2013 Hyundai Elantra: Ticking in engine
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2013 Elantra report: ticking in engine. CarComplaints.com lists 43 owner complaints, average mileage 76,950 miles.
NHTSA has 238 owner complaints for the 2013 Elantra in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11743363 (filed 06/10/2026): “I was wondering if you can help me. i have a hyundai elantra that had a recall for my engine to get fixed by the dealership. i’ve never got it fixed because i was unaware of a hyundai letter that i just found on the internet that was issued by them but i nev…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11730096 (filed 04/09/2026): “My mother's vehicle caught fire while in park and it’s listed under a fire-risk recall. another car got damage with the fire. i want to open a claim.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace engine (17 reports) small block replacement (4 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $4,930 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .