Model year record

2003 Hyundai Elantra

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 310 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V125000

Suspension: front: control arm

Component: Suspension: front: control arm
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 160,904
Reported to NHTSA: 2009-04-16
Owners notified: 2009-07-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V369000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO
Vehicles affected: 919
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-07-26
Owners notified: 2004-10-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V178000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 263,968
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-04-09
Owners notified: 2004-06-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V496000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO
Vehicles affected: 1,993
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-12-03
Owners notified: 2004-01-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V257000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 312,292
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-07-22
Owners notified: 2003-10-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Suspension	33	127,500 mi
Air bags	28	57,465 mi
Air bags: frontal	15	28,000 mi
Steering	15	93,132 mi
Structure: body	13	100,000 mi
Suspension: front	13	74,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	12	21,344 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	12	80,540 mi
Electrical system	9	80,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	9	2,800 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	9	48,480 mi
Engine and engine cooling	8	50,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	8	91,785 mi
Structure	8	73,083 mi
Unknown or other	7	10,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	7	55,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	6	91,000 mi
Seat belts	6	57,465 mi
Service brakes	6	82,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	6	65,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	4	36,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	4	35,000 mi
Tires	4	100 mi
Exterior lighting	3	33,000 mi
Power train	3	153,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	3	141,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	2	28,000 mi
Equipment	2	48,480 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	2	80,000 mi
Seat belts: front	2	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	13,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	14,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders	2	29,470 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	80,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	2	36,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	2	10,201 mi
Tires: tread/belt	2	38,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	2	117 mi
Wheels	2	102,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	1	6,115 mi
Engine	1	3,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	57,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	54,831 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	12,333 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	80,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system	1	3,854 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch	1	—
Parking brake	1	25,391 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	1	28,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other	1	—
Seats	1	—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	39,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum	1	3,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings	1	340 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	—
Structure: body: bumpers	1	7,200 mi
Structure: body: door	1	—
Structure: body: trunk lid	1	—
Tires: sidewall	1	—
Tires: valve	1	44,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	1	66,001 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages	1	—
Wheels: rim	1	—

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.