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2013 Hyundai Elantra: True Cost, Problems & Verdict

1,326 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.

Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
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Owner complaints: 1,326 filed with NHTSA

Complaints per year on the road: 102.0

Service Brakes283Steering271Engine235Air Bags168Electrical System155Unknown Or Other127

What owners say

Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.

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.
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.
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 l…

Recalls: 4 campaigns (4 severe)

2013201620172023
CampaignComponentSummary
13V115000Air Bags:Side/WindowHyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013.…
16V574000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brak…
23V651000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/TractHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 201…
17V769000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And LinHyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteri…

True cost of ownership

EPA combined 32 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $1,900

Fuel (your region) $1,900
Maintenance band (your region) $819$3,677
Estimated running cost this year (age 13) $5,577

Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.

02468101214$5,947vehicle age (years)
fuel/energy + maintenance band (annual, USD, estimate)

Run your own numbers in the true-cost calculator →

FAQ

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?

The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Service Brakes (283 complaints in our indexed sample).

Is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra a good used car to buy?

Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 15/100, computed from 1,326 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.

Does the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/04/2013. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

What will a 2013 Hyundai Elantra really cost YOU per year?

Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.

Open the true-cost calculator

Data sources

Complaints & recalls: NHTSA · Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov · Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements. Last updated: 2026-08-20.

15RELIABILITY / 100
AVOID
  • 1326 NHTSA complaints on record (102.0/yr of exposure)
  • 4 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems

How this score is computed →

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