SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
2001 Hyundai Elantra
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 315 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, most frequently naming the airbags, suspension and brakes categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 102 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2009 | 2 | 204 |
| Apr 2009 | 2 | 206 |
| May 2009 | 1 | 207 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 208 |
| Jul 2009 | 1 | 209 |
| Aug 2009 | 1 | 210 |
| Sep 2009 | 5 | 215 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 216 |
| Nov 2009 | 2 | 218 |
| Dec 2009 | 5 | 223 |
| Jan 2010 | 1 | 224 |
| Feb 2010 | 3 | 227 |
| Mar 2010 | 7 | 234 |
| Apr 2010 | 6 | 240 |
| May 2010 | 3 | 243 |
| Jul 2010 | 5 | 248 |
| Aug 2010 | 4 | 252 |
| Sep 2010 | 1 | 253 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 254 |
| Nov 2010 | 1 | 255 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 256 |
| Feb 2011 | 2 | 258 |
| Mar 2011 | 1 | 259 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 260 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 261 |
| Dec 2011 | 2 | 263 |
| Jan 2012 | 3 | 266 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 267 |
| Aug 2012 | 2 | 269 |
| Oct 2012 | 3 | 272 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 273 |
| Dec 2012 | 3 | 276 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 277 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 278 |
| Sep 2013 | 4 | 282 |
| Nov 2013 | 2 | 284 |
| Apr 2014 | 3 | 287 |
| May 2014 | 2 | 289 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 290 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 291 |
| Dec 2014 | 2 | 293 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 294 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 295 |
| Apr 2015 | 2 | 297 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 298 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 299 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 300 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 301 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 302 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 303 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 304 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 305 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 306 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 307 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 308 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 309 |
| May 2018 | 3 | 312 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 313 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 314 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 315 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags11827.8%
- Suspension8119.1%
- Brakes317.3%
- Body & structure286.6%
- Steering245.7%
- Engine235.4%
- Electrical225.2%
- Visibility174.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING
ON APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI MOTOR CORPORATION SUBMITTED TO ODI A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT INDICATING THAT IT WOULD RECALL A SALT-BELT POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 155,317 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA VEHICLES TO REMEDY A DEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH WHILE DRIVING (09V-125).THE AFFECTED VEHICLES COVER ALL MY 2001, MY 2002, AND MY 2003 THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2003 PRODUCTION.THESE INCLUDE ELANTRA VEHICLES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN.THE TOTAL THREE-YEAR PRODUCTION POPULATION FOR THE ELANTRA VEHICLES IS APPROXIMATELY 350,000. ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, ROAD SALT CAN COLLECT IN THE OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION LEADING TO THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED.A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.THIS COULD AFFECT THE DRIVER'S CONTROL OVER THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY.HYUNDAI'S RECALL PROCEDURE INSTRUCTS DEALERS TO MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS.IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF CORROSION DAMAGE HAVE OCCURRED, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOWS 220 COMPLAINTS AND 1,033 WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR THE TOTAL APPROXIMATELY 350,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 62.82 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A CLAIM RATE OF 0.3 PERCENT.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOUND 7 COMPLAINTS AND 90 WARRANTY CLAIMS IN 132,475 VEHICLES SOLD IN NON-SALT BELT STATES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 5.3 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A CLAIM RATE OF 0.1 PERCENT. ODI'S ANALYSIS FURTHER FOUND 196 COMPLAINTS AND 943 WARRANTY CLAIMS IN 155,317 VEHICLES SOLD IN SALT BELT STATES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 126.2 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A CLAIM RATE OF 0.6 PERCENT.ODI IDENTIFIED 34 INCIDENTS OF LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURE RELATED TO CORROSION, ALL OF WHICH OCCURRED IN SALT BELT STATES.THE DATA DO NOT SHOW A DEFECT TREND IN VEHICLES OUTSIDE THE REGION COVERED BY HYUNDAI'S RECALL. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED.
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
HYUNDAI IS CONDUCTING TWO SAFETY RECALLS TO CORRECT TWO SAFETY DEFECTS DESCRIBED BELOW.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-532, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL A VINYL PROTECTIVE SHIELD/COVER TO PREVENT SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CAUSE BY SPILLS OF LIQUIDS THAT SEEP INTO THE MODULE CONNECTOR. THIS ACTION APPLIES TO 78,369 MY 2001 VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH 4/26/2001).THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR IN MY 2001 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 4/26/2001 IS COVERED BY THE CARPET.TO IMPROVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL NEW CLIPS AND REVISE THE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-533.THIS APPLIES TO 150,541 MY 2001 THROUGH MY 2002 VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH 12/18/2001).HYUNDAI UPGRADED THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING/CONNECTOR CLIP ON MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 12/18/2001.HYUNDAI DESIGNED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-532) SUCH THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW THE CENTER CONSOLE CUP HOLDERS.SPILLAGE OF LIQUID FROM CUPS PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDERS MAY CONTAMINATE THE CONTROL MODULE AND THE CONNECTOR AND PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS.IN ADDITION, IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-533, HYUNDAI LOCATED A WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT.MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT OR PLACEMENT OF OBJECTS UNDER THE SEAT MAY DISTURB THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING CIRCUIT.FOR EACH OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DETECTS A FAULT.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED SEVERAL CRASH REPORTS (TWO FATAL AND 17 CRASH REPORTS RESULTING IN NINE INJURY REPORTS) THAT INCLUDED ALLEGATIONS OF PRIOR AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS, WHICH ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED (SEE RECALLS 08V-532 & 08V533).
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT OR INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT FROM LIQUID CONTAMINATION OF THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE.THE CONTROL MODULE IS LOCATED BENEATH AND NEAR CENTER CONSOLE CUP HOLDERS.ODI IS ALSO AWARE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION DUE TO LOSS OF PROPER AIR BAG ELECTRICAL INTEGRITY IN WIRING AND CONNECTIONS LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT SEATS.UNDER INVESTIGATION PE08-017, HYUNDAI PROVIDED 472 OWNER REPORTS AND 9,108 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THESE ISSUES FOR MY 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 12/14/2001.ODI IS ALSO AWARE OF SIX INCIDENTS OF SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER/AIR BAG INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENTS DUE TO LIQUID SPILLS.TO ADDRESS THE ABOVE ISSUES, ON 04/25/2001, HYUNDAI ADDED A CARPET COVER/SHIELD OVER THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AREA AND UPGRADED THE CABLE ROUTING AND ATTACHMENT POINTS TO IMPROVE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 12/14/2008.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-012) FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 12/14/2002.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH POWER LOCKS. THE VEHICLE OVERALL IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE PROGRESSIVE MOTOR, ELECTRICAL, AND COMPLEX ISSUES EFFECTING THE BASIC USAGE OF MY CAR.
- NHTSA ID
- 11189697
- Incident
- Jan 9, 2019
- Mileage
- 206,000 mi
THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WHILE IN MOTION..
- NHTSA ID
- 11165350
- Incident
- Jan 5, 2019
ALL 4 BRAKES STARTED TO RANDOMLY LOCK UP. I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO RUN IT ALMOST A 1/2 MILE FOR A SHOULDER TO PULL OVER AT. UPON STOPPING, THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING ALL AROUND THE CAR AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ACTUALLY CAUGHT FLAME. I'M GUESSING BRAKE BOOSTER IS THE CAUSE. ALSO FRONT CONTROL ARMS ARE ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE CARS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS AROUND 185,000 MILES ON IT. HAS VALVE COVER LEAK INTO SPARK PLUG PORT ON CYLINDER 3 AND HAS A VERY WEAK CLUTCH THAT SOMETIMES SLIPS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11113663
- Incident
- Jul 18, 2018
- Mileage
- 185,000 mi
ALL FOUR WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT ONCE. RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM IN CASE WINDOWS ARE NEEDED TO ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE DUE TO ACCIDENT. THE TEMPERATURE OF VEHICLE CAN ALSO EXCEED SAFE DEGREE DUE TO WINDOWS NOT OPENING. NO WARNING WAS GIVEN BEFORE ALL WINDOWS CEASED TO FUNCTION. STARTED VEHICLE AND WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK FROM ANY CONTROL. HAD TO TAKE MOTHER TO DOCTOR FOR HEAT EXHAUSTION FROM EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES BUILDING UP IN CAR.
- NHTSA ID
- 11096852
- Incident
- May 17, 2018
- Mileage
- 185,000 mi
TAKATA RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON DASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET THE LIGHT IS ON. NOT SURE IF AIRBAGS WILL WORK IF AN ACCIDENT EVER DOES OCCUR. CANNOT HAVE FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE BECAUSE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. UNKNOWN WHY THIS FAILURE OCCURED.
- NHTSA ID
- 11096850
- Incident
- May 19, 2018
- Mileage
- 180,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EQUIPPED WITH DEXTERO TOURING DTR1 TIRES, SIZE I95/60R/15 88H (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES HAD CRACKS ON THE LOWER SIDEWALLS. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS TAKEN TO WALMART FOR REPLACEMENT. THE OTHER TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,285. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11093412
- Incident
- May 5, 2018
- Mileage
- 97,285 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 18 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THE CONTROL ARM HAD DETACHED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. FREEHOLD HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 4065 ROUTE 9 NORTH, FREEHOLD, NJ, WHERE THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION) DUE TO HAVING TO WAIT FOR APPROVAL FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11081221
- Incident
- Mar 25, 2018
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE, WIRING, AND DOOR SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11030484
- Incident
- May 1, 2017
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.
VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY/WIPER
This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, which could lead to poor wiping performance and/or possible scratching of the windshield glass. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to properly remove the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all new wiper blades.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint.
VISIBILITY
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 53.0 |
| 2024 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2023 | 92 | 2 | 0 | 55.1 |
| 2022 | 97 | 5 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 2021 | 129 | 6 | 2 | 62.9 |
| 2020 | 242 | 3 | 0 | 60.4 |
| 2019 | 246 | 1 | 0 | 49.9 |
| 2018 | 280 | 0 | 0 | 45.4 |
| 2017 | 762 | 4 | 1 | 58.6 |
| 2016 | 290 | 2 | 1 | 61.8 |
| 2015 | 260 | 3 | 2 | 63.3 |
| 2014 | 381 | 2 | 2 | 60.5 |
| 2013 | 1,310 | 4 | 4 | 63.1 |
| 2012 | 651 | 4 | 4 | 62.5 |
| 2011 | 432 | 5 | 3 | 58.2 |
| 2010 | 379 | 3 | 1 | 61.9 |
| 2009 | 250 | 4 | 1 | 64.6 |
| 2008 | 314 | 7 | 2 | 64.9 |
| 2007 | 266 | 6 | 3 | 63.2 |
| 2006 | 155 | 1 | 0 | 46.1 |
| 2005 | 137 | 4 | 0 | 59.8 |
| 2004 | 182 | 5 | 1 | 60.7 |
| 2003 | 234 | 5 | 2 | 62.5 |
| 2002 | 342 | 6 | 3 | 64.6 |
| 2001Viewing | 315 | 6 | 3 | 67.3 |
| 2000 | 197 | 1 | 0 | 47.4 |
| 1999 | 128 | 2 | 0 | 52.8 |
| 1998 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 40.9 |
| 1997 | 115 | 3 | 1 | 58.8 |
| 1996 | 100 | 3 | 2 | 59.3 |
| 1995 | 112 | 1 | 2 | 56.6 |
| 1994 | 76 | 2 | 2 | 64.1 |
| 1993 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 44.0 |
| 1992 | 29 | 0 | 2 | 46.4 |
| 1991 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.