2003 Hyundai Elantra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Hyundai Elantra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension6120.5%
- Airbags4816.2%
- Body & structure3210.8%
- Brakes279.1%
- Engine227.4%
- Fuel system186.1%
- Steering165.4%
- Exterior lighting134.4%
- Seat belts124.0%
- Electrical103.4%
- Driver assistance93.0%
- Tires & wheels82.7%
- Transmission62.0%
- Other / unspecified51.7%
- Visibility41.3%
- Powertrain (other)31.0%
- Interior & seats20.7%
- Heating & air conditioning10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
*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.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN WHEN IGNITION IS OFF. REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND TGE PROBLEM REMAINS.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. I JUST HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR A FAILING VAPOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE THAT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THIS VALVE IS PART OF THE EVAPORATIVE (EVAP) EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE FAULTY VALVE STAYS IN THE OPEN POSITION WHICH ALSO CAUSES THE CHARCOAL FROM THE CANISTER TO RELEASE INTO THE FUEL LINES,CLOGGING IT. THE SYMPTOM OF THIS PROBLEM CAUSES YOU TO START HAVING TROUBLE FILLING YOUR GAS TANK. THE GAS HOSE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FILL ACTING AS IF THERE IS A VAPOR LOCK. IT WON'T LET ME PUT IN MUCH MORE THAN 25-50 CENTS BEFORE THE GAS HOSE CUTS OFF. THIS REPEATS MANY TIMES. IT TAKES ME BETWEEN 15 TO 20 MINUTES TO FILL UP MY GAS TANK. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF I COULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND TO MY SURPRISE, THERE ARE AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR HYUNDAI'S. MANY PEOPLE ONLINE MADE COMMENTS ABOUT BEING SURPRISED THAT HYUNDAI DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM. MY REPAIR BILL TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED WAS $399.31. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
A FEW MONTHS BACK I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WOULD TAKE 10- 15 MINS TO FILL UP GAS TANK. SENSOR WAS TRIGGERED EVERY FEW SECONDS, SUGGESTING GAS TANK WAS FULL, BUT IT WAS NOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WITH IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT REAR AUTOMATIC LOCKING SEAT BELT IS NOT STAYING LOCKED. CHILD CAR SEATS DO NOT STAY SECURED. CAR OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN STARTED, AND AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE TO DETERMINE IF AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY OR NOT. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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!
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED 10 DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHTS AND 2 PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2003. THE DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD A LOW SPEED ACCIDENT APPROXIMATELY 10-20MPH IN A PARKING LOT WHERE I HIT A CEMENT SURROUNDING OF A POLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, BUSTED THE DASH VENTS, LOCKED MY DRIVERS SEATBELT AND SHATTERED WINDSHIELD GLASS ALL OVER THE CAR. *TR
A FEW MONTHS BACK I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WOULD TAKE 10- 15 MINS TO FILL UP GAS TANK. SENSOR WAS TRIGGERED EVERY FEW SECONDS, SUGGESTING GAS TANK WAS FULL, BUT IT WAS NOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WITH IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT REAR AUTOMATIC LOCKING SEAT BELT IS NOT STAYING LOCKED. CHILD CAR SEATS DO NOT STAY SECURED. CAR OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN STARTED, AND AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE TO DETERMINE IF AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY OR NOT. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER MASTERCRAFT SENSYS 01 TIRES, SIZE 195/60/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY ROTATED THE TIRES FOUR TIMES. A TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE TIRES AND CONCLUDED THAT THE BELTS WERE BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
I PURCHASED NEW TIRES FOR MY VEHICLE IN 2006, I DRIVE ONLY ABOUT 8000 MILES A YEAR. I HAVE HAD TWO FLAT TIRES THIS YEAR, ONE ON 5/21/08 AND THE OTHER ON 8/31/08 AND BOTH WERE CAUSE BY FAULTY VALVE STEMS. WITH THE INCIDENT ON 8/31/08, MY TIRES WERE ALL INFLATED PROPERLY WHEN LEFT I THE HOUSE TO RUN ERRANDS. I LEFT ONE PARKING LOT, TURNED ON THE MAIN STREET AND WITHIN SECONDS I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND I HAD A FLAT. IT HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE FLAT WAS FIXED (ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE) AND I THEN WENT BACK TO SEARS WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE TIRES. I HAD THE ROADSIDE HAZARD AGREEMENT. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE AUTO CENTER SAID THERE HAD BEEN A PROBLEM WITH VALVE STEMS. I SAW SOMETHING ON TV ABOUT A HORRIBLE CRASH THAT HAPPENED WHEN THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED TO SOME MAN. I WAS LUCKY, I HAD ONLY TURNED ONTO THE MAIN STREET AND WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WOULD NOT GO IN GEAR. WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER SAID TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. WOULD NOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE WHEELS SPINNING IN THE SNOW. THE CAR WAS NEVER SPUN AS IT WAS ON CLEARED ROADS. THEY SAID TIRES SHOW SPINNING WEAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WITH A REBUILD TRANNY. I THINK WE ARE GETTING THE RUN AROUND ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES ON THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY BREAKING AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 97000. I HAD A 90000 MILE CHECK UP AND MAINTENANCE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THIS HAS OCCURRED ONCE SINCE THEN. IF I WAS ANY CLOSER TO THE CAR IN FRONT THAN 1 CAR LENGTH I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. I AM GETTING IT CHECKED BY THE DEALER THIS FRIDAY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
DURING A RAPID STOP AT LOW SPEED THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSTEERABLE. HAD THIS OCCURED AT HIGHER SPEED IT IS LIKELY THAT SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY WOULD HAVE ALSO OCCURED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
01/10/07 WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD WHEN USING THE WIPERS TO CLEAR SNOW FROM WINDSHIELD, THE MIDDLE OF BOTH WIPERS WOULD NOT CLEAR SNOW ENOUGH TO SEE OUT IN CERTAIN SPOTS. WINTER BLADES HAD JUST BEEN INSTALLED. I STOPPED THE CAR AND WIPED THEM OFF. BLADES CONTINUED TO SKIP OVER CERTAIN SPOTS ON WINDSHIELD. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I AGREE WITH OTHERS STATEMENT THAT MAYBE THIS CAR IS NOT MEANT TO BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW, OR AT LEAST WIPERS NOT MEANT TO CLEAR OFF SNOW AS IT LANDS ON WINDSHIELD. I TOO, HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLETELY CLEARED BUILDUP OF WINDSHIELD BEFORE STARTING OUT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL AND THE STRUT/AXLE BROKE AND CAUSED HER TO SKID OFF THE RODE, LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT INJURED AND WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP IN AN EMPTY LOT. THE TIRE WAS RUINED AND THE FENDER WAS ALSO DAMAGED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED AT THE REPAIR SHOP, FOR JUST UNDER $500, HOWEVER NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE SUBFRAME BEING DETERIORATED. UPON RESEARCHING THE COST TO REPLACE THIS, I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL RECALLS, AND WOW BOTH OF THESE WERE ON THE LIST. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS 2003 AND WE ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. I AM CONCERNED NOW THAT THE OTHER RECALLS MAY ALSO AFFECT THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY OF MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON IS TOP PRIORITY. WHAT CAN YOU HELP ME WITH. CAN WE STILL USE THE RECALL TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA DEFECTIVE SEAT AND HEAD RESTRAINT. CONSUMER SENT IN A STATEMENT FROM A COURT PROCEEDING. ***NAR*** *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT FROM A DEFECT RELATED TO THE SEAT AND HEAD RESTRAINT. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD POPOED UP. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THEN, DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HOOD LEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS NOT STOPPING WHEN BRAKING. ON 9/9/2003, WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE HIT A TRUCK AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE PELVIC AREA AND BRUISES ON THE UPPER LEGS. FRONT PASSENGER'S HEAD BROKE THE WINDSHIELD, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED SEIZURES. CHILD IN THE REAR, AGE 11, SUSTAINED ARM BRUISES. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ASSESSED BY A REPAIR MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED AIR BAG SENSORS WERE IMPACTED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD TREMBLE, THE A/C DID NOT WORK, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT (GO ON AND OFF), AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. (WHICH OCCURRED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE) *SC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .