Owners filed 1,313 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 4 times.
Park away from buildings
NHTSA attached an advisory to a recall on this vehicle. Advisories apply to specific production runs — check your VIN with the manufacturer or at nhtsa.gov/recalls before driving it.
When it fails
04523545,235 milesMedian miles at failure
793 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Steering
214
6
0
0
Engine
175
2
7
0
Air Bags
155
35
0
41
Service Brakes
125
15
2
6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
106
0
4
0
Electrical System
96
4
9
0
Unknown or Other
68
1
2
3
Suspension
52
1
1
0
Wheels
46
4
0
3
Exterior Lighting
42
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module23V651000Park outside
Filed Sep 22, 20231,649,478 vehiclesHyundai Motor America
Defect. 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.
Risk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages17V769000
Filed Nov 30, 2017390,467 vehiclesHyundai Motor America
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
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.
Filed Aug 2, 201664,500 vehiclesHyundai Motor America
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
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.
Structure13V115000
Filed Apr 1, 2013186,250 vehiclesHyundai Motor Company
Defect. 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.
Risk. If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Sep 10, 2026CT
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 operational. Not covered by Hyundai's Clock Spring Extended Warranty despite fitting within model year. Unacceptable and needs to be replaced by free and expanded within coverage by Hyundai corporation.
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 31, 2026CA
UNKNOWN There is no incident happened.
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
Filed Aug 20, 2026120,000 milesFL
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. The contact's dog woke up the contact around 5:00 AM, at which point the contact discovered that the vehicle was on fire. The Fire Department extinguished the fire and informed the contact that the fire appeared to be electrical; however, it was unknown whether a fire report was filed. The contact stated that the fire appeared to have originated underneath the hood, which left the front end of the vehicle completely burned. There was no other property damage, and no injuries were reported. A Police report was filed. The vehicle remained in the driveway, and the insurance company had not yet been notified of the fire. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Seat Belts
Filed Jul 24, 2026NH
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 belts.
Air Bags
Filed Jul 10, 2026140,980 milesCA
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 that the air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 11,511.
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2026LA
ABS AND BRAKES. The abs system malfunction causing it to run non stop draining my battery and making my brake pedal go to floor. It is available for inspection. My battery has been drained and unable to drive since brakes aren’t properly working. Matt bowers Hyundai in Slidell has confirmed it is the ABS MODULE AND BRAKES FLUSH NEEDED. They are refusing to fix it for free stating I took too long to bring it in. Abs light, traction light and emergency brake light was on before failure.
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2026MA
I was wondering if you can help me. I have a Hyundai Elantra that had a recall for my engine to get fixed by the dealership. I’ve never got it fixed because I was unaware of a Hyundai letter that i just found on the internet that was issued by them but I never received it. I went to a mechanic the other day and he informed me that they had a recall for my engine. The problem is now that Hyundai gave a date that expired on the recall. I was wondering if you can send them a demand letter or something because I was never contacted about this. I also had a brain tumor operation and Hyundai should grant me with a medical exemption. Here’s the Hyundai notice that they never gave me,
Service Brakes
Filed May 28, 2026NC
My brake lights are not functioning. The fuses and bulbs are good and others have had this same issue occurring
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 28, 2026CA
Car developed a sudden loss of power. Would start, although roughly (took a couple of times to start), then once shifted into Drive, the engine was very sluggish, like it was stuck in a lower gear. Upon stopping and restarting the engine, the problem would sometimes resolve and the car could be driven normally, however it felt unsafe to drive at normal speeds. No warning signs appeared. After consulting with a family member with this same year and model of Hyundai Elantra, it was suggested that the crankshaft position sensor might be at fault. After researching online, we discovered that this is a common issue with 2011-2016 Elantras with a 1.8 liter engine. (Reddit forums, also this link: [XXX] ). After trying transmission and other fluid flushes without luck, we took the car to a local Hyundai dealer. They said they were unable to replicate the issue but we told them to please replace the crankshaft position sensor, which they finally did. We were charged a total of $711.40 for this repair of a simple part. Please note, another Hyundai dealer in town replaced this part for my brother's vehicle free of charge. This should be a recall item for this vehicle and it should be replaced for free. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical System
Filed May 27, 2026OK
My fiance and I, bought the vehicle in May 2022? from Carvana. His name is [XXX] . Mine is [XXX] (maiden - [XXX] ) Price. [XXX] passed away August 6, 2025. I wanted to mention this part before I explain the problem. His son is supposed to sign the car over to me as soon as court proceedings are finished. I love the car. But the car came from Carvana with 17K miles. It currently has 42,000K miles on it. I only drive it around town. I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The city is notorious for pot holes. However, I do not think this is a pot hole issue. Around December 2025, the car steering wheel started shaking vigorously. When we purchased the vehicle, the right CV axle was needing to be replaced. Now, I am not sure what the problem is, but I hate to have to trade the car in. This was my VERY first Hyundai experience, and I want to keep the car for forever, because of my fiance. But I may have to trade her in. I have come to a few conclusions on my own. 1) tires - so I had them replaced. 2) warped brake rotors 3) worn suspension components 4) worn electric steering column coupler. I wanted to give you the VIN because since it is an older vehicle (but like new to me), it may have had a recall. I do not want to keep this vehicle if it is a problem. But I also do not want to give it to anyone else since my fiance bought it for me. TO whome this may concern - if you happen to actually read these "complaints" could you give me a call at [XXX] [XXX] ) or my email: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] I would
Structure
Filed May 7, 2026110,000 milesIL
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it was locking up. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was previously repaired under a recall. The vehicle was taken to a collision center, and it was determined that the wax coating was sprayed over rust. The contact was a photographer and took photos of the findings. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 5, 2026CA
The airbags failed to deploy when I was in a car accident on 03/31/26. I was rear ended while at an intersection. The car that rear ended me had airbags that deployed upon impact. My car was the only car in which the airbags did not deploy despite the high impact. Not only was I rear ended, but I was slammed into another vehicle in front of me and into a streetlight/streetpole. My car is now totaled. My car sustained the most damage and my body. The airbags are available for inspection upon request. I would have filed this request sooner, but I am still hurt and I am still undergoing treatment for my injuries. My safety was put at risk by the lack of protection from the airbags in my car. I could have died. I’m alive, but I also sustained serious injuries from the lack of deployment. My body hit the steering wheel upon impact. My head, chest, back, neck, shoulders, right arm, right hand, wrist, and right leg/ankle were all injured due to this accident. If my airbags had deployed, my injuries would’ve been lessened and they could’ve been prevented altogether. I was rushed to the hospital at the scene. I’m still currently receiving treatment for the injuries I sustained from this crash and lack of airbag deployment. No, the problem hasn’t been reproduced nor confirmed by the dealer. No one has inspected the vehicle. An adjuster from the at fault party has only taken pictures of the exterior of the car, but they didn’t inspect the car. There were no warning lamps, no messages, n
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 21, 2026PA
Front (engine) subframe rusted out in 2026 after recall work was completed in 2023 for the known issue. Here is the service campaign information: "Service Campaign 984 2011-2016MY ELANTRA (MD/UD) UNDERBODY CORROSION PREVENTATIVE SERVICE"
Power TrainCrash
Filed Apr 11, 2026PA
2013 Hyundai Sonata has a loud knocking noise from engine. Purchases 8/5/25 at 43K miles, currently at 44K miles. There is a Technical Service Bulletin, # 22-EM-009H dated June 2022 about an extended warranty but its time limit is questionable. Unknown and undocumented when purchased. Not listed as an official recall so not covered under warranty repair and the only course of action I have been given is install a new motor quoted at $15K from local Hyundai dealer. Further research shows that driving should be limited to avoid further engine issues/fires. Occurrence since January 2026. Progressively worsening. Cause for concern. Is there an official recall on for the piston flap pending? Unsure if accident noted below is due to the issue.
EngineFire
Filed Apr 9, 2026MP
My mother's vehicle caught fire while in park and it’s listed under a fire-risk recall. Another car got damage with the fire. I want to open a claim.
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2026ND
A significant engine failure occurred while driving, presenting as loud knocking from the engine. The issue developed without prior warning lights or messages. The vehicle was inspected by a dealership and the problem was confirmed as internal engine failure (piston slap/engine knock). The dealership recommended full engine replacement. The engine is available for inspection upon request. There was no evidence of sludge or lack of maintenance noted during inspection. The most recent oil change had been performed less than 1,000 miles prior to the failure, indicating the issue was not caused by lack of maintenance. This condition creates a safety concern due to the potential for sudden engine failure, loss of power, or engine seizure while driving, which could increase the risk of an accident, especially at highway speeds. The issue has been confirmed by a dealership and has not been repaired due to cost.
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2026MA
My vehicle has a piston slap ticking issue and Hyundai will not help me fix this because it’s a common issue by Hyundai.
Engine
Filed Mar 25, 2026VA
While driving on an interstate on March 12, 2026, the engine stopped working requiring that the car be pulled over to the side of the road. There were no indications of issues as oil had been regularly changed, and the battery and tires were replaced in fall of 2025. The check engine and oil lights all flashed at the time of the incident, not before. Fortunately, we were able to pull over to the side of the highway, and a tow truck brought the car to a service center. The initial diagnosis was that the seal on the crankcase failed. The service center, and now the Hyundai dealer, do not know the cause of this catastrophic damage that may result in the need for a full engine replacement.
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2026WV
The vehicle has developed a pronounced knocking noise that was diagnosed by your authorized dealership as “piston slap.” I was informed by dealership staff that this is a known issue with this vehicle. However, because the vehicle is outside of warranty by time and mileage, I was told no repair assistance would be provided. My primary concern is safety. While there are currently no warning lamps illuminated, the engine is producing a consistent knocking noise. If this condition progresses to piston or engine failure while the vehicle is in operation, it could cause sudden loss of power or engine seizure. Such a failure at highway speeds or in traffic could create a serious accident risk to myself and others. Additionally, I was charged one hour of diagnostic labor, despite the dealership immediately recognizing the noise as piston slap without needing further testing. This raises concern that: The issue is well-known, The condition was identifiable without extensive diagnosis, Yet I was still billed for a full diagnostic hour. Given that this is acknowledged as a known issue, I am requesting: A formal review of this case by your product safety and quality department. Clarification on whether this condition has been the subject of technical service bulletins, extended coverage programs, or internal advisories. Consideration of goodwill repair assistance due to the potential safety implications. Reimbursement of the diagnostic charge, as no true diagnostic procedure appears to
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 2026MA
A system in the Engine that allows for oil to sit and burn. UNKOWN A Mechanic shop that I go to regularly stated that this has been a known issue that has been going on for the past 12 years. Along side when I bought the car I was told that the engine is usually louder then most cars, this has been the general consensus. Personally with my car no, having done research outside of just my car: UNKNOWN there were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem. I was first told about this issue during the 2nd week of February of 2026, With the oil change paperwork of when I found out about the issue
A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Sep 22, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.