2013 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

233Engine complaints

17.8%Of all 1,308 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

STEERING269 · 20.6%

ENGINE233 · 17.8%

AIR BAGS166 · 12.7%

SERVICE BRAKES164 · 12.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM152 · 11.6%

Share of the 1,308 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra overview page.

What owners report

“VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STARTED IDLING ROUGHLY AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. DORAL HAD A HYUNDAI MOTOR "FIELD ENGINEER" ([XXX]) LOOK AT…”NHTSA complaint 10524640 — filed 07/13/2013

“PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE TO ADJUST SEAT BELT AND THE CAR STARTED A VERY ROUGH IDLING AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE…”NHTSA complaint 10524638 — filed 07/13/2013

“MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO PARK HER CAR WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT HER TOUCHING THE GAS OR THE BRAKE. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE…”NHTSA complaint 10507254 — filed 04/05/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra: 233 of 1,308 complaints on file (17.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have in total?

1,308 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 93 involved a crash, 30 involved a fire, 66 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.