Is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra a bad year?
1,316 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Elantra years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra are in line with other Elantra years. Brakes, steering, air bags and 3 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Elantra owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 55,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 283 (22%) | 14k–103k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 271 (21%) | 16k–78k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 168 (13%) | 40k–97k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 72 (5%) | 3k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 46 (3%) | 20k–79k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 43 (3%) | 5k–57k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 233 (18%) | 41k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 155 (12%) | 21k–86k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 57 (4%) | 38k–88k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 51 (4%) | 11k–69k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 50 (4%) | 19k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 32 (2%) | 28k–84k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 99 (8%) | 10k–38k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 75 (6%) | 5k–32k miles · mostly behind | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 55,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,316 complaints: 93 mention a crash · 31 mention a fire · 48 report an injury · 51 say the car was towed.
32 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Car had been making an awful sound, ticking almost for a while... Took it to the garage and it was diagnosed as the engine completely shot.
I'm having serious engine problems at only 44k miles including failed ignition coils & sparkplugs-now engine still misfiring & coils going bad one at a time.
I was driving the car in heavy traffic when the engine shutdown and was almost run into by several cars behind and beside the car.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 55,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra: 4
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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 remain illuminated continuously. If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or…
The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or…
A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment. If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 136
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
Inspect an engine exhibiting noise between the cylinder block and piston due to possible scuffing on one or more cylinder walls
The Powertrain warranty coverage for the engine long block for damage related to a piston slap noise in the upper end of the engine as described in TSB…
Diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear)
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Engine Fires
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Headliner Bracket Detachment
Neighbouring years
2012 Elantra: 654 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2014 Elantra: 386 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Hyundai Elantra year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Elantra years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra a bad year?
1,316 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Elantra years. At 55,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (283), steering (271), air bags (168), exterior lighting (72), stability control (46).
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 23V-651), Brakes (NHTSA 17V-769), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 16V-574), Body structure (NHTSA 13V-115). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.