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ProblemsByVin Index / 2013-HYUNDAI-ELANTRA / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2013 Hyundai Elantra owner complaints

1,323 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 4 complaints shown

130 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/30/2024 ODI #11633166.0

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with piston failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

12/28/2021 ODI #11445265.0

Recently my car has had trouble starting, and the engine has sounded weak while running. While out my engine light came on the dash. I took my car to the parts store and they put the computer on to read the engine light. It stated that there are misfires in the coils. Yes it is available for inspection upon request. This put people inside the car at a risk as a engine failure couldve happened at full speed. No this has vehicle has not been inspected. My dash had zero lights on, until the engine light came on. This is my daily driver and can not afford this vehicle to be down.

12/28/2017 20,000 mi Fire ODI #11057072.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai elantra. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle began to smoke profusely while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (advantage Hyundai, 440 plainview road, hicksville, ny 11801) where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

12/27/2021 ODI #11445080.0

I own a 2013 elantra and was sent in the mail in the spring a class action lawsuit from Hyundai stating there was an engine piston knock which could lead to engine failure. There was a timeframe to submit the claim to coorprate so I brough the vehical in to be diagnosed with the engine issue. Sport Hyundai had the car for months stating they were waiting for the tool. First the wrong size was ordered then the tool broke. The dealership had our car for about four months and still didn't have the correct tool. So I had the car moved to Millville dealership which finally after six months of having the car was diagnosed and by that time cooperate office said we missed the deadline. I was back and forth with the dealership and cooperate stating the issues. No one helped us I have documentation

steering 4 complaints shown

270 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/29/2018 92,000 mi ODI #11164016.0

'takata recall' I was driving to work on the highway going 65 MPH and lost control of my vehicle. To regain control I hit my brakes and continue my journey to work. This has happened multiple times and now I'm scared to drive my car so I carpool with a friend to work which is ridiculous. I don't feel safe to drive my own car

12/29/2015 40,000 mi ODI #10816732.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai elantra. While driving at various high speeds, the steering wheel became inoperable which resulted in the vehicle swerving without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

12/28/2019 ODI #11291787.0

Clicking in steering and play in steering

12/28/2013 9,000 mi ODI #10557581.0

I was driving straight across a bridge the back end started to fishtail it went back and forth several times- I could not get it under control it finally spun out and killed looking into on coming traffic. The fish tailing has happened several times since then. I have only had the car 6 weeks and am scared to drive it. I have read that this is a known problem for this car. What I can't understand is why there has not been a recall on this. *tr

suspension 2 complaints shown

62 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $900 · see suspension cluster analysis →
12/30/2018 ODI #11164059.0

'takata recall' while driving at highway speed if I hit a slight bump or irregularity in the road rear end of car jumps around. On wet or slick roads it is even worse. From the complaints I have read I am not the only one with this problem. Hyundai needs to recall these vehicles and fix this problem before someone loses their life. I noticed an issue with stability while driving on the highway and was unsure as to what was causing the car to feel like it was jumping after hitting small bumps. After doing some research I understand now that it is the suspension that is causing this instability. The bumps I hit on the highway are not major bumps, these are just the small ones that transition from section to section of the highway so I know it isn't the road I drive on, it is the car. Also wh

12/28/2020 ODI #11385327.0

Only when wet braking starts to make noise and act like it want stop. It has new brakes.*dt*jb

other 2 complaints shown

12/30/2017 45,634 mi ODI #11057678.0

Frequently tire side walls bulge and cracks. Cannot see as the problem found inside and problem indicated by low tire pressure warning in dash board. Service dealer concluded tire damages from pot holes. First two damages occurred at 11557 and 13116 miles. Third and fourth time damages took place at42244 and 45634 miles. During first time failure, contacted Hyundai customer service and on their advise contacted nexen tire manufacturer. They informed tire damage might be from pot holes. Service dealer also conclude the same. On 12-30-17 contacted Hyundai corporate service and they said to contact nexen. This is a serious safety issue and need attention

12/28/2021 ODI #11445249.0

Confirmed the customer's complaint &found the engine didn't start. Inspected the ignition system & the air intake system, but found no concerns. Inspected the engine coolant level & condition & found the engine coolant level was fair. Filled the engine coolant to the proper operating level & continued diagnosing the vehicle. Connected an engine coolant pressure tester to the radiator & pressurized the engine cooling system to check for leaks. Inspected the engine cooling system & didn't find a leak. Removed the spark plugs for inspection & found the spark plugs were contaminated but Ok. Perform inspections of the engine compression & found compression was low. Under 60PSI. Prop the wiring to the starter & found signal was present & the starter cranks but the engine would not turn over. The

lighting 2 complaints shown

54 total in this category · severe · avg repair $250 · see lighting cluster analysis →
12/30/2016 ODI #10938730.0

I am replacing brake light bulbs a little to often I believe. And when I contact Hyundai they said theirs no recalls so maybe its electrical issue that they haven't discovered yet. Well obviously because it wouldn't be happening to my car so often. But after replacing the brake light bulbs maybe going on 6 times now my first headlight socket burnt out I went to auto zone and bought a replacement one. I am curious am I the only one having these problems ??? *tr

12/29/2014 ODI #10668710.0

There are no true daytime running lights as advertised since one has to turn on all the other running lights (amber for front, red in rear) in order for the low beam "drls" to function. This is illegal to do in some states and drivers have been stopped, warned, and even ticketed for this. This is both a serious safety issue, as well as gross misadvertising. *tr

brakes 1 complaint shown

192 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/29/2023 ODI #11562575.0

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

electrical 1 complaint shown

128 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/29/2019 135,000 mi ODI #11291936.0

Engine light came on car started to skip took two certified mechanic change spark plugs two condensers engine flush and the engine start rattling engine broke loose now engine is destroyed or after a tuneup. Took back immediately and to a different mechanic for second opinion.

tires 1 complaint shown

52 total in this category · severe · avg repair $150 · see tires cluster analysis →
12/29/2012 10,000 mi ODI #10490458.0

2003 Hyundai elantra 10000 miles I head tire wall separation for no apparent reason I call hankook tire h426, the company refuses. To look at the tire. Thank good nobody was injured, I have the tire with me for inspection. I call al labador hankook tire representative at 1-800 426-8252. *tr

fuel system 1 complaint shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system cluster analysis →
12/28/2021 25,000 mi ODI #11445336.0

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. He stated that while driving at various speeds, he would intermittently smell a strong gasoline odor emitting from the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers and each dealer informed him that there were no failures with his vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

cruise control 1 complaint shown

29 total in this category · severe · avg repair $600 · see cruise control cluster analysis →
12/28/2015 79,700 mi ODI #10816429.0

2013 Hyundai elantra on december 24, 2013, the vehicle was being operated on a road with a 35 MPH speed limit. Without any deviation of the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jumped to 60 MPH. While at the subsequent stop light, the vehicle's RPM's remained high (approximately over 5,500 RPM). The elantra was then driven to a home depot parking lot. Upon restarting the vehicle, RPM's climbed to 5,000 (while in "park"). No other modules were being used at this time - including cruise control or "eco boost." the vehicle's RPM rate remained at around 2,500-3,000 once put into "drive", resulting in the speed reaching approximately 20-25 MPH. This is without the foot on the accelerator and traveling over small hills and grade variants. Summary: while 2013 elantra is in park, RPM's

Showing 300 of 1,323 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Hyundai/Elantra#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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