Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while in the process of parking the vehicle at the residence and driving 1-5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and hit another unoccupied parked vehicle, causing the other vehicle to move 50-60 ft. away. The rear end of the other vehicle was damaged, and the front end of the contact's vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deployed. There was no injury sustained. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
The driver owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra with 37,657 miles. While slowly turning left into a parking space, the car had a sudden acceleration event. The Elantra sped into the parking space and ran over two concrete parking spot blocks. The Elantra glanced off a grey pickup truck and scraped by a grey SUV. The Elantra entered the empty parking space opposite the SUV and proceeded to impact the side of a blue car in an adjacent spot. The blue car stopped the Elantra. Fortunately, the other affected vehicles were unoccupied and no pedestrians were present. The driver was wearing a seat belt and was not injured. The Elantra air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the driver's residence and is available for inspection along with all maintenance records. A claim has been filed with insurance; the appraiser came yesterday. …
I have an 8 year old 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT. For the past month I have had several incidences where the accelerator to the car does not work. This has occurred getting on the freeway, going up hills, attempting to "go" when stopped at a red light, etc. The accelerator virtually does not work even though my foot is pressed on the gas pedal to the floor board. There are not safety warnings on the dashboard to warn me of this malfunction. The check engine light has come on and off but not consistent with these episodes. I have taken the car to the Hyundai dealer for service and they have been unable to find the problem telling me the codes are all ok and that the technician drove the car several miles and could not replicate the problem. I have found several blogs and posts with the exact same problem I have been having. …
Car developed a sudden loss of power. Would start, although roughly (took a couple of times to start), then once shifted into Drive, the engine was very sluggish, like it was stuck in a lower gear. Upon stopping and restarting the engine, the problem would sometimes resolve and the car could be driven normally, however it felt unsafe to drive at normal speeds. No warning signs appeared. After consulting with a family member with this same year and model of Hyundai Elantra, it was suggested that the crankshaft position sensor might be at fault. After researching online, we discovered that this is a common issue with 2011-2016 Elantras with a 1.8 liter engine. (Reddit forums, also this link: [redacted] ). After trying transmission and other fluid flushes without luck, we took the car to a local Hyundai dealer. …
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.
Car has a ticking sound, car has died on me multiple times. The vehicle has stopped moving regardless of pressing on accelerator and died leaving me stranded, feeling unsafe. I have been driving at 40 mph and then seem to lose power, making it to where can only go 10 to 20 mph or totally dying. I was also having issues with key fobs not working. Door would open, unlock and then not, car stalling. No lights illuminating on dash. Battery in fob replaced after car being towed to shop after stalling, dying issue and I was basically told they didn't know what was up with the stalling, maybe fobs. I had an oil change done and full diagnostic, sent on way without answers. Happened again, electrical issues, fob not working, stalling, start hesitation and dying, no power. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle and driving out of the parking lot at 3 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact then crashed into four parked vehicles and a few parking signs. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered a broken patella on their right leg, they had a bad abrasion on their left leg, a hematoma on their skull and black eyes that required medical attention. The contact was the only one in their vehicle at the time of the failure. There was no one else in the other vehicles the contact crashed into. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The insurance company was currently inspecting the vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While exiting the highway and decelerating from approximately 60-35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to 15 MPH on its own. The vehicle was towed to shaffer Hyundai where it was diagnosed that the throttle bar failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was emitting an odor of burning oil. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and the oil and battery indicators illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the webb Hyundai dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle would be repaired shortly. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
I 2/2/2016when parking Hyundai Elantra 2013 it suddenly barreled forward completely out of control over the cement marker and slammed into a tree. Per insurance instructions car was towed to Hyundai dealer.after a very expensive front end repair the service dept "tested" the car and pronounced it in good condition-nothing wrong with this car.the manager at the dealership insists he does not know of any other 2013 Elantra having this problem. This car is a menace to me and to other motorists. Why won't Hyundai acknowledge this problem and inform their dealers of a number of similar situations
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While the vehicle was in park with the emergency brake engaged, it started moving and accelerated without warning. The vehicle crashed into numerous vehicles while it continued to accelerate. The air bags deployed. The passenger sustained broken ribs, as well as head and legs injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,000.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Acceleration complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of the model year's 1,329 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Elantra acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Elantra acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.