2013 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,861 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 54,500 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2013 Hyundai Elantra sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1992–2000, 2004–2006, 2018–2022.
Avoid
Where 2013 sits among all Elantra years
What owners report
“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…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Elantra
“Takata recall when turning the steering wheel i realized that the eps control module needs to be replaced. The steering wheel makes a lound noise when turning.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Elantra
“The engine started to make a ticking sound a few weeks ago when the first cold front came in.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Elantra
“Airbag light and steering wheel control malfunction due to clock spring. Known issue can cause airbag not to deploy. Dealer refused to fix issue.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Elantra
“My mother's vehicle caught fire while in park and it’s listed under a fire-risk recall. Another car got damage with the fire. I want to open a claim.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Elantra
“My airbag light randomly turned on while driving on a city street and won't turn off”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Elantra
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,088 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 46,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 20,000 and 85,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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 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.
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.…
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units…
Led to recall campaign 23V877.
Led to recall campaign 13V115000.
Technical service bulletins
151 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2013 Elantra TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra drew 1,861 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2013 Hyundai Elantra problems?
The top reported problems for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra are brakes & stability (283 complaints), steering (271), and engine (236).
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Elantra problems show up?
Owners most often report 2013 Hyundai Elantra problems around 46,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 20,000 and 85,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.