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 GT. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the electronic traction stability warning light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle slowed to approximately 15 MPH and failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was a recurring failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
In December 2017 & January 2018 on multiple occasions the cars ABS light came on for no apparent reason and the car would not stop as if the brakes were not applied at all. A vibration was noticed like the brakes would in a skidding situation but that was not the case. The failure resulted in a couple few calls and finally an accident . It was brought to the Hyundai dealership where we were told there were no failures or codes in the computer to indicate a problem. A week later we received a recall notice from Hyundai - NHTSA campaign number 17v-769 (Hyundai campaign 170). This was the stopper pad recall and it did fix the problem. Looking at the invoice from the dealer the recall was done but we were never told it was related to the problem. The recall notice did not seem to properly state the serious risk of the problem. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes failed and there was a loss of traction. The contact rear ended another vehicle that was approximately the length of two vehicles ahead of her. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver and front passenger had the wind knocked out of them, but were not injured. Ambulatory care was received. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a facility. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by an insurance adjuster or a dealer. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 17V769000 (service brakes, hydraulic) after the crash, but had not received a recall notification in the mail from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the crash months later. The approximate failure mileage was 69,154.
I was coming off of interstate 95 onto my exit and I applied my brake to slow my car but my brake apparently gave out and was not working . It make a loud sound like it was trying to hold but it didn't and in order to stop my car from hitting any others or people standing at the side of the road I tried steering it toward the closest curb so that I could prevent as much as possible within my power. My airbags didn't deploy but the car hit hard enough that my face slammed into the steering wheel, I sustained a concussion and damaged my face and glasses. I have muscle strains in my back, neck and still a swollen eye and cheek bone.
Was taking trash to the dump, 1 person's worth, going 5 MPH 1/ of mile from my home, car veered to right edge of pavement, and where a bulldozer had drug road edges and broke pavement off, caused me to hit a tree at a very slow speed. I reversed car, backed up 50 ft. And car shut itself off & windshield got extremely hot, and I got out of vehicle, smoke coming from hood area, left my purse, and walked across road to ask for fire extinguisher. Man had just got up, hadn't had coffee ,and invited me in. I went back outside and saw car was burning, so I stayed on his porch, then front yard. I knew trash May have aerosol canisters, and not worth my life to try to go through fire to save my purse. Cops came (9:45-10:15 am , and said I looked funny and arrested me accusing me of being under the influence of medication. I was not on any medicine and definitely not drinking. …
On June 23, 2015, I hit a slight bump in the road as I was slowing to stop behind someone at a red light. Instead of stopping, it slowly continued and rear ended the car in front of me doing about $7,000 damage to the front of my 2013 Elantra. The dealer finally finished the repair work and returned the car to me on approximately July 31, 2015. Almost immediately, the ESC and EPS lights would go on intermittently and stay on for a day or so before returning to normal. I took it to the Hyundai dealer last Thursday, sept 27, 2015 to reset the computer and set the steering angle sensors which I had read about helping one person in this blog. It was seemingly normal when I took it to them. The car warranty was voided before I got it due to a prior collusion in which a prior insurance company wrote it off as costing more to fix than it was worth. …
Engine failure. Zero compression cylinder #1. Second time this has happened since purchase on 10/18/2016. Also, tire pressure problem, ESC light comes on, dashboard gauges inoperative. Fuel mileage below what is advertised. Neither hundai nor enterprise will fix the problem after repeated demands. Also, there is a recall regarding "stopper pad" and stop lamp switch. Bought vehicle, cash, from enterprise car sales in montclair, ca. It was a "certified" used car, supposedly. Immediately I noticed that the engine sounded "tinny". Sounded like a sewing machine, it was knocking. Also, when I lifted the oil stick, smoke came out of engine. This was within 2 weeks after purchase. The car completely lost compression on interstate 10 in April, 2015. I told both Hyundai and enterprise who ignored my complaints. …
Around 40,000 miles the car randomly would not start, leaving me stranded. I took the car in several times and dealership could not detect an issue. 2nd time I dropped off, a misfire was detected and ignition coils where replaced due to defected coils. I picked up my car and 11 days later the car wouldn't start up again. Its been in the shop for 3 weeks now. Last I heard they are replacing: the shifter assembly, transmission range switch, and brake switch. I have yet to hear if the parts came in and if this will fix the issue. I received a call on 11/3/2016 and now the engine needs to be replaced. There is a serious issue with the car failing to start and Hyundai cant even figure it out, as of today they had my car for a total of 25 days and still no resolution. Something needs to be done and recalled. Ive contacted Hyundai consumer affairs directly and have a case with them going on. …
Update to ticket # 1119161 - 4 separate appts, with,90 plus days accumulated total at a hyunda service center expanding 21 months and 15000 miles. 43 days at current service dept with no update, vehicle continues to stall while driving, electrical malfunctions continue to expand after interior was soaked from a confirmed/repaired defect in sunroof frame. Beyond the ability of service technicians to diagnose, engineer inspected and confirmed vehicle stalling while driving and messed up interior July 2016 from sunroof leak, repairs have been made but vehicle continues to stall while driving, in addition electrical malfunctions continue to devolop that Hyundai will not resolve, vehicle was in buyout review with Hyundai but was stopped due to my complaint filed which south carolina consumer affairs requesting a repurchase that Hyundai denied. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently without warning. The indicator currently remains illuminated. The local dealer (rick case Hyundai duluth, 3180 satellite blvd nw, duluth, ga, 30096, [phone]) advised the contact to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The appointment was not scheduled due to the diagnostic fee. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who tried to reset the air bag sensor and diagnosed that the failure was due to the clock spring. The mechanic stated that they could not guarantee that it was the cause of the failure and that it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall on the vehicle. …
Traction Control complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of the model year's 1,329 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Elantra traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.