There are 31 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Elantrain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
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. Link below shows the ad with the additional undercoating https://www.dellacars.com/used-Plattsburgh-2013-Hyundai-Elantra-4dr+Sdn+Auto+GLS+PZEV-5NPDH4AE5DH451784 Sales: 518-217-5912 Dealership: DELLA Kia Located: Plattsburgh, NY
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.
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.
MOONROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 60-65 MPH. *TR
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.
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!!
I OWN A WHITE 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND THE PAINT IS PEELING BACK EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THE AREA. AFTER RETURNING FROM A 120 MILES EXPRESSWAY TRIP THE PAINT IS PEELING AWAY.
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. *TR
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLATCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY UNLOCK FEATURE WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. HYUNDAI OF CENTRAL FLORIDA (LOCATED AT 17325 E HWY 50, CLERMONT, FL 34711, (352) 224-9400) WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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 NOTICED THE PAINT ON MY DRIVER SIDE, SIDE WINDOW LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BUBBLED, GOT WORSE AND IS STARTING TO HAPPEN ON THE OTHER SIDE. ALSO, THE GRILL IN FRONT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS MELTED IN NUMEROUS AREAS. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND MANAGER OF BODY SHOP SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN PAINT MELT AND BUBBLE LIKE THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!
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.
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.
Showing 1–20 of 31 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026