general problems of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra - part 2

108 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra based on all problems reported for the 2013 Elantra.

36 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/25/2022

My 2013 was stolen because of defective car . The manufacturer choose to sip safety for dollars they could have place a immobilizer in all Hyundai form 2011 until current but did not in the united states, but in canada it is a must have item.

37 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2022

I have had multiple headlights, turn lights and brake lights burn out - started less than a year of car ownership; with at least one outage every 2-3 months - both driver and passenger, and rear lights. Not just bulb replacements, I’ve had expensive replacements for harnesses on both sides too, but issue keeps returning. Currently driver brake light went out, can’t see a Hyundai mechanic for another month due to they and surrounding Hyundai dealers are fully booked. The car is faulty. I am the original owner.

38 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2022

The airbags on the side of the driver's seat is very dangerous and can implode just by slamming the car door. I've also had an on-going issue with the break line ( lights ) the passenger side break light will not turn off, this issue is also very dangerous for myself and other drivers who do not know when I'm using the breaks due to this issue. I've brought the vehicle to Hyundai north houston to have the break light inspected, ( that was about a week ago ) however I was told that they could not give me a loaner vehicle and the next appointment to inspect this vehicle would be as early as Aug 31,2022 and as late as September 2022. I've had technicians jump the battery several times due to this light not turning off. Many of the techs says it's the breakline and possibly a fuse that need to be changed. I also brought the vehicle to the purchase location ( carmax/north houston ) for inspection and service, but they did not address this as a problem during that time. The vehicle also seems to overheat more than what is normal and profusely leak water. There is also a problem with the tire sensors. The vehicle was given to me at purchase with the tire sensor lights on. I've had the sensors checked out and was informed there is no issue, now the sensor light does not illuminate even if the tire pressure is low. This vehicle has many dangerous driving components and should be investigated immediately.

39 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/07/2022

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.

40 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/25/2022

Immobilizer malfunctioning while driving which causes vehicle to lose power unexpectedly while no key is detected.

41 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2022

Two issues, that are, at times related: * first, intermittent airbag dash warning light enabled; comes and goes, no obvious trigger (bumps, turns, etc. ). This has been occurring for two weeks. // * second, if I stop and turn off the car while the airbag light is lit, the vehicle will remain in accessory mode, with radio and climate control still on, and the dash display says to shift the car to park (it is in park) and that the key is not in the vehicle, and when I attempt to lock the car with either key fob or door lock control, it will not lock. This has been occurring for nearly a week, first on 2/1/22 as I was attending my father's funeral. I have seen that there was a recall for the airbag issue for same year/make/model, but my car does not appear to be one of those included in the recall (searched by VIN). However, the second issue is the most critical, as I am prevented from securing the vehicle if this intermittent issue occurs. I have not taken vehicle to mechanic or dealer.

42 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/21/2021

Fuse system car completely shut off fuse blowing causes different things to stop working I almost got in a accident cause the fuse that ran the car blowed car stop in middle of the highway I have a friend with same type car fuse blows out even when it's not broken.

43 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2021

1. There is an electrical issue with the power steering. 2. This poses a huge safety risk, as the power steering could completely give out and we could lose control of the vehicle. 3. A local mechanic we use confirmed this. 4. No warning lights came on. We had started to hear a "clunking" or "knocking" sound when turning the wheel so took it in to get inspected.

44 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/26/2021

The 2013 Hyundai Elantra's eps light locks my steering wheel mid driving. The traction control light also comes on simultaneously, causing me to be unable to steer at an array of speeds.

45 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/28/2021

After the completion of my work shift, I return to my vehicle and discovered a fire has taken place. Lucky, the fire didn't get out of control and wasn't active at the time. The passenger seat was completely burnt including the seat covers and the items in the seat. The items in the seat included: steak & shake leftover trash, and a perfume bottle. This fire also damaged a door dash bag that I had in the back passenger seat. Not to mention, the impact of the fire that created black duct all over the vehicle windshields, radio, seats, dashboard etc. . . No police report, nor fire report has been reported at this given time.

46 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2021

The car experienced (1) poor acceleration, (2) check engine light come on, (3) engine stalling, (4) tachometer drops to zero. It was first found the map sensor was faulty. After the sensor was replaced, the car ran but stalled again intermittently. It was found the problem was caused by crank shaft position sensor (fault code p0335). After the senor was replaced about three weeks ago, the car has been running fine.

47 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/26/2021

Since purchasing the car in 2013, we have had an issue with the parking lights, and sometimes headlights, coming back on after being off for several hours or we wake up to having a dead battery. This has happened over and over. In 2013 I took it to the dealership where we purchased for same problem and/or dead battery. Never happened at dealership. Our security camera has caught it popping on, or like yesterday, out neighbor called us (again) to tell us lights were on. This is with the headlight switch all the way off. We have tried to figure it out but can not. I did report again to Hyundai this past February, March, April 2021. Again, the car was parked and off every single time with lights confirmed off to only come on later with car off and still locked. It has to have key in it to start.

48 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2020

My 2013 Hyundai Elantra with approx. 75,000 miles, and no mechanical or cosmetic issues, caught fire while parked and turned off for 10 minutes at tavern in the square restaurant in lowell, MA. Patrons who were parked nearby heard what sounded like electrical sparks and then witnessed smoke coming from the hood which then burst into flames. They ran in to retrieve my family and I and the fire department came within 10 minutes to extinguish the flames but the car was completely destroyed by that time. I have videos and pictures that can be forwarded to you. I have attempted to contact Hyundai customer service but was on hold for 40 minutes and immediately disconnected before speaking to anyone. This has been extremely stressful emotionally and financially. The car was in our garage just 30 minutes prior and this could have been much worse. There is obviously a history of issues with some other Hyundai vehicles which I wasn't aware of until now but I don't see that my car was listed as a possible recall for electrical fires. It was my only mode of transportation and every penny I earned was used to purchase this vehicle less than one year ago. I do not have insurance that would cover this situation so this is a total loss. Please let me know how to proceed and also where to forward the video and photo details.

49 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/11/2020

The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to hydroplane. The contact lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle spun out of control and crashed into a wall. All the air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to the back broken, burn to neck, buries all over the body, and lacerations to the head. Medical attention was contacted and as took the contact to the hospital however the contact had to be transfer to another hospital where she received medical attention between sept 9/11/2020 to 9/14/2020. The contact was in the trauma unit. The vehicle was towed by the police to a lot where it was deemed a totaled loss. Geico also confirmed that the vehicle was destroyed. The dealer (thomas Hyundai 10325 mt savage road, cumberland, MD 21502) was contacted about the repairs that were performed on the vehicle 3 weeks prior to the failure that occurred and informed the contact that the ecm was updated and the brake pedal stopper was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that 0 recalls were under the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 51,486.

50 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/23/2020

Certain steering wheel controls -- including the volume controls and bluetooth phone controls -- stopped working. A few months later, more steering wheel controls -- such as other audio and media controls -- stopped working. A year later, the ability to change the steering tension, from comfort to normal to sport, stopped working. Within the past year, the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel have stopped working, and the red airbag light is on continuously. Although Hyundai has issued a recall for certain 2011-2014 Elantra vehicles, and my vehicle meets that year range and model, the dealership will not cover replacing the airbag clock spring assembly because my VIN does not match their criteria. As such, the dealership has quoted $480 to fix my vehicle's airbag clock spring assembly. If my vehicle experiences the same airbag safety issues that covered vehicles have experienced and which prompted the recall, my vehicle also should be covered under the extended clock spring warranty.

51 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2020

Brakes don't want to stop even after I've got them repaired brake lights keep going out even after the bulbs has been replaced.

52 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/13/2019

Electric steering coupling defective. Car has only 33k miles on it. Unsafe to drive. Mechanic reports this is a common problem with year, make and model of car. I noticed too much play and clunking in steering while stationary and in motion. Car bought from dealership July 3, 2019. . I had car repaired before further damage occurred.

53 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/05/2019

Engine light came on car started to skip took two certified mechanic change spark plugs two condensers engine flush and the engine start rattling engine broke loose now engine is destroyed or after a tuneup. Took back immediately and to a different mechanic for second opinion.

54 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/23/2019

The airbag light came on and I got it diagnosed and it was the clock spring. The clock spring needed to be replaced and the tech said that the clock spring itself wasnt broken, just that it shorted out. This should be covered under the warranty since this is a safety issue. I googled this problem before I got it fixed and there was a consensus that Elantras have an issue with the clock spring. Hyundai did a partial recall of Elantras within 2011-2014 for this issue, but my vehicle wasn't included in this recall. The light would generally stay on but would occasionally turn off on the highway, but then back on.

55 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/08/2019

The steering wheel has a click in it . The eps light and traction light came on at the same time went too the dealership but they said it wasn't a recall on this common problem it happen all at once at city speed.

56 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/16/2019

Radio and some sensors in engine not working. Sensors show my engine light on but when checked says there is nothing wrong. The radio will not turn on, fuse was replaced and did not fix the issue. These problems happen with the car is both stationary and in motion.

57 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2019

My car feel like it don't want to stop I think it's something going on with my brakes pads it feel like it's nothing under my feet like I can feel everything I don't know it's it's like a feeling you had to be in the car to feel it and it don't do it all the time that's what's scary it doesn't mean it's wet too.

58 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/28/2019

Airbag srs light appeared on dash panel without reason when the vehicle was started in a parked position and has stayed illuminated since first appearing. The light has been present for several months now. Recent diagnostics reported airbag fault (code b134600 driver airbag resistance too high stage #1). Service facility deemed fault is secondary to defective clock spring. The defect causes the airbag system to fail and airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident because of this fault.

59 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/18/2019

Around 5pm on July 18th after starting up my parked car with no issues I pulled out of a parallel parking spot and made a left turn through a green arrow at the light. I was driving straight and slowly accelerating to about 30mph. I took my foot of the gas a bit to coast. I went to put my foot back on the gas but before I could within about 10sec the car slowed down and came to a halt in the middle of the road. Right as the car was slowing down all of the emergency lights such as check engine and all the other ones on the dashboard flashed. The car was completely shut off. The hazard lights did not even come on. I immediately pressed the break and turned the car back on. It started up immediately and I kept driving. Took car to Hyundai dealer who found no issues after running a diagnostic.

60 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/10/2019

Car was parked and locked with all systems off. Later I noticed brake lights on. Called Hyundai and informed them inquiring if there was a recall about this problem. They told me to take to dealer and have them perform diagnostic to determine cause. They said it was brake light switch. Dealer changed switch(2),relay. Problem still exist.

61 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/27/2019

The electrical volume and controls on the steering wheel went out. The airbag light came on and won't go off.

62 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/20/2019

Takata recall I have recently had my airbag light come on on my car. I have waited a month or two and the light will not go off. I have done numerous amounts of research and found out that this is an extremely popular malfunction with Hyundai sonatas and Hyundai Elantras from the year of 2012. The problem happened right after I rolled over my 100,000 mile warranty so it was covered no longer. This is a safety concern to many people as this is a very popular car. I've had diagnostics done on my car and told it was the clock spring that has malfunctioned. Reviews also have the same malfunction.

63 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/24/2018

Security system goes off when the car is locked every couple hours no one around the car. If the car is left unlocked it doesn't happen.

64 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/10/2018

My brake lights do not work, I've had them replaced 3 times. My rpms do not work when I push the gas, the vehicle won't go more than 20 mph, when changing my gears, it doesn't work, and when I am at a stop light or just sitting in a parking lot with the vehicle running it turns off on it's own. When I try to start the vehicle it won't turn most the time.

65 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/27/2018

2013 Elantra gt, 5 years old at 109k miles. We bought it used 3 months ago. The airbag light came on a week ago. The problem is the clock spring in the steering wheel which is a very common issue on this type and year vehicle. There is a service bulletin about this which extends the clock spring warranty to 15k miles and unlimited mileage but the dealership says that our car is not covered under this extended warranty based on the VIN. The dealer told us to call Hyundai corporate at 800-633-5151 and ask for "good will" warranty coverage which I did and I have a case open # 11648781. The representative on the phone was evasive and not willing to do much. The same with the dealer. The extended warranty NHTSA id number is 10115229, the manufacturer service bulletin # is 5np-e9r9g-08 (attached here). The issue covers 2011-2014 Elantra and 2011-2013 sonata models. The clock spring part # is exactly the same between these models. I do not understand why some cars are covered and some not. If this is such a common problem to trigger extended warranty, all cars in the affected years must be covered. The clock spring should last he life of the vehicle, thus the 15 years extended warranty. Hyundai should do good by its customers and fix all affected vehicles. Extended warranty is much cheaper than a full blown recall. One last thing, this problem is also a safety issue since is disables the entire airbag system. The steering wheel controls are also affected, the cruise control button a mixed up, the cancel became set for example which could be quite dangerous. Other buttons don't work at all or all the time. This is my second Hyundai vehicle and it looks like it will be the last. Very frustrating.

66 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/03/2018

I am not sure if this is related to takata recall. But the electronics controlling the air bag and cruise control are not functioning! the poor design of the steering covers squeeze the wires that are bent into the connector causing these circuits not to function. At this point, the red light for the air-bag is on all the time which means the it will not deploy causing serious damage. This steering cover design is common on all Elantra models so we suspect the problem could impact significant number of cars. I managed to test the problem, but pulling the cover off and testing the wires. When the cover is pull away from the body of the steering, the circuit for the cruise control works! Hyundai should re-locate the plug where these wires are connected further lower to avoid these wires getting squeezed. And for the current models, a shorter connector could remedy this problem by preventing the wires from getting squeezed.

67 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/23/2018

As I am driving the car on city streets, highways etc. The tire pressure light comes on and starts flashing and at the same time the radio, navigation system. Bluetooth. Blue link monitoring system, as well as sensors/monitoring equipment shutting down and resetting and other systems shut down. I also can not use my key fob to lock my doors until the car has reset. Usually the car will reset between five mintues to an hour. Concern that the issue will intensify with the sudden shut down of the engine resulting in a potential life threatening to myself and others. The car has been taken into the dealer numerous times over the past 9 months, without any success in correcting the issue. The issue cannot be replicated when the car is in the shop. I have been told by Hyundai USA this is not a safety issue since the dealer cannot replicate and diagnose the cause. Other persons have reported similar issues with no solution and receiving the same guidance from Hyundai consumer affairs. Issues have occurred. I have had the car into the dealer @ 6 times for assessment since October 15, 2017 through present. The issues have occurred at a variety of speeds, 30mph up to 65-70 mph on the highway.

68 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2018

Air bag light came on and buttons on steering wheel no longer work. Many other Elantra owners have made complaints about this but nothing has been done. They want me to pay to fix a safety issue with the air bags and it happened before I hit 60000 but couldn't get in until later so they used that to not fix it on there on dime.

69 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2018

I am the only owner of my 2013 Hyundai Elantra that I bought brand new. I have had several issues electrical with lighting turning on and off - I thought I was burning through bulbs quickly but I can go over a bump and brake lights or interior lights will start to work again. This has been ongoing. I recently started hearing a loud engine knock which the Hyundai dealership told me is normal and would go away once it warmed up. Turns out when I took it to a mechanic who is honest and know what he is talking about that it is a wrist pin. . . . Which means a whole new engine. My car is now just out of warranty and Hyundai does not want to assist even though there are many cases with 2013 Hyundai motors that are bad. There should be a recall on this but isn�t. The NHTSA should step in and make Hyundai do the right thing.

70 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/13/2018

My car air bag light came on 3 weeks ago. It hasn't turned off. The air bag light stays on while I'm driving, and when I'm in park.



Elantra Service Bulletins
Elantra Safety Recalls
Elantra Defect Investigations