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:
69,455 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 1 of 13)

problem #257

Feb 152024

Elantra

  • 116,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was loosened, and felt as if the steering wheel would detach. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact believed that the failure was a manufacturing defect and took the vehicle to a local dealer; however, no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

- Concord, CA, USA

problem #256

Jun 102024

Elantra

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the contact became aware that the steering wheel was making a loud rattling sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Granite Quarry, NC, USA

problem #255

Apr 182024

Elantra

  • miles
I heard a noise and felt a pull when turning the steering wheel while the car was stationary or at low speeds. AAA said there was a recall and Hyundai would repair at no cost. The dealer stated I had a defective steering flexible coupler. If I did not replace, it could disintegrate in the steering column. I was told Hyundai extended the warrantee to 10 years or 100,000 miles. My 2013 car is 11 years old with 63,000 miles. The cost of the repair was $657.68. This is a safety issue with lots of complaints. This should be a recall. I want to be reimbursed for this manufacturing defect.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #254

Apr 012024

Elantra

  • miles

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

The bulbs are constantly blowing out, and need to be replaced. The steering wheel/column makes noises, and doesn't always lock, but when it does lock, it can be difficult to unlock it! The suspension shakes and rattles. There is a campaign for the corrosion of the undercarriage/suspension, that I was not aware of until a few weeks ago(I do have an appointment for that). The most pressing concern is with the steering(mechanic thinks it could be the coupler), and there are numerous complaints about this on various internet auto forums.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #253

Mar 132024

Elantra

  • miles
Faulty steering column issue

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #252

Aug 092023

Elantra

  • miles
Steering wheel makes a thud or clicking noise when you turn the wheel. I was told that this is caused by the power steering coupling gear is worn. In my mind if a gear is wearing, it will eventually wear smooth. If this happens, I can only assume that you would no longer be able to steer the car. Hyundai has a service bulletin [XXX] ) out to address this problem, but they say that there is no steering performance issue. My personal mechanic does not agree with that assessment. Hyundai fixed this problem on my other Hyundai Elantra while it was under warranty. I have an appointment with the dealer this week to fix the steering, for an estimated $450. I cannot believe this is not a safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Murrells Inlet, SC, USA

problem #251

Feb 212024

Elantra

  • 120,800 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle pulled to the left continuously. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,800.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #250

Oct 202023

Elantra

  • miles
I-??m having issues with braking and steering and I have made complaints to Hyundai and they have failed me they brush it off as though I need a new car but there are dangerous issues with this car. I also notified Hyundai Corporate Office on several occasions and a case manager by the name of Jose didn-??t help at all nothing was resolved he only left voice messages and nothing was done.

- Belcamp, MD, USA

problem #249

Jul 182023

Elantra

  • miles
Every time my steering wheel is moved slightly, It makes a clicking/clunking sound. It has progressed overtime while driving and an inspection cannot be passed due to it. I know many people whose Hyundais have been recalled because of this exact thing, and mine is not telling it is.

- Nixa, MO, USA

problem #248

Jan 082024

Elantra

  • miles
Steering is making a squeaky noise. Went to Hyundai dealership and they confirmed steering coupler needs replacement. This is a manufacturer-??s fault. Driving is dangerous as steering gets free sometimes while driving.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #247

Dec 182023

Elantra

  • 89,205 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated while attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle crashed into a curb. The contact stated that her daughter occupied the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The contact stated that the passenger side front tire hit the curb and the tire was damaged. The vehicle was undrivable, the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 89,205.

- Baldwin Park, CA, USA

problem #246

Nov 192023

Elantra

  • miles
My vehicle i have issue with Steering Rubber Coupling which is bad and a safety concern for me. K contacted the Hyundai Motors and they declined the service. Just like me there tons of Hyundai Vehicles owners experience the same problem.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #245

Nov 272023

Elantra

  • miles
The steering coupler failed, causing the tires to turn back and forth (oscillate) while the driver held the steering wheel steady. The vehicle went out of control and spun out on wet pavement. The driver could feel the steering wheel go thunk-thunk-thunk back and forth, as the servomotor for the electric power steering system went out of control. The failed coupler is between the servomotor and the power steering rack. The free play from the defective steering coupler allows the electric power steering system to turn the tires WITHOUT any input from the steering wheel or driver, causing the vehicle to become unstable and spin out. Hyundai has a TSB on this issue [XXX], but Hyndai says that this issue is a non-safety clunk noise. FALSE. This is a safety issue where the electric power steering system turns the tires (wheels) back and forth WITHOUT driver input. This causes the vehicle to become unstable, almost killing my wife. This IS a NHTSA safety issue, not a noise complaint. Hyundai falsely classified this problem as a noise issue, not a safety issue. This is a known defect that is falsely classified as a non-safety issue, escaping a NHTSA recall notice. This is a safety issue where the steering becomes unstable as the servomotor goes crazy due to the extra play or slop in the failed coupler. The safety issue is unrecoverable on wet or snowy pavement. On dry pavement it is annoying and unstable. This issue is also very dangerous and causes oversteer (spin outs) when the wheels hit an expansion joint at an angle. The vehicle oscillates and spins out, as the electric power steering system becomes unstable. It is terrible. This TSB needs to be reclassified properly as a safety recall. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #244

Nov 092023

Elantra

  • miles
I have steering issue with loud clunking coming from steering wheel, it is my understanding that this is a coupler issue that Hyundai had placed a extended warranty on up to 10 years from delivery when I'm coming up on but up on, however when I check with Hyundai I'm told that my VIN is not covered by this extended warranty and I'm concerned that this could fail completely causing possible safety issue. I'm told repair will cost 450 dollars which is not in my budget. I'm sure I'm not alone so I'm adding my voice to others that can or should not have to afford such a repair.

- Avondale, AZ, USA

problem #243

Nov 172023

Elantra

  • miles
2013 Elantra GT purchased new less than 63,000 miles. Airbag warning light on constantly. Hyundai has issued an extended lifetime warranty on clock spring. 2 local Dealers are 45 days behind in scheduling repairs and will not look at clockspring without agreement to pay $200 diagnostic fee to find what other issue may be at fault. This makes the extended warranty bait and switch smokescreen worthless. Diagnostic failed to identify clock spring failure. Instead both front end impact sensors were shorting out and anticipated ECU failure. estimated repair approx $1,000. After this diagnosis noise and resistance in steering wheel increased which is symptomatic of clock spring failure causing electrical failure in other systems. 20 miles later AC blower motor failed and burning electrical smell/smoke presented from behind dashboard. The extent and resulting danger from the faulty wiring systems is undetermined at this time. Significant risk of fire danger

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #242

Nov 012022

Elantra

  • miles
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
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

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