2003 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 234 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 42 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 33 people were injured.
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
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
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
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
Representative owner complaints: air bags
48 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jul 14, 2006, crash
I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 7/7/06 AND MY AIRBAG IN MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT DID NOT ACTIVATE. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE CAR IS TOTALED. *JB
Air bags, Dec 21, 2005, crash
MY VEHICLE, A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER STRUCK A JEEP CHEROKEE IN THE REAR TEARING THE WHEEL COMPLETELY OFF AND MOST OF THE REAR FENDER, AT 40 MPH. *NM
Air bags, Oct 11, 2005, crash
THE AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR HAVE FAILED TO OPEN EVEN THOUGH THIS CAR HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 COLLISIONS IN WHICH CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE BUMPERS AND FRONT QUARTER PANELS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ALL THREE CASES. *JB
Air bags, Aug 23, 2005, crash
DT: CONTACT STATED ON 10-16-2002 HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SOMEONE HIT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT IT ALSO AFFECTED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHICH WAS WHERE THEIR HANDICAPPED SON WAS SITTING AND WAS INJURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAME OUT, BUT IT WAS NOT INFLATED, IT WAS TORN. HYUNDAI SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. EVERYONE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THERE WERE PICTURES, AND A POLICE REPORT. *AK THE AIR BAG DISPLAYED A 4-5 INCH GASH. IT DEPLOYED BUT IT WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SC
Air bags, Jun 29, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONTACT STATES THERE WAS A RIGHT SIDE FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISION THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER OR CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.
Air bags, Jan 28, 2005, crash
MY HUSBAND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE HE REAR ENDED A DODGE TRUCK. THE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF UNTIL THE CAR HAD STOPPED. WHEN THE AIRBAG WENT OFF, IT WENT OFF TO THE SIDE INSTEAD OF FULL FACE. MY HUSBAND BROKE HIS CLAVICLE AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS PER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. MY CAR WAS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.*AK
Steering, Power train, Air bags, Dec 30, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON SLAMING ON THE BRAKES GEAR AUTOMATICALLY PUT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. ALSO,THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Air bags, Dec 11, 2004
DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. HAVE NOT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AS OF 12/11/04. *JB ABL.PCO
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Oct 27, 2004, crash
BRAKES FAILED, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 35 MPH. STEERING FAILED, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. RECALL 03V496000 WAS ISSUED. *AK
Air bags, Sep 7, 2004, crash
2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TRAVELING AT 70MPH HIT A LARGE DEER ON HIGHWAY. OVER $6200 DAMAGE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE IMPACT. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND A SUDDEN DECELERATION OCCURED BUT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP SAID THE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY IN SUCH A MAJOR IMPACT BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THEY DID NOT. HYUNDAI WILL NOT RETURN CALLS OR OFFER ANY HELP. I FEEL THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THE IMPACT WAS QUITE SUBSTANTIAL AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THEIR COMPANY.*AK
Air bags, Aug 10, 2004
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE LOCATION OF THE CUP HOLDER POSED A PROBLEM. LIQUID FROM A DRINK LEAKED INTO AIR BAG HARNESS, AND RENDERED THE AIR BAGS INOPERATIVE.*AK ABL.PCO
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 5, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER, NO WARNING LIGHT APPEARED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. *AK *SC *JB
Air bags, Jun 14, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *AK *NM
Air bags, May 26, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER MADE A SUDDEN STOP. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN EITHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT A BELT, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
Air bags, May 24, 2004, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AT 45 MPH BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. . THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, BUT IDLING. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY . AS A RESULT, PASSENGER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDOW, AND HIS SIDE HIT THE CONSOLE. ALSO, DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AND BRUISES.*AK
Air bags, May 11, 2004, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER'S DID. THE DEALESHIP TELLS ME THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE I HAD MY SEATBELT ON AND THERE WAS NO WEIGHT ON THE SEAT AND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE WAS NO SEATBELT ON AND THERE WAS WEIGHT ON THE SEAT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THER WAS NOTHING OR NO ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS DRIVING AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SO I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Equipment, Apr 20, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS NOT STOPPING WHEN BRAKING. ON 9/9/2003, WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE HIT A TRUCK AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE PELVIC AREA AND BRUISES ON THE UPPER LEGS. FRONT PASSENGER'S HEAD BROKE THE WINDSHIELD, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED SEIZURES. CHILD IN THE REAR, AGE 11, SUSTAINED ARM BRUISES. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ASSESSED BY A REPAIR MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED AIR BAG SENSORS WERE IMPACTED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD TREMBLE, THE A/C DID NOT WORK, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT (GO ON AND OFF), AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. (WHICH OCCURRED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE) *SC *JB
Air bags, Mar 11, 2004, crash
CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WA SINVOLVED IN A COLLISION. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
Air bags, Feb 20, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE BLEW OUT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK
Air bags, Feb 4, 2004
AIR BAG CONTROLLER SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDER. IN THE EVENT OF A LIQUID SPILL THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL SHORT OUT. WHEN THIS OCCURS IT WILL RESULT IN PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. *AK ABL.PCO
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Jan 2, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED.*AK
Air bags, Dec 23, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH DURING A SNOW STORM, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AREA AND INJURED THE BACK AND NECK AREAS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Air bags, Jun 27, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB PH *JB