There are 10 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Elantrain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The vehicle developed a fuel line leak (diagnosed by ASE certified technician). The problem was first noticed when the odor of fuel filled the cabin. This may or may not be similar to the same issue arising in 2013 Sonata models for which a recall was issued. I have tried to locate a replacement part (Hyundai part# 31310-3X400) but am informed that these are on "indefinite backorder" or "discontinued" rendering the otherwise serviceable vehicle unsafe to operate
The steering wheel is loose. It rattles when I drive especially when I drive over rough areas like train track, pot hole or something like that. I can tell it is very loose when I am making turns. There is also issue with fuel smell inside my car. I frequently smell gas. To the point where I have to let the window down to let air in. The gas fumes are strong. The gas issue has been a problem for 2-3 years.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RAW FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROUND ROCK HYUNDAI (2405 N INTERSTATE HWY 35, ROUND ROCK, TX 78664, (512) 920-5397) ON NOVEMBER 15, 2016 TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOMAX FORD (3301 E CENTRAL TEXAS EXPY, KILLEEN, TX 76543, 254-699-2629). THE DEALER RAN A FULL FUEL SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 15964028. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,311.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. He stated that while driving at various speeds, he would intermittently smell a strong gasoline odor emitting from the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers and each dealer informed him that there were no failures with his vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DISENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT THE SAME SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPRAY GUM OUT INSIDE OF THE FUEL INJECTION THROTTLE PLATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 2/9/15*CN UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS ON AN ON RAMP ABOUT TO MERGE ON TO A HIGHWAY. THE CAR LOST POWER AND ACTED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL - THOUGH THERE WAS GAS (IT WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL); ITS AN AUTOMATIC SO AS FAR AS I COULD TELL IT WAS NOT IN THE WRONG GEAR. IT REVVED UP BUT DID NOT GAIN ANY SPEED. SOMEHOW IT RECOVERED AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. I AM NOT SURE WHERE THIS FALLS - BUT EVEN THOUGH WE BALANCE AND ROTATE THE TIRES EVERY 5000 MILES THE CAR HAS BEEN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. WHEN IT IS WINDY OR IF THE ROAD IS BUMPY YOU HAVE TO GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL VERY TIGHTLY TO KEEP IT IN THE LANE. *TR
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THE GAS MILEAGE RATING AND THE 5 STAR SAFETY RATING. I TRADED A 2012 VW PASSAT SE FOR THE ELANTRA GT. THE ELANTRA COST $5,000 LESS, BUT THE INSURANCE IS $600 MORE ANNUALLY. THE VW WAS RATED 31 MPG HIGHWAY, BUT AVERAGED 33+ MPG HIGHWAY: THE ELANTRA WAS RATED AT 37 MPG HIGHWAY, BUT AT 4 DIFFERENT SPEEDS (RESETTING THE INDICATOR BETWEEN SPEEDS), THE BEST MILEAGE IS 32 MPG. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THE CAR HAD TO BE REFUELED AT 400 MILES BECAUSE OF THE SMALL GAS TANK. NOT TOUTING THE VW, BUT I DROVE 540 BETWEEN FILLUPS. I AM SEEING A LOT OF HYUNDAI'S ON THE ROAD, BUT THIS CAR IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. THE NHTSA HAS A 5 STAR SAFETY RATING, SO WHY DOES MY INSURANCE COST MORE? HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT ALLOW A 37 MPG RATING ON A CAR THAT GETS AT BEST 32 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY? *TR
THE SHEET THAT CAME WITH THE CAR SAYS 28 MPG IN CITY DRIVING. I GET 20-21 IN THE CITY. WHEN I TAKE IT TO AUTOMAX HYUNDAI THEY DO A ROAD MILEAGE TEST AND SAY IT GET 42 MPG. I TELL THEM THAT I AM NOT CONCERNED WITH ROAD MILEAGE SINCE I ONLY DO CITY DRIVING. THEY DO NOT HAVE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO CHECK CITY MILEAGE AND ARE NOT CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT MY CITY MILEAGE PROBLEM. *TR
RAN OUT OF GAS DESPITE THE GAUGE SHOWING 42 MILES LEFT (ABOUT 1.5 GALLONS). WALKED TO A STATION AND GOT A GAS CAN; PUT A COUPLE OF GALLONS IN, STARTED THE CAR, AND THE METER STARTED DROPPING DRAMATICALLY, GOING FROM 112 MILES REMAINING TO 104 TO 98... ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 82 MILES REMAINING BEFORE I EVEN STARTED DRIVING. DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE, AND IT FELL ANOTHER 3 MILES. DON'T KNOW YET IF THE CAR IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH FUEL INJECTION, THE GAUGE, OR SOME ISSUE WITH THE TANK ITSELF (AIR/WATER LEAKING IN OR GAS LEAKING OUT, ETC.). PROBLEM OCCURRED THE DAY AFTER BRINGING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP FOR A SEPARATE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS 6 WEEKS OLD, AND I HAVE BROKEN DOWN TWO DAYS IN A ROW JUST DRIVING TO WORK. *TR
2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP FRAUDULENT TACTICS AND WANTS DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE VEHICLE BACK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE PURCHASE WAS MADE STRICTLY ON THE CLAIM OF THE OUTSTANDING GAS MILEAGE THAT WAS POSTED ON THE STICKER ON THE WINDOW WHICH READ 34 MPG CITY AND 40 MPG HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER MAKING THE DEAL, THE GENERAL MANAGER INFORMED HIM THAT HYUNDAI WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE MILEAGE ACTUALLY LIVING UP TO THE ADVERTISED FIGURES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM, THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY GETTING AN OVERALL MILEAGE OF 26 MPG. THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE A 150 MILES, AND THEY CLAIMED THE VEHICLE WAS GETTING 34 MPG. THE CONSUMER DOCUMENTED THE ALL THE GAS MILEAGE, AND THE BEST WAS 28 MPG AND THE WORST WAS 25 MPG. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THE WINDOW STICKER WAS GONE WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME. AFTER REQUESTING A NEW STICKER FOR OVER SIX WEEKS, THE DEALER FINALLY GAVE HIM A STICKER. HOWEVER, THE GAS MILEAGE WAS DIFFERENT ON THE STICKER.
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