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NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra.
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
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.
Consequence: THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. Additionally, while attempting to complete a turn, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the driver's side brake pad and rotor were abnormally worn and needed to be replaced; however, the power train failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V125000 (Suspension) and 04V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
Live in Indiana where the weather is super salty in the winters and all of the salt in Indiana has really really affected the whole underside of my car. The whole subframe is falling apart and the rust has gotten to everything under the car. I have spent about 4 thousand dollars into this car doing all the work myself to make this car run In pristine conditions. I am very very worried that my whole back end will just fall apart going down the road due to the rust.
*The rear sub-frame assembly nearly rusted through. Steering and Handling noticebly effected with rear of vehicle feeling soft and sluggish in turns. *The vehicle is available for inspection and was brought to my attention when the mechanic was beginning rear brake maintenance. *The mechanic is a licensed mechanic and the Repair shop is a licensed service facility. *The mechanic called me and asked me to return to the shop to show me the extent of the rust damage, to which I did return to the shop to examine his findings. I did take photos. *There were no warning lamps or messages. The symptoms were as described above.
The 2003 Hyundai Elantra has 5 NHTSA recalls and 234 consumer complaints on file. It received an overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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.
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Driver and front passenger inside plastic handles for doors broke apart from normal use. Drivers side outside plastic door handle also broke off. Getting out of the car requires power windows to be energized and lowered to access outside handles. The problem first appeared about a year ago.
MY REAR SUBFRAME IS RUSTING SO BADLY THE REAR SUSPENSION IS FALLING APART.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM BECAME DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED SUPERIOR HYUNDAI SOUTH (238 W MITCHELL AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45232) WHERE SHE MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED TO CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE O2 SENSOR WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED. DESPITE THE O2 SENSOR BEING REPLACED, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000.
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND TURNING RIGHT; A TIRE BLEW. ON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, THE FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM WAS BENT WITH RUST ON THE EXPOSED METAL. THE BENT CONTROL ARM ALLOWED THE TIRE TO RUB AGAINST THE INTERIOR FENDER, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO THE TIRE FAILING. THE TIRE WAS IN GREAT CONDITION BEFORE THE SUDDEN FAILURE. ON RESEARCHING: THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FOR FRONT CONTROL ARM PROBLEMS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000. THIS RECALL CITES THAT ROAD SALT USED IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS CAN CAUSE INTERNAL DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS: LEADING TO FAILURE. LOOKING BACK THROUGH THIS CAR'S HISTORY: IT WAS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN OHIO, ONE OF THE STATES USING ROAD SALT. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS CAR ESCAPED RECALL, BUT IT'S HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHER 2003 ELANTRAS.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FUCCILLO LINCOLN HYUNDAI (518-379-0680, LOCATED AT 4101 STATE ST, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.
BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN WHEN IGNITION IS OFF. REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND TGE PROBLEM REMAINS.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD TURN OFF AND ON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (SACRAMENTO HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 6250 FLORIN RD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95823, (916) 476-8005) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED TO TAKEN IN THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONCERN. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,119.
OUR 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME/UNIBODY, A PROBLEM FOR WHICH A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WAS APPROVED (SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK HTTP://SALTBELTCORROSION.HYUNDAIUSA.COM/ FOR DETAILS REGARDING THE CIRULLI V. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SETTLEMENT, WHICH REACHED FINAL APPROVAL ON MAY 25, 2011). THE SETTLEMENT PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. ALTHOUGH HYUNDAI PERFORMED A "RUSTPROOFING/WAX" REPAIR IN 2010 ON THIS CAR, AS WELL AS A SUBFRAME REPAIR/REPLACEMENT IN 2015 (WHICH IS CONSIDERED BY HYUNDAI TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM AS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT), WE BELIEVE THAT THE DEFECT AS DESCRIBED IN THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WAS IN FACT NOT RECTIFIED, AND THUS CONSISTS OF A FAILURE OF RECALL REPAIR. IN FACT, IT WOULD SEEM THAT ALTHOUGH HYUNDAI DID REPLACE ALL OR A PORTION OF THE SUBFRAME IS 2015, THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED ON THE CAR WITHIN LESS THAN 5 YEARS, AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE (IF THE SUBFRAME COLLAPSES UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR, THERE WOULD BE SERIOUS RISKS OF INJURY TO ANY PASSENGERS ON BOARD). THE DEEP SUBFRAME CORROSION ITSELF WAS ONLY NOTICED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE FROM ITS SECOND OWNER AND IS EVIDENCED BY THE ATTACHED PICTURES. IN SUMMARY, ALTHOUGH HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA CONSIDERS THAT THE CORROSION PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN CIRULLI V. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SETTLEMENT WAS REPAIRED SUCCESSFULLY IN 2015 ON THE CAR CORRESPONDING TO THE VIN NUMBER ATTACHED TO THIS COMPLAINT, WE BELIEVE THAT IT CONSISTED OF A FAILED RECALL REPAIR, AND THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AT THEIR EXPENSE. ALSO ATTACHED IS A PDF SHOWING A DESCRIPTION OF THE CORROSION WITHIN A LARGER ESTIMATE, WHICH WAS AUTHORED BY THE SAME SHOP THAT TOOK THE PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE'S CORRODED SUBFRAME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THE AXLE DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLUMBIA HYUNDAI (10981 MONTGOMERY RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513) 489-2000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS COMPLETELY SAFE AND HAD A SMALL AMOUNT OF RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
I HAD A WRECK TODAY ON A HIGHWAY WHERE I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH AND I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. MY CHEST RAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.THE CAR WAS TOTALLY SMASHED IN THE FRONT AND THE DOOR HAD A HARD TIME OPENING. I WAS RUSHED TO THE ER AND HAD CONTUSIONS TO MY STERNUM AREA OF MY CHEST. *I DID WEAR SEAT BELTS.
Showing 15 of 234 complaints