2013 Hyundai Elantra Body & structure Problems

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the steering wheel felt like it was locking up. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was previously repaired under a recall. The vehicle was taken to a collision center, and it was determined that the wax coating was sprayed over rust. The contact was a photographer and took photos of the findings. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11736355

Incident

May 4, 2026

Mileage

110,000 mi

Front (engine) subframe rusted out in 2026 after recall work was completed in 2023 for the known issue. Here is the service campaign information: "Service Campaign 984 2011-2016MY ELANTRA (MD/UD) UNDERBODY CORROSION PREVENTATIVE SERVICE"

NHTSA ID

11732859

Incident

Apr 3, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11686929

Incident

Nov 26, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11591542

Incident

May 13, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11583926

Incident

Jan 6, 2024

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

NHTSA ID

11523969

Incident

May 26, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11468006

Incident

Jun 7, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11461470

Incident

Nov 12, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11454901

Incident

Nov 3, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11376058

Incident

Nov 16, 2020

Mileage

139,285 mi

MOONROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 60-65 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328946

Incident

Jun 12, 2020

Mileage

158,870 mi

THE INSIDE DOOR PANELS ARE VERY STICKY. NOTHING TAKES THE STICKY AWAY. OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ARE FADING AND CHIPPING ON DOOR HANDLES ONLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325939

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11279150

Incident

Sep 30, 2019

Mileage

67,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11270831

Incident

Oct 24, 2019

Mileage

69,949 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11240983

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

72,000 mi

SUNROOF FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON TOLLWAY, SUN SHADE CLOSED WHICH PREVENTED SHARDS FROM FALLING INTO CABIN.

NHTSA ID

11240314

Incident

Jul 26, 2019

Mileage

156,000 mi

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!!

NHTSA ID

11234839

Incident

Jul 24, 2019

Mileage

97,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11218157

Incident

Jun 5, 2019

Mileage

108,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11182780

Incident

Feb 23, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11156696

Incident

Dec 6, 2018

Mileage

44,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11129814

Incident

Sep 13, 2018

Mileage

116,000 mi

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!

NHTSA ID

11115686

Incident

Jun 11, 2018

Mileage

62,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11112279

Incident

Jul 11, 2018

Mileage

68,200 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11090188

Incident

Apr 22, 2018

Mileage

38,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11033176

Incident

Oct 2, 2017

Mileage

45,000 mi