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:
26 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,992 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2013 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 5 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

Jul 142017

Elantra

  • 48,280 miles

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

On July 14, 2017, I was driving my 2013 Hyundai Elantra and was attempting to make a left hand turn at a signalized intersection at a speed of about 15 miles per hour. About midway into the turn the steering wheel locked and I could not turn the steering wheel to complete the left turn. In addition, I was braking and the ABS braking did not function properly and did not stop the vehicle until it ran into a concrete curb. The result of the malfunctions of the steering and braking on my 2013 Hyundai Elantra was damage to the front right of the vehicle, including bumper, wheel, tire, radiator support, etc. I am very thankful that I was not hit by another vehicle or injured. I am concerned about the performance - or the lack thereof - on July 14th. Something happened and no one seems to be able to explain it despite inspecting scanning codes, etc. The vehicle engine kept running, the key was in the ignition, and there was deployment of the airbag(s). There have been other complaints about the electric assisted steering and braking on the 2013 Elantra according to research. I want to make you aware of an additional complaint regarding my Elantra. The damage required replacement fright front wheel, right front tire, right fender liner and inner bracket, radiator support, right hinge pillar, right lower control arm, right fender, painting and 4 wheel alignment. The vehicle steering malfunctioned and locked even thought the engine was still running. This malfunction prohibited me from turning the steering wheel and completing the left turn safely. The braking system failed as it did not stop the vehicle and I noticed a slow ABS sound versus the typical very rapid ABS sound when hard braking. The malfunction of the steering and the brakes could have caused a catastrophic failure but fortunately did not.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #62

Aug 012017

Elantra

  • 60,000 miles
Unknown. The brakes are having difficulty holding up on the street while coming to a complete stop. Once stopped or stopping, there is a slight humming noise coming from the front wheels as if the car is having trouble staying in place. The back left tail light occasionally flickers on and off while driving and continues to flicker when tapped. The brake light is completely out now and has been adjusted before without replacement of the bulb. While driving on the street and night there are rare moments were the brake light and tail light will work again. The steering wheel has a hard time motioning and positioning itself when driving from five to twenty mile an hour, when turning and while making a U-turn. NHTSA campaign number: 16V574000

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #61

Jul 302017

Elantra

  • 82,000 miles
I was driving down my driveway at about 5 mph when my ESC indicator light came on. Both of my front brakes immediately locked up. I put the car in park and shut the vehicle off thinking that would reset the system. When I started it back up the indicator light was still on and the brakes were still locked up. I then turned the vehicle back off and unplugged my battery hoping that would do it. Still the same problem. After about 10 minutes of sitting there the brakes finally released and I took the car back to my house. The light was and still is on but the brakes arent locked up at this time. Im just afraid of it happening while driving down the highway or interstate at faster speeds. It would most certainly cause an accident at the very least. I have 4 kids and a wife and my wife is usually the one who drives the car. Im just thankful it didnt happen under different circumstances or it could have been catastrophic.

- Oakland City, IN, USA

problem #60

Jun 132017

Elantra

  • 66,000 miles

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

The car is not covered on the campaign #146 even though the vehicle's make, model & year were corresponding to the recall. They need to widen the VIN numbers effected as my vehicle was effected by this same issue. The break stopper broke into many pieces all over my floorboards and my break light was continuously on. It then killed my car battery by using the battery to power the break lights with the car off and keys out the car. It wont show if you are pressing the breaks and it makes it dangerous to drive as drivers behind you will not know if you are hitting the breaks. Please advise them to broaden the recall #146 as this affects many drivers.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #59

Jul 182013

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
Brake light switch stays on drains battery. There is a recall for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra for this issue. But my VIN number does not show recall this is my VIN [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Floral City, FL, USA

problem #58

Jul 142017

Elantra

  • 50,000 miles
Car was parked with parking break engaged, went in my home, after 15 mins looked out the window and car had some out of park and rolled into neighbors car causing damage to both cars

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #57

Jun 242017

Elantra

  • 97,856 miles

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

Brake lights stay on without brake pedal being pressed and even when car is not started. There is no way to turn the brake lights off. This happened while vehicle was parked and turned off in garage.

- Byram, MS, USA

problem #56

Jul 132016

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
Parking lights won't turn off, car won't start within minutes/seconds later, had 7 roadside assistance to jump start me in two months, plus others from security guards, etc. My car is on recall for these problems, just my VIN number isn't, the Hyundai-it dies within seconds.it happens when I am waiting in my car, no engine on, when I run the radio engine off, always after the engine is off, with or without radio playing or everything is shut off, it happens--my parking lights stay on unless I get out of the car, open the door, and lock it immediately if I take a few steps and come back to lock it, it's already dead, has left me at work, school, in middle of the night, everywhere, anywhere, engine cuts of and on when taking off or making a slow curve, car dies while parked dealership said they could approve my issues to be fixed because no recall on my VIN # but I have no car half the time engine cuts off and on while driving, brakes grind strange noise.

- Deer Park, TX, USA

problem #55

Dec 232016

Elantra

  • 1,000 miles
About 4 times per year, the vehicle will not shift out of park. I must use the shift release button and this takes awhile to work. I have had this happen when the car is idling in a parking lot, parked at a drive-thru, trying to leave a parking lot. This has happened about 12 times since I bought this vehicle. I took it to a Hyundai dealership and they could not replicate the issue. The first occasion was around 1,000 miles on the odometer.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #54

Aug 302016

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 39,000 miles
When driving in rain for awhile, then gently come to stop, get a brake noise that shouldn't be there and whole car vibrates. Not going through puddles or standing water. This has happen several times. I discussed it with the service manager at our dealership, and he acknowledged the issue, and that Hyundai did as well, but said there is no solution currently. The stopping power is not good when this happens. After it dries, then the brakes function normal. Dealership said new pads and rotor might help, but wasn't a warranty issue. There is a problem and it should be fixed! this could be a problem that gets someone killed. Also, I find that other Hyundai owners have experienced the same brake problem.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #53

Oct 172016

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles

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

I was pulling into a parking spot and put the vehicle in park when all of a sudden the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the building.

- Cary, IL, USA

problem #52

Oct 172016

Elantra

  • 129,000 miles
My airbag light was off and on for about a month and now it is a steady light. The repair shop I took it to said I needed a clock spring and a new driver air bag. They also said I might need another part. Total cost of all of this will be around $1600. Since my car has over 100,000 miles, it is not under warranty. I've noticed other people are complaining about the airbag light.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #51

Oct 122016

Elantra

  • 57,000 miles
1. airbag light has been turning on. No apparent reason but I was told that if in an accident will not deployed. Since 10/12/2016 2. suspension is not the greatest, car will swirled sometimes if exceeding 40mph hello I live in puerto rico there is no such thing as 40mph in our roads... 3. tire sensors are constantly braking. 4. front headlights seems get humidity when it rains or get too cold. 5. brakes sometimes do not work as they should, I stop and it seems to keep going I would have to brake again to make it stop and these is not going more than 40 mph.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #50

Jun 282016

Elantra

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 10 mph with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a concrete patio. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and bruises to the arms and legs. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and repaired. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

- Independence, LA, USA

problem #49

Aug 152016

Elantra

  • miles
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 30 mph, the brakes failed without warning and the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing facility. The contact sustained injuries to the right arm and the passenger sustained injuries to the eyes. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

- Jasper, TX, USA

problem #48

Sep 022016

Elantra

  • 42,200 miles
Sept. 2nd, 2016, my 26-yr-old daughter (an experienced driver) left work, approached a "T" country road intersection at moderate speed, on a somewhat rough road, and applied brakes to slow down. Nothing happened - the car did not slow. The car drove across the intersection into a farmyard. She pulled the emergency brake, but it did not stop the car. It skidded, but she was able to steer around a wood pile and avoid trees. Car stopped when it crashed into a dirt mound. This was total brake failure. Bumper was ruined, and there is damage in engine compartment. No fire or injuries. No air bag deployment. Car was towed to dealership, who next day drove car around dealership lot and found no brake problem. Crash damage made car not road-worthy to test brakes at higher speed. Car has about 42,200 miles on it. Back in mid-summer, the dealer had repaired a problem that apparently was brake stopper recall-related (a late-August recall). We reported the failure and crash to Hyundai America.

- North Charleston, SC, USA

problem #47

Aug 132016

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the brakes failed to respond. No warning indicators illuminated. As a result, the contact went over a curb and fractured the front driver side tire and possibly be the axle. The contact had to shut the engine off in order to stop the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000. Updated 10/05/16

- Mount Dora, FL, USA

problem #46

Aug 152015

Elantra

  • 7,000 miles
My car has 7000 miles and the brakes grind excessively and when braking at speeds 40 mph or higher, the car shakes and vibrates so hard I am afraid that the brakes will fail. This has been going on for more than a year. Last year, I brought it to the dealer (fairfax Hyundai in fairfax, Virginia) for this problem and all they said was that this was due to rust buildup even though my car just had less than 5,000 miles on it and I just needed to brake hard to get rid of the rust. This has not helped and I believe that the brakes pads and rotors are defective and need to be replaced.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #45

Jul 132016

Elantra

  • 28,026 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While making a left in the garage, the vehicle accelerated independently. The brake pedal was depressed, but failed to operate. The vehicle stopped by crashing into the bushes. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,026.

- Haiku, HI, USA

problem #44

Dec 122015

Elantra

  • miles
I purchased my car in 2015. I was loving this car until I was on wet/bumpy roads. I applied the brakes to stop. The Hyundai started making a grinding noise.when I applied the brakes it felt like the brakes was going all the way to the floor. When it is snowing I can't drive the car because the brake gets locked up and makes a lot of noise. This car is dangerous to drive in inclement weather. Also this car suspension is horrible. You feel all the bumps in the road. Hyundai needs to do a recall on this car. Most of my problems with this car was driving in the city. Driving on wet roads coming to a stop or hitting a bump in the road. The car swerves and make aloud grabbing noise. Sounds like the brakes are coming up through the floor. I love the car but don't love the way it drives. I had to replace the front rotors and brake pad with a full alignment. This vehicle still drives the same way even when all this work was completed.

- Washington, DC, USA

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