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: steering
16 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Service brakes, Mar 26, 2020
WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S METAL TO METAL, THE STEERING MAKES A FUNNY NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO CAR KEEPS SAYING 02 SENSOR BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BECAUSE OF IT.*DT
Steering, Suspension, Jun 18, 2019
MY LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO AWAY FROM THE BODY AND OTHER DRIVE COMPONENTS DUE TO RUST AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE. I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED HEARD A POP NOISE GOT OUT LOOKED AND THE TIRE WAS ALL THE WAY AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Dec 8, 2016
RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND RIGHT FRONT AXLE, BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL, WHICH WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. REPLACEMENT OF THE CONTROL ARMS WERE NOT REQUIRED AT THE TIME. INSPECTION, UNDERCOATING AND ,DRILLED DRAINAGE HOLES WERE THE FIX. WHILE STRANDED ON THE ROAD, A CROSS COUNTRY DRIVER STOPPED. HE INFORMED ME THAT HE IS SEEING THIS SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 ELANTRAS. IT LOOKS AS IF THE RECALL FIX ONLY POSTPONED THE PROBLEM. THE ARMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NOT HOLES DRILLED TO LET THE WATER DRAIN, THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY IN THE WORKS, AND NOW WITH SO MANY OF THESE CARS STILL ON THE ROAD,, WE ARE LOOKING AT A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAD JUST EXITED FROM A MAIN HIGHWAY, ONTO A LOCAL ROAD WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, NO ONE WAS INJURED. A FEW MOMENTS EARLIER WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT SCENE. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS AAA REPAIR SHOP , INVOICE FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE NOTICED THE SUSPENSION MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED BETWEEN THE BALL JOINTS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000...UPDATED 08-28-14 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 09/11/14
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Jun 16, 2014
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED, ALLOWING WHEEL TO TURN 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT RESULTING IN AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS ALSO BLEW OUT THE TIRE AND SEPARATED THE AXLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, SPILLING TRANSMISSION FLUID. VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE, AND ONCE STOPPED IMMOVABLE, AND SO STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Steering, Feb 7, 2014
POWER STEERING LINE WORE HOLE IN LINE WHERE LINE CROSSES OVER FRAME. POWER STEERING LINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECTED FROM FRAME AND ELEMENTS OF ROAD SALT AND WATER TO KEEP FROM WEARING OUT. VERY MUCH OF A SAFETY MATTER, SHOULD BE RECALLED & FIXED PROPERLY TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Jul 24, 2013
WHEN DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2003 HYUNDAI, SHE HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING (VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL)...WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE THAT HAD DETERIORATED. WE ARE WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AS WELL. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR HER. COULD THIS BE RELATED TO OTHER ISSUES UNDER THE CAR RELATED TO CORROSION??? *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Apr 29, 2013
DURING A RAPID STOP AT LOW SPEED THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSTEERABLE. HAD THIS OCCURED AT HIGHER SPEED IT IS LIKELY THAT SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY WOULD HAVE ALSO OCCURED. *TR
Steering, Feb 9, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE ROADS WERE CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Steering, Jul 28, 2010
WIFE WAS DRIVING ELANTRA, MADE HARD BRAKE FOR RED LIGHT. CONTROL ARM FAILED RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, APPROXIMATE SPEED AT FAILURE WAS 35 MPH. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT RESULTED FROM THIS INCIDENT, TOTAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 800. RESEARCHED ISSUE AND LEARNED THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR 2001-2003 ELANTRA CONTROL ARMS, HOWEVER NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL OR HEARD ABOUT IT. LOCAL MECHANIC AND DEALERSHIP BOTH CONFIRMED SEVERE RUST THROUGH OF CONTROL ARMS. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN NC AND NOT SUBJECT TO SALT, CONTROL ARMS RUSTED THROUGH ANYWAYS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE PUBLICIZED BEFORE MORE PEOPLE DIE FROM HIGH SPEED CONTROL ARM FAILURE. I HAVE RESEARCHED ISSUE ONLINE AND BELIEVE THAT MANY ELANTRA FATAL CRASHES ATTRIBUTED TO "DRIVER ERROR" ACTUALLY RESULTED FROM CONTROL ARM FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Dec 13, 2009
DURING SERVICE ON 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT TO REPAIR THE SUBFRAME AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS DUE TO CORROSION DAMAGE (THIS WAS PART OF RECALL CAMPAIGN), THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE 2 HOSES TO AND FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP WERE CORRODED AND LEAKING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DEALER BROKE THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE LEAK. BOTH THE HIGH PRESSURE AND RETURN HOSES HAD CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR
Steering, Dec 10, 2009
POWER STEERING FAILURE. 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CORROSION OF POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE. *TR
Steering, Jul 30, 2009
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELECTRA I LOST POWER STEERING. I BROUGHT IT TO AMECHANIC SHOP THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE HAD CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING POWERSTERRING FLUID FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP THEN HAD IT TOWED HOME I NOTIFIED MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THEY RESPONDED BY INFORMING ME THEIR WERE SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED I WISH THE E NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WOULD LOOK INTO THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
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, 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
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