Reliable Auto DB

2013 Hyundai Elantra reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra holds 1,329 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 116 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 13 Elantra years on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Pedals and linkages, and Switch.

2012 Hyundai Elantra
Photo by SsmIntrigue, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

1,329

Per year

116

Recalls

4

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (271 of 1,329), then Engine (235) and Air bags (169). Those filings include 95 that report a crash, 31 that report a fire, and 50 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Elantra has 674 complaints, 39 per year, and the 2014 has 382 complaints, 23 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Hyundai Elantra. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000
Summary 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 vehicles. 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.
Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Recall hydraulic brakes, pedals and linkages 2017-11-30 · NHTSA campaign 17V769000
Summary 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 remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.
Recall exterior lighting, brake lights, switch 2016-08-02 · NHTSA campaign 16V574000
Summary 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.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 146.
Recall air bags, side and window 2013-04-01 · NHTSA campaign 13V115000
Summary 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.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Complaints by component (1329 total)

Steering
271
Engine
235
Air bags
169
Service brakes
165
Electrical system
155
Hydraulic brakes
115
Suspension
99
Wheels
81
Exterior lighting
73
Powertrain
57
Tires
57
Structure
51
Speed control
50
Electronic stability control (ESC)
46
Visibility
28
Fuel and propulsion system
27
Visibility and wipers
19
Seat belts
17
Forward collision avoidance
8
Fuel system, gasoline
5
Air brakes
4
Seats
4
Traction control
4
Engine and engine cooling
3
Equipment
2
Lane departure
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Adaptive and mobility equipment
1
Back-over prevention
1
Parking brake
1
Show 22 more Show less
Crash-flagged

95

Fire-flagged

31

Injury reports

50

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

182012712013146201411220157720168820171222018152201993202071202153202211020231582024352025232026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Drivers air bag high resistance too high (2nd stage) B149000- PODS(passenger occupant detecting system) sensor (Bladder) Defect Start with replacing the clock spring assembly maybe be other problems. Airbag uncertain if…"
    Air bags · filed 2026-09-10
  • "UNKNOWN There is no incident happened."
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-31
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated. The following day, while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle caught on fire.…"
    Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-08-20
  • "The buckles on two of the rear seatbelts have cut through the belt horizontally - guessing from friction. I was not aware until a passenger in my back seat pointed it out to me, and it had happened on two of the three…"
    Seat belts · filed 2026-07-24
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed…"
    Air bags · filed 2026-07-10

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Hyundai Elantra 2 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2013 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Hyundai Elantra GT 5 HB FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Elantra 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 28 38 32 MPG $2050
Elantra 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 28 38 32 MPG $2050
Elantra Blue 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 28 38 32 MPG $2050
Elantra Coupe 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 37 31 MPG $2100
Elantra Coupe 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 28 38 32 MPG $2050
Elantra GT 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 37 30 MPG $2150
Elantra GT 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 26 37 30 MPG $2150

Specs and fitment

5th generation (MD), 2012–2016
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 (1.8L and 2.0L per manual) , 4.2 qt capacity
Tire size 205/55R16 to 225/45R17 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 17V769000. 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 remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature. 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 stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Hyundai Elantra Next year 2014 Hyundai Elantra See every Hyundai Elantra model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra holds 1,329 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 116 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 13 Elantra years on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Pedals and linkages, and Switch.

What are common problems with a 2013 Hyundai Elantra?

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (271 of 1,329), then Engine (235) and Air bags (169). Those filings include 95 that report a crash, 31 that report a fire, and 50 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Elantra has 674 complaints, 39 per year, and the 2014 has 382 complaints, 23 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Hyundai Elantra been recalled?

The 2013 Hyundai Elantra has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners have filed 1329 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Hyundai Elantra get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra is 31.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Elantra take?

5W-20 or 5W-30 (1.8L and 2.0L per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-769 cover on the Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA campaign 17V769000.

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?

5th generation (MD) (2012-2016).