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.

7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
43,200 miles
Total Complaints:
17 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (16 reports)
  2. engine needs to be replaced (1 reports)
2013 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #17

Dec 052022

Elantra GLS I4, 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,588 miles

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

click to see larger images

runs roughly, shaking and vibrating

Car starting vibrating, shaking and at lights and stop signs feels like it’s gonna stall. Has 122,901 miles within 3 1/2 weeks engine light came on. I took it to pep boys cause it was reading code P0301 misfire in cylinder 1, they replaced the coil in cylinder 1 and did tune up. Engine light was still on and still reading the same code. They advised me to take it to Hyundai. I drove over to Hyundai they tell me that the connector wires need to be replaced, because the brackets were broken wanted to charge me $ 486 dollars to do it or bring it Pep Boys since they currently did the work. Took it back to Pep Boys and stood right there when they lifted the hood and we both looked at what Hyundai was talking about and there was no broken brackets and wires were fine.

Called Hyundai and let them know that whatever the tech said was BS, they told me to bring it back at 1pm the next day. Brought the car in waited an 1 hr and 12 minutes and then they tell me that its bringing up code P0301 which I told them ok, that’s what you told me yesterday then tells me that well not sure what the other guy did but the current mechanic performed a compression test on the engine and that it has Performed compression test on engine, found cylinder 1 has 120 PSI, 2 has 180 PSI, 3 has 200 PSI, 4 has 200 PSI, low compression on cylinder 1 causing engine to run rough and misfire. Needs new engine, and quotes me $9000. WTF did he want me to pull it out my ass, and says only 2.0 engines have the recall not 1.8, yet there has been thousands of complaints on 2013.

Elantras that are experiencing the same as the 2.0 engines and your telling its ok for Hyundai to take advantage of there consumers that way. The 2013 Hyundai Elantra is arguably the worst model year for this sedan. Going by the reports gathered by CarComplaints.com, many of its problems pertain to its engine. 2013 Elantra owners have complained about ticking noises and the engine failing outright. They also reported that the engine may run roughly, shake, vibrate, or stall while driving.

These engine problems weren’t just common in the 2013 Elantra. The earlier 2011-2012 model years may also develop similar issues. The Hyundai Elantras engine may also catch fire. An electrical short in the ABS module can lead to a “key-off” fire in the engine compartment. In February 2020, Hyundai recalled more than 430,000 Elantras made between 2006 and 2011 with this problem, minus to add 2012 and 2013 that are experiencing the same problem. How is a single parent supposed to go to work and pay rent on a car that has a faulty engine. Hyundai needs to own up to there sh*t.

- Magali P., Tampa, US

problem #16

Jan 052019

Elantra GLS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,272 miles

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO HOUSE. GOT CAR STARTED AND ENGINE IS MAKING LOUD NOISE. THANKFULLY IT WAS NOT ON A BUSY STREET AS SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF ON HIGHWAY. HYUNDAI WILL NOT COVER AS OVER THE 60,000 MILES.

- April T., Scranton, US

problem #15

Jan 172019

Elantra GLS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,102 miles

Engine start violently vibrating when the car is coming to a complete stop. Feels like it is going to stall.

- Irfan T., Mississauga, ON, Canada

problem #14

Apr 022018

Elantra GT 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,253 miles

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

Engine stalls on startup after multiple services, updates, and tune-up visits to Hyundai dealerships. Problem persists on cold startups. Dealers say this is normal and I just have to get used to it. Sick in my stomach dealing with this pos. Hyundai lies to you always, and they are unable to repair their vehicles.

- Michael R., Toronto, Ontario, canada

problem #13

Jul 172017

Elantra GT 1.8L Dohc Inline 4 Cycle

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,676 miles

Rough idle issue has become more frequent and worse and impossible to ignore. Now the vehicle is convulsing/shaking uncontrollably every time I stop at a stoplight. This occurs whether I have the A/C turned on or off. If my headlights are on, they visibly go dim and then brighten again. The vehicle is not maintaining a consistent idle speed. I took the vehicle in to the dealership. They updated the ECM software as part of a Hyundai recall. Two days later the idle issue reappeared.

- blivit00, Rosharon, US

problem #12

Jun 012016

Elantra GT 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,210 miles

I have a 2013 Hyundai elantra GT, the was riding very smooth, I couldn't hear nor feel the engine but last month it started riding very rough. Last month the check engine light flashed two times and a white puff of smoke came out. I took it to dealership and they said that spark plugs 1 and 4 were misfiring and they needed to be changed. I had them changed so now, I have no codes but the car is still running rough, it vibrates something awful, I can't stand it. Hyundai needs to address this concern and fix this problems with their cars.

- Teresa J M., Lawmdale, NC, US

problem #11

May 062016

Elantra Limited 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,986 miles

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

i purchased my 2013 hyundai elantra in november of 2015 from an area dealership, i asked for a warranty for my car and they said it came with an warranty i could purchase but they could add if needed in which i said yes, at the time of being sold to me, no warranty was sold to me, i did not drive my car off lot that evening because it had to be cleaned out and bumper reapired from previuos owner, i got my car 3 weeks later. i noticed in january 2016 it started having vibrating issues when i stopped at the red light, and when air or heater is on got worse, i was careful not to top off my gas because reading the manuel throughly said to use unleaded gasoline only, in which i did only good gasoline, i have had it serviced in april 2016, no problems, but now my engine light came on May 6,2016 and now i had a code check on it nothing could be found, but i would have to pay for a diagnstics test which would cost me $70 dollars, i am at my wits end..what do i do now with a limited income, no warranty..

- Robin M., Mobile, AL, US

problem #10

May 132016

Elantra Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,400 miles

This is one of the same problems I had in the original engine. They couldn't find the problem until it got worse and they had to take the engine apart to find what was wrong. This problem is now in my "NEW REMAN ENGINE". So I guess I have to live with it until this engine fails.

Normal DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT RECOGNIZE THIS ENGINE FAIL in the original engine. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to replace it again. I do not feel safe in this car. The only silver lining is that my service center honors my warranty and the first replacement was done quickly and I was given a courtesy car. I'm just afraid that my Warranty will run out before this 2nd engine might decide to fail. I can't afford another car or to sell this one since I am still paying it off and what can I get for a car with major problems.

- Sandra W., Oak Ridge, US

problem #9

Nov 012015

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,500 miles

Horrible. I cannot stand the vibrating on this car. Drove about 50 miles recently, came to a stop and the car began shaking so hard my water bottle was splashing. Thought it was bad gas, but it has continued to vibrate since then. A very annoying vibrate at red lights and stop signs. Sometimes its a light vibration that is just enough to be annoying, and other times it is a pulsating vibration that I can anticipate about every 3 seconds. The car is clearly struggling with something and yet, two times later, the dealership continues to say "yeah, these cars tend to have a rough idle." Um.. no. I've had this car a year and a half and poof, it's there. Something went weird and now I have to explain to a tech sitting in my car about a slight vibration. "do you feel it? It's there, do you feel it?" I'm going to sound like an idiot, but I swear it's there. And it's annoying. And I didn't pay 19k for this.

If anyone knows anything about a solution, please tell. I'm so over it.

- Carlee L., PHOENIX, AZ, US

problem #8

Aug 152014

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

Be warned about purchasing a Hyandai, even with the warranty. I've had several issues with this car and the times I have taken it in to the dealer they brush me off. I told them about the uncontrollable shaking of the car and took it in to get diagnosed since it was still under warranty. Once the car was inspected the dealer told me that nothing was wrong with the vehicle and that their computer didn't flag anything. And to top it all off the dealer told me that it was the power of the motor and that I had to get adjusted to it since that's how all Elantras function. The car keeps shaking till this day and I can't get the problem fixed.

- pegers88, lake elsinore, CA, US

problem #7

Apr 152015

Elantra Limited 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,650 miles

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

Well, it finally happened to us, we were stopped at a traffic light and the engine started shaking like a washing machine out of balance. For the rest of the day, it did this at every traffic light or when stopped. I checked the air filter to see if this was causing the issue - Air cleaner was clean. I happened upon another Elantra owner and he stated his does the same thing - Very rough idol.

I had a service appointment for my regular oil change the next morning. I addressed the issue with my Service Advisor. They could not duplicate the issue. I was also told that this was "Normal" for this engine. I've owned many different 4 cylinder cars and not one of them idols this rough or with such vibration. I will monitor this issue closely.

I have spoken with 7 other Elantra owners and they are experiencing the same issue. I did a lot of Internet search on this issue and their are lots and lots of rough idol complaints with no resolve by Hyundai. I paid $27,000 for this car and expect a smooth running engine. I'm not done with this issue and will be gathering information from other Elantra owners to look into a class action law suit, since Hyundai Motors is not taking this matter seriously.

- Dan C., Green Valley, AZ, US

problem #6

Mar 232015

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Rough idle with no solution from the dealership.

I purchased my car, 2013 Elantra, used March 20th. before the week was out my CERTIFIED USED vehicle started exhibiting this rough idle issue in question. I took it in to fix another issue and was advised by the service manager that I should just use some fuel injector cleaner. I did. A couple weeks later I found myself back in the service department again. This time they checked it out and said they cleaned the carbon off the throttle body and that direct injection sometimes caused carbon build up. Ran well for 1 day maybe, since this is an off and on issue maybe I just didn't notice it.

Fast forward a month when I'm driving, with the air on, and stopped at a stop sign when the car stumbles so hard this time I thought it was gonna cut out on me. Then again on the freeway. LA freeways are worse than traffic jams on a street anywhere else so I was at a stop and go not driving. With all the 100+ heatwaves we've been experiencing this summer I have been running the air conditioner a lot but am not sure one has an effect on the other as I've only had this car for just over 4 months.

It seems to be getting worse. Other people are commenting on it. I have 2 friends with Hyundai's and they have a slight shake with the air conditioner but nothing like mine.

I've had the car looked at and have tried fuel injector cleaner, changed spark plugs, and had one tech suggest the engine mount failure.

Anyone with a solution, please let us know. I'm frustrated and exhausted and thinking about trading it in cause I can't even try to sell it the way it is!!

- Gloria C., Simi Valley, CA, US

problem #5

Apr 032015

Elantra Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

I NOW HAVE 52,000 MILES ON CAR IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING CRAWLED UP IT AND DIED. I CALLED THE DEALER/SERVICE SHOP NEAR ME AND I CAN ONLY TAKE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT FIXED IT, BECAUSE THEY COVER THEIR WORK. HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW IF ITS THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, OR A DIFFERENT ISSUE? I CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THIS.

- Moshe M., Suffern, NY, US

problem #4

Feb 032014

Elantra Limited 1.8L 145 Hp 4c

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,500 miles

vibrates bad at stop in drive with ac on, not normal

What a response to my problem. They said they checked another 2013 Elantra and it makes the same vibration so they all do that. This is not normal. It shakes like it will stall out. They did say several people have brought their car in for the same problem. Ok! SO THERE IS A PROBLEM! FIX IT. I wanted this car to begin with and with the bad gas mileage and this shaking at every stop light or sitting in trafic to have to turn your AC off ....I hate this car and I only have 5,000 miles on it. Tustin Calif Hyundai Dealer WHAT THE ......

- LaVonne B., Tustin, CA, US

problem #3

Feb 092013

Elantra 2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12 miles

The car has had a valve clicking noise since we drove off the lot. A few days later I noticed that the engine idle

was very rough and the engine shakes until I accelerate again. Worse with the AC on.

- E J., Faifield, CA, US

problem #2

Mar 282013

Elantra GLS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 416 miles

What a joke. We purchased the 2013 Elantra in spite of the misleading mileage rating, taking into consideration all the other comments written on the car. The second week after I had the car, I was at a stop light and the rpm needle dipped below 500 rpms and the car almost stalled, then raced over 1500 and then settled to the normal reading. I figured it for a fluke, but soon after that the car would start this rough idle when you lease expected it to. I can underastand 4 cylinder engines having a bit more idle than that of a 6 but this was ridiculous. The car lietrally vibrated like something you'd experience when a car is mis-firing. I took it to service and they claimed to find nothing wrong. Drove the car for a couple of more weeks till I had had enough of this constant vibration. Second time, still claimed they found nothing. Got worse when i turned on the air conditioner. The third time I took the car into service I first had Paul the sales rep come sit in the car and have him experience what I was talking about. He immediateley said take this over to service and have Mr. Nayer the serive mgr. look at it. He came out sat in the car ( as it is shaking) Said this might be a "normal" charateristic of the car. Really, was I wasn't born last night or are you really claimning that you sell junk. He took it for a ride, said he did experince the same vibration. Put car into service. when I was called to pick up the car, he told me that they took this problem to the Hyundai Corp. Servive tech and they said.quote "we are aware that yes, there are some Elantra's that will idle rougher than others, but thst at this time it does not warrant any recall and that if they come up with a solution, that he would call me. Now granted while the car was in the shop they gave me Elantra rentals, and none of these cars performed like this, till the very last one. The white limited one taht they gave me last started to do the same on my way to service from work. So it is easy to say that the law of averages is out there as they claim. "Some will idle rougher thena others". Then unfortunate thing, is that while this does not hamper the performance while you are moving, dare come to a light or stop were you have to idle for a period of time and you will find yourself putting your foot on the pedal to increase the idle thinking that it might turn off. the car was in the shop one more time for another problem. It kept stalling. it did this about 3 times in a period of 5 days. Again I ws told that they could not find anything. I was told that maybe running a higher grade of gas would fix the problem if some bad gas got into the tank, which I did, (went from always using BP to Shell too)just to cover every base. I have been so frustrated over this situation. I don't think it is fair to the consumer to be stuck paying for a bad product, while the mfg. figures out a fix. What does not make sense to me, is how Hyndai can justify the same engine on their "reliable" cars to have this issue and others not. if they are made with all the same parts, were in lies the problem that is being excused as "normal characteristic" for the car. so then the ones that idle much smoother...are these the "abnormal" ones. I will never buy another Hundai again. The dealer said there is nothing they can do but that they would let me know if any changes come up. I was told by the Finance Mgr. Shuan that he has dealt with these kinds of issue before, that in fact he had a man buy a Genesis and the car would allow you to shift into reverse but with some bit of hestitation, so they gave him another one. I'm not even asking for that, i just want mine to be fixed. The General Mgr. Mike said he would look ino this and try his hardest to help. I have had to chase these people down for answers. Still waiting to hear from Shaun for over a week now, His last ditch effort was to "email" the owner Todd..who is probably to busy making his commercials for his dealership to answer this problem. Good Luck to those of you who are not having this problem case other than this and the fact the car is so light the slightest hole will cause the car to bounce off center point, it works. For those of you who have this problem, please speak up, it's not fair in today's economy that we live from pay check to pay check and not get our monies worth on the second biggst investment we make outside of a home.

- Gregory F., Morrisville, PA, US

problem #1

Dec 072012

Elantra GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

STARTED 12/12 THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THEN DIED WHEN I

WHEN I TRIED TO GO WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. Scared the cr#p out of me !!!! now it just shakes while at a red light and they tell me because it is a 4 cylinder . REALLY how much smoke do they think they can blow up my a## . Do you think I will just go away ?

- Julie G., Carol Stream, IL, US

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