2013 Hyundai Elantra acceleration problems

Filed May 28, 2026 · Acceleration · CA

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: [XXX] ). After trying transmission and other fluid flushes without luck, we took the car to a local Hyundai dealer. They said they were unable to replicate the issue but we told them to please replace the crankshaft position sensor, which they finally did. We were charged a total of $711.40 for this repair of a simple part. Please note, another Hyundai dealer in town replaced this part for my brother's vehicle free of charge. This should be a recall item for this vehicle and it should be replaced for free. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Acceleration · 72,000 miles · LA · crash

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.

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · OR

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. I had it towed to different shop and was told had couple of codes showing up even though no check engine light on, they stated a caliper was leaking along with other oil leak and crankshaft sensor needed replaced, which got fixed. The car has 98000 miles on it (around there) and I see safety recall posted. I finance this car and have literally only had it not even 5 months. I do not feel safe driving it. I've been stranded, at times key fobs and locks act up on it still, the ticking is definitely a concern, RPMS off and revs up at times while also lacking pick up and go. I contacted my local Hyundai and they stated no resolution on safety recall yet, can schedule an appointment and pay for diagnostic, which would make my 3rd diagnostic over the last month or so. I need something remedied. I transport myself and at times my children and I do not feel safe in this vehicle which again purchased just about 5 months ago from Car Max. Help please!

Filed Apr 20, 2023 · Acceleration · AZ · crash

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. There was no warning or symptoms of a problem prior to the accident. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by anyone. The police came and helped identify the owners of the other vehicles.

Filed Oct 4, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

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.

Filed Jul 6, 2021 · Acceleration · CA

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. I cannot drive my car for fear of it not accelerating as I get onto the freeway with the cars honking at me as I have had to manually move my car out of oncoming traffic. I told the dealer when I took it in today not to give it back until they tell me what the problem is. I can't even trade it in knowing it is unsafe to drive due to the "mysterious" accelerator problem. The dealer states the problem could be due to many reasons but it will be cost prohibitive to attempt to just go through a list in an attempt to find the problem. I know there is no recall on this issue but it is a serious safety hazard. I don't know what to do.

Filed May 12, 2021 · Acceleration, Airbags · 90,000 miles · GA

Certain steering wheel controls -- including the volume controls and bluetooth phone controls -- stopped working. A few months later, more steering wheel controls -- such as other audio and media controls -- stopped working. A year later, the ability to change the steering tension, from comfort to normal to sport, stopped working. Within the past year, the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel have stopped working, and the red airbag light is on continuously. Although hyundai has issued a recall for certain 2011-2014 elantra vehicles, and my vehicle meets that year range and model, the dealership will not cover replacing the airbag clock spring assembly because my VIN does not match their criteria. As such, the dealership has quoted $480 to fix my vehicle's airbag clock spring assembly. If my vehicle experiences the same airbag safety issues that covered vehicles have experienced and which prompted the recall, my vehicle also should be covered under the extended clock spring warranty.

Filed Aug 26, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 88,000 miles · FL

I have experienced loss of control of this vehicle several times, including today. As I have faithfully maintained my car, I have come to the conclusion the design of the car is the issue. Specifically, when I attempt to apply the brakes, the car will not brake properly and is very hard to control. Today, I experienced the car hydroplane and thank goodness no other car was in front of me or on the side because it took me at least two minutes before I could gain control again. This occured when I made a right turn while driving about 25mph and no puddles of water were present. Early april, I had a similar incident where I had to pump the brakes several times, although my brakes were replaced a few weeks prior. Back in december 2019, I had a similar incident on the highway I-95 while driving home. I have it documented through aaa. My tire blew and the car failed to stop. I took it to my dealer and advised what happened and they insisted my tires and brakes were fine. I did some research online today and found I am not the only customer experiencing this issue. I saw several customers stating they received a recall notice, however, I have not received one. I am very concerned for my safety to the point I no longer want to drive this vehicle.

Filed Aug 11, 2020 · Acceleration, Airbags · GA

The clock spring contact assembly for the driver's air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) has become damaged through usage over time. The driver's air bag electrical circuit experiences a high resistance condition, causing the driver's air bag to not deploy. The clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries. Hyundai has issued a recall/tsb for the 2013 hyundai elantra sedan, but not the hatchback which utilizes the exact same part. The repair cost is almost $500 at the dealer and because the repair involves removing the airbag and removing the steering wheel it poses a safety risk for shade tree mechanics. The attached tsb should also apply to the elantra hatchback as well,

Filed Jul 22, 2020 · Acceleration, Airbags · 59,989 miles · TN

Air bag light came on and buttons on steering wheel no longer work. Many other elantra owners have made complaints about this but nothing has been done. They want me to pay to fix a safety issue with the air bags and it happened before I hit 60000 but couldn't get in until later so they used that to not fix it on there on dime.