2001 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 329 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 72 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 59 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, control armApr 16, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S 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.
THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V125000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveOct 14, 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT, MAY RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THAT WOULD CAUSE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION.
THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2008, AND WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08V533000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveOct 14, 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001 ELANTRA VEHICLES. IF A LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE AREA OF THE CUPHOLDER ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, IT MAY SEEP THROUGH THE CONSOLE OPENING FOR THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER AND THEN DRIP ONTO THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE SPILLED LIQUID MAY CONTAMINATE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ITS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
THIS CONDITION MAY AFFECT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. THE RECALL OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2008, AND LETTERS WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08V532000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 3, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V496000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJul 22, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE REAR BRAKE TUBES COULD CONTACT BOTH STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V257000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowOct 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM SIDE AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS INSTALLED WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED, CAUSING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS TO NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH WHERE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SATELLITE SENSORS.
Campaign 00V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 26, 2002
THE NEXT DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND THE FIRST TIME I USED THE AUTO IN REVERSE THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAKES. IT SOUND LIKE THE BRAKE SHOES WERE LOOSE AND THE RETAINING SPRINGS PULLED THE SHOES INTO PROPER ALIGNMENT WHEN THE SELF ADJUSTING BRAKES CAME INTO OPERATION. I WAS ON AN APPROCH RAMP AT 55 MILES AN HOUR TO MERGE AT 65 TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS LOOKING BACK FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC, I LOOK UP AND A CAR WAS STOPPED, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR FINALLY STOP INCHES FROM THE AUTO AHEAD. NO SKID MARK. THE WHEELS DIDNT LOCKUP. I BROUGT THE CAR IN. ON ADVISE OF THE FACTORU THE CLEAND UP THE ROTORS, REPLACED THE FRONT PADS. THIS A POSITIVE INDICATION THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF SUCH A PROBLEM. UPON A TEST DRIVE ON MY OWN I FOUND I COULD NOT LOCK UP THE BRAKES. LATER I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER TEST DRIVE THE CAR WITH ME. HE ALSO COULD NOT LOCK UP THE BRAKES. HE SAID HE TEST DROVE 2 OTHER ELANTRAS AND THEY REACTED THE SAME. POLICE MEASURE SPEED AT AN ACCIDENT BY THE SKID MARKS LEFT. IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THEY WOULD FIND NO SKID AN ASSUME I DIDNT EVEN APPLY THE BRAKES!!! THESE ARE NOT ANTI LOCK. I'M WORRIED. I NEED HELP BEFORE I'M KILLED AND THE ACCIDENT REPORT SAYS, HE DIDNT EVEN APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE WERE NOT SKID MARKS AND THE POLICE COULD ONLY SPECULATE AT WHAT SPEED HE MUST HAVE BEEN TRAVELING. H E MUST HAVE BEEN DRUNK, HAD A HEART ATTACK OR PASSED OUT.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Jun 13, 2002, crash
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AT 30-35 MPH, VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER PUMPED BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES, NO BRAKING ACTION, VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE WALL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JG
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Jan 19, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 7, 2001
BRAKES ENGAGING AND OVERHEATING ON THE FREEWAY, INTERMITTENTLY; THIS MAY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO STOP QUICKLY ENOUGH IN AN EMERGENCY. DETAILS: SINCE THE BRAKES WERE FIRST SERVICED AT JUST UNDER 4,000 MILES, THERE IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES RANDOMLY ENGAGING BY THEMSELVES ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ITS NOT SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP, BUT THE CAR AT TIMES WILL LABOR TO MAINTAIN SPEED. THE CAR ALSO PRODUCES A LOW PITCH HUMMING SOUND AND A STIFF VIBRATION (SHIMMY) IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES WHEN BARELY TOUCHED (AT THE TIME THIS PHENOMENON IS OCCURRING). AFTER A NUMBER OF MILES THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEAR. THE FREQUENCY OF THIS EVENT IS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 100 TO 200 MILES. I BELIEVE THE HUMMING, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION, AND PULSATING FEELING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE IN AN OVERHEATED STATE DUE TO THE CALIPERS DRAGGING. HYUNDAI SERVICE IS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THIS PROBLEM, BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS BECAUSE OF THEIR FAILURE TO SUFFICIENTLY ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE; I.E., THEY MAY HAVE TO ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE FOR 2 HOURS IN VARYING CONDITIONS, HOT WEATHER, MOSTLY FREEWAY TO REPLICATE. HYUNDAI, AFTER BEING GIVEN THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEMS ON TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE CALLS, HAS NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE (OF COURSE, MEANING THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM REMAINS A MYSTERY). I HAVE VIDEOTAPED THIS PHENOMENON, WHICH HAPPENS ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO THE VIDEOTAPING SESSION. I AM WILLING TO MAKE COPIES AND SEND TO THOSE WHO FEEL VIEWING THE TAPE WOULD BE HELPFUL IN DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATE COURSE OF ACTION. PLEASE ADVISE IF YOUD LIKE A COPY OF THE VIDEOTAPE, AND IF SO, WHERE IT SHOULD BE SENT. PLEASE E-MAIL AT: JKUNST@SWIFTCOR.COM. *AK