Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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's daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH when she heard an abnormal "pop" sound come from under the floorboards. The contact said that as she was following the road on a right-hand curve the vehicle steering was not responding to her steering correction to follow the turn. The contact said that his daughter lost control and spun the vehicle 180 degrees and crashed into a guard rail. The contact stated that she did not notice any warning lights. The vehicle hit the guard first with the front driver's fender and then the entire driver's side hit the guard rail and all forward momentum stopped. The police arrived on the scene and wrote a report. The daughter had not suffered any injuries, however, the vehicle was undrivable and was towed to a towing lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated while attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle crashed into a curb. The contact stated that her daughter occupied the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The contact stated that the passenger side front tire hit the curb and the tire was damaged. The vehicle was undrivable, the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 89,205.
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 stated that there was a lot of play in the steering wheel, and the steering wheel moved back and forth with no resistance while the vehicle was being driven or while idling. There was a loud clunking noise coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the steering column flexible coupler had failed and caused the wheels to not respond correctly while turning the steering wheel. The contact was informed that the steering column flexible coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was very loose. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact was forced to grip the steering wheel with force with the front of the vehicle abnormally shaking. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the shaking of the front of the vehicle increased. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,501.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that a cushion located within the steering wheel had deteriorated, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering coupler cushion within the steering wheel had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure was related to the steering wheel. There was no further information provided. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an unknown speed, there was an abnormal clunking noise detected in the steering wheel. The contact stated that while he was driving there was a lot of play in the steering wheel and inside the vehicle. The vehicle was driving roughly, and he could feel the bumps in the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,007.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated after doing research, he determined that the MDSP coupler vehicle was fractured. The contact was informed that the MDSP coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was loosened, and felt as if the steering wheel would detach. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact believed that the failure was a manufacturing defect and took the vehicle to a local dealer; however, no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Steering complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 273 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 21% of the model year's 1,329 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Elantra steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.