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: hydraulic
20 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2010
MY CONCERN WITH MY 2003 ELANTRA IS WITH THE SAFETY OF REAR BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE CAR. ON OCT 23, 2003 I HAD THE SERVICE PERFORMED FOR THE RECALL 31B03R1 BRAKE CAMPAIGN 061. AT 10,834 MILES. ON OCT 7, 2007 I HAD REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH AT 45,072 MILES. ON JULY 8, 2008 BOTH REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING AN HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH AGAIN. AT 51887 MILES. ON MARCH 13, 2010 BOTH REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE FOUND AGAIN TO BE LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 64,638 MILES. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT REGULAR 3,000 MILE INTERVALS WITH ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE AT MY DEALERSHIP. MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS CAR,LEAKING WHEEL CYLINDERS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 13,000 MILE INTERVALS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 17, 2005 THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD NOT DO THAT, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A MONTH AND A HALF AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE THE CONTACT SMELLED BRAKE FLUID AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EXTENDING TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER INITIALLY BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE CYLINDER FAILED. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT BRAKES ARE SCRAPING AND STILL EXTENDING TO THE FLOOR. ON OCTOBER 1, 2007 AND OCTOBER 2, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS THOROUGHLY INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO FAILURES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,344.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jul 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY TESTED HER POWER BRAKES WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE TEST WAS COMPLETED. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,831. THERE WAS AN EVAP LEAK. UPDATED 08/06/07. *JB THE CONSUMER PROVIDED MULTIPLE REPAIR INVOICES PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT. UPDATED 08/09/07 *TR UPDATED 08/28/07 *TR THE DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE BUT THE MOTOR LACKS PERFORMANCE. UPDATED 09/06/07 *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 29, 2007
THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BEGAN GRINDING AT ONLY 39K MILES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS BECAUSE OF THE LIFETIME WARRANTY AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT FAILING DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE FRONT PADS HAD A METAL PLATE ON THE OUTSIDE WHICH HAD COME LOSE AND WAS CUTTING INTO THE HUB. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE PADS THAT OCCURRED WHEN THEY GOT HOT AND THE ADHESIVE CAME LOOSE. DURING THE INSPECTION, THEY ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE CYLINDERS ON THE REAR BRAKES WERE LEAKING. I ENDED UP WITH OVER $600 IN BRAKE REPAIRS. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 17, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HAD A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ANOTHER DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE DOING ALL THE WORK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 3, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE BRAKES FAILING, AN ODOR OF BRAKE FLUID WAS NOTICED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS LEAKAGE OF THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, WHICH WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN OUT OF STATE SERVICE DEALER FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE BRAKES NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING AGAIN, AFTER ONLY 8118 MILES AND 13 MONTHS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 03V257000 CONCERNING THE SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC: HOSE, PIPES AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 5/24/2006 - *NM THE VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO REPAIR ON NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY OF THE SAME BRAKE ISSUES EACH TIME, MOST OF WHICH HAVE EXACERBATED TO THE POINT TO MAKE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO OPERATE. HYUNDAI PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND FOUND IT TO BE MORE THAN COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. UPDATED 06/01/ 2006. *AK UPDATED 07/17/2006. *AK UPDATED *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 28, 2005
I PURCHASED MY 2003 ELANTRA IN OCTOBER 2003, SINCE THEN HAVE NEEDED THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED TWICE, MECHANIC CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY THE REAR BRAKES GO SO QUICKLY. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 26, 2005, crash
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS GOING 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER. *AK *SC *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 5, 2005, crash
THE CONSUMER'S SON'S BRAKES FAILED AND LOST STEERING CONTROL WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN EXIT RAMP. *SC RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10004464. CAMPAIGN 061 PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES FOR REPOSITIONING THE REAR BRAKE TUBES TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER'S STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. THE VEHICLE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING. EARLIER IN THE WEEK THE CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION AT 60 MPH. *TC
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 4, 2004
REAR DRUM BRAKES PRODUCD A SQUEAKY NOISE. DEALER REPLACED THE PART FIVE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 27, 2004
CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA (FILE # 815991) AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP (HEMET, CA) ABOUT SERVICE BRAKE RECALL (03V49600). BOTH ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF IT AND THEREFORE, COULDN'T PERFORM WORK. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 28, 2004
DRIVER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V496000 CONCERNING BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT, BUT MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE MACHINERY TO DO REPAIRS. *AK
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 10, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THEY FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE BRAKE SQUEAKED. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT HER DAMAGED VEHICLE. *CB *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, Oct 8, 2003
DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD-2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS. *MR THERE WAS A TERRIBLE GLARE FROM THE SUN HITTING THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MADE IT EXTREMELY HARD TO JUDGE THE DISTANCE OF OBJECTS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE GLARE WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE NOISE. THE DEALER DID SOME WORK ON THE CAR BUT IS WAS STILL NOISY. THE DEFROSTER TOOK 15-20 MINUTES TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS AND HEATED MIRRORS. WHEN IT RAINED THE WATER WAS ON THE INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR DOOR. *SCC *JB *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 15, 2003, crash
THE DEFECT STATED IN THE BRAKE HOSE RECALL 03 V 257 000 OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT 50-60 MPH. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 27, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND HESITATED TO ENGAGE. THIS ALSO OCCURRED WHILE PARKING, AND VEHICLE RAN INTO A BUILDING. *AK