Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 Coupe. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start and made abnormal sounds. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle was running rough and shaking. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making an abnormal clicking sound while turning left and right. There was an abnormal burning and melting odor detected. The contact stated that the headlight and taillights had become inoperable. The brake lights failed to turn off and burned the socket. The TPMS and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a body shop, and the contact was referred to the dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact became aware that after it rained, there was water inside the driver's and passenger's side rear taillights assembly, causing the bulbs to become inoperable. The contact replaced the light bulbs. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no recall regarding the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 38,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the brake pedal stopper was fractured, causing the brake lights to remain illuminated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis and an unknown repair were completed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,500.
I am having trouble with the exterior lights on my vehicle. That includes brake lights, tail lights, head lights, turn signals (front and rear). I am constantly replacing them as one or several are always out. My safety and/or the safety of others are put at risk because of no brake lights, someone may rear end me, or having difficulty seeing in front of me at night when head lights fail. I've taken my vehicle to several different locations to have my bulbs changed, and I've also changed a few myself. There is no way to know when a brake light is out, unless I'm getting an oil change, as I did today, and had to pay to have two more bulbs replaced, and thankfully he was kind enough to charge the 3rd at no cost. I've also been pulled over to let me know my bulbs weren't working, or having random people in traffic let me know.
After the recall at Hyundai, my car wouldn't run and there were many lights on the dashboard. It was later checked and the instability light problem persisted. They fixed on the same time, and say something problem with the update. They later informed me that I have a problem with the brake switch, and the brake lights don't work because of it. I replaced and doesn't work, I went back to the store and they want me to pay a fee to have it analyzed again. Even though before the recall, the lights and the car were working perfectly.
I have had multiple headlights, turn lights and brake lights burn out - started less than a year of car ownership; with at least one outage every 2-3 months - both driver and passenger, and rear lights. Not just bulb replacements, I've had Expensive replacements for harnesses on both sides too, but issue keeps returning. Currently driver brake light went out, can't see a Hyundai mechanic for another month due to they and surrounding Hyundai dealers are fully booked. The car is faulty. I am the original owner.
Driver side airbag dash light goes on and off (mostly on). No accident or previous deployment of the airbag. Also, while under warranty the tail light and break light wiring was replaced as they would burn out approx. every 6 months. One light after another: tail light, break light, blinker, etc. It's happening again... seems to be a wiring or component issue. Have to keep bulbs in the car with me at all times.
The vehicle brake lamps, both left/right and center continually burn out. The bulbs burn out every few months. The tail lamps remain lit, but the stop lamps burn out regularly. There seems to be a recurring problems with this make and model. Hyundai must be aware as this safety issue presents a crash hazards. Non functioning brake lamps.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the tail lights needed to be replaced due to the rear brake lights remaining illuminated even when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V574000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to conicelli Hyundai (located at west 1208 ridge pike, conshohocken, pa 19428, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to wear and tear. The rear tail lights were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact also stated that the wiring harness in the tail lights melted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
My 2013 Elantra gt came equipped with factory drl's (daytime running lamps). Reading the owners manual completely, I've found the info on the light switch stalk settings misleading & doesn't offer a clear explanation.. The light switch indicates positions for, "drl off, parking lamps & headlamps", but the only way to operate drl's are while parking lamps switched on. That means, drl's along with full nighttime illumination of every exterior light except headlamps, including front & rear parking lights, side marker lamps & license plate lamps. I find the "limited" models have automatic headlamps control & are not included in this issue because their drl's run independent of other exterior lamps. I have contacted the dealer with this concern & was told, it is characteristic of this model (excluding the limited models). …
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016.
Headlight complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the lights of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 5% of the model year's 1,329 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Elantra headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-574 (switch, Aug 2, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Elantra headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to lights 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.