Home · 2013 Hyundai Elantra Gt · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,293)Crash / fire / injury (122)Brakes (271)Steering (266)Engine (223)Airbags (166)Electrical system (150)Suspension (98)Wheels (81)Lights (70)Tires (57)Transmission & drivetrain (54)

166 of 1,293 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters · page 1 of 7

Mar 28, 2025Airbags

Clock spring failures are a well known issue with Hyundai/Kia models from the early 2010s. Hyundai has offered an extended warranty on most models, but has excluded the GT models, even though they use the same parts. My clock spring has failed, disabling the horn and driver air bag functionality.

NHTSA ODI 11651234

Jan 3, 2025Airbags

Air bag light is on constantly, goes off if my steering wheel is turned a certain way. But will come back on immediately after if turned and will not go off of dashboard

NHTSA ODI 11633926

Nov 19, 2024Electrical systemAirbags

Airbag light and steering wheel control malfunction due to clock spring. Known issue can cause airbag not to deploy. Dealer refused to fix issue.

NHTSA ODI 11626200

Oct 30, 2024Airbags

The air bag warning light is mostly ON, but turns off intermittently. I was told this is a safety issue and will cost hundreds of dollars to fix. I am very anxious about this. I did not find any recall notices but did see many complaints about this issue for 2013 Hyundai Elantras.

NHTSA ODI 11622843

Sep 9, 2024Airbags1 injury

My daughter had a tire blow out which caused the passenger side airbag to deploy. A piece of trim approximately 32 inches long flew off from the passenger's side hitting my daughter in the head and causing a concussion and requiring an emergency room visit.. Hyundai performed an investigation and stated the airbags deployed like they should have but refused to acknowledge the cause of my daughter's injury and would not discuss it further.

NHTSA ODI 11613635

Aug 23, 2024Airbags

At approximately 67,000 miles the airbag light on the instrument cluster has become permanently illuminated. This appears to be a common issue, causing Hyundai to extend the warranty on the clock spring; however, the GT model is not covered by this technical service bulletin. This issue may impact the deployment of the airbags and so should be a safety recall rather than a TSB which doesn't even cover all affected models.

NHTSA ODI 11610573

Jul 26, 2024Electrical systemAirbags

There is a on going issue with clock spring failing on 2011-2014 Hyundai models. My model is not covered under their extended warranty cause I have a hatchback version of the Elantra, which uses the same parts. I have already replaced my clock spring at 2019 and again the issue has come in 2024. My air bag light is on, my car horn doesn't work and buttons on the steering wheel. Feel like this is a huge safety issue as I cannot communicate with other drives with my horn and I do not have a safety net of air bags deploying when a accident happens.

NHTSA ODI 11604708

Apr 29, 2024BrakesElectrical systemAirbags

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The air bag warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced; however, the air bag warning light illuminated on and off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the most recent failure. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11585866

Apr 19, 2024AirbagsBrakesCrash

Traffic ahead of me rapidly decelerated. Upon applying the brakes, the peddle froze and then went to the floor without any resistance. I attempted to pump the brakes without success. I impacted the car ahead of me at 40 mph, the posted speed limit, creating substantial damage to both vehicles. The brakes failed to operate and the airbags failed to deploy upon impact. The vehicle failed to slow down and was reacting as if the accelerator was stuck. There were no system warnings at the time of the accident or afterwards. Braking abilities resumed immediately after impact. There is no visible evidence of any fluid leaks, brake fluid or otherwise. The vehicle was last serviced by the dealership for an oil change at the end of January 2024. A brake inspection was performed at that time. I was aware of a recall notice Campaign 251 regarding the brake ABS system. When I inquired at the last service date, I was informed no fix was available at that time. Current mileage is 49,779. I am still in the process of locating a repair shop.

NHTSA ODI 11584131

Mar 11, 2024Airbags

* Defective airbag light on. * Expensive inspection to know what's wrong with the airbag. * Don’t know if in case of an accident the airbag is going to work or protect my life. * This seems to be a common issue in this type of cars and it seems unfair to pay for something like that to be repair when it seems like a manufacturer defect.

NHTSA ODI 11576688

Feb 6, 2024Airbags

My airbag light has been on for the past few months, and I am worried about the airbags not deploying in an accident. I will need to follow up with a dealer on this issue, but have seen others online say they are being charged $250 to have it fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11570394

Dec 19, 2023BrakesAirbags

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the message "Air Bag Off" was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormally loud grinding sound and vibrated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and after inspection, the contact was informed that the brakes were beginning to wear. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11560905

Nov 26, 2023SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

2013 Elantra GT purchased new less than 63,000 miles. Airbag warning light on constantly. Hyundai has issued an extended lifetime warranty on clock spring. 2 local Dealers are 45 days behind in scheduling repairs and will not look at clockspring without agreement to pay $200.00 diagnostic fee to find what other issue may be at fault. This makes the extended warranty bait and switch smokescreen worthless. Diagnostic failed to identify clock spring failure. Instead both front end impact sensors were shorting out and anticipated ECU failure. estimated repair approx $1,000. After this diagnosis noise and resistance in steering wheel increased which is symptomatic of clock spring failure causing electrical failure in other systems. 20 miles later AC blower motor failed and burning electrical smell/smoke presented from behind dashboard. The extent and resulting danger from the faulty wiring systems is undetermined at this time. Significant risk of fire danger

NHTSA ODI 11556836

Nov 11, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsBrakes

I got a recall letter in the mail and Burns Hyundai does not want to give me a service or loaner vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11554659

Oct 12, 2023SteeringAirbags

The Power Steering System failed with both EPS and Traction Control Lights. Can only steer without assists. Air Bag light on

NHTSA ODI 11549647

Sep 16, 2023Airbags

The air bag dashboard light is on constantly which indicates that something is wrong and the airbag will not properly and safely deploy during a vehicle accident. This is a common problem with this make and model vehicle and should be recalled for manufacturer to replace for the safety of owners of their product.

NHTSA ODI 11544890

Sep 15, 2023Airbags

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11544752

Aug 19, 2023Airbags

The red dashboard light remains on all the time indicating a problem with the air bag. I'm not sure what is causing the light to remain on but it is concerning as I don't know whether airbag will deploy properly if needed. I recently visited the dealership for an appointment to install anti theft software due to recall. Two and a half hours later they presented me with an unsolicited appraisal of my vehicle with $1800 in recommended repairs to my car including $400 to replace a sun visor. During this unsolicited appraisal, the dealership neglected to list the red dashboard light that is constantly on. I believe that this is a common issue with Hyundai vehicles and should be fixed free as a recall because of safety concerns.

NHTSA ODI 11539533

Jul 23, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsDriver assistance

The airbag light is on and no fuses are out and cruise control and other buttons on steering wheel is not working. If airbags are faulty or do not deploy it is a huge safety concern. Someone could be killed or extremely hurt. It has not been confirmed by a dealer but willing to take it in to be checked. It has not been checked yet by a professional. My warning lamps have been on for about two weeks now.

NHTSA ODI 11533964

Jul 14, 2023Airbags

The airbag warning light illuminated while driving on a flat highway in safe driving conditions. No action occurred that would cause the airbag light to illuminate. The light is not going away.

NHTSA ODI 11532396

Jul 2, 2023AirbagsSeat beltsWheelsCrash1 injury

I had a rear tire blowout causing the car to stop rapidly causing me to hit my face on the steering wheel so hard I got knocked out . My foot pressed on the gas and I hit a parked car. And my airbags never deployed. Insurance didn't pay my claim because it wasy falt I hit a parked car. Because I was knocked out. I don't remember anything about 30 seconds before the accident. Had my airbags worked maybe I could have remembered what really happened. When the collusion center inspected my car they said a defect in the car was the cause of my accident. But the insurance already denied the claim. The yellow tab was the airbag sensor

NHTSA ODI 11530037

May 15, 2023Airbags

Air bag indicator light comes on and stays on . This occurs intermittently

NHTSA ODI 11521970

Dec 21, 2022Airbags

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. STARTED AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, BUT NOW IT IS ON CONSTANTLY. I AM NOT SURE IF THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK AND HAD CONFLICTING ANSWERS FROM THE LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP. I NOTICED THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIR BAG LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11498344

Aug 28, 2022Electrical systemAirbags

The airbags on the side of the driver's seat is very dangerous and can implode just by slamming the car door. I've also had an on-going issue with the break line ( lights ) the passenger side break light will not turn off, this issue is also very dangerous for myself and other drivers who do not know when I'm using the breaks due to this issue. I've brought the vehicle to Hyundai North Houston to have the break light inspected, ( that was about a week ago ) however I was told that they could not give me a loaner vehicle and the next appointment to inspect this vehicle would be as early as Aug 31,2022 and as late as September 2022. I've had technicians jump the battery several times due to this light not turning off. Many of the techs says it's the breakline and possibly a fuse that need to be changed. I also brought the vehicle to the purchase location ( Carmax/North Houston ) for inspection and service, but they did not address this as a problem during that time. The vehicle also seems to overheat more than what is normal and profusely leak water.There is also a problem with the tire sensors. The vehicle was given to me at purchase with the tire sensor lights on. I've had the sensors checked out and was informed there is no issue, now the sensor light does not illuminate even if the tire pressure is low. This vehicle has many dangerous driving components and should be investigated immediately.

NHTSA ODI 11481605

Aug 23, 2022Airbags

Airbag light comes on and off intermittently, such as when going over a bump or turning the wheel. This is already a known issue with 2012 Hyundai Elantra clock springs and the warranty should be extended to cover 2013 as well.

NHTSA ODI 11480771

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Working with the data? Download all 1,293 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Hyundai Elantra Gt verdict →