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: suspension
61 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Jul 31, 2009
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL BY MY HOUSE TO A STOP SIGN. AS I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY HAPPENED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE. WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK THE ENTIRE WHEEL WAS HANGING OFF OF MY CAR, PUSHED UP AGAINST AND CRUMPLING THE WHEEL WELL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR. I WAS JUST LUCKY BECAUSE I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY 10 MINUTES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF CALLS TO HYUNDAI AND THEM CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION MY $300 I PAID FOR THE REPAIR WAS REIMBURSED. I TRADED MY CAR IN ANYWAY BECAUSE THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NO WAY TO TELL IF THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BECAUSE IT RUSTS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. *TR
Suspension, Jul 31, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FAILED AND FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTROL ARM AND THE BUSHING TO FAIL. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS CAUSED THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V125000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE REPAIR WILL NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE FRONT AND LEFT CONTROL ARMS AND SUBFRAME NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE WORKING WITH THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
Suspension, Apr 16, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THAN NORMAL. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS OUT OF PLACE. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL ARM AT THE COST OF $396.95. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 06/12/09 *BF UPDATED 06/16/09.*JB
Suspension, Apr 16, 2009
I HAD JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ON THE OFF RAMP WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS AT A DIFFERENT ANGLE THAN THE CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR. I WAS SITTING ON A VERY BUSY OFF RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY AND COULDN'T MOVE THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALER AND FOUND OUT THAT I HAD A RIGHT FRONT BROKEN AXLE AND CONTROL ARM. THE CAR ONLY HAD 66,953 MILES. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION AND HYUNDAI AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. LUCKY FOR MYSELF AND HYUNDAI NO ONE WAS HURT. THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST THAT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FAILURE. IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM BEFORE. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS, BUT NO GUARANTEE THAT HYUNDAI WILL PAY FOR THAT. I BELIEVE THIS DAMAGE MAY HAVE OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO GET THE CAR ONTO THE TOW TRUCK. SINCE THE WHEEL WOULDN'T MOVE IT CAUSED SOME OTHER DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AT THE TIME, BUT WHEN THEY SAW THE TOW TRUCK WAS THERE BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED THEY DIDN'T EVEN STOP, SO NO REPORT WAS MADE. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Mar 6, 2009
I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT THAT CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 58000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING HOME, WHEN I WAS APPROX 2 MILES AWAY I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED TO PULL TO ONE SIDE A BIT. THINKING IT WAS A FLAT, I DROVE SLOW FOR THE REMAINING MILE OR SO AND WHEN I WAS ABOUT 200 YARDS FROM MY DESTINATION, THE FRONT END DROPPED AND THE CAR STOPPED. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, IT LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME WHERE THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE MEETS THE STEERING ROD COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH AND BROKE. AFTER LOOKING ON THE WEB, IT SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO INVESTIGATION PE09011. *TR
Suspension, Aug 11, 2008
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE ABOUT 50-60 MPH AND APPLIED BRAKES. DURING BRAKING (NOT SKIDDING) THE RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE TURNED OUT SKIDDING THE CAR TO A STOP. MANAGED TO SKID THE CAR INTO THE MIDDLE MEDIAN AND HAD IT TOWED BACK TO REPAIR SHOP NEAR HOME. REPLACED BROKEN CONTROL ARM. WHEEL HITTING INSIDE OF FENDER ALSO BENT FENDER. THIS WAS ON A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 113,000 MILES. CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTING OUT WHERE IT BROKE. *TR
Suspension, Structure, May 28, 2008
I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL TO A STOP SIGN (FROM ABOUT 20MPH), AND PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AT WHICH POINT I HEARD AN AWFUL CRUNCH NOISE, AND THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF MY CAR JOLTED, SHOOK, AND SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS GRINDING TOGETHER. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO LOOK AT THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL, AND SAW THAT IT WAS TURNED IN TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE CAR, AND BENT UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR, ABOUT 1/4" AWAY FROM THE BACK OF THE WHEEL WELL, WHILE MY OTHER FRONT WHEEL WAS AIMED STRAIGHT AHEAD. I DROVE THE CAR 100 FEET TO A SAFE PLACE OFF THE STREET, DURING WHICH TRIP THE STEERING WHEEL TRIED TO SPIN WILDLY IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS, AND THE CRUNCHING, JOLTING NOISES AND MOTIONS CONTINUED. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, SO I CALLED A FLATBED TOW TRUCK, WHO TOWED IT TO MY MECHANIC.. WHEN THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, HE DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED IN HALF, AS A RESULT OF RUST CORROSION FROM THE INSIDE OUT. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE CONTROL ARM CONFIRMED THAT THE METAL IT IS CONSTRUCTED OUT OF WAS CORRODED DOWN TO A THICKNESS OF APPROXIMATELY 5 OR 6 SHEETS OF PAPER. WATER KICKED UP FROM WET ROADS BY THE TIRES HAD GOTTEN INSIDE THE CONTROL ARM (THROUGH A FAULTY SEAL) AND, AS THERE ARE NO DRAINAGE HOLES IN THE CONTROL ARM, IT REMAINED INSIDE, EATING AWAY AT THE METAL UNTIL FINALLY THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR SNAPPED THE ARM IN HALF. THIS FAILURE OF THE CONTROL ARM ALSO WRECKED THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAR, AS WELL AS THE CV SHAFT, THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE, AND THE SWAY BAR LINKS. THE CONTROL ARM, THE CV SHAFT, AND THE SWAY BAR LINKS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED, AND THE CAR NEEDED A REALIGNMENT. *TR
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
Suspension, Mar 9, 2004
VEHICLE HAD WHINING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH FRONT AND REAR BEGINING IN AUG 04 @ 10200 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 9 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. REAR BRAKES BEGAN CLICKING AS THEY WERE APPLIED. BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED. THEN REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WHERE THEN REPLACED. CAR WAS OKAY AFTER 13 NOV 03, BUT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT AGAIN IN JAN 04. VEHICLE WAS SUBMITTED FOR LEMON LAW, AND HYUNDAI WOULD NOT RE-PURCHASE VEHICLE BECAUSE ONLY "TWO" ACTUAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR(WHICH IS A CROCK OF CRAP). VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS OTHER MINOR ISSUES THAT THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO FIX. VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN FOR BEARING REPLACEMENT AGAIN THIS MONTH(MARCH 04)
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2003
I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANANTA GT. THERE IS A WHINING NOISE FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS, SOMETIMES AT 55 MPH OR AT 75 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON 4/22/03. THE NOISE ON THE LEFT WENT AWAY. THE SAME NOISE SURFACED ON THE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. ON 5/22/03 THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT, THEY SAID IT WAS COMING APART. ONCE I DROVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN ON 5/29/03 THE NOISE WAS THERE. I ALSO STILL HEARD THE WHINNING NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR AGAIN, BUT FOR JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS. THE RIGHT SIDE WILL MAKE NOISE CONTINUOUSLY. NOW I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN, WASTING MORE OF MY TIME, MONEY, AND EXTRA MILES ON MY CAR. I LIVE 130 MILES FROM THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FROM 4/08/03 AND THE CAR HAS 2400 MILES ON IT AND WILL NOW BE ON MY THIRD ATTEMPT TO HAVE THIS CAR REPAIRED.*AK
Suspension, May 16, 2003
THE VEHICLE'S TIRES WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM