2002 Hyundai Elantra

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Suspension is the leading concern among 348 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 348

Of the 2002 reports, 58 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 40 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernSuspension96 reports · 28% of complaints
Owner complaints348Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Suspension96
  2. Air bags71
  3. Service brakes34
  4. Hydraulic32
  5. Structure27
  6. Fuel system23
  7. Gasoline22
  8. Power train19

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. Fuel system, gasoline, storageJul 26, 2004

    CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

    FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

    DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

    Campaign 04V369000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyApr 9, 2004

    SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

    FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

    DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 04V178000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. 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

  6. 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

Representative owner complaints: structure

27 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Structure, Other or unspecified, May 2, 2017

    THE WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTY.

  2. Structure, Jul 10, 2016

    THERE IS RUST COMING THROUGH THE QUARTER PANELS IN THE FRONT

  3. Suspension, Structure, Jun 3, 2016

    MY VEHICLE HAS CONTROL ARM RUST AND PERFORATIONS IN THE SUBFRAME, COVERED UNDER AN EXISTING RECALL. HYUNDAI HAS ADMITTED THAT THE PARTS ARE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT STATES THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS DUE TO RUST DAMAGE ON THE FRAME ITSELF. REPLACING THE DAMAGED PORTIONS OF THE FRAME WILL COST WELL OVER THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE SUBFRAME DID NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED, THE FRAME WOULD LIKELY HOLD FOR SOME TIME AND NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE FRAME DAMAGE IS ONLY AN IMMEDIATE ISSUE BECAUSE THE RECALL REPAIR NEEDS TO BE DONE. HYUNDAI HAS OFFERED ME TO EITHER REPLACE THE FRAME DAMAGE AT MY OWN EXPENSE SO THEY CAN COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR, OR TAKE A BUYOUT EQUAL TO THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. OTHER COMPENSATION SUCH AS RENTAL FEES WAS REFUSED. IT HAS TAKEN THEM ~25 DAYS SINCE RECEIVING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THIS OFFER.

  4. Structure, Nov 3, 2015

    CAR RECALLED FOR "SALT BELT CORROSION" REPAIRS IN 2002. ORIGINAL OWNER SOLD CAR BACK TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. REPAIRS WERE NEVER DONE.WHEN I BOUGHT THIS USED HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN LATE 2002, IT HAD LESS THAN 13K MILES ON ITS ODOMETER. IT WAS SERVICED AT A 2ND HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP UNTIL 2012, WHEN ITS 10 YR/ 100 K MI WARRANTY EXPIRED. TODAY, EVEN THOUGH IT STILL HAS < 100 K ON ITS ODOMETER, THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT I'VE BEEN TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT SOURCES THAT THE CORROSION ON THE UNDERSIDE IS SO BAD THAT, DURING A 50 MPH OR GREATER ACCIDENT, IT IS LIKELY THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR COULD FALL ONTO THE HIGHWAY, WHILE IT KEPT MOVING FORWARD, DECAPITATING EVERYONE INSIDE. JPG IMAGES OF THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION ON THIS VEHICLE ARE AVAILABLE AT: WWW.HYUNDAIDCM.COM/WEB/ACTIVITYDETAILS.ASPX?ACTIVITYID=7738650-4. MY HYUNDAI IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE HYUNDAI NEVER PERFORMED THE MANDATED NHTSA SERVICE IN 2002. PLEASE TAKE MY CASE ON.. I'VE FILLED OUT THE WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? BOX BELOW WITH THE DATE WHEN HYUNDAI AMERICA HAD MY ELANTRA INSPECTED BY MANLY HYUNDAI (2702 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95402). EVER SINCE THIS INSPECTION, HYUNDAI AMERICA HAS OFFERED TO PAY ME $ 1K TO "TAKE MY CAR AWAY". WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY NOT $ 3K (IT'S HIGH KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE), THEY INFORMED ME IT "WAS A RUST BUCKET".YES, MY ELANTRA IS A "RUST BUCKET", BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF HYUNDAI'S FAILURE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS REQUIRED IN NHTSA'S 2002 RECALL, THAT NEVER GOT DONE.

  5. Structure, Oct 29, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LINK ASSEMBLY FRONT STABILIZER AND THE CONTROL ARMS COMPLETELY LOWERED AND THE FRONT END HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT TIRES FELL OFF DUE TO THE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,178. ...UPDATED 02/03/16 *BF *JS

  6. Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 21, 2015, crash

    WAS TRAVELING HOME AT 6 PM AND I WAS COMING OVER A HILL AND A CAR STOPED SHORT I SWERVED TO AVOID COLLISSION AND SIDE SWIPED A TELEPHONE POLE.THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND I WAS HIT WITH A PIECE OF SHARPNAL THAT WENT INTO MY LIP CAUSING ME TO GET STITCHES AND HAS LEFT MY FACE DISFIGURED.

  7. Structure, Jun 21, 2014

    MY CAR PAINT STARTED CHIPPING IT'S BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2010. I'VE RESEARCHED AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THERE CARS PAINT CHIPPING. BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE DEALERSHIP WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

  8. Air bags, Structure, Mar 24, 2014

    SOMETHING HIT CAR OVER DRIVERSIDE WINDSHIELD AND DOOR DURING TRANSPORT. INSURANCE TOTALED. AIRBAG LIGHT ALREADY ON. BEFORE SETTLING WITH INSURANCE CO, BOUGHT TAG AND INSURANCE. BOUGHT CAR BACK FROM INS CO. DROVE UNTIL TAG EXPIRED.CAN"T GET SALVAGE TITLE UNTIL AIRBAG LIGHT IS FIXED. TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN MONTGOMERY AL. DIAGNOSIS (AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE), WHICH IS RECALL PART. TALKED WITH HYUNDAI SUPERVISOR [XXX]. HE TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WASN"T IN THE RECALL NUMBER, BUT COINCIDENTALLY MY CAR NEEDS THE SAME RECALL PART. MAYBE THEY MADE MISTAKE AND LEFT MY CAR OUT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

  9. Structure, Jan 5, 2014

    I HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA 02 AND UPON BRINGING IT TO A SERVICE STATION WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEFT REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THERE WAS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE, HOWEVER THE 02 ELANTRA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THIS LEFT ME WITH AN 11 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAD BEEN HOUSED INSIDE A GARAGE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THAT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

  10. Structure, Jul 31, 2013

    WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY THE HOOD SIMPLY POPPED OPEN COMING BACK SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

  11. Structure, Apr 3, 2013

    HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2002 LOWER UNDER CARRIAGE CORROSION. PLUS EXCESSIVE BODY CORROSION SIMILAR TO TOYOTA PICKUPS. *TR

  12. Structure, Sep 29, 2010

    ON 08/06/10 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, I HEARD A LOUD "POP" SOUND COME FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. AT THAT TIME, I DISCOVERED THE FRONT AXLE HAD ACTUALLY BROKEN (PASSENGER SIDE) AND WAS DRAGGING THE GROUND. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM (A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA- I CONTACTED FIRST TEAM AUTO MALL WHERE I HAD BOUGHT IT NEW), AND ADVISED THE SERVICE PERSONNEL OF WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. THEY ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT MY CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP. I PAID $632.89 TO REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, INCLUDING SWAY BAR/LINK KIT AND RE-ALIGNMENT. ON 09/28/10 I FOUND A LINK ONLINE TO A WEBSITE DETAILING MULTIPLE RECALLS FOR 2002-2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS- RECALLS HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED IN SEVERAL AREAS NEAR ME, BUT NOT IN MY PARTICULAR STATE. THE RECALL INVOLVED ROAD SALT CAUSING CORROSION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHICH COULD CONTRIBUTE TO BREAKAGE. THE REPAIR SHOP I TOOK MY CAR TO THAT DAY COULD NOT TELL ME HOW THE DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED; THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. I ALSO NOTICED ON 09/28/10 A RECALL REGARDING LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID; I HAVE HAD TO REFILL THE BRAKE FLUID IN MY CAR TWICE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS (I HAD NEVER HAD TO DO THIS BEFORE MAY OF THIS YEAR AND I'VE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2002). I AGAIN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO ADVISED ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY, THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALLS ARE HAPPENING/HAVE HAPPENED TO MY CAR, AND POSSIBLY OTHER CARS IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE RE-EVALUATE THE RECALL CRITERIA AND EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE ANY AND ALL VEHICLES THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE AFFECTED. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE ON THE DAY MY LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE, THE DAMAGE WOULD VERY LIKELY HAVE KILLED ME AND ANY OTHER MOTORIST UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE NEAR ME AT THE TIME. *TR

  13. Suspension, Structure, Jul 13, 2010

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE LOWER A FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. LATER, SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM) AND CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO ADVISE THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED SHE WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR BUT WOULD NEED TO SUBMIT ALL RECEIPTS AND TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR VERIFICATION INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FRONT SUB FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ADVISED THE FRAME WAS ALREADY REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR. NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

  14. Structure, May 8, 2010

    RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 1 WEEK AGO FROM HYUNDAI..ON THURSDAY NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEEL "BROKE" OFF LEFT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.. CALLED A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP ON FRI. MORN AND ARRANGED A TOW..VEHICLE ARRIVED AT DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO TAKE VEHICLE AS THERE IS A 4 WEEK BACKORDER. CALLED A SECOND HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THAT IF THE CAR WAS DOWN HYUNDAI HAS EMERGENCY STOCK TO FIX THE VEHICLE..NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR A SECOND TOW TO THIS DEALERSHIP AND ALSO HAVE TO WAIT 1-2 WEEKS TO HAVE THIS FIXED. *TR

  15. Structure, Apr 28, 2010

    2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA RECALL NEVER RECEIVED UNTIL 3/1/10. WHEEL FELL OFF AND WENT IN DITCH. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO GARAGE AND HYUNDAI REFUSED PAYMENT OF TOWING BILL AS TOWING WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO GET IT TO THE GARAGE. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT; IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

  16. Structure, Apr 19, 2010

    I HAVE A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH A RECALL OF CORROSION PROBLEM OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. I CALLED ONE MONTH AGO FOR A APPOINTMENT GOT A DATE OF MAY 17 FOR INSPECTION. APRIL 16 MY CAR BROKE DOWN DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. I TOWED MY CAR TO HYUNDAI THEY INSPECTED MY CAR BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ONE ALREADY BAD THE OTHER NO GOOD AND ALSO THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY TELL ME THERE IS A NATIONAL PARTS SHORTAGE AND WILL TAKE UP TO A MONTH TO REPAIR MY CAR. MEANWHILE I HAVE NO CAR. *TR

  17. Suspension, Structure, Mar 6, 2010

    RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING CONTROL ARM & SUBFRAME ON OUR 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON WED. MAR 3,2010. PLAN WAS TO CONTACT DEALERSHIP ON SAT.(MAR 6,2010) TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK. RECEIVED A PANIC CALL FROM MY WIFE THAT SOMETHING HAD SNAPPED AS SHE WAS CROSSING THE RHINECLIFF BRIDGE . FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED JUST AS SHE WAS EXITING THE TOLL BOOTH. BOOTH OPERATOR ASSISTED HER IN GETTING CAR OUT OF MAIN FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND CALLING A TOW TRUCK. TOW TRUCK DRIVER CONFIRMED THAT CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED AS DID THE HYUNADI DEALER (WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED). DEALER ALSO SAID THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHER RECALLS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE THAT THEY WOULD ALSO BE REPAIRING. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY OF THESE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CONTROL ARM ISSUE AND IN THAT CASE IT FAILED WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF OUR NOTICE. MY QUESTION IS WHY IS IT THAT WERE ONLY NOTIFIED A FEW DAYS AGO REGARDING SUCH AS SERIOUS ISSUE WHEN THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE WAS DATED NEARLY 11 MONTHS AGO. AND NEVER NOTIFIED REGARDING OTHER RECALLS. BY THE WAY THE DEALER HAD THE NERVE TO CHARGE MY WIFE FOR A LOANER VEHICLE AND SAID PARTS WILL NEED TO BE ORDERED. OBVIOUSLY I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT NEITHER MY WIFE OR ANYONE ELSE WERE INJURED. BUT I REMAIN FURIOUS THAT THIS EVER HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

  18. Suspension, Power train, Structure, Jul 29, 2009

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE HAD HOLES AND WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND SUBFRAME FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V125000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM) DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE NECESSARY PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THERE IS A MASSIVE BACK ORDER FOR THE PARTS. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 111,000.

  19. Suspension, Structure, Jul 21, 2009

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME SHIFTED TO THE FRONT TIRES. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE BE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

  20. Structure, Jul 21, 2009

    I WAS DRIVING IN MY TOWN AND I WENT TO TAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW MY STEERING WHEEL JOLTED FURTHER TO THE LEFT THAN I HAD TURNED IT AND I WAS IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY THE ONCOMING CAR HAD ENOUGH TIME TO STOP AND SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE, BUT UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I NOTICED THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS TILTED INWARD ON ALMOST A 45 DEGREE ANGLE SO THAT THE HUB CAP WAS ALMOST IN CONTACT WITH THE PAVEMENT. I WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOUSE AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK HOME WITH OUT SWERVING ALL OVER THE ROAD TRYING TO STEER. UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, WHO HAD TO COME TO MY HOME, THERE WAS A LOT OF RUST UNDERNEATH THE CAR, ESPECIALLY ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH HOW MUCH IT MIGHT COST TO FIX AND FOUND THAT IT HAD BEEN A RECALL WITH HYUNDAI, HOWEVER I NEVER GOT THE RECALL NOTICE. WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO INQUIRE, THEY CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T HAVE MY ADDRESS AND THEREFORE I NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2004, IT IS NOW 2009, I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS ANY EXCUSE AS TO WHY THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD MY ADDRESS AND TO WHY I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL. SOMEONE COULD HAVE GOTTEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. HYUNDAI WILL ONLY COVER THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND NOTHING ELSE. NONE OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BECAUSE OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE IS COVERED AND I CAN'T EVEN GET A RENTAL. I NEED NEW TIRES AND NEW HUB CAPS, THERE IS A HOLE IN MY RESONATOR FROM HITTING THE CURB WHEN I VEERED OFF THE ROAD, THERE ARE SCRATCHES ON MY REAR AND A CRACKED BACK HEADLIGHT FROM THE ONCOMING CAR BRUSHING AGAINST MY REAR. HAD I GOTTEN THE RECALL NOTICE, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! THE ROOT CAUSE IS POOR MANUFACTURING, ALL OTHER DAMAGES DUE TO THIS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED WITH OUT ANY HASSLE BECAUSE HYUNDAI SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THEY HAVE NOT KILLED ANYONE YET. *TR

  21. Structure, May 22, 2009

    WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE FRONT OF MY 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA COLLAPSED. TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERYWHERE, DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL AT A RIGHT ANGLE, AND THE SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN COMPLETELY IN HALF. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. *TR

  22. Suspension, Structure, May 2, 2009

    I WAS COMING UP ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WAS SLOWING DOWN WHEN THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF. LOST ALL STEERING,CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

  23. Steering, Structure, Apr 24, 2009

    10/2008, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT, WHILE BRAKING. MY CAR JERKED AND SKIDDED AT THE BOTTOM. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A FLATBED TOWED IT AND DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL/TIE ROD HAD BROKEN. THE MECHANIC NOTED SOME CORROSION, BUT REPAIRED WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. MARCH 2009, I HAD NEW FRONT TIRES PLACED AND BALANCED. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, I GOT A FLAT TIRE, HAD THE SPARE PUT ON AND BROUGHT IT BACK FOR REPLACEMENT. THE FRONT END SEEMED OUT OF ALIGNMENT, SO IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE MECHANIC FOR REALIGNMENT. IT WAS THEN THEY SAW THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND "DANGEROUS" TO DRIVE. THE FRONT ARMS WERE BENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLAPSED. THE REPAIRS AT THIS TIME WOULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE CAR AND I AM REDUCED TO "JUNKING" MY 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

  24. Suspension, Structure, Mar 30, 2009

    2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 69,692 MILES, ORIGINAL OWNER; DRIVING IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER-SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO, SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION SHOWS IT TO HAVE ROTTED THROUGH. TIRE WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE VEHICLE. TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALER IN NATICK, MA. HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM DEALER YET, BUT OBVIOUSLY NEED A NEW LOWER CONTROL ARM AND AT LEAST AN INSPECTION OF PASSENGER-SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. I EXPECT THIS TO BE COVERED UNDER 100,000 MILE TRANSAXLE WARRANTY; WE'LL SEE. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR UPDATED 04/22/09.*JB

  25. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Jan 12, 2004

    SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, I FILED A COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE 10049365. I HAVE SEEN NO RESPONSES OF ANY TYPE. NOW TO TAKE THAT COMPLAINT A STEP FURTHER. MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS HYUNDAI DEATH TRAP,AND THE UNWILLINGNESS OF HMA TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEMS ,OR THE DEALERS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THIS WEB SITE. AS I MENTIONED IN MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, I WENT THROUGH THE LEMON LAW PROCESS IN MY STATE. THEY REQUIRE ARBITRATION WITH THE BBB AUTOLINE. THE ARBITRATION WAS A JOKE AND THE HMA REPRESENTATIVE ACCUSED MY WIFE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AND PUT ALL OF THE CAR WOES ON HER. SHE DRIVES THE CAR FOR WORK, MOSTLY HIGHWAY. ALSO, THE ARBITRATOR ACCUSED US OF HAVING A TOW HITCH ON THE CAR, WHICH IS LEGAL, BUT NOT RECOMMENDED. WELL, WE HAVE NO TRAILER OR HITCH. THE BBB AUTOLINE IS RIGGED AGAINST THE CONSUMER AND THEY SHOULD NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS WHATSOEVER. HYUNDAIS OF THIS MODEL ARE CERTAIN DEATH TRAPS AND I FEEL THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD ORDER HMA TO REPAIR EVERYONE OF THEM NOW. THE CONSUMER IS STUCK BETWEEN A GLOBAL CONGLOMERATE AND LOCAL DEALERS WHO WILL NOT REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. *LA