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:
8 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,000 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #210

Jun 012022

Elantra

  • miles

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

I own an 2013 Elantra GT, that currently has about 89,000 miles. Over the last several months, there is a very loud clunk when I turn the steering wheel or when driving over uneven roads (like pot holes). As the noise got worse, I was concerned about something broken in the car. I took this to a national tire dealer (Big O) and was informed that the noise was from a very well known issue in the Elantra vehicles, I made an appointment at the Hyundai dealer and without looking at the car, I was told it did not fall under the service bulletin and the repair would cost over $400. This seems to be one of the few Elantras that Hyundai has not issued the extended warranty for. I'm very concerned that this issue will cause the loss of steering control and will cause an accident or even death. Hyundai needs to extend the warranty to cover the Elantra GT along with all the other Hyundai models

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #209

Aug 092022

Elantra

  • miles
Driving on highway and the steering locked up and unable to steer vehicle. I was able to roll to a safe area and vehicle was towed to a repair shop and steering column needs replacement. Thank God I was not injured.

- Castleton, NY, USA

problem #208

May 042022

Elantra

  • miles
Sudden Play in steering with clunking noise before steer Upon googling I see many hyundai cars having this issue A 10$ part replacement that costs 500$ labor

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #207

Jan 012019

Elantra

  • miles

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

Steering column has clunking sound due to failed steering coupling adapter. This problem has been covered through recall in Elantra and Sonata sedans but not in Elantra coupes. (https://autoservice.hyundaiusa.com/TXX7/MicroSiteTemplate/MicroSiteTemplateVINValidat e/2688) This repair should be covered by Hyundai as a recall campaign to eliminate any potential safety issues.

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #206

Apr 022022

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
[XXX] Steering coupler failure. There is a recall on other Hyundai models for this same issue, but not the GT models. The flexible steering couple 56315-2k000fff is a known issue, yet Hyundai is saying its not a recall. This is a manufacture design flaw that renders the vehicle unable to be driven safely due to steering wheel shaking uncontrollably. It seems all Hyundai Elantra models using this coupler are covered under a manufacturers special warranty with the exception of the coupe models (this one). Hyundai's website states: "Hyundai Motor America is revising the warranty coverage for the rubber coupling in the motor driven power steering (MDPS) assembly on 2007-2015 Elantra Sedans, 2009-2012 Elantra Touring models, 2011-2014 Sonata Sedans, and 2011-2015 Hybrid Sonata Sedans to 10 years from the date of original delivery or the date of first use, or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first." This is a major safety hazard the manufacturer refuses to recall/repair. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Del Rio, TX, USA

problem #205

Jun 252021

Elantra

  • miles
I will upload the files. I wrote to Hyundai complaining that I needed to be reimbursed for an expense I incurred with my car. See attachments.

- Donaldsonville, LA, USA

problem #204

Jan 272022

Elantra

  • miles

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

Sometime around last November or December, I took my vehicle for oil change and other services performed at Pep Boys, I was notified that all four tires are almost worn out and needs to be replaced. All four tires were replace sometime in December 2021 and they also did the wheel balance and wheel alignment. Around January 2022, while driving, I could feel the tightness on the steering wheel and also my car pulling left and at times crossing into the adjacent lane and was tough on the steering wheel to bring it back to the previous lane. I informed Pep Boys and they carried out some tests and also did a wheel alignment at no cost. The problem hasn't been fixed, there's a knocking noise in the steering wheel and the car is still pulling right, there's also the sensor light flashing in the dashboard, which the mechanic at Pep Boys is unable to fix even after carrying out diagnostic tests. The vehicle is available for inspection, it has been inspected by Pep Boys, the warning lamp for the wheels is continuously flashing and Pep Boys has been unable to determine the course.

- Wildomar, CA, USA

problem #203

Dec 032021

Elantra

  • miles
Steering Coupler inside steering motor has disintegrate. Causing a clanking noise as you turn the steering wheel. There is just a service bulletin recommending you switch this part out, but no recall yet. If the coupler bushing were to completely disintegrate you would have a locked steering column or lose complete control of your electric steering.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

problem #202

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 #201

Jan 062021

Elantra

  • miles
The steering wheel has weird noices that jerks in the high way. It is scary keeping control of lanes.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #200

Oct 192021

Elantra

  • miles

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

The HYUNDAI Genuine OEM Flexible Steering Couple 56315-2K000FFF has failed. The steering wheel clicks and has a clunking feel and is getting more pronounced. There is a manufacturing design flaw in the rubber compound causing it to disintegrate within the unit. For some reason, all Hyundai Elantra models using this coupler are covered under a manufacturers special warranty with the exception of the Coupe Models that they made for only 2 years.

- Palmyra, VA, USA

problem #199

Sep 152021

Elantra

  • miles
There was a recall on previous Hyundai models for this same issue. The HYUNDAI Genuine OEM Flexible Steering Couple 56315-2K000FFF. I began to notice a slight sound a year ago, & it got worse. This is a KNOWN issue, yet Hyundai is saying its not a recall. This is an $8 part but in a spot that will cost $300+ in labor. This is a manufacture design flaw that should have never happened. Driving down the road the wheel is not stable.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

problem #198

Sep 012021

Elantra

  • miles
1. There is an electrical issue with the power steering. 2. This poses a HUGE safety risk, as the power steering could completely give out and we could lose control of the vehicle. 3. A local mechanic we use confirmed this. 4. No warning lights came on. We had started to hear a "clunking" or "knocking" sound when turning the wheel so took it in to get inspected.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #197

Sep 062021

Elantra

  • miles
There was a recall on previous Hyundai models for this same issue. The HYUNDAI Genuine OEM Flexible Steering Couple 56315-2K000FFF. Has failed some time ago and we had no idea it was this dangerous until today. The steering wheel would click and has done so for a long time over 2 years and we noticed it getting much worse so we looked up videos and parts to see what it could be. This is a manufacture design flaw that should have never happened. Driving down the road the wheel is not stable and bumps or thumps and is also very distracting while driving. The biggest concern is that it makes you think that the steering is going to fail and you will crash. If Hyundai did this to make people come in for a repair to just get money at the expense of fearful customers this is a corporate wrong that needs to be corrected and force them to repair all these at no cost for the life of the car and redesign these so this never happens again.

- Lake Balboa, CA, USA

problem #196

Jul 262021

Elantra

  • miles
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra's EPS light locks my steering wheel mid driving. The traction control light also comes on simultaneously, causing me to be unable to steer at an array of speeds.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #195

Oct 152020

Elantra

  • miles
The steering system is clunking both at rest and while in motion. The dealer diagnosed the problem as the steering coupler. This part is the subject of a recall in other similar models but for some reason the GT model is excluded, even though it is an identical part. The problem is getting progressively worse while Hyundai is refusing to help. The dealer service writer was at a loss to explain why my car is not included in the recall. First reported to Hyundai in January 2021 at about 90,000 miles.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #194

Jul 292021

Elantra

  • miles
El auto comienza a tambalearse cuando va a velocidad y pasa por una carretera inestable. El guía tiembla como si el auto se fuera a salir de la carretera.

- Lares, PR, USA

problem #193

Apr 222021

Elantra

  • miles
My steering wheel is making a clanking noise when you turn it and when you hit a bump or go down a mountain it does it louder. Im just scared it will break and then whats going to happen

- Dunlap, TN, USA

problem #192

Apr 232021

Elantra

  • 68,397 miles
While I was driving on the highway, car steering became hard and I was unable to turn. Due to steering issue I couldn't keep car in my lane and I was about to crash into other cars. After pulling car on the side with extreme force on steering. And checking tires pressure, it was normal. Under the hood all fluids and oil were normal. Couldn't find power steering fluid tank. After researching online found out it only has electric power steering so no steering fluid and many Hyundai car has/had same issue. In fact Hyundai has recalled cars upto 2011 for this issue. Even highway petrol service officer said his 2012 Elantra had same issue. Fyi even though my car is 2013 Hyundai Elantra, it was purchased around Apr 2012, so it is early 2012 built with possibly 2011 components.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #191

Dec 012020

Elantra

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a banging and rubbing sound coming from the steering column while turning in either direction. The vehicle was taken to werner Hyundai (252 capital cir sw, tallahassee, fl 32304) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.

- Crawfordville, FL, USA

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