Body problems of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra - part 1

I took my car into Hyundai due to the recall sent out to car owners. I had my abs and brake light that went on randomly around September. I scheduled an appointment and took it in to get it checked. Hyundai sent me away stating there were no parts to fix the issue and told me to pay for a diagnostic if I needed it looked at and to wait until the recall is remedied. Two months later my car exploded and caught fire while parked on my property putting my life and home at risk. As well as my neighbors lives who came in to help me put out the fire.

My 2013 Hyundai starter would not stop trying to start the car even when the ignition was off and the key was not in the ignition. Then it got so hot it caught fire and destroyed the alternator as well as the starter. It was so hot it melted the alternator. Also the plastic that is used to hold the headlamps and other engine parts has disintegrated. I barely touch what's left and the plastic crumbles apart. My car no longer has the plastic under the hood. I use tape to hold up the lights. Car was stopped and in a parking lot when this happened.

Found this vehicle on sale at a area dealership where they are charging $499. 99 for a recall that should be done for free per the recall service campaign 984 2011-2016my Elantra (MD/ud) underbody corrosion preventative service. I wanted to bring this to someone's attention as in my opinion this is ripping off a potential unaware buyer. This vehicle is only 10 years and would or should still be covered under the recall. . Read more...

I am reporting a significant paint delamination issue on my 2013 Hyundai Elantra in sparkling white. The paint has been peeling, bubbling, and chipping particularly on the roof, trunk, and hood, exposing the primer and bare metal underneath. This is not due to wear, environmental exposure, or physical damage. It appears to be a factory defect related to improper paint or primer application. This issue is widespread among Hyundai owners of the same year and color, and several technical service bulletins have already been issued for similar paint problems (such as TSB 19-bd-005h). However, Hyundai has refused to repair my vehicle, citing the expired warranty, despite clear evidence of a manufacturing defect. The exposed metal poses a rust and corrosion risk, which could compromise vehicle safety and structural integrity over time. I believe this should be investigated as a potential quality and safety concern and request the NHTSA to look into this recurring defect.

In July 2015 with 25k miles, the interior of the vehicle was leaking water from the sun visor as well as under the glove box. When I made a left turn I could hear water swishing from one side to the other, then saw water coming out from under the glove box area. Water also dripped from the drivers sun visor. I took it to the dealer in troy mi and they blamed me for having dirty drain holes in the sun roof as well as having a wind deflector on the sun roof which caused dirt to build up and clog the drain holes. The sun roof and wind deflector were factory installed as I bought the vehicle brand new in 2013. The dealer did not remove the headliner to see if any mold was visible. They used an air compressor to clean out the clogged drain holes and charged me for the service even though the vehicle was still under warranty (dealer said it was not covered under warranty). I am not aware of the issue happening again, or if it did happen it wasn't enough water for me to notice. I however have and do smell mold in my vehicle daily. Today, June 7, 2022, with 116k miles, after leaving my car parked outside overnight with heavy rain I again experienced water build up inside the car. I saw water coming out from under the glove box and heard it swishing around. I called the dealer in troy mi and was told they cannot service my vehicle, it is a 4 month wait for diagnosis. I called a second dealer in macomb mi and was told the vehicle could not be looked at until August and all expenses would be my responsibility. The service tech stated the car would need to be torn apart (dash, door, headliner, etc) to find where the water was coming from. A dealer in southfield mi would be able to service the vehicle two days from now, I'm suppose to drive two days with water swishing around? what electrical safety issues are at hand here? it seems as though Hyundai has a defect in the design or part(s) which is causing this issue. I am also concerned with mold growth from back in 2015.

My paint is coming off in pieces on the hood. It starting doing this at 97,800 miles.

I have an issue with my paint peeling off the hood and other parts of my car in large sections during rain and high winds adhering to the windshield hindering my field of vision at times. This has forced me to stop the vehicle on the roadside and remove it in order for me to continue. The paint peeling on the pearl white vehicles is a known issue since 2010. I've contacted the manufacturer numerous times over the past two years and they basically told me that they already knew about it and OH well. There's nothing they're going to do because the warranty has expired.

Purchased what I believe is a lemon from the stamford Hyundai. Vehicle was not inspected and recall issues not addressed. Another car that hit mine stated that my car brake lights indicated I stopped when I actually released the brake pedal. I believe that the dealership over charged me for a defected vehicle and failed to address the brake pedal issue which caused my lane change accident. I would really appreciate it if someone can assist me with this serious infraction. Again my vehicle was in motion but the other driver said it appeared to be. I wasn't informed by the salesman of any defects or issues. The day of the accident I was driving in brooklyn NY on remsen avenue. Impact occurred on remsen and kings highway. Any assistance with this will be appreciated. I purchased this car cash 6405. 70 when the asking price was 4670. I've been ripped off and could have gotten killed. Help please.

Moonroof exploded while driving on highway about 60-65 mph.

The trunk latch fails and there is no way to get into your trunk for spare tires, medications, safety items, etc. Without destroying and cutting through the back seat. If you google 2013 trunk latch failure, it is very very common. This should have been recalled. We carry life saving medications in our trunk daily. If someone were stranded on the side of the road, only to find out the latch failed, they would be in danger. $400 to repair this issue which happens repeatedly to some customers is not ok. How safe are seats that have to be cut through to get to the trunk latch? they said the parts won't show where it was cut behind the seats, but it seems like that would affect safety as well.

2 weeks after I purchased this car, the airbag light on the instrument panel came on. Dealer refused to do anything about it. Also noticed 2 weeks after I purchased, that the sunroof assembly leaks, and water pools around the spare tire. Worried about water damage caused to the spare tire, and the possibility of mold growing.

Sunroof failure while driving on tollway, sun shade closed which prevented shards from falling into cabin.

While driving the vehicle anywhere at 35 mph or more with the sunroof tilted or open, massive amounts of air come through drivers side window to the inside of car. This makes it impossible to hear emergency sirens or your stereo. This is a safety hazard!!.

On February 23, 2019 I was a passenger in 2013 Hyundai Elantra limited, when suddenly the glove box opened and fell in my lap. My daughter was driving the car and we were on highway. I was trying to close it back, but the latches on the sides of the glove box were not latching. In case of collusion it may be very hazardous situation. Besides, nobody wants to have a glove box in your laps.

While driving down the highway at around 65mph, the rear portion of the panoramic sunroof suddenly shattered. It did not appear to be hit by anything, and there were no significant bumps on the road.

The hood latch was accidentally released, and then when driving on the highway, the hood flew open while driving, causing over $2000 in damage to the vehicle. Over 600,000 Hyundai models including 2013 were recalled in 2017 for this exact issue: "Hyundai said a cable for the secondary hood latch can corrode and bind, causing the latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. The hood may open while driving if the hood is not securely closed, or if the hood is inadvertently released. " I want to make sure this complaint is logged for the Elantra model as well.

The inside door panels are very sticky. Nothing takes the sticky away. Outside door handles are fading and chipping on door handles only.

Hyundai replaced my 2013 Elantra's engine (68k miles) as a "goodwill gesture" due to a flaw in the original engine which wasn't allowing enough oil to get to the engine. Two days after the engine replacement the car died while being driven in which they suspected it be a fuel pump issue. After resolving that suspected issue the car again shut off while in motion during the test drive and caught fire while the car was pulled to the side of a city street after being driven for only one block.

I was pulling into a parking space on a Sunday afternoon at a business park. It was mid day and dry. I was slowing down and half way into the space when the car suddenly accelerated. It seemed like the car went out of my control. The car was stopped by a 3� shrub or else I would have crashed into the building. In the process, a car parked beside me was also damaged.

Driving on the interstate when a loud explosive sound like a gunshot occurred. The car shook violently, I thought I had been hit, although nothing had been close to me. When I realized I was still driving on all four tires and not flipping end for end, though the wheel was still vibrating violently, I felt glass raining down on my head and there was extensive air noise. I looked up and almost all the entire panoramic sunroof was gone, and what was left was falling on my head. The road was smooth, there was no overpass near, and no cars were in my immediate vicinity. I pulled off the interstate and called the dealership.

On July 14, 2017, I was driving my 2013 Hyundai Elantra and was attempting to make a left hand turn at a signalized intersection at a speed of about 15 miles per hour. About midway into the turn the steering wheel locked and I could not turn the steering wheel to complete the left turn. In addition, I was braking and the abs braking did not function properly and did not stop the vehicle until it ran into a concrete curb. The result of the malfunctions of the steering and braking on my 2013 Hyundai Elantra was damage to the front right of the vehicle, including bumper, wheel, tire, radiator support, etc. I am very thankful that I was not hit by another vehicle or injured. I am concerned about the performance - or the lack thereof - on July 14th. Something happened and no one seems to be able to explain it despite inspecting scanning codes, etc. The vehicle engine kept running, the key was in the ignition, and there was deployment of the airbag(s). There have been other complaints about the electric assisted steering and braking on the 2013 Elantra according to research. I want to make you aware of an additional complaint regarding my Elantra. The damage required replacement fright front wheel, right front tire, right fender liner and inner bracket, radiator support, right hinge pillar, right lower control arm, right fender, painting and 4 wheel alignment. The vehicle steering malfunctioned and locked even thought the engine was still running. This malfunction prohibited me from turning the steering wheel and completing the left turn safely. The braking system failed as it did not stop the vehicle and I noticed a slow abs sound versus the typical very rapid abs sound when hard braking. The malfunction of the steering and the brakes could have caused a catastrophic failure but fortunately did not.

I was driving at 45mph when my front sunroof exploded and shattered. I heard a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, then noticed my sunroof was shattered. Most of the glass then fell inside of my car. There were no other cars in front of or around me.

My son 2013 Hyundai Elantra would not stop correctly while he was driving it causing it to turn in a semi circle and ultimately crashing into a shoulder on a freeway to stop. After which the wheels broke off on the right side of it.

My 19 year old daughter was in an accident on April 9th 2016 in her 2013 Hyundai Elantra. . Both vehicles were at a dead stop at an intersection before either of them started moving. My daughter was going straight and the other vehicle was turning, both of which were going approximately 10 mph. My daughters car hit the front fender of the other vehicle causing a bent wheel and a small dent to the fender. My daughters Hyundai, totaled. Every airbag in the Hyundai deployed, including the back seat which seemed strange since it was a frontal crash. The transmission wouldn't go in to any other gear it was stuck in drive. The hood was smashed up to the front windshield. The damage to the car was over $12,000 there has to be some faulty part(s) or equipment on the car to cause such damage at such low speeds. I can't imagine what could happen at highway speeds in a crash in a Hyundai. I wrote to Hyundai about safety concerns of their Hyundai Elantras, their response was unacceptable: "we understand that you are dissatisfied with the design of the 2013 Elantra and we apologize for any disappointment this has caused you. This information has been forwarded to all appropriate parties within Hyundai for review, including Hyundai management. " really Hyundai! people can be severely injured or die in these vehicles which I feel Hyundai needs to be a little more concerned.

I was parking my car in a parking lot of a store. I slowed down and applied the brakes. Somehow the brakes failed and I hit another car. The collision stopped the car. I have only had the car for 1 year and feel very unsafe.

The accident happened on a Saturday around 1pm. I was heading home when I approached a intersection when a lady coming from a street on the right side was coming out and even though she had a stop sign she fail to fully stop and me having no time to react I hit the middle of the car (t-bone her).

Pulling into the parking space at work less than 5mph car accelerated and hit the parking garage wall. Reported to my car insurance company, car was taken to dealership after body shop. Dealership couldn't find anything on diagnostic report.

Driving down highway with light rain. Temperature approx 34 degrees. While at speed limit (65mph) the moon-roof exploded! not simply shattered but exploded. (inside 'sun' cover was open at the time) there were no other cars on the road within 1/2 mile of me. I did not just pass under a bridge and no construction on the roadway at the time of the explosion. Almost lost control of car but managed to maintain until I could pull over on side of roadway. Suffered minor cuts to scalp, face and neck (nothing that required hospitalization). Significant shards of glass throughout the interior of the car and some minor damage to paint surface from shards of glass hitting the outside of the car; rear roof of car and rear deck lid of trunk. Lodged complain with corporate Hyundai (have case number), also went to local Hyundai dealership gave them case number and had them take photos. Dealership initial reaction is that glass is not covered. They suspect the dropping temperature may have had something to do with it. I have escalated my claim with Hyundai corporate; asking under the circumstances that this is obviously a manufacture defect, that they cover all costs of repair. Awaiting their response.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that due to the sun, a glare reflected from the dashboard into the windshield. As a result, the contact's visibility was impaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.

My wife was driving the car. It was a dark road in the night. Perhaps she didn't see the stop sign and cash into a vehicle coming from right hand side, going in the same direction my wife was going. My wife crashed the other vehicle from behind. It was serious crash in which the entire front portion of the car is damaged. But the air bags did not come out. My wife had her head hit the steering wheel and had a an injury. My complaint is "why did the air bag not inflate in such a serious crash?" . . Updated 10/06/14 .

On July 18, 2014, my 2013 Hyundai Elantra ran into a subway restaurant at 12150 s. Cicero, alsip, IL. I was going into the subway parking lot, my goal was to park, but my car did not stop when I put on my brakes. My car kept going; it drove over the sidewalk, through the scrubs, and hit the building head on. Hitting the building is what stopped my vehicle, my air bag did not deploy. I then put on the brakes, put it in reverse and backed off the building, backing into the parking place that I was originally going into to park. Once my car was parked, it began to smoke. I got out of the car, looked at the damage to my car and the subway building, called my insurance company, state farm and my son. The 2 employees in the subway, called the police and the subway restaurant owner.

Sun roof (moon roof) exploded. While traveling at 65 mph, with the sun roof closed and the internal ceiling shade closed, an extremely loud pop came from the roof of the car. Very loud! then, the sound of wind and broken glass streaming over the car and onto the cars traveling behind us. We pulled over and found the sun roof shattered from edge to edge. We made our way to the nearest Hyundai dealer and persuaded them to vacuum out the glass. They told us that this was due to a rock hitting the top and would not be covered by the warranty. We made our way home with no top but talked to many different Hyundai representatives who all claimed that they'd never heard of such a thing. Our subsequent research has suggested otherwise. This is a major concern for the safety of those driving and occupying these cars and for the other drivers on the road as well.

Myself and my son pulled into the parking lot of a store. Parked the car was in the store about 5 minutes came back out, tried to use the remote to pop trunk and it wouldn't work nor would the doors. I then opened the door with the key and the car was full of black smoke. Someone pulled up told me to pop the hood that something was on fire. At that time it sounded like something was running but the car was off and keys in my hand. Moments later I noticed fire started to drip under the dash right at the fuse box area on the drivers side and with minutes the car was fully engulfed in fire. A total loss. New car had 8-12 miles on it when I bought. Fire department was called and put it out. I have pictures and it was horrible. Blessed that we weren't driving at the time. Hyundai has been notified and my insurance has requested several times for their engineers to come and inspect the car. As of today no one hasn't shown up or responded.

Driving on the loop 101 and heard a loud noise inside the car almost like a gunshot, pulled over and noticed that the sunroof had shattered into tiny pieces, it was not extremely cold and I have only had this vehicle for 2 weeks.

Car loosely steered barely off road, 1/8 mile from home,bumped tree 15' away, backed up, engine shut off (as usual since day 2 of lease), windshield heated to over 150 degree's in 35 degree weather, so I vacated car, which was in flames 2-3 minutes and burned to ash. . Had 5 months, daily problems, battery, fuses, ignition, numerous calls to dealer, shop, no help, could easily have died in firetrap alive, car dove itself, when & where it pleased, and was uncontrollable. Even Hyundai motor finance has not paid on gap coverage in 11 months, ruining my credit to boot, and was over financed past legal limits, on a total new lemon and not only was car not replaced as promised,I cannot get a response from Hyundai, or Hyundai finance. ,this was the biggest mistake of my life, and I will tell everyone to never purchase a Hyundai product. You should be ashamed. And lose your franchise license. I will have to sue to ever begin to be compensated for all you have done to me, and because of your product.