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:
68,129 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 2 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #242

Nov 012022

Elantra

  • miles

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

There is a bushing in the electronic power steering motor that fails very often in this year model and make. This bushing is involved with the steering operation of the car and may cause loss of steering while driving. It is a well documented issue on the internet.

- Wake Village , TX, USA

problem #241

Oct 032023

Elantra

  • miles
The Power Steering System failed with both EPS and Traction Control Lights. Can only steer without assists. Air Bag light

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #240

Sep 292023

Elantra

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure was related to the steering wheel. There was no further information provided. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #239

Sep 302023

Elantra

  • miles

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

The steering went out, causing me to crash, car flipped. Steering was making this clicking/popping noise for a long time. I see on line a lot of other people experience this and also crashes.

- Amelia, VA, USA

problem #238

Sep 282023

Elantra

  • miles
When Ever I turn my steering I hear a rubbing noise. Upon online research it sounds like a steering (MPDS) bearing is worn. Sound it makes is getting worse. I fear if my steering will eventually freeze while driving. Manufacturer had a technical service bulletin for other year models but not for 2013 Elantra and they do not sell bearing alone. Was told they sell entire steering column assembly. No warning lamp/ messages earlier. I did have issue with worn steering coupler which I just replaced and still have this other problem.

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #237

Sep 022023

Elantra

  • miles
TPMS light is flashing due to failure in electrical panel, despite tire pressure being normal. Additionally, the steering wheel makes a clicking noise that increases when accelerating above 10 mph.

- Olney, MD, USA

problem #236

Jul 012023

Elantra

  • miles

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

My steering wheel has a clunking sound and you can feel it in the steering wheel when moving the wheel slightly to the right and left

- Salida , CA, USA

problem #235

Aug 172023

Elantra

  • miles
when i turn the wheel to the left, i heard a bump noise, like the steering is about to go out. Took my car to a mechanic he said it is the electronic power steering and it was a safety issue that was under recall. Called dealer they said they won't repair it for free because my car is over 100K miles. They want to charge me $350. so not fair. Dealership shouldn't be able to not repair recalls period. they make a mistake the public has to pay for it.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #234

Aug 072023

Elantra

  • miles
There is a clicking sound in the Hyundai's steering column. The issue is common enough that Hyundai has extended the warranty on the coupler for Elantras and Sonatas - however the dealer charges over $160/hour diagnostic charge so the extended warranty is not helpful. I think Hyundai should issue a recall for this item. Hyundai is claiming that this is not a safety issue, but it is very concerning when you hear a loud clicking noise coming from your steering column. I expect the noise to worsen and fear that it could potentially damage the steering column. I did take my car to a local repair shop (not the dealer) and they confirmed that it sounds like a coupler issue and provided an estimate for a costly repair.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #233

Aug 012023

Elantra

  • miles
I noticed extra play in the steering when I turned the wheel (either direction.) At first, it was minor but over time, the play and noise in the steering got worse. I took it to Midas to have it examined and was told the steering couple was bad and should be replaced but referred me back to a dealer as they felt the repair should be covered. I was told that it is not covered and the repair is costly. I am not able to afford the repair and am concerned about the safety of continuing to drive this vehicle but it is the only car I have.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #232

Jan 312023

Elantra

  • miles

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

The steering wheel clicks when turning and even when trying to drive straight. The car requires more effort to stay in lane and potential safety concerns include total loss of steering while driving. This is a known problem with Hyundai's Electric Steering Flex Coupler. There are many reports of this issue online and it seems Hyundai issued an extended warranty until 100,000 miles for this issue but claims there are no safety impacts. However, the issue involves the degrading of the coupler used and this typically occurs AFTER 100,000 miles, as happened with my vehicle. Also, when taking the vehicle to the dealership for other service, this defect was noted and we were warned that it CAN be potentially a safety concern. So, the dealers themselves acknowledge this is a safety issue and yet they will not cover this $450 repair. I cannot afford this out-of-pocket expense. The car maker should be responsible to repair a known defect in manufacture that their service technicians state are safety concerns.

- Pikesville, MD, USA

problem #231

Jul 102023

Elantra

  • miles
Dealer refused to repair defective steering wheel for which manufacturer has issued recall notice. Dealer stated that recall repairs were no longer covered

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #230

Oct 302020

Elantra

  • miles
The problem is in the steering and yes it is available upon request for inspection. My safety and that of anyone riding is at risk because the problem persists and it's progressively worse. There's a knock/pull/resistance whenever the steering turns slightly or fully either way. Yes the problem has been confirmed. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent business owner, and contractor. There were no warning signs or indicators of the problem, it started approximately 2020 but was slightly less pronounced than it is now and has become increasingly worse.

- Washington , DC, USA

problem #229

May 312023

Elantra

  • miles
The contact-??s daughter owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact not to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Athens, AL, USA

problem #228

May 162023

Elantra

  • miles
While driving the steering made a clunking noise and the ability to turn the steering wheel was affected. At low speeds the steering wheel is pulling and feels like there is a loose spot in the turning radius of the steering. After researching, the possible issue is the 926-990 Flexible Steering Coupler.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #227

Apr 092023

Elantra

  • miles
The steering coupler is out

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #226

Mar 272023

Elantra

  • miles
I have replaced the lights and battery many times and something keeps draining it. The outside brake lights sometimes stay on. So does the front running lights. The car sometimes wants to stall and when I press on the gas pedal it finally catches but still seems like it is going to shut down. The steering column has a really bad clicking in it and doesn-??t seem to be tight anymore.

- Chapin, SC, USA

problem #225

Mar 092023

Elantra

  • miles
Steering coupling failed. Hyundai is repairing this defective part on other models of the Elantra, but will not on the Elantra Gt. Makes no sense as it is the exact same defective part.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #224

Mar 122023

Elantra

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact's daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH when she heard an abnormal "pop" sound come from under the floorboards. The contact said that as she was following the road on a right-hand curve the vehicle steering was not responding to her steering correction to follow the turn. The contact said that his daughter lost control and spun the vehicle 180 degrees and crashed into a guard rail. The contact stated that she did not notice any warning lights. The vehicle hit the guard first with the front driver's fender and then the entire driver's side hit the guard rail and all forward momentum stopped. The police arrived on the scene and wrote a report. The daughter had not suffered any injuries, however, the vehicle was undrivable and was towed to a towing lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V311000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Russell, KY, USA

problem #223

Mar 022023

Elantra

  • miles
When I turn the wheel there is a loud clunking noise

- Lebanon, PA, USA

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