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:
6 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,327 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #99

Oct 252020

Elantra

  • 75,000 miles

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

My 2013 Hyundai Elantra with approx. 75,000 miles, and no mechanical or cosmetic issues, caught fire while parked and turned off for 10 minutes at tavern in the square restaurant in lowell, MA. Patrons who were parked nearby heard what sounded like electrical sparks and then witnessed smoke coming from the hood which then burst into flames. They ran in to retrieve my family and I and the fire department came within 10 minutes to extinguish the flames but the car was completely destroyed by that time. I have videos and pictures that can be forwarded to you. I have attempted to contact Hyundai customer service but was on hold for 40 minutes and immediately disconnected before speaking to anyone. This has been extremely stressful emotionally and financially. The car was in our garage just 30 minutes prior and this could have been much worse. There is obviously a history of issues with some other Hyundai vehicles which I wasn't aware of until now but I don't see that my car was listed as a possible recall for electrical fires. It was my only mode of transportation and every penny I earned was used to purchase this vehicle less than one year ago. I do not have insurance that would cover this situation so this is a total loss. Please let me know how to proceed and also where to forward the video and photo details.

- Pelham, NH, USA

problem #98

Sep 112020

Elantra

  • 51,486 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to hydroplane. The contact lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle spun out of control and crashed into a wall. All the air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to the back broken, burn to neck, buries all over the body, and lacerations to the head. Medical attention was contacted and as took the contact to the hospital however the contact had to be transfer to another hospital where she received medical attention between Sept 9/11/2020 to 9/14/2020. The contact was in the trauma unit. The vehicle was towed by the police to a lot where it was deemed a totaled loss. Geico also confirmed that the vehicle was destroyed. The dealer (thomas Hyundai 10325 mt savage road, cumberland, md 21502) was contacted about the repairs that were performed on the vehicle 3 weeks prior to the failure that occurred and informed the contact that the ECM was updated and the brake pedal stopper was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that 0 recalls were under the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 51,486.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #97

Jun 042018

Elantra

  • 59,989 miles
Air bag light came on and buttons on steering wheel no longer work. Many other Elantra owners have made complaints about this but nothing has been done. They want me to pay to fix a safety issue with the air bags and it happened before I hit 60000 but couldn't get in until later so they used that to not fix it on there on dime.

- Kingsport, TN, USA

problem #96

Jun 232020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 96,000 miles

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

The parking light come on randomly. Even when the switch it turned to the off position. This causes the battery to run down. The only way to shut them off is to disconnect the battery cable. When 1st noticed the vehicle had not been driven for three days. It has happened several times since I first noticed it. Several other Hyundai owners have reported the same problem. Mostly with parking lights, but a few said it was their brake lights.

- Haysville, KS, USA

problem #95

Jun 232020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
The key fob is not detected (intermittently). When this happens, I am left stranded. My car will not start. I have changed the battery in the fob when this occurs and I have tried to use my second key fob. The problem still is not aided. I have attempted to put the fob up to the start button, as some videos suggest. The problem still continues. Upon looking at forums and other places on the web where Hyundai customers communicate, it is obvious that this is a common problem among Hyundai customers. During this time, the car was stationary. This is a recurring issue. I even got the brake sensor replaced. The problem continues.

- St. Marys, GA, USA

problem #94

May 162020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 142,961 miles
For a year straight the car has been shutting off on my while I'm driving on the street's. this is very hazardous because it randomly happens. The car will just shut off as if it lost battery power while still in driving gear. When restarting the car it can sometimes take awhile because it will make a clicking noise like there is either a problem with the engine or starter for the car. When this happens occasionally the check engine light will come on.

- Gardena, CA, USA

problem #93

May 062020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 102,100 miles

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

I was getting off the freeway on the off ramo and came to a red light. When the light changed green my car died and I was in left turn lane. I couldn't move the car forward. I didn't have ac and the car would not start at all.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #92

Jan 202020

Elantra

  • 103,000 miles
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 #91

Sep 162019

Elantra

  • 139,800 miles
Radio and some sensors in engine not working. Sensors show my engine light on but when checked says there is nothing wrong. The radio will not turn on, fuse was replaced and did not fix the issue. These problems happen with the car is both stationary and in motion

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #90

Dec 052019

Elantra

  • 135,000 miles
Engine light came on car started to skip took two certified mechanic change spark plugs two condensers engine flush and the engine start rattling engine broke loose now engine is destroyed or after a tuneup. Took back immediately and to a different mechanic for second opinion.

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #89

Dec 132019

Elantra

  • 33,000 miles

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

Electric steering coupling defective. Car has only 33K miles on it. Unsafe to drive. Mechanic reports this is a common problem with year, make and model of car. I noticed too much play and clunking in steering while stationary and in motion. Car bought from dealership July 3, 2019.. I had car repaired before further damage occurred.

- Amenia, NY, USA

problem #88

Jul 282019

Elantra

  • 94,438 miles
Airbag SRS light appeared on dash panel without reason when the vehicle was started in a parked position and has stayed illuminated since first appearing. The light has been present for several months now. Recent diagnostics reported airbag fault (code B134600 driver airbag resistance too high stage #1). Service facility deemed fault is secondary to defective clock spring. The defect causes the airbag system to fail and airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident because of this fault.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #87

Oct 232019

Elantra

  • 86,000 miles
The airbag light came on and I got it diagnosed and it was the clock spring. The clock spring needed to be replaced and the tech said that the clock spring itself wasnt broken, just that it shorted out. This should be covered under the warranty since this is a safety issue. I googled this problem before I got it fixed and there was a consensus that Elantras have an issue with the clock spring. Hyundai did a partial recall of Elantras within 2011-2014 for this issue, but my vehicle wasn't included in this recall. The light would generally stay on but would occasionally turn off on the highway, but then back on.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #86

Jul 102019

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 81,800 miles
Car was parked and locked with all systems off. Later I noticed brake lights on. Called Hyundai and informed them inquiring if there was a recall about this problem. They told me to take to dealer and have them perform diagnostic to determine cause. They said it was brake light switch.dealer changed switch(2),relay. Problem still exist.

- Dalzell, SC, USA

problem #85

Oct 082019

Elantra

  • 124,800 miles
The steering wheel has a click in it. The eps light and traction light came on at the same time went too the dealership but they said it wasn't a recall on this common problem it happen all at once at city speed

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #84

Jul 182019

Elantra

  • 68,500 miles
Around 5pm on July 18th after starting up my parked car with no issues I pulled out of a parallel parking spot and made a left turn through a green arrow at the light. I was driving straight and slowly accelerating to about 30mph. I took my foot of the gas a bit to coast. I went to put my foot back on the gas but before I could within about 10sec the car slowed down and came to a halt in the middle of the road. Right as the car was slowing down all of the emergency lights such as check engine and all the other ones on the dashboard flashed. The car was completely shut off. The hazard lights did not even come on. I immediately pressed the break and turned the car back on. It started up immediately and I kept driving. Took car to Hyundai dealer who found no issues after running a diagnostic.

- Oak Park, IL, USA

problem #83

Jun 132019

Elantra

  • 100,700 miles
I drove my 2013 Hyundai Elantra Tuesday evening and parked it at 9pm. Went to start my car to go to work at 730am and it would not start. All of the lights came on, headlights and radio worked the car just would not start. I tried to start it 5 more times, it is push start. I called and had my car towed that evening, the tow guy came and put it in neutral and it started right up. I still had the car towed because I have had so many electrical issues with this car. It has been at the Hyundai dealership for 4 days now and no one can tell me what is wrong with it. It has started a couple times for the dealership but not consistently. I keep calling and asking what the issue is but they have no idea what it is. I have read numerous comments about the same issue with this car. This needs to be a recall this is not fair to us as Hyundai customers. This should be recalled and paid for by Hyundai.

- Bristol, VA, USA

problem #82

Apr 202019

Elantra

  • 100,500 miles
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 #81

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 #80

Mar 242019

Elantra

  • 117,000 miles
Takata recalls. My radio bluetooth doesn't work nor does the usb. I'm constantly having to change rear lightbulbs. When my car reaches a certain speed it starts to shake. My tire sensor put a hole in my tire. My seat belts will not connect. I'm just had to change the alternator. And the engine makes a ticking sound.

- Rockingham, NC, USA

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