2013 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (220) · Engine (141) · Service Brakes (114)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
794 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-22 · campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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 2017-11-30 · campaign 17V769000 · 390,467 vehicles
Defect: 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 condit
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 2016-08-02 · campaign 16V574000 · 64,500 vehicles
Defect: 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 condit
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 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V115000 · 186,250 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (157)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-08-26 · 26-BE-022H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original & subsequent owners.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Showing the 6 most recent of 157 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-24 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 78,000 mi“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 dealer where i…”
2026-09-10 · Air Bags“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 and needs t…”
2026-08-31 · Unknown Or Other“unknown there is no incident happened. …”
2026-08-20 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 120,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 fire. the fire…”
2026-07-24 · Seat Belts“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.…”
2026-07-10 · Air Bags · 140,980 mi“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 failure, but no …”
2026-07-09 · Service Brakes“abs and brakes. the abs system malfunction causing it to run non stop draining my battery and making my brake pedal go to floor. it is available for inspection. my battery has been drained and unable to drive since brakes aren’t properly working. matt bowers hyundai in slidell has confirmed it is the abs module and brakes flush needed. they are ref…”
2026-06-10 · Engine“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 had a rec…”
2026-05-28 · Service Brakes“my brake lights are not functioning. the fuses and bulbs are good and others have had this same issue occurring …”
2026-05-28 · Vehicle Speed Control“car developed a sudden loss of power. would start, although roughly (took a couple of times to start), then once shifted into drive, the engine was very sluggish, like it was stuck in a lower gear. upon stopping and restarting the engine, the problem would sometimes resolve and the car could be driven normally, however it felt unsafe to drive at n…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.