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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,728 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2013 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

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problem #44

Apr 202019

Elantra

  • 100,500 miles

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

Takata recall I have recently had my airbag light come on on my car. I have waited a month or two and the light will not go off. I have done numerous amounts of research and found out that this is an extremely popular malfunction with Hyundai sonatas and Hyundai Elantras from the year of 2012. The problem happened right after I rolled over my 100,000 mile warranty so it was covered no longer. This is a safety concern to many people as this is a very popular car. I've had diagnostics done on my car and told it was the clock spring that has malfunctioned. Reviews also have the same malfunction.

- Gatlinburg, TN, USA

problem #43

Mar 042019

Elantra

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the tail lights needed to be replaced due to the rear brake lights remaining illuminated even when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V574000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to conicelli Hyundai (located at West 1208 ridge pike, conshohocken, pa 19428, (610) 624-2029) where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to wear and tear. The rear tail lights were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact also stated that the wiring harness in the tail lights melted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #42

Oct 102018

Elantra

  • 130,000 miles
My brake lights do not work, I've had them replaced 3 times. My rpms do not work when I push the gas, the vehicle won't go more than 20 mph, when changing my gears, it doesn't work, and when I am at a stop light or just sitting in a parking lot with the vehicle running it turns off on it's own. When I try to start the vehicle it won't turn most the time.

- Sparks, NV, USA

problem #41

Oct 042018

Elantra

  • miles

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

Randomly last week, the red airbag light appeared on my dash. The light would go off and on about every 5-10 minutes, while driving and stationary. Some days, the length of time it was off would extend longer than other. Over the last two days, the light has remained on consistently. I read similar issues online from other 2013 Hyundai Elantra owners who stated that the driver airbag will not deploy if this light is on in the event of a collision. Yet, I found no recalls online. I have not had any prior issues with false warning lights and the car has not been in any type of accident in over 4 years. There is no way for me to maintain these safety features in my car so I will not pay hundreds of dollars to fix an issue that was not caused due lack of owner diligence. However, I need to ensure my car will deploy any safety functions in the event of an accident when triggered.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #40

Aug 012018

Elantra

  • miles
Driver's side headlight routinely burns out. Mechanic says he has been seeing this with Elantras regularly.

- Richmond, VA, USA

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problem #39

Jul 212018

Elantra

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 54 mph, the service indicators illuminated, the headlights failed to illuminate, and the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and attempted to turn the headlights on and off, but they failed to respond. The contact continued driving, but the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was pushed to the contact's residence. The contact called van Hyundai (1301 S interstate 35E, carrollton, tx 75006, (972) 437-8334), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

- Hubbard, TX, USA

problem #38

May 242018

Elantra

  • 110,000 miles

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

I am the only owner of my 2013 Hyundai Elantra that I bought brand new. I have had several issues electrical with lighting turning on and off - I thought I was burning through bulbs quickly but I can go over a bump and brake lights or interior lights will start to work again. This has been ongoing. I recently started hearing a loud engine knock which the Hyundai dealership told me is normal and would go away once it warmed up. Turns out when I took it to a mechanic who is honest and know what he is talking about that it is a wrist pin....which means a whole new engine. My car is now just out of warranty and Hyundai does not want to assist even though there are many cases with 2013 Hyundai motors that are bad. There should be a recall on this but isn't. the NHTSA should step in and make Hyundai do the right thing.

- Harrison, OH, USA

problem #37

Jun 222017

Elantra

  • 55,000 miles
Theyre was a recall on, my brakes in 2016 the Hyundai shop said it was already fixed and now I have to pay but it has messed up again I have no brake lights.I didn't tv notice if I, bought it this way or just happened

- Rogersville, TN, USA

problem #36

Nov 152017

Elantra

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While stationary and driving various speeds, the headlights malfunctioned and stopped working on multiple occasions. Nalley Hyundai in conyers, Georgia replaced one of the inoperative headlights, but the failure recurred. In addition, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where all of the headlights were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #35

Nov 292017

Elantra

  • 65,000 miles
Passenger side brake light has burned out twice in two months.

- Mountain View, CA, USA

problem #34

Aug 102017

Elantra

  • miles

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

I have been having electrical issues for about 1 1/2 years. The radio turns off when breaking and signaling. Not every time but about 2/3 of the time. Occasionally the dash will go out. The interior lights flicker (all the time) as well as the head lights. Not sure about the back lights because I can't see them but I assume. The temperature gauge does not light up sometimes. No bars are displayed. The trip computer resets at least 4 times a week. The avg mpg, mph, trip a and B will start over at 0.0. turning left makes the car shutter and turn off in mid traffic or when in a drive thru. The steering wheel locks up/stiff steering. The eps light comes on. Have to turn car off and back on to alleviate the issue. While the car is idling with the air conditioner on the car will cycle and just about turn off

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #33

Sep 272017

Elantra

  • 88,000 miles
All break lights stopped working, rear bar and both tail lights. Was informed by the nearby driver that lights weren't working.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #32

Aug 082017

Elantra

  • 85,000 miles
Our cruise control (cc) switches on the steering have stopped working! the behavior was un-predicable and dangerous for while when hitting cancel button would "engage" the cc. This is a serious safety issue since it could cause accidents. I believe this is due to the poor design on the connector that connects the wires from the cc switches to the steering case. The connector is placed right under the horn cover and we believe the connector gets squeezed every time the horn is used. I tested this myself and was able to get the cc to work after lifting the horn covers forward section which reduced the pressure from the connector right underneath it ! when I did this, hitting the cc. Once again this is a serious safety issue cause drivers could assume they are disabling the cc, when they could actually be activating cc which will cause accidents.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #31

Jul 032017

Elantra

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While the vehicle was parked, the battery died and the vehicle had to be jumpstarted in order to get to the contact's residence. The battery was replaced and the brake lights remained illuminated. The contact entered the vehicle and could not shift gears even when the brake pedal was depressed. The brake lights continued to remain illuminated at all times. The contact called the dealer (jenkins Hyundai in leesburg, Florida) and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- Clairmont, FL, USA

problem #30

Jun 262017

Elantra

  • 76,244 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While operating the vehicle, the rear brake light remained illuminated after depressing the brake pedal. After turning the vehicle off, the rear brake lights remained illuminated. The fuse was removed in order to shut off the brake lights. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V574000 (exterior lighting), although the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 76,244.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #29

Mar 012017

Elantra

  • 66,795 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While operating the vehicle, the brake lights remained illuminated when the brake pedal was released, the traction control indicator remained illuminated, and the gear shifter could be switched from park to drive without depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the pedal switch, but the failures continued. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 66,795.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #28

Jan 052017

Elantra

  • 67,800 miles
Side brake lights went out and overheated melting and cracking the lens. This is a defect that costs $560. Doesn't make sense that a vehicle with this type of light doesn't have a safety mechanism to warn the driver. Needs to be recalled.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #27

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 #26

Dec 262016

Elantra

  • miles
I am replacing brake light bulbs a little to often I believe. And when I contact Hyundai they said theirs no recalls so maybe its electrical issue that they haven't discovered yet. Well obviously because it wouldn't be happening to my car so often. But after replacing the brake light bulbs maybe going on 6 times now my first headlight socket burnt out I went to auto zone and bought a replacement one. I am curious am I the only one having these problems "?"

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #25

Nov 252016

Elantra

  • 56,112 miles
Rear signal and tail lights frequently become loose in lamp sockets and fail to properly function. Light fixtures must be accessed to reset the lamp, bulb. Vehicle only has about 57,000 miles and this has been occurring from around 34,000 miles. 3 each tail light and 1 license plate light have also burned out and were replaced. Same problem continues with bulbs loosening up at frequent intervals. Occurs at any period, stopped or in motion.

- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA

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