2013 Hyundai Elantra: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 1,325 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 4 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
1,325
Complaints
4
Recalls
95
Crash reports
30
Fire reports
68
Injuries
83.3
Severity index
Severity index 83.3 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 145 2013 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2013 Hyundai Elantra ranks 56 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 61% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 283 | 21.4% |
| STEERING | 271 | 20.5% |
| ENGINE | 235 | 17.7% |
| AIR BAGS | 168 | 12.7% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 155 | 11.7% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 127 | 9.6% |
| HYDRAULIC | 114 | 8.6% |
| SUSPENSION | 99 | 7.5% |
The single most-reported system is SERVICE BRAKES, cited in 283 of 1,325 complaints (21.4%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 71 |
| 2014 | 146 |
| 2015 | 112 |
| 2016 | 77 |
| 2017 | 88 |
| 2018 | 122 |
| 2019 | 152 |
| 2020 | 93 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 53 |
| 2023 | 110 |
| 2024 | 158 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 19 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.4x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17V769000 | 30/11/2017 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 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 rema |
| 16V574000 | 02/08/2016 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 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. |
| 13V115000 | 01/04/2013 | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 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. |
| 23V651000 | 22/09/2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 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 vehicl |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.