CarComplaints.com Notes: We're not used to seeing any major problems with Hyundai, which makes the early signs of trouble with the 2013 Elantra very surprising, in a bad way.

Early trends show problems with the steering wandering / pulling to one side along with premature tire wear. Elantra owners have tried sensor adjustments, wheel alignments, even replacing axles, most with no luck. Hyundai has made vehicle buybacks through arbitration, but that rarely works out well financially for owners in the end.

Also there is a pattern of complaints about the 2013 Elantra brakes grinding at very low mileage. It seems there was a bad batch of OEM pads & rotors, but so far Hyundai is not doing a recall. Instead Hyundai issued a TSB & dealers have been replacing pads & rotors on a per-complaint basis.

The final straw is that for several years in a row, Elantra owners report significantly lower gas mileage than the EPA estimates, & there's a small trend of engine problems.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,121 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Hyundai Elantra suspension problems

suspension problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #92

Apr 012024

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The bulbs are constantly blowing out, and need to be replaced. The steering wheel/column makes noises, and doesn't always lock, but when it does lock, it can be difficult to unlock it! The suspension shakes and rattles. There is a campaign for the corrosion of the undercarriage/suspension, that I was not aware of until a few weeks ago(I do have an appointment for that). The most pressing concern is with the steering(mechanic thinks it could be the coupler), and there are numerous complaints about this on various internet auto forums.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #91

Apr 012024

Elantra

  • miles
There is a known safety recall regarding brake fluid being leaked internally that has been acknowledged by Hyundai since September 2023. This can cause fires even when the vehicle is parked. NO SOLUTION has been provided except for "park your vehicle outside". This has been a known safety issue for 8 months and NO SOLUTION has been provided to us owners. Even parking outside is an issue as I live in Memphis, TN the #1 city for auto theft. Auto theft has been rampant also due to Hyundai's unwillingness to install an ignition kill switch at production. Hyundai has been grossly negligent in the production of their vehicles and cutting corners at the consumer's safety expense. Not having a soltuin

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #90

Sep 262023

Elantra

  • miles
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.

- Hershey, PA, USA

problem #89

May 052023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 started shortly after purchase and continues the same as of today (5-5-2023). I have replaced the rear shocks with better than OEM shocks and continue to have the same situation. If the bump in the road happens to be in a slight curve (such as an expansion joint in bridge) on the Interstate, the vehicle nearly looses complete traction. This happens with new tires and on dry, warm concrete. I have spoken with other owners of similar make and year and all have said they had the same issue, even right after purchase. No warning lights, traction control lights or messages appear on display.. I have had multiple inspection stations and garages check out the suspension and wheel units, but no malfunctions or defects found.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #88

Jun 152022

Elantra

  • miles
Well not even at 100,000 miles yet suspension noise all four engine not good as its not work well with the way they have set up with no dip stick suspension clink clack crazy not even at 100.00

- South Bend, IN, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #87

Nov 292021

Elantra

  • miles
Subframe is rotted. It snapped while driving; braking the control arm in the process. The lives of my children and myself were put at risk. If we had been on a busy road or highway, ourselves and others would have been at serious risk of sever injury and/or possible death. It has not been seen by a service center, incident happened 11/29/2021. The vehicle was inspected by a personal mechanic to find the cause of the malfunction. There were know warning signs before the component failure.

- West Greenwich, RI, USA

problem #86

Dec 252020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Corsicana, TX, USA

problem #85

Nov 162020

Elantra

  • 139,285 miles
Purchased what I believe is a lemon from the stamford Hyundai. Vehicle was not inspected and recall issues not addressed. Another car that hit mine stated that my car brake lights indicated I stopped when I actually released the brake pedal. I believe that the dealership over charged me for a defected vehicle and failed to address the brake pedal issue which caused my lane change accident. I would really appreciate it if someone can assist me with this serious infraction. Again my vehicle was in motion but the other driver said it appeared to be. I wasn't informed by the salesman of any defects or issues. The day of the accident I was driving in brooklyn NY on remsen avenue. Impact occurred on remsen and kings highway. Any assistance with this will be appreciated. I purchased this car cash $6405.70 when the asking price was 4670. I've been ripped off and could have gotten killed. Help please.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #84

Aug 242020

Elantra

  • 88,000 miles
I have experienced loss of control of this vehicle several times, including today. As I have faithfully maintained my car, I have come to the conclusion the design of the car is the issue. Specifically, when I attempt to apply the brakes, the car will not brake properly and is very hard to control. Today, I experienced the car hydroplane and thank goodness no other car was in front of me or on the side because it took me at least two minutes before I could gain control again. This occured when I made a right turn while driving about 25mph and no puddles of water were present. Early April, I had a similar incident where I had to pump the brakes several times, although my brakes were replaced a few weeks prior. Back in December 2019, I had a similar incident on the highway I-95 while driving home. I have it documented through aaa. My tire blew and the car failed to stop. I took it to my dealer and advised what happened and they insisted my tires and brakes were fine. I did some research online today and found I am not the only customer experiencing this issue. I saw several customers stating they received a recall notice, however, I have not received one. I am very concerned for my safety to the point I no longer want to drive this vehicle.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #83

Jan 292018

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
I noticed my 2013 Hyundai Elantra was making a sound from the driver side( in 2018 )wheel when I turn and also the car sways when driving at slow speed. I reported it to the Hyundai of las vegas dealership where I bought my Hyundai from on 6/2017 but they said I had no extended warranty. I then received a "recall notice" for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra (1/29/2018) and took it back to Hyundai of las vegas who fixed a brake pedal defect free of charge. I know there are 29 Hyundai consumer complaints reported to the NHTSA about the "swaying motion" on Hyundai that is a safety issue related to the suspension which should be on the recall priority list to in my opinion since I am making monthly payments for my used Hyundai. It will cost the price of a new car after I am done paying off the entire car loan I owe.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #82

Sep 212019

Elantra

  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Whenever the vehicle travels over slight bumps, or indentations on the road, the rear end of the car unsettles and pushes right. With increase in travel speeds, the rear end get more unstable. At highway speed, it becomes so bad that whenever there is any slight bumps or surface imperfection, the rear of the car hops right violently to the right or starts to fishtail and sometimes becomes uncontrollable. Specially on wet surface. It is hard to get the car back in control when not careful and may cause a major and fatal accident. Which checking for the issue, it appears that it is common issue among Elantra owners. In my personal experience driving, my car fishtailed so violently that traction control light came and it was hard to control. Few times, the car fishtailed and ended up in right side lane without me wanting it to do that. These all happens at highway speed. It is less severe on city speeds but still noticeably bad.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #81

May 112019

Elantra

  • 114,500 miles
As with many others, my 2013 Elantra likes to kick the back end out over bumps at highway speeds. I passed an accident last weekend on the highway where a 2013 Elantra had crashed into the cement barrier just after a bridge on wet roads. My car jumped over the same bump although I was at a lower speed because of the accident and it wasn't as severe as it would have been if I was going faster. It is much worse as the car gets older. It also has other issues that owners have complained about such as not wanting to start (3 times) and white smoke if you accelerate too quickly. Dealer has been no help.

- Lake Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #80

Dec 062018

Elantra

  • 45 miles
'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 while driving on the highway, anywhere from 45-65mph the driving stability feels unsafe and the vehicle wavers back and forth on the highway, having to always correct it. When it is windy it is extremely worse. I cannot believe Hyundai made a car this unsafe. Driving this winter I have only hoped that the jumping and wavering doesn't cause an accident on the highway. This is completely unacceptable to feel that way in a vehicle. The company should be made responsible for these issues. This happens so often at least over 20 times in just this year I'm afraid for my life and so are a lot of other people with the same issue

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #79

Dec 102012

Elantra

  • 300 miles
After I bought the car new in 2012, a couple weeks later I began noticing and still to this day, when I hit any size of bump in the road, the back tires feel like they are coming off the ground and the rear of the car fishtails. This happens from about 45 mph on up. On the highway, I hold on for dear life when I see a bump, and let off the gas. (not sure how much that helps, but it's just my instinct). If there is a row of bumps/holes, I have trouble keeping control of the car. Also I have to replace two tires about 24,000 miles, as they get uneven wear from a fixed? rear axle that is designed to not be aligned. Not sure if that is related to the car fishtailing. I bought the car with intention of passing down to my daughter, but would never let an inexperienced driver behind the wheel of this car for fear of them dying.

- Hillsborough, NC, USA

problem #78

Feb 062018

Elantra

  • 88,000 miles
My car's rear fishtails as I travel over depressions or slight bumps in city roads at any speed (betwee 35 - 50 mph). It is scarily noticeable when I hit a slight bump driving at high speeds on the highway. It doesn't feel like the car is balanced. When driving, I feel like I'm losing control of the car even on sharp curves, which could cause an accident. I took it back to the dealer for a service check 2 days ago (I bought the car about two weeks ago), and they said that the driving experience in this car is characteristic of this model; it's the way the rear axle was designed and there's nothing they could do. I asked the service department to check the suspension and struts as well. They said those were fine but they "tightened it up". I have no idea what that means if it was fine in the first place. Now I'm stuck with driving a car that I don't feel safe driving on the road in all conditions. My tires have sufficient tread on them, so that's not the issue either. I want Hyundai to investigate the complaints of the 2013 Elantra limited edition.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #77

Nov 142017

Elantra

  • miles
When driving over bumps in the road, the entire car shifts/jumps to the side. It is very scary, as I feel like I am going to go into someone else lane or lose control of the vehicle. I am told it is because it has a solid rear axle, and that it is just a "characteristic" of the vehicle, but that does not seem okay.... it's been happening for as long as I can remember, it did not just start happening.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #76

Mar 102014

Elantra

  • 28,000 miles
The rear end of the car jumps around and feels unstable in wind or on wet or uneven surfaces. It feels like I could easily lose control, very frightening. I have 4/32 tire tread left on 60K michelins after only 32K miles driven. The first set of tires lasted only 28K. This form will not let me proceed without a date, but this is a continuous problem, not a one time thing.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #75

Dec 122016

Elantra

  • miles
Rear tires go bald prematurely and front tires wear on the inboard side prematurely and the front tire are real prone to side wall bulging. I bought the car with 37,417 miles and it now has 66,388 miles and I've been made to purchase three sets of tires something needs to be done us consumers should not have to be forced into paying for defects like this

- Carleton, MI, USA

problem #74

Nov 252016

Elantra

  • 43,000 miles
Rear suspension is unsettling. First off, the car destroys tires in a relatively short time. Second, over bumpy terrain the car's rear shakes back and forth like it's trying to steer itself. Third, when it's icy or slippery and the road surface isn't smooth the rear of the car tries to swing out when one side has grip and the other doesn't.

- Machesney Park, IL, USA

problem #73

Nov 212016

Elantra

  • 29,000 miles
From day one the suspension always seemed mushy or soft. When driving over uneven pavement, the car seems to experience lateral gliding or swaying. At highway speed it can feel like you're going to shift into the adjacent lane.

- Dayton, OH, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?