2013 Hyundai Elantra lighting problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V574000Aug 2, 201664,500 vehicles
  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.

  Risk: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

  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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 146.

What owners say

1. Filed Nov 6, 2025CALighting

   Break light keeps going out no matter how many time I get the light changed. Got the harness changed last year and that did not help either.

   NHTSA complaint #11697889 · source
2. Filed Aug 20, 2025FLBrakesEngineLighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11681766 · source
3. Filed Aug 6, 2024199,500 miGABrakesLighting

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11606692 · source
4. Filed Mar 13, 2023CALighting

   Blinkers hyper flash with head lights off, get stuck on one direction. dont work when head lights are on. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM with this car and it is known but nothing has ever been done.

   NHTSA complaint #11511532 · source
5. Filed Jan 7, 2023CALighting

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11500629 · source
6. Filed Dec 23, 202238,000 miNJLighting

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11498685 · source
7. Filed Dec 5, 2022OKLighting

   My brake lights are stuck and will not turn off. This is a safety hazard for me to drive. I need to know what i can do to get this repair completed. It states i have no active recalls, however, the page i just was on to get to this site stated i have one for my brake pedal stop.

   NHTSA complaint #11496100 · source
8. Filed Sep 14, 2022TXElectrical SystemLighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11484516 · source
9. Filed Oct 28, 2021FLAirbagsLighting

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11438582 · source
10. Filed Aug 2, 2021OHLighting

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11427525 · source
11. Filed Apr 25, 2021107,400 miMOLighting

    When attempting to change the license plate bulbs it was noticed that the license plate bulb housing, as well as the outer tail lamp housings, showed evidence of the internal plastics melting. It appears that the heat from the lamps was enough to cause the housings and internal lense plastics to heat beyond the glass transition temperature of the plastics utilized by hyundai. Both outer tail lamp housings and license plate bulb houses were replaced due to the damaged. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11413865 · source
12. Filed Apr 24, 2021FLElectrical SystemLighting

    Since purchasing the car in 2013, we have had an issue with the parking lights, and sometimes headlights, coming back on after being off for several hours or we wake up to having a dead battery. This has happened over and over. In 2013 i took it to the dealership where we purchased for same problem and/or dead battery. Never happened at dealership. Our security camera has caught it popping on, or like yesterday, out neighbor called us (again) to tell us lights were on. This…

    NHTSA complaint #11413675 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology