2003 Hyundai Elantra Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. Additionally, while attempting to complete a turn, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the driver's side brake pad and rotor were abnormally worn and needed to be replaced; however, the power train failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V125000 (Suspension) and 04V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11559695

Incident

Dec 12, 2023

Mileage

132,000 mi

Live in Indiana where the weather is super salty in the winters and all of the salt in Indiana has really really affected the whole underside of my car. The whole subframe is falling apart and the rust has gotten to everything under the car. I have spent about 4 thousand dollars into this car doing all the work myself to make this car run In pristine conditions. I am very very worried that my whole back end will just fall apart going down the road due to the rust.

NHTSA ID

11551132

Incident

Oct 21, 2023

*The rear sub-frame assembly nearly rusted through. Steering and Handling noticebly effected with rear of vehicle feeling soft and sluggish in turns. *The vehicle is available for inspection and was brought to my attention when the mechanic was beginning rear brake maintenance. *The mechanic is a licensed mechanic and the Repair shop is a licensed service facility. *The mechanic called me and asked me to return to the shop to show me the extent of the rust damage, to which I did return to the shop to examine his findings. I did take photos. *There were no warning lamps or messages. The symptoms were as described above.

NHTSA ID

11522292

Incident

May 15, 2023

Driver and front passenger inside plastic handles for doors broke apart from normal use. Drivers side outside plastic door handle also broke off. Getting out of the car requires power windows to be energized and lowered to access outside handles. The problem first appeared about a year ago.

NHTSA ID

11459928

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

MY REAR SUBFRAME IS RUSTING SO BADLY THE REAR SUSPENSION IS FALLING APART.

NHTSA ID

11408580

Incident

Apr 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM BECAME DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED SUPERIOR HYUNDAI SOUTH (238 W MITCHELL AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45232) WHERE SHE MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED TO CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE O2 SENSOR WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED. DESPITE THE O2 SENSOR BEING REPLACED, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000.

NHTSA ID

11352466

Incident

Jul 5, 2020

Mileage

153,000 mi

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND TURNING RIGHT; A TIRE BLEW. ON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, THE FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM WAS BENT WITH RUST ON THE EXPOSED METAL. THE BENT CONTROL ARM ALLOWED THE TIRE TO RUB AGAINST THE INTERIOR FENDER, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO THE TIRE FAILING. THE TIRE WAS IN GREAT CONDITION BEFORE THE SUDDEN FAILURE. ON RESEARCHING: THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FOR FRONT CONTROL ARM PROBLEMS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000. THIS RECALL CITES THAT ROAD SALT USED IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS CAN CAUSE INTERNAL DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS: LEADING TO FAILURE. LOOKING BACK THROUGH THIS CAR'S HISTORY: IT WAS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN OHIO, ONE OF THE STATES USING ROAD SALT. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS CAR ESCAPED RECALL, BUT IT'S HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHER 2003 ELANTRAS.

NHTSA ID

11319551

Incident

Feb 15, 2020

Mileage

92,000 mi

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S METAL TO METAL, THE STEERING MAKES A FUNNY NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO CAR KEEPS SAYING 02 SENSOR BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BECAUSE OF IT.*DT

NHTSA ID

11319404

Incident

Jan 7, 2020

Mileage

41,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FUCCILLO LINCOLN HYUNDAI (518-379-0680, LOCATED AT 4101 STATE ST, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

NHTSA ID

11289922

Incident

Dec 9, 2019

Mileage

127,000 mi

BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN WHEN IGNITION IS OFF. REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND TGE PROBLEM REMAINS.

NHTSA ID

11232677

Incident

Jul 15, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

MY LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO AWAY FROM THE BODY AND OTHER DRIVE COMPONENTS DUE TO RUST AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE. I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED HEARD A POP NOISE GOT OUT LOOKED AND THE TIRE WAS ALL THE WAY AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL.

NHTSA ID

11220925

Incident

Jun 17, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD TURN OFF AND ON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (SACRAMENTO HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 6250 FLORIN RD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95823, (916) 476-8005) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED TO TAKEN IN THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONCERN. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,119.

NHTSA ID

11207507

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

115,119 mi

OUR 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME/UNIBODY, A PROBLEM FOR WHICH A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WAS APPROVED (SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK HTTP://SALTBELTCORROSION.HYUNDAIUSA.COM/ FOR DETAILS REGARDING THE CIRULLI V. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SETTLEMENT, WHICH REACHED FINAL APPROVAL ON MAY 25, 2011). THE SETTLEMENT PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. ALTHOUGH HYUNDAI PERFORMED A "RUSTPROOFING/WAX" REPAIR IN 2010 ON THIS CAR, AS WELL AS A SUBFRAME REPAIR/REPLACEMENT IN 2015 (WHICH IS CONSIDERED BY HYUNDAI TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM AS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT), WE BELIEVE THAT THE DEFECT AS DESCRIBED IN THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WAS IN FACT NOT RECTIFIED, AND THUS CONSISTS OF A FAILURE OF RECALL REPAIR. IN FACT, IT WOULD SEEM THAT ALTHOUGH HYUNDAI DID REPLACE ALL OR A PORTION OF THE SUBFRAME IS 2015, THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED ON THE CAR WITHIN LESS THAN 5 YEARS, AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE (IF THE SUBFRAME COLLAPSES UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR, THERE WOULD BE SERIOUS RISKS OF INJURY TO ANY PASSENGERS ON BOARD). THE DEEP SUBFRAME CORROSION ITSELF WAS ONLY NOTICED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE FROM ITS SECOND OWNER AND IS EVIDENCED BY THE ATTACHED PICTURES. IN SUMMARY, ALTHOUGH HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA CONSIDERS THAT THE CORROSION PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN CIRULLI V. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SETTLEMENT WAS REPAIRED SUCCESSFULLY IN 2015 ON THE CAR CORRESPONDING TO THE VIN NUMBER ATTACHED TO THIS COMPLAINT, WE BELIEVE THAT IT CONSISTED OF A FAILED RECALL REPAIR, AND THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AT THEIR EXPENSE. ALSO ATTACHED IS A PDF SHOWING A DESCRIPTION OF THE CORROSION WITHIN A LARGER ESTIMATE, WHICH WAS AUTHORED BY THE SAME SHOP THAT TOOK THE PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE'S CORRODED SUBFRAME.

NHTSA ID

11186815

Incident

Feb 22, 2019

Mileage

82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THE AXLE DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLUMBIA HYUNDAI (10981 MONTGOMERY RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513) 489-2000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS COMPLETELY SAFE AND HAD A SMALL AMOUNT OF RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11164851

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

68,000 mi

I HAD A WRECK TODAY ON A HIGHWAY WHERE I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH AND I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. MY CHEST RAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.THE CAR WAS TOTALLY SMASHED IN THE FRONT AND THE DOOR HAD A HARD TIME OPENING. I WAS RUSHED TO THE ER AND HAD CONTUSIONS TO MY STERNUM AREA OF MY CHEST. *I DID WEAR SEAT BELTS.

NHTSA ID

11099449

Incident

Jun 3, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM CORROSION RECALL REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD *TR

NHTSA ID

10850577

Incident

Nov 14, 2014

RECALL # 03V257000, 09V125000, 03V496000 SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION UNDER MY CAR WHICH THEY CLAIM WAS "FIXED" UNDER THE RECALLS. THEY DID NOT FIX THIS! THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE IS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND BREAKING - THEY CLAIM THEY SPRAYED IT WITH ANTI CORROSION COMPOUND BUT THIS DID NOT STOP FURTHER CORROSION AND RUST. THE BRAKELINES WERE ALSO SPRAYED BUT THIS ALSO DID NOT WORK! MY BRAKELINE RUSTED OUT AND ALL MY BRAKE FLUID WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. HYUNDAI IS NOW REFUSING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHICH BY FEDERAL LAW HAS TO BE DONE!

NHTSA ID

11051250

Incident

Nov 29, 2017

Mileage

178,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNALS IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD EITHER WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT WORK AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10994200

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND RIGHT FRONT AXLE, BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL, WHICH WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. REPLACEMENT OF THE CONTROL ARMS WERE NOT REQUIRED AT THE TIME. INSPECTION, UNDERCOATING AND ,DRILLED DRAINAGE HOLES WERE THE FIX. WHILE STRANDED ON THE ROAD, A CROSS COUNTRY DRIVER STOPPED. HE INFORMED ME THAT HE IS SEEING THIS SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 ELANTRAS. IT LOOKS AS IF THE RECALL FIX ONLY POSTPONED THE PROBLEM. THE ARMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NOT HOLES DRILLED TO LET THE WATER DRAIN, THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY IN THE WORKS, AND NOW WITH SO MANY OF THESE CARS STILL ON THE ROAD,, WE ARE LOOKING AT A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAD JUST EXITED FROM A MAIN HIGHWAY, ONTO A LOCAL ROAD WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, NO ONE WAS INJURED. A FEW MOMENTS EARLIER WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT SCENE. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS AAA REPAIR SHOP , INVOICE FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10933827

Incident

Dec 6, 2016

Mileage

105,735 mi

THE WHOLE REAR METAL BEAM HOLDING THE REAR SUSPENSION RUSTED OUT AND FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING SENT CSRD INTO A SPIN BEFORE WE GOT IT STOPPED COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 FROM WARRENTON TO WENTZVILLE MO YESTERDAY MOURNING AT 5:30 AM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10928753

Incident

Nov 29, 2016

Mileage

208,000 mi

AIR BAG SIGN ON, I TOOK DEALER MECHANIC SAID IT IS MANUFACTURING ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10926332

Incident

Nov 10, 2016

Mileage

110,000 mi

ISSUES WITH PUMPING FUEL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL IT, BUT WHILE PUMPING GAS I CAN PUMP 15 +/- CENTS AND THE HANDLE CUTS OF ASS IF THE TANK IS FULL, TAKES FOREVER TO PUT $10 IN. 2ND ISSUE IS THE ELECTRICAL, EACH TIME I BUMP THE DASH AT THE RADIO AREA THE LIGHTS EITHER COMES ON OR GOES OUT AND 2 WEEKS AGO THE RADIO QUIT WORKING (NOT THE FUSE) I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AXLES, MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN, THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN SINCE DAY ONE THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE , I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC PIECE BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL.

NHTSA ID

10917818

Incident

May 1, 2005

REPLACED SENSORS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, NOW THE CAR WON'T PASS INSPECTION. THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WON'T READ ANY MALFUNCTION AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF

NHTSA ID

10904542

Incident

Jul 13, 2016

STARTING ON 6/10/2016, EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE FUEL TANK, THE FILL TUBE BACKS UP AND THE PUMP NOZEL SHUTS OFF. MAKING IT TAKE LONGER TO FILL THE TANK. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH ENGINE OFF, AT ALL SERVICE STATIONS.

NHTSA ID

10891585

Incident

Jun 10, 2016

I HAD TO REPLACE STRUTS IN FRONT

NHTSA ID

10875977

Incident

Feb 22, 2016

Mileage

91,785 mi