What 1,293 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Elantra Gt

The steering went out, causing me to crash, car flipped. Steering was making this clicking/popping noise for a long time. I see on line a lot of other people experience this and also crashes.

NHTSA ODI 11547750

When Ever I turn my steering I hear a rubbing noise. Upon online research it sounds like a steering (MPDS) bearing is worn. Sound it makes is getting worse. I fear if my steering will eventually freeze while driving. Manufacturer had a technical service bulletin for other year models but not for 2013 Elantra and they do not sell bearing alone. Was told they sell entire steering column assembly. No warning lamp/ messages earlier. I did have issue with worn steering coupler which I just replaced and still have this other problem.

NHTSA ODI 11547314

TPMS light is flashing due to failure in electrical panel, despite tire pressure being normal. Additionally, the steering wheel makes a clicking noise that increases when accelerating above 10 mph.

NHTSA ODI 11547086

My steering wheel has a clunking sound and you can feel it in the steering wheel when moving the wheel slightly to the right and left

NHTSA ODI 11544356

when i turn the wheel to the left, i heard a bump noise, like the steering is about to go out. Took my car to a mechanic he said it is the electronic power steering and it was a safety issue that was under recall. Called dealer they said they won't repair it for free because my car is over 100K miles. They want to charge me $350. so not fair. Dealership shouldn't be able to not repair recalls period. they make a mistake the public has to pay for it.

NHTSA ODI 11539141

There is a clicking sound in the Hyundai's steering column. The issue is common enough that Hyundai has extended the warranty on the coupler for Elantras and Sonatas - however the dealer charges over $160/hour diagnostic charge so the extended warranty is not helpful. I think Hyundai should issue a recall for this item. Hyundai is claiming that this is not a safety issue, but it is very concerning when you hear a loud clicking noise coming from your steering column. I expect the noise to worsen and fear that it could potentially damage the steering column. I did take my car to a local repair shop (not the dealer) and they confirmed that it sounds like a coupler issue and provided an estimate for a costly repair.

NHTSA ODI 11537057

The steering wheel clicks when turning and even when trying to drive straight. The car requires more effort to stay in lane and potential safety concerns include total loss of steering while driving. This is a known problem with Hyundai's Electric Steering Flex Coupler. There are many reports of this issue online and it seems Hyundai issued an extended warranty until 100,000 miles for this issue but claims there are no safety impacts. However, the issue involves the degrading of the coupler used and this typically occurs AFTER 100,000 miles, as happened with my vehicle. Also, when taking the vehicle to the dealership for other service, this defect was noted and we were warned that it CAN be potentially a safety concern. So, the dealers themselves acknowledge this is a safety issue and yet they will not cover this $450 repair. I cannot afford this out-of-pocket expense. The car maker should be responsible to repair a known defect in manufacture that their service technicians state are safety concerns.

NHTSA ODI 11535726

I noticed extra play in the steering when I turned the wheel (either direction.) At first, it was minor but over time, the play and noise in the steering got worse. I took it to Midas to have it examined and was told the steering couple was bad and should be replaced but referred me back to a dealer as they felt the repair should be covered. I was told that it is not covered and the repair is costly. I am not able to afford the repair and am concerned about the safety of continuing to drive this vehicle but it is the only car I have.

NHTSA ODI 11535951

Dealer refused to repair defective steering wheel for which manufacturer has issued recall notice. Dealer stated that recall repairs were no longer covered

NHTSA ODI 11531946

The problem is in the steering and yes it is available upon request for inspection. My safety and that of anyone riding is at risk because the problem persists and it's progressively worse. There's a knock/pull/resistance whenever the steering turns slightly or fully either way. Yes the problem has been confirmed. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent business owner, and contractor. There were no warning signs or indicators of the problem, it started approximately 2020 but was slightly less pronounced than it is now and has become increasingly worse.

NHTSA ODI 11530451

The contact’s daughter owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact not to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11527151

While driving the steering made a clunking noise and the ability to turn the steering wheel was affected. At low speeds the steering wheel is pulling and feels like there is a loose spot in the turning radius of the steering. After researching, the possible issue is the 926-990 Flexible Steering Coupler.

NHTSA ODI 11522340

The steering coupler is out

NHTSA ODI 11516220

I have replaced the lights and battery many times and something keeps draining it. The outside brake lights sometimes stay on. So does the front running lights. The car sometimes wants to stall and when I press on the gas pedal it finally catches but still seems like it is going to shut down. The steering column has a really bad clicking in it and doesn’t seem to be tight anymore.

NHTSA ODI 11513945

Steering coupling failed. Hyundai is repairing this defective part on other models of the Elantra, but will not on the Elantra Gt. Makes no sense as it is the exact same defective part.

NHTSA ODI 11512459

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact's daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH when she heard an abnormal "pop" sound come from under the floorboards. The contact said that as she was following the road on a right-hand curve the vehicle steering was not responding to her steering correction to follow the turn. The contact said that his daughter lost control and spun the vehicle 180 degrees and crashed into a guard rail. The contact stated that she did not notice any warning lights. The vehicle hit the guard first with the front driver's fender and then the entire driver's side hit the guard rail and all forward momentum stopped. The police arrived on the scene and wrote a report. The daughter had not suffered any injuries, however, the vehicle was undrivable and was towed to a towing lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V311000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11511805

When I turn the wheel there is a loud clunking noise

NHTSA ODI 11511488

2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LOOSE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN.

NHTSA ODI 11511170

I own a 2013 hyundai elantra with around 53k miles at the time of making this complaint. My problem was that the steering coupler failed and would cause the steering wheel to make a clunking noise when steering left and right. Also when i go over a bump my steering wheel would vibrate and on top of that my car would sometimes drift slightly left or right which puts me at risk for an accident. thankfully i didn’t get into one. From what i’ve heard this is a common problem with these cars and had the coupler replaced which seems to fix the problem and am upset i had to fork out over 600$ to fix it at a hyundai dealer on the day of March 6 2023 and i was hoping i was covered under a warranty but per the hyundai dealer employee he said i wasn’t covered since the warranty expired. i wasn’t the first original owner of the car so the car is past the 10 year warranty period per the dealer employee, i owned it for about 5 years. wish hyundai would extend the warranty or recall this problem on these trash cars.

NHTSA ODI 11510400

Something in the steering wheel is messed up. When the wheel is turned even a few centimeters, it makes a loud clicking noise like something is not attached correctly. It causes the car the shake when going over bumps/pot holes.

NHTSA ODI 11505544

Unknown The steering clicks and pulls back unexpectedly. No control on steering wheel works

NHTSA ODI 11503967

2013 Elantra GT steering coupler has broken due to poor design and plastic materials. Dealership stated this has been a common issue in other Elantra and Sonata models and has apparently been covered with an additional 10years on the extended warranty on all models of Elantra except the GT. The broken coupler causes a clicking sound in the steering and eventually leads to the steering locking and can be a serious safety issue. This model should be included in the warranty as it has already been an identified safety issue on other models. No warning lights or notification on the dash, but loose handling on the road and I was told by my mechanic that continued driving and wear and tear would lead to the steering locking up and potential accident in the future.

NHTSA ODI 11500099

Steering wheel coupler deteriorates and needs to be replaced. All 2007-2015 Elantra sedans have received an extended warranty for this common issue but the 2013 Elantra coupe was left out

NHTSA ODI 11499872

I noticed extra play in the steering when I turned the wheel (either direction.) At first, it was minor but over time, the play and noise in the steering got worse. I took it to Tire Choice to have it examined and was told the steering couple was bad and should be replaced but referred me back to a dealer as they felt the repair should be covered. I was told that it is not covered and the repair is costly. I am not able to afford the repair and am concerned about the safety of continuing to drive this vehicle but it is the only car I have.

NHTSA ODI 11499986

The steering coupler has gone out on the car, resulting in a clicking/clunk noise when moving the steering wheel. Confirmed by two separate independent service centers who were able to replicate the problem and identify the issue. The part costs $13.99 to replace but looking at a cost of over $500 to replace for labor.

NHTSA ODI 11500007