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: suspension
82 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Air bags, Oct 3, 2003, crash
THIS VEHICLE IS HAZARDOUS TO BE ON THE ROAD. IT HAS FRONT END STEERING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. IT HAS A TERRIBLE VIBRATION FROM 35 MPH AND UP. IF TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE WHEEL SHAKES SO BADLY THAT YOUR HANDS GO NUMB. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND REPEATED TIME OVER A TWO AND A HALF YEAR PERIOD, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS DONE NOTHING. I HAVE ALSO SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURERS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND HAVE DONE NOTHING. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT I HAD AN ACCIDENT, BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. I NOW HAVE A PERMANENT INJURY THAT I WILL LIVE WITH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, AND THEY STILL DO NOT CARE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN, AND I AM AFRAID EVERY TIME I LEAVE THE HOUSE THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND ONE OF MY CHILDREN GET INJURED. FORTUNATELY, WITH MY ACCIDENT I WAS ALONE. IN MY ACCIDENT MY STEERING LOCKED AND I HIT A STONE EMBANKMENT AT ABOUT 40 MPH WITH THE FRONT END AND MY AIR BAG ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY. UNFORTUNATELY I AM STUCK DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, WHEN IT IS UNSAFE, AND UNFIT TO BE ON THE ROAD. IT IS A HAZARD TO MY FAMILY, AND ALL OTHERS ON THE ROAD WITH ME. I SINCERELY HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO THESE DEALERSHIPS, AND MANUFACTURERS TO ENSURE THEY ARE SELLING OUR CONSUMERS A SAFE AND RELIABLE VEHICLE. *LA
Suspension, Jul 7, 2003
DURING THE WINTER OF 2002, I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO, AFTER CHARGING ME FOR A BALANCE AND ROTATION TO "IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM" TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM IN THE FRONT END. IN JUNE, 2003 I HAD THE FACTORY MICHELIN'S (WHICH HAD ABOUT 32,00 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED) REPLACED WITH NEW TIRES AND A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE PULLING IS GONE, BUT THE VIBRATION REMAINS. IT IS PARTICULALRY NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*AK
Steering, Suspension, May 26, 2003
ODI ID NUMBER : 10010329 ODI ID NUMBER : 10016373 PLEASE ADD ME TO THE LIST OF HYUNDAI ELANTRA OWNERS WHO HAVE SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH AND HYUNDAI HAS NO IDEA HOW TO CORRECT THE TROUBLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE TROUBLE HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS. UNFORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE WITH MILEAGE UNTIL THE STEERING OR TIRES ARE GOING TO FALL OFF AT 65 MPH. *NLM
Steering, Suspension, Apr 22, 2003
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AND SHIMMY SINCE NEW. TAKES PLACE ONLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE SIXTY MILES PER HOUR. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOT OFFERED AN ACTUAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AS OF YET. NUMEROUS OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. *JB
Suspension, Mar 17, 2003
AT 20,000 MILES, THE REAR TIRES WERE WORN BADLY AND UNEVENLY. WAS TOLD BY A MICHELIN DEALER IT WAS UNSAFE TO RIDE ON TIRES. WAS TOLD BY 2 DEALERSHIPS (WHO DID NOT LOOK AT THE CAR) THIS WAS A ROTATION PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT TIRES WERE FINE. DEALERSHIP FINALLY REALIGNED REAR WHEELS, BOTH WERE OUT OF TOE TO THE SAME DEGREE. I COMPLAINED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE TIRES SINCE IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FACTORY SETTING AND NOT DUE TO NEGLIGENCE IN MAINTENANCE. THEY FINALLY AGREED TO PAY HALF THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE TIRES. *NLM
Suspension, Mar 12, 2003
THE VEHICLE HAS A MODERATE TO SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION THAT OCCURS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE VIBRATION CAN, AT TIMES, SHAKE YOUR HANDS BACK AND FORTH AS THE WHEEL IS GRIPPED. OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW THAT OWN ELANTRAS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE ANY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE DATE PROVIDED IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE CAR FOR THE VIBRATION. I FIRST REPORTED IT DURING THE 12 MONTH/12,000 FREE ADJUSTMENT PERIOD. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VIBRATION. THE LAST SERVICE DONE TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS A RADIAL FORCE BALANCE. THIS SEEMED TO HELP SLIGHTLY, BUT THE VIBRATION STILL PERSISTED AND REMAINS ENTIRELY UNACCEPTABLE.*JB
Suspension, Mar 6, 2002
RIGHT FRONT END VIBRATION. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK