In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. This bulletin describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2011 â 2016MY Elantra (MD/UD) and certain 2013 â 2014MY Elantra Coupe (JK) vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Hyundai Elantra suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have filed 62 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 20,500 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
62
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Elantra | 12 |
| 2011 Elantra | 59 |
| 2012 Elantra | 45 |
| 2013 Elantra (this page) | 62 |
| 2014 Elantra | 7 |
| 2015 Elantra | 6 |
| 2016 Elantra | 5 |
| 2017 Elantra | 12 |
2crashes
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Hyundai Elantra we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 62.
Owners have filed 62 suspension complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin describes the requirements for all wheel alignment and/or vehicle tracking claims and best practices when diagnosing and conducting alignment-related repairs for all models and model years.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The warranty coverage for the front coil springs has been extended to 10 years from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant problem is rear-end instability. Owners consistently report the rear sliding, swinging, or fishtailing when the car hits bumps, potholes, or uneven pavement—starting at speeds as low as 25 mph and becoming severe at highway speeds (45–70 mph). The instability worsens on wet or slick roads, in curves, and on bridge expansion joints. Many describe near-loss of control or feeling like the rear tires are lifting off the ground. The problem appears early (some within weeks of purchase) and persists or worsens over time.
Tire wear is premature and uneven, with wavy bald spots alternating with tread on rear tires and inboard wear on fronts. Owners have replaced tires three to six times despite regular rotation. Independent tire shops identified that rear wheels do not track straight, but dealerships refuse to address it, claiming the solid rear axle cannot be adjusted.
Brake issues include pedal hardness when hitting bumps, locking on wet roads, grinding noises, and ABS clicking. One owner reported a catastrophic rim failure—the front right rim was cut nearly in half vertically—causing a crash at 60 mph on flat road.
Additional problems include shock tower weld defects causing rear-area noise, front-end clicking and bottoming-out over bumps, excessive suspension rattling, and TPMS sensors triggering false low-pressure alerts despite correct tire pressure. Dealers consistently claim these behaviors are normal or "characteristic of the model," refuse diagnosis, or offer ineffective repairs. The suspension noise and handling issues appeared present before service visits could detect mechanical faults.
Same Hyundai Elantra suspension reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Rear axle/suspension instability causing fishtailing and loss of control
Rear end slides, swings, or fishtails when driving over bumps, potholes, or uneven road surfaces; occurs at speeds as low as 25 mph and worsens at highway speeds (45-70 mph); vehicle becomes difficult to control, especially on wet or slick roads; owners report feeling like the rear tires are coming off the ground or the car is about to lose control.
When: Throughout ownership; symptoms appear early and persist; mileage range 2,000 to 35,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear end fishtails or swings side-to-side over bumps; Loss of vehicle control or near-loss of control; Vehicle feels unstable and difficult to drive in straight line; Rear jumping or bouncing abnormally; Excessive swaying on highway, particularly in wet conditions; Rear feels loose or out of alignment; Worsening severity over time
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers consistently deny the problem exists or claim it is 'how the car is designed' or 'characteristic of the model'; some dealership visits resulted in alignment checks or tire rotation with no improvement; replacement of rear suspension and all four tires did not resolve the issue in at least one case; independent mechanics noted rear axle not tracking straight despite solid rear axle design having no adjustment capability
Premature and uneven tire wear
Rear tires wear prematurely and unevenly with wavy/bald spots alternating with tread; front tires show inboard-side wear and sidewall bulges; owners have replaced tires multiple times (up to 6 replacements) despite regular rotation and maintenance; caused by rear suspension/axle tracking issues.
When: Early in ownership; reported at 14,000 to 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid rear tire wear with uneven/wavy pattern; Rear tires become bald prematurely; Front tire inboard-side wear; Sidewall bulges or bubbles on tires; Multiple tire replacements required in short timeframe; Tire wear pattern recurs immediately after new tire installation
Repairs/costs cited: Owners purchased replacement tires multiple times; tire shops identified rear wheels not tracking straight; dealerships blamed tire rotation frequency or claimed tire defect rather than addressing suspension cause
Rear shock tower weld defect and noise
Clunking or rattling noise from trunk/rear area; Hyundai engineer diagnosed two missed welds on right rear shock tower where strut tower did not properly adhere to car body; signs of rubbing observed; repair involved re-welding the shock tower.
When: Within few weeks of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Noise coming from trunk/rear area; Clunking or rattling sound
Repairs/costs cited: Factory weld defect; reinforcement cap and shock tower were removed and re-welded; part was reinstalled to factory specifications; took over 2 weeks of diagnostic visits including Hyundai engineer involvement; dealership initially attempted epoxy repair before proper diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai engineer assisted with diagnosis; Hyundai placed file on vehicle
Front wheel/suspension noise and bottoming out
Loud clicking sound when taking off or when hitting bumps; feels like front end bottoms out; described as nerve-racking; associated with worn struts that dealership initially denied needed replacement but independent mechanics and tire shop confirmed.
When: Long-standing problem (mentioned as 2 years old in one complaint); reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clicking sound from front end when accelerating; Clicking sound when hitting bumps; Sensation of bottoming out; Feeling of instability
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple independent mechanics and tire shop (Firestone) recommended strut replacement; dealership initially refused to acknowledge need for repair despite multiple visits
Brake system issues including pedal hardness and ABS malfunction
Brake pedal hardens or becomes difficult to press when hitting bumps or during braking on rough terrain; clicking sounds accompany hard pedal; brakes lock up on wet/snowy roads; grinding noises when braking; ABS system activates abnormally or ineffectively; pedal may feel like it goes to the floor or brakes fail to engage fully; issues worsen in inclement weather.
When: Various ownership periods; reported with low to moderate mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal hardens or becomes difficult to press; Clicking sound accompanying hard pedal; Brake locking on wet or snowy roads; Grinding noise when braking; Brakes fail to fully engage or require pumping; ABS activation with clicking sound; Brake pulsation/vibration; Pedal feels hard or goes to floor
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership service rep claimed hard pedal was normal ABS system operation; owner disagreed noting problem only happens with front passenger wheel; rotors resurfaced/machined; some owners had front rotors and brake pads replaced with full alignment; vibration/pulsation charged at $190 labor with no parts replaced; issues persisted after repairs
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) false alerts and malfunctions
TPMS light activates repeatedly without valid cause; tire pressure drops to dangerously low levels (22 lbs); Blue Link alerts about TPMS malfunction; dealerships unable to diagnose or fix; issue described as 'learning failure' or 'electronic interference' in some cases.
When: New vehicle to early ownership; recurring weekly in one case at 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS light turning on repeatedly; Blue Link alert about TPMS malfunction; Tire pressure dropping to unsafe levels; Recurring false alerts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reset codes via Blue Link; over-inflated tires corrected (8 lbs overinflation); sensor changed after multiple visits; alignment performed; issues recurred multiple times despite repair attempts spanning 5+ dealership visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai corporate office advised taking vehicle to different dealership after customer complaint; no lasting solution provided
Front wheel/rim structural failure
Front right rim cut nearly in half vertically in a near-perfect straight line (like an opened can), causing sudden vehicle veering to the right and fishtailing at 60 mph; tire remained intact; body shop mechanics stated they had never seen this type of rim failure before; described as possible defect in rim.
When: On freeway at 60 mph during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of control pulling to right; Fishtailing; Rim structurally compromised with vertical cut
Repairs/costs cited: Crash damage repair estimated at $14,000; body shop and insurance adjusters could not determine cause
Excessive suspension noise and rattling over road imperfections
Suspension rattles and makes excessive noise over even slight road imperfections; owners feel all bumps in the road; noisy suspension at low mileage.
When: Early ownership; noted at low mileage (13,461 miles in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive rattling over bumps; Noisy suspension; Feeling every bump in the road
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claimed vehicle is operating as designed
Bearing failure in rear end
Abnormal noise from rear of vehicle; diagnosed by independent mechanic as failed bearings requiring replacement.
When: At 30,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from rear
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosis; vehicle was not repaired
Synthesized from 62 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
'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…
Only when wet braking starts to make noise and act like it want stop. It has new brakes.*dt*jb
No spare tire , no jack or tire iron.
Had suspension trouble with your 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 62 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 43 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 11,420 and 38,431 miles, with the median around 20,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,420; a quarter make it past 38,431. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Hyundai/Elantra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.