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
329 reports, newest first.
Steering, Dec 20, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE FRONT END VIBRATION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2002
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WITH IN A YEAR.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2002, crash
AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON A WET ROAD SURFACE, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND I HYDROPLANED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, I SWERVED AND SLAMMED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CAR HIT THE POLE JUST A FEW INCHES OFF DEAD CENTER, CAUSING SUCH SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAR IT HAS SINCE BEEN TOTALLED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. IN THE ACCIDENT I SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, MOUTH AND HAND INJURIES. NONE OF THE 4 FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DT
Air bags, Nov 14, 2002, crash
WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, A VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO T-BONE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JG
Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2002, crash
WE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES WITH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING OUR HYUNDIA ELANTRA WHEN ON OCTOBER 5, 2002. THEY WENT OUT RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. MY HUSBAND SWITCHED FROM BRIGHTS TO DIM FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC WHEN HE NOTICED HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS SEEING DO TO THE FRONT HEAD LIGHTS BURNING OUT. HE MISSED SEEING A FOUR WAY STOP SIGN AND SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER CAR GOING ABOUT 35MPH. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND SHATTERED MY LEFT WRIST WHICH HAS RESULTED IN 3 SURGERYS AND DAILY PHYSICAL THERAPY WITH HOPES OF GETTING THE USE OF MY HAND BACK. DT
Air bags, Nov 13, 2002, crash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 35 MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 12, 2002
THE BRAKE ROTOR OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR *TT *JB
Air bags, Structure, Nov 12, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SEVERE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AFTER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER FOUND ROTORS WERE WARPED DUE TO OVERHEATING AND BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER PROBLEM REOCCURED. TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND REVVED AT A HIGH RPM BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD AND BUCKED BEFORE SHIFTING. *TT ABL.PCO
Air bags, Structure, Oct 5, 2002, crash
THE CAR HIT HEAD ON AND THE FRONT END BUMPER HAS FALLEN OFF. DESPITE THIS BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR
Steering, Oct 2, 2002
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS APPROACHING 65 MPH, STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, TECH REPS, SELLING DEALER, THAT TIRES ARE OUT OF BALANCE, OR OUT OF ROUND. HAD TIRES PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED AND BALANCED, AND CHECKED (OFF THE VEHICLE), VARIOUS TIMES.... IT IS NOT THE TIRES. SEE TSB 01-50-008, BECAUSE OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS. THAT TSB BLAMES IT ON THE "RADIAL VARIANCE" OF THE TIRES.... THESE ARE THE STOCK MICHELINS THEY PUT ON THE CAR, WHEN PURCHASED NEW..... IT THEIR TSB IS CORRECT, THEY PUT THE WRONG TIRES ON THEIR NEW CARS (IT HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN TO ME THAT THIS TSB IS CORRECT, AND THAT THE RADIAL VARIANCE PROBLEM IS CAUSING THIS). PLEASE CALL 1-800-325-6604, TO GET THEM WORKING ON THIS. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY (WHICH WE PURCHASED IT FOR).... YOU HAVE TO GO WAY ABOVE THE SPEED LIMIT, OR WAY BELOW, TO STOP YOUR ARMS AND HANDS FROM BEING SHAKEN RIDICULOUSLY..... THIS CAUSES A HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE HELP. TS
Structure, Sep 25, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE'S PAINT IS PEELING DOWN TO THE PRIMER. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED W/PAINT COMPONENTS.
Service brakes, Air, Sep 25, 2002, crash
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER MCCONNELL, SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BIG 10 TO CHECK THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE AND A PASSENGER WERE AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, NO STOPPING OCCURED AND RAN THROUGH THE LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER STRUCK THE REAR BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. *SCC
Electrical system, Equipment, Sep 10, 2002
CAR HAS PROBLEM STARTING AND THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WILL GO OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE THE CAR IS OPERATING. *AK
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
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 14, 2002
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DECELERATING TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Seats, Jul 30, 2002
THE SEAT TRACK LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS HOLD. THE LOCK FAILS THROWING THE SEAT BACKWARDS ON THE TRACK WHEN PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN FIRST AND LETTING THE CLUTCH UP TO GO FORWARD. AFTER THE 2ND OCCURRENCE, , AFTER I ADJUSTED THE SEAT I PUSHED THE CONTROL LEVER DOWN FEELING IT CLICK IN. PERFORMING THIS EXTRA CAUTIONARY MOVEMENT HAS NOT ALWAYS HELD THE SEAT IN PLACE. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED THIS JULY, 2002. I WILL TRY TO HAVE IT ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER AT MY NEXT OIL CHANGE.*AK
Visibility, Jul 15, 2002
SUNROOF POPPED COMPLETELY OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED.*AK
Visibility, Jul 15, 2002
WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER'S WINDOW BLEWOUT. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 10, 2002
WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A FULL STOP IT WILL HESITATE AND WILL CUT OFF.*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
Air bags, Jun 13, 2002, crash
FRONT COLLISION AT 30-35 MPH, VEHICLE HIT CONCRETE WALL ON PASSENGER FRONT. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. NO INJURIES.*AK
Power train, Tires, Apr 29, 2002
CAR AT DEALER FOR REQUESTED ASSESSMENT OF FRONT END COMPONENTS UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR ON FRONT TIRES (RIGHT SHOWS INNER CORE -STEEL BELT? - COMING THROUGH ) UNSAFE TO DRIVE- THEY ARE 60,000 MILE TIRES -COMPANY REFUSES TO MAKE SURE IT ISN'T STRUCTURAL CONCERN- IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE SO IT WILL SIT AS LONG AS IT TAKES THEM TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHECKING THIS OUT. /TRANSMISSION REVS ENGINE TO IRRATIONAL #'S BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. *AK
Air bags, Apr 2, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, A HEAD ON COLLISION OCCURRED, UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER.*AK
Visibility, Mar 13, 2002
REAR DEFROSTER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE PURCHASE, NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALER, UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM.*AK
Suspension, Mar 6, 2002
RIGHT FRONT END VIBRATION. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK