2000 Hyundai Elantra

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 200 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 200

Of the 2000 reports, 37 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 31 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine and engine cooling42 reports · 21% of complaints
Owner complaints200Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship1 safety recallNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine and engine cooling42
  2. Air bags39
  3. Electrical system33
  4. Visibility24
  5. Power train22
  6. Seat belts15
  7. Vehicle speed control9
  8. Service brakes8

Recalls and investigations

  1. Electrical system, wiringSep 11, 2000

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

    THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

    Campaign 00V259001 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints

200 reports, newest first.

  1. Air bags, Aug 4, 2004, crash

    WHILE GOING AROUND A BEND APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH VEHICLE HIT A DITCH, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, AND HIT A TREE ONE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

  2. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 26, 2004

    THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . *AK THE DEALER HAS DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND CRANK SENSOR. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE 2002. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE WIRING WHICH WAS COMPLETED BUT THE CONSUMER WONDERS IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON 6/28/04 BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO STALL. *NM

  3. Service brakes, Air, Parking brake, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Jul 23, 2004

    CAR CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED; SOMETIME THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED AND I AM SENT ON MY WAY EVEN THOUGH IT HAS HAPPEN BEFORE. THE CYLINDER HEADS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, SENSOR AND MANY OTHERS ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR SHUTS-OFF WITHOUT WARNING, AND DRIVES LIKE A DESIEL ENGINE (ROUGH), YOU ALMOST HAVE TO FLOOR IT TO MAKE THE CAR STOP AND THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL; EVEN THOUGH I HIT ANOTHER CAR GOING ABOUT 5MPH BECAUSE THE CAR JERKED FOWARD AND SMASHED MY HOOD (I HIT A FORD:EXCRUSSION SO HE HAD NO DAMAGE) AND THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. SURE THE DEALER SHIP TRIES TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES I HAVE BEEN OUT OF MY CAR FOR A LONG AS 7 TO 8 WEEKS AND MANY TIMES THERE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHATS WRONG. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT RICK CASE THE DEARLERSHIP OWNER AND I NEVER REICEVE A CALL OR EMAIL. *AK

  4. Air bags, Jul 22, 2004, crash

    DURING A COLLISION, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT DID NOT INFLATE. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND UPPER TORSO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED.(POINT OF IMPACT UNKNOWN). PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

  5. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 15, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND THE MECHANIC RESET IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. *SC

  6. Electrical system, Jul 1, 2004

    NHTSA/00V259001/ENGINE STALLING. THREE WEEKS AFTER HAVING THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS RECALL PERFORMED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE MAF SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

  7. Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 24, 2004, crash

    WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, BOTH AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT, DIDN'T RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT LOCK IN THE CRASH. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE IS 5FT 6IN. THE CONSUMER BROKE BOTH SIDES OF HIS/HER CHEST BONE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, IT WHEN IN THE AIR AND DID NOT PROTECT THE CONSUMER FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL.CW

  8. Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2004, crash

    WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY THIS RESULTED IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINING INJURIES. *AK *LA

  9. Wheels, Apr 12, 2004

    MAJOR WHEEL CRACKS FOUND ON ONE WHEEL ON 6/19/03 WITH 59,367 REPLACED BY DEALER 2ND WHEEL CRACK FOUND ON 4/12/04 WITH 63,999 MILES. *AK

  10. Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2004

    CONSUMER NOTICED EVERY THREE TO SIX MONTHS HEADLIGHTS FAILED. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE HAD ITS FIFTH HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT.*AK *MR

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 5, 2004

    VEHICLE STALLS WHEN APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED. IT ALSO OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. *AK

  12. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 2, 2004

    I HAD TO REPLACE THERMOSTAT/RADAITOR/SPARK PLUGS/WIRES, AND OIL CHANGE IN NOVEMEBER, COSTING $800, THE FOLLOWING MONTH I HAD TO PUT A NEW ENGINE IN MY CAR, COSTING $6000. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE 10YEAR 100,000MILE WARRANTY, AND THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR OVER 3MONTHS.*AK

  13. Vehicle speed control, Feb 19, 2004, crash

    VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE AT A STOP. BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT LANDED IN AN EMBANKMENT. *PH *MR

  14. Visibility, Feb 3, 2004

    WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FOUR TIMES. *AK

  15. Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 23, 2004, crash

    WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT BELT POPPED LOOSE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE DRIVER WAS SEEN BY A MEDICAL TECHNICIAN ON SITE, BUT REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

  16. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 22, 2004

    CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BRAKES. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. *AK

  17. Air bags, Jan 20, 2004, crash

    WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER IN THE ROAD. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

  18. Power train, Jan 15, 2004

    IN DECEMBER, 2000, WITH ONLY 5000 MILES ON THE CAR, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT TRANSMISSION TROUBLES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN 2ND GEAR WHILE OUT ON THE HIGH WAY. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, IT HAS SUDDENLY JERKED INTO FIRST GEAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT ACCELERATE. IT HAS JERKED INTO 2ND GEAR, FEELING LIKE THE CAR HAS BEEN REAR ENDED. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. PRESENTLY, AT 45,000 MILES, IT IS GETTING ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION.

  19. Air bags, Jan 15, 2004, crash

    IN HEAD ON COLLISION, ESTIMATED SPEED ON IMPACT ROUGHLY 20-25 MPH--AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY---SHOULD IT HAVE? NOT SURE WHAT SPEED WOULD CAUE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY- IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN MY AIRBAG SYSTEM,BECAUSE IT DID NOT DEPLOY, RESUME WITH A CLASS ACTION, WHICH I WILL CHECK OFF, IF THERE IS NO RECOURSE OR REASON WHY MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD HAVE, BUT ANYWAY, IF THERE IS REASON TO SUBSTANCIATE THE AIR BAG NOT GOING OFF, THE I WILL DISREGARD THE CLASS ACTION. PLEASE REPLY ASAP IF POSSIBLE. AND YES, I RECEIVED MINOR INJURY ANYWAY. THANK YOU. CAROL COYLE

  20. Visibility, Vehicle speed control, Jan 6, 2004

    WHILE BACKING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARD INTO THE GARAGE. *AK *SC ALSO THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE WINDOW TRACK. *JB

  21. Engine and engine cooling, Dec 30, 2003

    THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO T HE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED A PART. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT PART WAS REPLACED BUT NOW THE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVODE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

  22. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 22, 2003

    VEHICLE HESITATES GOING DOWN ROAD. ALSO STALLS AND CUTS OFF AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT A STOP. SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN TRYING ACCELERATE. RECALL 00V259001 HAS BEEN DONE SEVERAL TIMES AND DOES NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER SIX TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM AND STILL NOT FIXED. I'VE TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, DEALERSHIP MANAGER, OWNER, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO HELP. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS. THE FIRST WEB SIGHT I CHECKED FOR OTHER COMPLAINTS WAS MYCARSTATS.COM. I FOUND 21 COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. *LA

  23. Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 15, 2003, crash

    WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT . SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, BUT SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD. ALSO, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK/BACK, AND KNEE INJURIES. POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED OF THE ACCIDENT.*AK

  24. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2003

    THE RING ON THE RADIATOR FILLER NECK BROKE OFF. WHILE TRYING TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVELS OF VEHICLE CONSUMER'S SON ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE CAP OF THE RADIATOR, AND THE RING BROKE OFF WITH PARTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE OVERFLOW HOSE. *AK

  25. Power train, Sep 24, 2003

    WHEN CAR IS COMING TO A STOP THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE RUMBLES. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS (EVERY DAY) BUT ON THE 2 OCCASSIONS I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING.