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

I noticed a loud ticking noise from my engine 6 months ago and took it to my mechanic assuming it needed an oil change sooner. However the noise became much worse the past month and a half and again took it to my mechanic which found it is an issue inside the motor itself and they could not figure it out except many 2013 Hyundai Elantra's have in fact had engine failure and recommended I take it to a dealer. I instead took it today to NTB assuming it was another issue with tires and unable to accelerate which almost caused me an accident on the interstate. NTB found that this is a serious issue with the engine and confirmed Hyundai is aware of the issue but will not issue any recalls due to this. My car is only 9 years old and when I bought it brand new there were already many recalls that was repaired. When I called the Hyundai dealership near me, I was told no recalls were issued but they are aware of the problem and just for me to bring it in it will be extremely costly just to look at it, and around $5,000/$7,000 to replace the engine if this is the issue which was confirmed by 2 auto shops. I have found many reports and documentation of engine failure with not being able to accelerate and my car has done this 3xs on an extremely busy interstate in which I was almost rear ended and would have been killed. I will once again contact the Hyundai Dealership near me with hopes of receiving a free inspection of the engine. I will also be sending information to our West Virginia Attorney General and close friend Patrick Morrisey along with documentation of recent and previous repairs of Brakes and countless purchasing of tires as well as having to replace tie rods numerous times. This also includes my cruise control will accelerate which I have received a ticket even when I told the officer my cruise control was stuck and no matter what I tried it would not shut off including when I stopped and put my car in park. My ultimate concern is the engine. The contact has stated that as of December 2022 the issue with the vehicle still occurs even after having the engine replaced. After driving home, the vehicle would not shift into park or reverse after several minutes of trying. At that time, no warning lights occurred and there was a loud noise coming from under the hood. HMA agreed to settle the claim with an offer of $708.12. The contact countered HMA's offer as follows: To release HMA from past and present issues with the contact's 2013 Hyundai Elantra; not join any recent or present consumer's including future class actions including seeking legal representation against HMA “IF” HMA agrees to replace my 2013 Hyundai Elantra with a newer model at which time if this is agreed upon, contact will waive all liability regarding my 2013 Hyundai Elantra. If HMA is not in agreement with the counteroffer, contact will continue to have NHTSA inspector Bill Collins follow through with inspecting contact's 2013 Hyundai Elantra including but not limited to pursuing all/any future legal actions against HMA due to driving a vehicle that HMA failed to conform to warranty in connection with your concerns and the vehicle’s repair history to date. HMA has referred contact's counteroffer to another HMA department and should respond within 48 hours. Contact forwarded HMA's response to NHTSA and WV Attorney General. The contact is waiting for response from HMA case managers. 03/24/2023 the contact received email from NHTSA ODI regarding an investigation of the defects of contact's vehicle. As of 04/17/2023 Contact provided additional recent repair receipts.

NHTSA ODI 11466640

I was on a 7 hour drive from a weekend trip back home and about 2 and a half hours in, my car started having issues accelerating up an incline and my check engine light came on. I stopped and took the car to a mechanic. The vehicle wasn’t throwing any codes to indicate a problem and all the other components were just fine. When the mechanic took it for a test drive, it blew white smoke out the back and he said my engine was done and that I needed a new one. This car is not new but it’s not that old either. It’s at about 109,000 miles, so it should still have life in it. I was left stranded on a long drive because of premature engine failure.

NHTSA ODI 11465847

While I was driving my car, my engine completely died. No check engine light had come on at all prior to the engine dying. There was a clicking sound the motor had been making for about a month but car was running completely fine and normal all the way up until the engine dying. Upon googling 2013 Hyundai Elantra engine issues, I found that many 2013 Hyundai Elantra owners had experienced the exact same problem that I had. I even found out that this model had been recalled in Canada for this exact same problem but for some reason, there was never a recall in the US. There was also a lawsuit in the US in 2021 addressing these issues with this faulty engine. This is a clear safety hazard as my car could have died on a highway or at a busy intersection (which I was very close to). A mechanic diagnosed the issue with a worn out timing chain (which is exactly what I had found online in the complaints made by other owners). Here are the notes from the mechanic: VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND TIMING CHAIN VERY WORN OUT AND HAS LARGE AMOUNT OF SLOP IN CHAI. ALSO FOUND ALOT OF LIFTERS NOT FILLING WITH OIL AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO CAMS. TECH RECOMMENDS TIMING CHAIN KIT CAM PHAZERS ALSO BOTH CAMS ALL LIFTERS AND ROCKERS. ALSO VALVE COVER DUE TO PCV VALVE SYSTEM FAILURE. My car was sent to the dealership by recommendation of the mechanics to see if they would replace the engine since this is a well known issue but Hyundai refused to replace the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11463273

Our 2013Hyundai Elantra Gt started making a ticking noise in the engine and now sounds like a lawn mower. Our car has been inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealership and we were told it needs a new engine or our current engine will seize on us while driving. This is a huge safety issue for us while driving and could be a safety issue for others around us. This is a known issue for hyundai elantra 2011-2016 and Hyundai is refusing to help us or replace the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11459225

Car suffered a catastrophic engine failure with no warning signs, Know issue with Hyundai engines, beings I'm the second owner, hyundai would not warranty engine repairs. ( 114,600 miles) Hyundai car dealership said they replaced 38 engines in the last two weeks. Car dealership also indicated Hyundai was originally replacing engines with long blocks, and ran out so now replacing with short blocks ... (engine blocks only). Everyone is aware of the issues with this engine why is there no forced recall? Hyundai took 4 weeks to decide to deny warranty

NHTSA ODI 11455762

Recently my car has had trouble starting, and the engine has sounded weak while running. While out my engine light came on the dash. I took my car to the parts store and they put the computer on to read the engine light. It stated that there are misfires in the coils. Yes it is available for inspection upon request. This put people inside the car at a risk as a engine failure couldve happened at full speed. No this has vehicle has not been inspected. My dash had zero lights on, until the engine light came on. This is my daily driver and can not afford this vehicle to be down.

NHTSA ODI 11445265

I own a 2013 elantra and was sent in the mail in the spring a class action lawsuit from Hyundai stating there was an engine piston knock which could lead to engine failure. There was a timeframe to submit the claim to coorprate so I brough the vehical in to be diagnosed with the engine issue. Sport Hyundai had the car for months stating they were waiting for the tool. First the wrong size was ordered then the tool broke. The dealership had our car for about four months and still didn't have the correct tool. So I had the car moved to Millville dealership which finally after six months of having the car was diagnosed and by that time cooperate office said we missed the deadline. I was back and forth with the dealership and cooperate stating the issues. No one helped us I have documentation that when we brought the vehicle in to be diagnosed when it was moved to another dealership. No one has helped I reached out to cooperate multiple times and they stated there was nothing they can do. The car we now have back still with the engine knock that could lead to engine failure or catching on fire while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11445080

The contact's wife owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clicking noise would emit from the engine without warning. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the clicking noise was a knocking noise that could potentially lead to engine failure. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they acknowledged that metal shavings had entered the engine which caused the knocking noise. He was then informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure. An email was sent to the manufacturer to reconsider placing the vehicle under warranty however, the contact had not received a response. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ODI 11441594

At approximately 35,000 to 45,000 miles my car started stopping violently on its own. It would jerk violently,make loud grinding and squealing noises and stop randomly on its own free will. This started happening repeatedly. Then after it would happen the car would not go when pressing the gas pedal. It would take quite a while before the car would get momentum back. This became very dangerous to myself and my kids. I purchased this car brand new. I got rid of it by trading it in at 78,000 miles. I contacted Hyundai and tried to resolve the issue and they were no help whatsoever.

NHTSA ODI 11435389

The car experienced (1) poor acceleration, (2) check engine light come on, (3) engine stalling, (4) Tachometer drops to zero. It was first found the MAP sensor was faulty. After the sensor was replaced, the car ran but stalled again intermittently. It was found the problem was caused by crank shaft position sensor (fault code P0335). After the senor was replaced about three weeks ago, the car has been running fine.

NHTSA ODI 11422487

MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR IT WOULDN'T START, BUT IT BEGAN MAKING THIS KNOCKING NOISE. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS, BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING AND THE ONLY THING I COULD THINK OF WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. AND THAT'S WHEN I HEARD THE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11415610

WE BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE IN, UNDER WARRANTY, FOR ENGINE NOISES AND STALLING. WE WERE TOLD THE PREVIOUS OWNER COULD HAVE NEGLECTED MAINTENANCE AND WE SHOULD DO MORE FREQUENT OIL CHANGES TO SOLVE THE ISSUE(OIL SLUDGE). THIS WENT ON FOR MONTHS AND THE ISSUE ONLY GOT WORSE. BY THE TIME THE ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED(PISTONS), WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOONE WOULD HELP US. WE LATER FOUND OUT THEY COVERED SOME BEARING ISSUES, BUT NOT PISTON ISSUES. WE DID EVERYTHING RECOMMENDED. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME DOCUMENTS, I HAVE ASKED MANY TIMES FOR THEM(MCGRATH HYUNDAI OF CEDAR RAPIDS). THIS WAS 2 YEARS AGO. WE ENTERED A CLASS ACTION SUIT THINKING WE WOULD GET THE HELP WE DESERVED. WE AREN'T GETTING HELP FROM THE SETTLEMENT AND THEY ARE NOW SAYING WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. IF WE HAD THE MONEY TO REPLACE WE WOULD BE GETTING FULL REIMBURSEMENT, BUT WE GET NOTHING SINCE WE WERE FINANCIALLY UNABLE. THE PEOPLE THAT DID GET THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE ARE STILL HAVING ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE THIS ENGINE TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE AND NOT THE DRIVER/PURCHASERS FAULT.

NHTSA ODI 11408217

113,000-114,000 MILES ON CAR. STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE MOTOR. SOUNDED LIKE LIFTERS OR A HARD KNOCKING. PARKED AS SOON AS IT STARTED IT AND TOWED IT TO A SHOP. THEY SAID THE TICKING SOUND WAS MORE THAN LIKELY FROM THE PISTON ASSEMBLY. THEY CALLED IT A PISTON SLAP. HOWEVER UPON TAKING THE VALVE COVERS OFF THEY FOUND THE TIMING CHAIN WAS SLAPPING AROUND, BENT VALVES AND A BAD PISTON. OUR DAUGHTER DONE ALL OF HER OIL CHANGES REGULARLY AND DIDN'T HOTROD THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ALSO GOING SLOW UP OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. NO NOISE PRIOR TO THIS AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11405191

HYUNDAI HAS A KNOWN FACTORY DEFECTIVE MOTOR FOR MY MODEL OF CAR. IT IS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CALLED THE ENGINE COLD ENGINE DEFECTIVE MOTOR CASE. MY MODEL AND LOCATION MAKES ME ELIGIBLE FOR A NEW MOTOR. HYUNDAI IS DENYING ME A NEW MOTOR BASED ON A REBUILT TITLE. MY CAR WAS REAR-ENDED AND THE BODY WAS REBUILT. THE ENGINE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE ACCIDENT. MY ENGINE IS KNOCKING AND WILL SEIZE UP AND QUIT ANYTIME IF MY MOTOR IS NOT REPLACED, WHICH HYUNDAI IS REFUSING TO DO. THEY ARE KNOWINGLY SENDING ME DOWN THE ROAD WITH A FACTORY DEFECTIVE MOTOR THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SEIZE UP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS MOTOR SHOULD BE RECALLED BY HYUNDAI SO THAT ALL OF US EFFECTED ARE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI 11403756

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODHOUSE HYUNDAI OF OMAHA (8410 S 145TH ST, OMAHA, NE 68138) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 100,000 MILES AND THEREFORE NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000.

NHTSA ODI 11400353

ENGINE MAKE TAPPING NOISE WHEN A COLD STARTING THE NOISE WILL SLOW DOWN WILL IT IS WORMING UP BUT YOU STILL HEAR IT WAS LOOK AT BY 2 DIFFRANT CAR SHOP REPAIR AND BOTH SAID IT COULD BE ROCKER ARM OR LEFFTERS

NHTSA ODI 11397949

BOUGHT USED 3 WEEKS AGO AND IT DIED WHILE DRIVING ON INCLINE, HAS BEEN MAKING A TICKING NOISE, AND SLUGGISH, STEREO TURNED OFF BY ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI 11394911

A TICKING/KNOCKING NOISE IS GOING ON IN THE ENGINE, POWERTRAIN. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND IS WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. IT IS BELIEVED TO BE A VALVE TRAIN ISSUE. THE KNOCKING GETS WORSE WHEN I ACCELERATE, ALSO. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS, BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY'VE BEEN SLOW TO RESPOND. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE BUSINESS THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY'RE USING THE QUICK, TEMPORARY WARRANTY TO GET A NEW USED ENGINE, BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SAME TICKING/KNOCKING NOISE WILL OCCUR WITH THE NEW USED ENGINE, BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO USE A DIFFERENT BRAND ENGINE. I'D PREFER THAT HYUNDAI DO A STRAIGHT UP RECALL FOR THE ENGINES THAT CONSISTENTLY PERFORM THIS WAY - WITH A KNOCKING NOISE THAT HINDERS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11390202

THE ENGINE MAKES PISTON SLAP NOISE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS COLD AROUND 50 OR BELOW FAHRENHEIT. THE ENGINE WILL MAKE LOUD CLAPPING NOISE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW. POSSIBLE CAUSE IS PISTON SKIRT BEING TO SHORT CAUSING SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT WHEN COLD. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IN CANADA HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOTIFIED THEM TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11386157

WHEN I START MY CAR THE ENGINE TICKS I BELIEVE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A PISTON ISSUE ALSO MY SEATBELTS DON'T PROPERLY SECURE I HAVE TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO BUCKLE IT

NHTSA ODI 11383958

THE FUEL RAIL IS LEAKING, IN DANGEROUS OF FIRING. THE SAME/SIMILAR ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED/REPORTED REPEATEDLY

NHTSA ODI 11377092

MY 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH APPROX. 75,000 MILES, AND NO MECHANICAL OR COSMETIC ISSUES, CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR 10 MINUTES AT TAVERN IN THE SQUARE RESTAURANT IN LOWELL, MA. PATRONS WHO WERE PARKED NEARBY HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE ELECTRICAL SPARKS AND THEN WITNESSED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD WHICH THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THEY RAN IN TO RETRIEVE MY FAMILY AND I AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME WITHIN 10 MINUTES TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BUT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THAT TIME. I HAVE VIDEOS AND PICTURES THAT CAN BE FORWARDED TO YOU. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT WAS ON HOLD FOR 40 MINUTES AND IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED BEFORE SPEAKING TO ANYONE. THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY STRESSFUL EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY. THE CAR WAS IN OUR GARAGE JUST 30 MINUTES PRIOR AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A HISTORY OF ISSUES WITH SOME OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES WHICH I WASN'T AWARE OF UNTIL NOW BUT I DON'T SEE THAT MY CAR WAS LISTED AS A POSSIBLE RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL FIRES. IT WAS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND EVERY PENNY I EARNED WAS USED TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO. I DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE THAT WOULD COVER THIS SITUATION SO THIS IS A TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED AND ALSO WHERE TO FORWARD THE VIDEO AND PHOTO DETAILS.

NHTSA ODI 11375940

MOTOR BLOWN WHEN VEHICLE HAD 130000 MILES AFTER REGULAR OIL CHANGES.

NHTSA ODI 11372302

2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE STATIONARY, IN CITY STREET, TURNING OR NOT NOT TURNING, UNCONTROLLED ENGINE RACING TO AT LEAST 5000 RPM. TO STOP RACING WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT, I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND A) ENGINE SPEED MAY GO BACK TO NORMAL OR B) REPEATEDLY STEP ON GAS PEDAL TO DISENGAGE RACING ENGINE. OR C) TURN OFF ENGINE KEY AND TRY TO RESTART. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES

NHTSA ODI 11360322

NOTICED A OIL BASED LEAK UNDER VEHICLE ,HAVE IT INSPECTED THE LEAK IS COMING OUT OF A DEFECTIVE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR ,EMITTING TOXICS FREON AND AC OIL TO THE AIR AND GROUND. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SAFETY AND POLLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331251