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2003 Hyundai Elantra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 234 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the suspension (26% of complaints, typically around 94,500 miles). It is 17th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2003 Hyundai Elantra problems
Suspension
61 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
On april 1st 2014 the front right lower control arm broke off when I applied the brakes in order to avoid hitting a canadian goose that was sauntering majestically across the road (the goose was unhurt). The right front wheel was rotated about 60 degrees to the horizontal and was moved backwards enough to damage the…
8/11/2009, my daughter and I were driving a 2003 Hyundai Elantra down a small street in chicago when the passenger side front lower control arm fractured at the ball joint attachment . The tire then came away from the assembly and was rendered inoperable. In october of 2009, I became aware of the recall regarding this…
Air bags
48 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. The contact noticed that the air bag indicator light kept illuminating. The dealer repaired the failure and diagnosed it as the air bag sensor. Approximately 60,000 miles late, the failure recurred. Also, currentl ythe electrical system failed. The contact stated that the radio…
Body and structure
32 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Front passenger side control arm rusted through on 3-18-09. No warning. Going 30 MPH in very light traffic. Felt like we fell into a big pothole and car would not move. Happened very close to police station so they helped but no report made. Was late so car towed to house then to dealership in morning. No injuries (2…
A truck stopped without warning, in front of me. I hit my brakes and turned the wheel to the left to avoid a rear end collison, my car felt like it had a flat tire. I checked and there was no flat, but the right front tire was not going straight as the left front tire was. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic, where…
Brakes
27 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
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.
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.
Engine
22 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 38,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
At 36,000 miles the valves started tapping. Checked oil level, which was at the "low" line, and then added oil. Tapping stopped, then resumed on highway. Engine cut out while driving. The car was towed to the dealership and upon inspection it was determined that a crank in the cam had broken, throwing metal chards…
Emission control system failure. I just had my vehicle repaired for a failing vapor canister purge valve that causes the check engine light to illuminate. This valve is part of the evaporative (evap) emission control system. According to my mechanic, the faulty valve stays in the open position which also causes the…
Fuel system
18 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, carburetor system.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. When the contact attempted to place fuel in the vehicle, gas spilled onto the ground. Fuel will only enter the vehicle 30 cents at a time. The contact spoke with a Hyundai dealer and they stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v178000 (fuel system…
2003 Hyundai Elantra. I'm having problems filling the gasoline tank every time I have to put gas. It triggers the nozzle every 30 seconds and it takes me about 10 to 15 minutes to fill up tank. Still working on the problem
Steering
16 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 97,500 miles. Parts named most often: column locking.
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…
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.
Lights
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal.
I have had to replace the driver's side headlamp 3 times in 3 years. Apparently I am not the only one, the chats and blogs are full of similar complaints internationally. According to what I have read, I am one of the lucky ones. Others have experienced much more frequent replacements. Curiously enough, the driver's…
We purchased a 2003 in february 2006 , since then the headlights had to been changed 3 times, and now again after being stopped not knowing the passenger side was out, it went out right before we got stopped on api l 7,2007, being charged with a ticket. And 3 points off my drivers license without a warning ticket to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Suspension: control arm
Risk: The fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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, 20
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: storage
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 system: tank assembly
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front lower control arms rusting
Summary
On april 14, 2009, hyundai motor corporation submitted to odi a defect information report indicating that it would recall a salt-belt population of approximately 155,317 model year (my) 2001 through 2003 hyundai elantra vehicles to remedy a defect that can result in loss of vehicle control with an increased risk of a crash while driving (09v-125).the affected vehicles cover all my 2001, my 2002, and my 2003 through january 13, 2003 production.these include elantra vehicles that were originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york,
Air bag light illumination
Summary
In certain model year (my) 2001 and 2002 vehicles, the air bag system is susceptible to air bag light illumination and air bag non-deployment or inadvertent deployment from liquid contamination of the air bag control module.the control module is located beneath and near center console cup holders.odi is also aware of complaints regarding air bag light illumination due to loss of proper air bag electrical integrity in wiring and connections located under the front seats.under investigation pe08-017, hyundai provided 472 owner reports and 9,108 warranty claims related to these issues for my 2001 and 2002 vehicles built through 12/14/2001.odi is also aware of six incidents of seat belt pretensi
Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Elantra
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Elantra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (61 complaints, typically around 94,500 miles); air bags (48 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles); body and structure (32 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 16, 2009 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Hyundai Elantra?
- It is 17th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints, with 234 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.