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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,951 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2013 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #60

Jun 122020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 158,870 miles

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

Moonroof exploded while driving on highway about 60-65 mph.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #59

May 102020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
Driving past on the freeway and his truck kept swerving into our lane. I honked for our safety to warn him and protect myself and my toddler in the car from getting hit. He then proceeded to follow me with his wife in the car making hand gestures of shooting me and continued to attempt to swerve his truck.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #58

Feb 272018

Elantra

  • 54,942 miles
Loud ticking in engine, worse on cold start and acceleration diagnosed as connecting rod bearing damage known and ongoing issue on Hyundai engines originally detected on 02/27/2018 check engine light illuminated and cleared by dealership returned on dealership on 02-07-2019. Dealership quoted condition normal. Returned to dealership 02/09/2020 dealership determined connecting rod bearing damage. Hyundai currently only offering 50 % coverage! this is a known and ongoing issue with Hyundai engines and should be covered 100%. vehicle currently has less than 95,000 miles on odometer. Hyundai has issed in extended warranty of $120,000 on several models with the same engine problem. Https://www.hyundaiengineinfo.com/technical-overview/#whattolookoutfor https://www.hyundaiengineinfo.com/ also, the trunk latch has completely failed along with the emergency latch opening in the trunk.

- Winchester, KY, USA

problem #57

Jan 202020

Elantra

  • 103,000 miles

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

For the last week after sitting overnight my car will not start. I get in while its parked stationary on the street, turn the key, all the lights come on, I can hear the fuel pump kick on, (there is no click), and nothing happens. After I repeatedly turn the key it has been starting but I am afraid it will just not start at some point. Called the dealer where I purchased they car, they said to call the Hyundai dealer. Called Hyundai dealer, they said they have not heard anything about the problem and would have to replicate problem (there are complaints all over the internet about this problem) they said I would have to leave the car with them, with no chance of a loaner (I cannot afford to uber 26 miles a day). I told them once I get it started for the day, it usually starts right back up after being turned off. I took a video of the problem this morning. It had the same trouble starting this morning when cold, and then when I got to work, 13 miles away, I turned it off and attempted to start it, it did the same thing (thats why I obtained the video of the issue). I am going to have to borrow a family members car to drive while they diagnose this widely reported problem they have "never heard of". I owned a 2007 Elantra since it was new and just sold it to buy this piece of garbage.. I never had one issue in 13 years of ownership. Hyundai needs to take accountability and recall this issue.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #56

Sep 122019

Elantra

  • 156,000 miles
We were driving to take one of my kids dr appointment. We stopped to get drinks for the road. We turned the car off came back to leave and it would not start fix the problem that it said and that didnt fix it. When you go to start it it wants to turn over but cant catch everything still works the way it should pistons move have power to everything, timing chain didnt jump the spark plugs still all get spark.

- Drasco, AR, USA

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problem #55

Jan 152020

Elantra

  • miles
My Elantras brake lights are always on. My traction control light, eps light, ABS light, and brake warning light are always on as well. I see where my vehicle is shown that the recalls have already been repaired on my car and I do not believe that is true or this would not be happening. My brakes lights constantly being on is a major problem because that can cause confusion on other drives and especially when I'm really using them to slow down. I'm always having to constantly replace the light bulbs on the left hand side of my vehicle as well which is odd. I'm very concerned and frustrated and wish I would receive assistance in fixing the problem. I have not been in any wrecks with my vehicle either. I also had someone check my car for any codes and vehicle speed sensor came up as well as brake switch.

- Chadbourn, NC, USA

problem #54

Jul 192019

Elantra

  • 101,000 miles

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

I was driving the car in heavy traffic when the engine shutdown and was almost run into by several cars behind and beside the car. The cars engine has been determined to be seized up even though there was no warning of either low oil pressure or high engine temp or any engine malfunction indicator. The engine has been regularly maintained. This cold have been a disaster had the driver of the vehicle had not taken heroic measures to get the vehicle safely pulled over and stopped. This action could have caused the driver and possibly the other vehicles beside and behind serious injuries and or possibly a fatality. I have done some research on this issue and there are others that this has happened to. Something needs to be done about this issue before someone loses their life over it.

- Willis, TX, USA

problem #53

Jan 012018

Elantra

  • miles
Paint is peeling in sections on bumper and door handles. Have seen this on other Elantras and online

- Quitman, GA, USA

problem #52

Jun 142019

Elantra

  • 101,000 miles
2015-key won't release from ignition, replaced under warranty. 2017-same issue, cant reproduce issue, not replaced by dealer. 2018-car won't start, battery replaced. 2019-car won't start. Dash lights come on, car clicking but won't start. Jumpstarted car. While driving after jumpstart the radio intermittently went off. Took in for repair and alternator and battery was replaced. Next day while driving, charging system light flashes on and off twice. 6 days later-car won't start after driving it 3 miles, clicking again and the engine, oil, and charging system light on. Had to walk home in the dark in a high crime city

- Grovetown, GA, USA

problem #51

Jun 012014

Elantra

  • miles
When driving over 40mph, car fishtails when going over bumps. Worsens in rain. Feels very unsteady and unsafe.

- Fieldsboro, NJ, USA

problem #50

Jun 082019

Elantra

  • 90,000 miles

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

My sunroof exploded while driving. There were no other vehicles around me so there was no additional damage. It left my sunroof shattered with a large hole in the center.

- Oxford, MS, USA

problem #49

Mar 042019

Elantra

  • 10,100 miles
The vehicle has a strange sound when started up in the mornings. Almost like a ticking or small knocking sound. When I put my car in reverse to back up it starts to jerk like it's about to shut off. Also that same jerking occurs while driving on the highway. When my car is at the speed 35 it starts to jerk like it's about to shut off too. It happens all day long between the speeds 35 to 65. When I turn on the ac my car makes a weird squeaking nose and also jerks like it's about to give out again. I have had all my fluids check and everything is just fine. I dont feel safe in my car. It started happening the same day I got my vehicle from a small used car lot on March 4th 2019. It's been happening since the day I have left. I called the guy who sold my the car and he told me T was probably the gas being bad since the car sit so long on the lot. But it has never stopped.

- Millers Creek, NC, USA

problem #48

Apr 172019

Elantra

  • miles
I have a 2013 Hyundai Elantra coupe which is experiencing issues with the mdps flexible coupling. There is a clicking noise when you turn the steering wheel. This is currently covered under the recall for Hyundai Elantra and sonata but not the Elantra coupe 2 door model which I have. The Elantra coupe model should be included in the recall.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #47

Dec 012018

Elantra

  • 80,000 miles
Veh shuts off when drops below 1-0 rpms, usually when making turns or slowing down to make a stop. On few occasions it turned off while just driving down street. Never know when it will happen. It's just like someone turns the key off, not a stall. This has been happening every day since at least Dec of 2018..it is now Mar 2019. It is happening more & more frequently.

- Forney, TX, USA

problem #46

Feb 012019

Elantra

  • 92,000 miles
2013 Hyundai Elantra GT: No control of the car when you hit bumps or cracks in the road very hard to keep in the lane your driving in this is at all speeds on any city road or highway ten times worse on snow and wind. The car only works proper on a brand new road without wind, snow, ice, rain, cracks, or bumps and should only be sold as a race car not a public street driving car! I am scared for my life every time I have to drive this car! I have almost lost control thousands of times! hundreds of other people online have same issue with this car!

- Granada, MN, USA

problem #45

Jan 212019

Elantra

  • 76,000 miles
While driving my car it had sudden surge of acceleration continue while in neutral and park. Requiring to turn off engine. Excessive RPM caused the battery and alternator to malfunction. Causing lack of control of vehicle.

- Northridge, CA, USA

problem #44

Mar 012018

Elantra

  • miles
Defective clock spring

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #43

Sep 142018

Elantra

  • 63,000 miles
I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION ON MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I HAVE BEEN IN 2 NEAR ACCIDENTS IN THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN JULY OF 2018. MY REGULAR MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS A CAR MAT PROBLEM AND REMOVED THE MAT. THIS WAS AFTER MY CAR ACCELERATED SO HIGH THAT I JUMPED THE CURB AND LANDED IN THE YARD. IT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I PUT IT IN PARK. I HAVE WITNESSES WHO SAW THIS HAPPEN. I DROVE THE CAR FOR 2 MORE WEEKS WITHOUT THE CAR MAT AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME WITH MY NIECE IN THE CAR. IT DID NOT STOP UNTIL I PUT IT IN PARK. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DO NOT TAKE THE CAR OUT DRIVING ENOUGH TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANT ME TO PICK UP THE CAR. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FIND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES. WHEN IS SOMEBODY GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT IN MY APARTMENT BUILDING. THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING AND TRIED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT WHEN IT HAPPENED. HYUNDAI DOESN'T GIVE A [XXX]. THEY THINK THAT AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER 40 YEARS, I AM SUDDENLY GETTING MY PEDALS MIXED UP!!!!! TELL THAT TO [XXX] WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #42

Feb 102018

Elantra

  • miles
I bought my 2013 Hyundai Elantra used with over $60,000 miles already driven. I received a recall letter for my car and took it to the Hyundai dealer who was supposed to fix a safety issue with the brake system. When I got my car back after the 'free repair' I noticed a clicking sound coming from the left wheel or passenger side wheel. I told the dealer who said I don't have extended maintenance coverage on it unless I purchase one which I was quoted another $300 plus a month on to cover repairs. I am paying $238.22 a month on time since June 2017 and insurance. Do I have to spend more than my budget for a car sold to me with the promise it had no problems? I don't think it's right that I have taken over someone's used car that obviously I am expected to pay for double because of the issues the car had and was not disclosed to me when I bought it. The clicking sound on the wheel is loud when I am driving slowly.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #41

Jul 012018

Elantra

  • miles
Possible crankshaft sensor failure. Car will not start properly or stalls after starting and shifting gears.happens every few months. New battery, spark plugs and tune up completed July 2018.no alternator/starter issues noted after mechanical testing.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

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