Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 Hyundai Elantra GT problems
Owners filed 1,293 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT with NHTSA between May 2012 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is steering (266).
Complaints
1,293
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
92
Reported by owners
Fires
26
Reported by owners
Injuries
67
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
18
71
146
112
77
88
122
152
94
71
54
112
159
17
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 71 |
| 2014 | 146 |
| 2015 | 112 |
| 2016 | 77 |
| 2017 | 88 |
| 2018 | 122 |
| 2019 | 152 |
| 2020 | 94 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 54 |
| 2023 | 112 |
| 2024 | 159 |
| 2025 | 17 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
266 reports8 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was very loose. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact was forced to grip the steering wheel with force with the front of the vehicle abnormally shaking. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the shaking of the front of the vehicle increased. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,501.”
Engine
223 reports7 crashes13 fires
“This seems to be a very common and serious issue with Hyundai vehicles. 2013 Hyundai Elanta, believed to be a frequent crankshaft position sensor issue. When driving the car, they vehicle will feel that it is losing power. When coming to a stop the engine will idle so low that it feels like it will stall or it does stall. The tachometer registered zero RPM's, even when accellearting. Attempting to accelerate up any incline and the car can not provide enough power. Sometimes the car will crank up, other times it will require time to restart. The car has stalled and low power idling multiple times, but it did happen in the middle of a 4 way intersection twice, and when the issue is present. Although we've been fortunate, no accidents have occurred, it is very unsafe for the owner and other drivers. This occurrence has happened several times over the past year. Two times it was immediately brought into the dealer service, the second time it did stall with the service member there. Both times they were unable to diagnose the problem and stated no error codes were reported. You have already issued a Recall for this same issue with a different model. Oct. 13, 2017 –…”
Air bags
166 reports41 crashes
“Clock spring failures are a well known issue with Hyundai/Kia models from the early 2010s. Hyundai has offered an extended warranty on most models, but has excluded the GT models, even though they use the same parts. My clock spring has failed, disabling the horn and driver air bag functionality.”
Service brakes
158 reports27 crashes3 fires
“Hi I recently brought my car in for recall repairs involving the ABS fuse and brake pedal stopper. Right after the service, my traction control light came on, and the car struggled to move forward. I took it to a mechanic who said the front brakes were locked. When I brought it back to your service center, I was told the hydraulic calipers were bad and that the brake pads and rotors were rubbing against each other. I was also told it’s just an "unfortunate coincidence." However, since I had no brake issues before the recall work, I’m very concerned that something may have gone wrong during the service.”
Electrical system
150 reports7 crashes11 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there were several warning lights illuminated. The contact pressed START/STOP button several times before the vehicle started. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went black, and the radio and clock were inoperable. The contact stated that on other occasions, the key fob failed to unlock the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred several times. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
115 reports1 crash4 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.