2013 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. Part of Generation 5 — 2011–2016.

20122014
Complaints
1,847
per 10K Sold
74.5
US Sales
247,912
Crashes
158
Fires
56
Injuries
91
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2013 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1268 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:104,933 mi
Crash-related:8
Fires:2
#2232 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:69,519 mi
Crash-related:7
Fires:15
#3165 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:78,486 mi
Crash-related:40
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

Steering Defects
268
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
2
Avg Miles
104,933
Engine Problems
232
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
15
Avg Miles
69,519
Airbags
165
complaints
Crashes
40
Fires
Avg Miles
78,486
Brakes
162
complaints
Crashes
27
Fires
3
Avg Miles
49,265
Electrical Faults
151
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
13
Avg Miles
55,962
Hydraulic Brakes
112
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
57,785
Suspension Failures
94
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
24,357
Wheel Issues
75
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Avg Miles
21,621
Headlight/Taillight Failures
67
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
56,145
Transmission / Drivetrain
56
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
72,506
Unintended Acceleration
49
complaints
Crashes
18
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,640
Electronic Stability Control
46
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,510
Body Structure
45
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
6
Avg Miles
45,292
Tire Defects
42
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
16,525
Fuel System
27
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
64,058
Wipers & Visibility
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
41,813
Sunroof/Moonroof
19
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
29,726
Seat Belt Issues
16
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
65,987
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,000
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
13,200
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
15,077
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

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Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Hyundai Elantra

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,290,695 vehicles.

23V651000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~1,649,478 affected

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

17V769000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
~390,467 affected

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.

16V574000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~64,500 affected

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

13V115000Structure · Air Bags:side/window
~186,250 affected

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Other Hyundai Elantra Years

2013 Hyundai Elantra — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2013 Hyundai Elantra has 1,847 NHTSA complaints, 158 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 268 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (268 complaints, avg 104,933 mi); Engine Problems (232 complaints, avg 69,519 mi); Airbags (165 complaints, avg 78,486 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 62,520 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra include 158 crash-related reports, 56 fire reports, 91 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,290,695 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2013 Hyundai Elantra shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Hyundai Elantra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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