote of $500. Not only does is this a safety hazard but fraudulent as…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Driver assist systems
11 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (6).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
In the winter of 2024 I became aware, during a routine pre-trip inspection under the hood of my 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, that the level of brake fluid was low enough not to be visible in the "overflow" container. About a quarter of a quart of brake fluid was then added. I then began checking the brake fluid level often and noticed that…Owner complaint, filed 2024
We received the recall notice, advising us to call Hyundai to make an appointment to correct the safety problem. We made an appointment to fix the problem at their Richmond, CA location. When we went there, they told us that they could not fix it because their system was down. We made another appointment in Vacaville, CA. When we arrived…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Hyundai Elantra complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Hyundai Elantra | Among the worst years | 4 |
| 2013 Toyota Corolla | About average | 5 |
| 2013 Honda Civic | About average | 0 |
| 2013 Mazda Mazda3 | About average | 1 |
2013 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Brakes Control unit / modulePark outside until fixed
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Pedals and linkages
- 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.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Lights Switch
- 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.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
2013 Hyundai Elantra questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra are the brakes and stability control (317 complaints), the steering (271 complaints) and the engine and cooling (235 complaints).
Is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra a good year to buy?
One of the worst Elantra years. Owners filed about 4.5 times as many complaints as a typical Elantra year. The main thing to watch is the brakes and stability control, which half of owners reported by about 51,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Elantra years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The most recent, from Sep 2023, covers the control unit / module. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 51,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 40,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?
The Elantra years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2017. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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