Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 while pulling the front drive side visor back in place the visor could not stay in place. The vehicle dealer was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the visor had fractured and the visor was replaced. On another occasion the front passenger side visor fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the visor had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 127,000.
I took my car into Hyundai due to the recall sent out to car owners. I had my ABS and Brake light that went on randomly around September. I scheduled an appointment and took it in to get it checked. Hyundai sent me away stating there were no parts to fix the issue and told me to pay for a diagnostic if I needed it looked at and to wait until the recall is remedied. Two months later my car exploded and caught fire while parked on my property putting my life and home at risk. As well as my neighbors lives who came in to help me Put out the fire.
I have an issue with my paint peeling off the hood and other parts of my car in large sections during rain and high winds adhering to the windshield hindering my field of vision at times. This has forced me to stop the vehicle on the roadside and remove it in order for me to continue. The paint peeling on the pearl white vehicles is a known issue since 2010. I've contacted the manufacturer numerous times over the past two years and they basically told me that they already knew about it and oh well. There's nothing they're going to do because the warranty has expired.
Driver's side rearview mirror smashed by vandal. This is because of having to park away from structures due to Hyundai's recall # 251. The original recall notice was apparently dated 9/22/23, but no remedy is yet available. That's 4 months, and it's creating great hardship for me and probably many others. I am afraid to use my car because of possible engine fire and damage to people or other cars--but I need my car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the sun roof exploded while driving on the freeway. As a result, the contact crashed into a concrete rail. The contact sustained minor glass injuries to the arm, but did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to cardenas motors (1500 north expressway 77, brownsville, tx 78521, [phone]) where it was repaired per the contact's insurance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 15765657. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 106,441.
Driving down highway with light rain. Temperature approx 34 degrees. While at speed limit (65mph) the moon-roof exploded! Not simply shattered but exploded. (inside 'sun' cover was open at the time) there were no other cars on the road within 1/2 mile of me. I did not just pass under a bridge and no construction on the roadway at the time of the explosion. Almost lost control of car but managed to maintain until I could pull over on side of roadway. Suffered minor cuts to scalp, face and neck (nothing that required hospitalization). Significant shards of glass throughout the interior of the car and some minor damage to paint surface from shards of glass hitting the outside of the car; rear roof of car and rear deck lid of trunk. Lodged complain with corporate Hyundai (have case number), also went to local Hyundai dealership gave them case number and had them take photos. …
The windshield cracked and the rear view mirror housing broke apart along with the metal piece used to attach the mirror. I was driving on the highway going about 75mph when I heard a loud bang and saw the rear view mirror ejected like a projectile. The glass had several cracks running the length of the windshield, originating from the metal piece that held the rear view mirror. At first I thought it was a rock or flying debris from the road that came thru the windshield. I immediately pulled over and noticed that the origin of the cracks and point of breakage was from the inside of the car. There was no noticeable impact on the outside of the windshield, not even a minor scratch to indicate something had hit it from the outside. There were several pieces of glass on the inside where the metal piece broke off with some glass still glued to it. …
I was driving down the interstate at about 65-70 MPH when suddenly I heard a loud explosive noise like a gunshot going off inside the car. The car shook violently and I thought I had been hit, though there was not another car in my immediate vicinity. I was nowhere near an overpass. When I realized I was still going down the interstate on all 4 tires and not flipping end for end and had not been hit, it dawned on me that air was rushing into the car and glass was raining down on my head. I looked up and almost the entire sun roof was gone. It has literally exploded. I took the car immediately to the dealer. I was informed that this could happen again because of a defect in the design. How scary is that? I have been dealing with glass in the car every since.
Car starts but won't stay on, new battery installed, still doesn't turn on, in garage and is being towed to dealership. Windowshied fog constantly, and all f a sudden after 10 minutes and only way to defog---open windows., happens every am as driving to work on freeway or home at nights. The car is well maintained. Gas mileage is not 33 miles per gallon. Disappointed. Also sun roof doesn't close, was fixed, and still doesn't close all the way without me doing fancy maneuver with switch. Concerned- major safety issue!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the sun roof shattered into the vehicle. That failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sun roof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the initial familiar. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000. The VIN was not provided.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 3% of the model year's 1,329 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Hyundai Elantra window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.