2013 Hyundai Elantra problems and recalls

Owners filed 303 complaints on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra in the last three full years, out of 1,328 on record. The most cited component is the Service Brakes.

1,328
Complaints
4
Recalls
95
Crash reports
31
Fire reports
68
Injuries
82.0
Severity index

Severity index 82.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 82.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 39 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 73% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Service BrakesService Brakes: 284 complaints (21.4%)284 21%SteeringSteering: 271 complaints (20.4%)271 20%EngineEngine: 235 complaints (17.7%)235 18%Air BagsAir Bags: 168 complaints (12.7%)168 13%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 155 complaints (11.7%)155 12%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 128 complaints (9.6%)128 10%HydraulicHydraulic: 115 complaints (8.7%)115 9%SuspensionSuspension: 99 complaints (7.5%)99 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
SERVICE BRAKES28421.4%
STEERING27120.4%
ENGINE23517.7%
AIR BAGS16812.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15511.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1289.6%
HYDRAULIC1158.7%
SUSPENSION997.5%

Complaints filed per year

0801602012: 182013: 712014: 1462015: 1122016: 772017: 882018: 1222019: 1522020: 932021: 712022: 532023: 1102024: 1582025: 352026: 22 (partial year)121314151617181920212223241582526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201218
201371
2014146
2015112
201677
201788
2018122
2019152
202093
202171
202253
2023110
2024158
202535
2026 (year to date)22
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (303 against 217).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V76900030/11/2017SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGESHyundai 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
16V57400002/08/2016EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHHyundai 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.
13V11500001/04/2013AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWHyundai 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.
23V65100022/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEHyundai 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

Other Hyundai Elantra model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.