Page 5 of 7 · complaints 201–250 of 342

2002 Hyundai Elantra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 28, 200786,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE FUEL RAIL IS LEAKING GAS ONTO THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE AND WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH SHOWED THAT TWO SENSORS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE HER VEHICLE HOME DUE TO THE RISK OF FIRE AND THE SEVERITY OF THE GAS LEAK. HYUNDAI STATED THAT NOTHING MORE COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE PART WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT EVEN INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THE PART. THE VEHICLE HAS A 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT WAS NOT COVERED FOR THAT WARRANTY. AS A RESULT, OTHER COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE GASKET, HAVE BLOWN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT; HOWEVER, THERE WERE RECALLS LISTED FOR SIMILAR FUEL DEFECTS OF THE SAME PRESENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE. THOSE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS ARE 04V369000 AND 04V178000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 4, 200740,000 milesKY

DRIVING 25 MPH - APPROACHED STOP SIGN - BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, NO PEDAL, PUMPED BRAKES, NO PETAL AND NO STOPPING - NO WARNING, NO BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH - RAN THROUGH A STOP SIGN UNABLE TO STOP - NO ONE WAS COMING FORTUNATELY - PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD - HAS VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS ADVISED MY VEHICLE WAS 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REPAIRS WOULD COST $1400.00 TO REPLACE A LEAKING ABS ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE. I QUESTIONED WHY ALL BRAKES FAILED AT ONCE WITHOUT WARNING SINCE THIS IS A DUAL MASTER CYLINDER SYSTEM WHICH SHOULD SEGREGATE BRAKING FRONT FROM REAR. I ALSO QUESTIONED WHY SUCH A SERIOUS DEFECT WOULD NOT BE COVERED SINCE THIS CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES, IS 3 MONTHS BEYOND THE 5 YEAR APPLIED WARRANTY, AND REPORTEDLY HAS A 10 YEAR, 100,000 WARRANTY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER EXACT SAME YEAR AND MODEL CAR IN OUR FAMILY. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI 800 LINE FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT. THEY ADVISED ME THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND GET BACK TO ME WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jul 3, 2007MO

2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH MATS THAT CURL UNDER THE ACCELERATOR CUSTOMER STATES THAT HIS CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING A ACCIDENT**CC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED AN ARTICLE THAT DETAILS THE SAME PROBLEM HE WAS HAVING WITH HIS VEHICLE. *TR

Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed Jun 7, 200795,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AND SWERVED LEFT ON A ONE WAY STREET. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed May 21, 200755,100 milesWI

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE DOOR LIGHT AND DOOR CHIME CAME ON FOR NO REASON. WENT INTO THE DITCH TRYING TO FIND WHAT WAS HAPPENING. EVERY TIME I WASHED THE CAR OR DROVE IN THE RAIN THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED . HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND WAIT A DAY OR TWO UNTIL SOMETHING DRIED. HEARD THAT HYUNDAI HAD A MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEALED THE PILLAR AND FENDER AREA ,THUS WATER JUST RAN TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. IT SHORTED OUT THE BATTERY, WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE ,AND COULD NOT DRIVE IN THE RAIN OR WASH THE CAR.*AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Apr 2, 200753,767 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED BECAUSE THE RIMS WERE BENT. THE RIMS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO VIBRATE BECAUSE THE RIMS DID NOT FIT THE HUB. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SPENDING MONEY ON THE VEHICLE ,ONLY FOR IT NOT TO BE PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGEWAS 55,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,767. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Mar 28, 200779,000 milesPA

I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED ON MARCH 3, 2007, IT PASSED INSPECTION. ON MARCH 23, 2007 LOST THE BRAKES. UPON DEALER'S INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES,THEY FOUND THE PADS CAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE SHOES. ALSO, THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING. THE BRAKES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE FINE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THEM BLOWING APART. NOW I AM OUT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND AM VERY THANKFUL THIS OCCURRED ON A BACK ROAD AND NOT ON A HIGHWAY. SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Mar 5, 2007100,525 milesME

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROZE UP WHILE DRIVING IN STORM. THE CAR HAD TO BE PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE LINKAGE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE LINKAGE HAS FROZEN UP. IN BETWEEN THE TWO LINKAGE FAILURES THE WIPER MOTOR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALL PARTS WERE HYUNDAI OEM. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 9, 2007CA

HEADLAMP BULBS BURN OUT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. I WAS USING AFTERMARKET BULBS WHICH HAVE NO WARRANTY. AFTER I WENT THROUGH 4 BULBS. I PURCHASED NEW BULBS FROM DEALER AND HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE WITH THEM FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AND STILL WORKING FINE. I REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY TO MAKE SURE THE BULBS WERE IN CORRECTLY AND SECURE AND I MADE SURE TO USE A TISSUE SO NOT TO HAVE ANY OIL FROM MY HANDS GET ON THE BULBS EACH TIME WHICH COULD MAKE BULBS BURN OUT QUICKER. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed Feb 8, 200792,000 milesKY

I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD MY DAUGHTER HIT HER BRAKES TO AVOID A DOG. UPON BRAKING THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION BROKE AND AS A RESULT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS THROWN INTO THE BACK OF THE WHEEL WELL. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE MOST CERTAINLY DIED. UPON NOTIFYING HYUNDAI I WAS TOLD WITH 92,000 MILES THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. I THEN TRIED TO PRESENT THEM WITH THE FAILED PART AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE AT THE DEALERSHIP DURING THE WEEK OF JAN. 1 AND I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL. TO THIS DATE (FEB. 8) I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. MY CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP HAVE GONE UNRETURNED. I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE ELSE DRIVING A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE MAY BE KILLED BY AN UNEXPECTED RUST THROUGH OF A 4 YEAR OLD PART. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 29, 2007MA

HEADLIGHT BULBS ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BURN OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS. MOST RECENTLY HAD TO BE REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2006 AND AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2006. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, GARY ROME HYUNDAI, HOLYOKE, MA, (413) 536-4328, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE $90/HOUR TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD FIND IT. THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE BULBS WERE BEING INSTALLED IMPROPERLY, AND ALSO OFFERED TO LIMIT WORK TO 1/2 HOUR. *NM

Seat Belts
Filed Nov 6, 200634,000 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT OR HOLD CORRECTLY. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT IT WOULD NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT PROPERLY. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE SPRING WOULD NOT CATCH AND THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Oct 3, 200648,000 milesVA

MY 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA'S CLUTCH HAS FAILED AGAIN AFTER JUST 25000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED ONCE, AT WHICH POINT THE MILEAGE WAS ONLY 22000. I DO NOT HAVE BAD DRIVING HABITS, TO WHICH MY ENTIRE FAMILY WILL ATTEST. NO ONE ELSE HAS EVER DRIVEN MY CAR. THE COST TO ME OF THIS PROBLEM WAS $800 THE FIRST TIME AND HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN $1150 AND $1250. I BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE SUFFERED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH, YET HYUNDAI HAS MADE NO ATTEMPT TO ASSUME BLAME FOR THE PROBLEM OR TO HELP WITH REPAIR COSTS. THE ONLY WAY THEY HAVE EVER PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT IS IF THE OWNER THREATENS LEGAL ACTION. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 12, 2006MO

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE BULB IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE - NOT ROOM FOR FINGERS TO ROTATE BULB IN AND OUT. REPLACEMENT LIGHTS ARE EXPENSIVE. HAD NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 5, 200658,926 milesWI

HEADLIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE KEEP BURNING OUT TO RAPIDLY. THIS WILL BE THE 4TH TIME I HAVE REPLACED THEM SO FAR. I HAVE USED HYUNDAI BULBS TO VERY EXPENSIVE BULBS AND THE RESULT IS THE SAME AND THE DRIVER SIDE BULB IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 8, 2006KS

I HAVE TO CONTINUALLY REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2002 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS AT LEAST 3 TIMES A PIECE. DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE BULBS I WAS BUYING BUT I AM BUYING HYUNDAI BULBS. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY ANNOYING. IT IS HARD TO REPLACE DRIVER SIDE BY MYSELF. VERY EXPENSIVE TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP TO BE CHANGED. ALSO THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN THE BULB BURNS OUT, HAD TO WAIT FOR COPS TO PULL ME OVER TO FIND OUT. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 3, 200699,056 milesNY

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jul 23, 200610,000 milesVA

2002 ELANTRA HEADLIGHT BULBS BURN OUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. FIRST ONE THEN TWO WEEKS LATER THE OTHER, JUST LIKE CLOCKWORK. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS, AUTO HEADLAMPS GENERALLY LAST FOR YEARS! VERY EXPENSIVE AND ANNOYING PROBLEM. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 5, 2006MN

2002 ELANTRA SURGED FORWARD WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *TS THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED THE VIOLENT ACCELERATION AS POSSIBLY BEING DUE TO THE THICK RUBBER FLOOR MAT WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN WEDGE UNDER THE ACCELERATOR, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISAGREED WITH THAT THEORY STATING WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FLOOR MAT WAS AT LEAST 6-9 INCHES AWAY FROM THE ACCELERATOR. THE CONSUMER, HIS WIFE AND THE MECHANIC ALL EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 17, 200635,000 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE CLOUDY. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed May 10, 200631,623 milesNY

DURING A 35 MPH DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS (DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE) FAILED TO DEPLOY. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 9, 200648,000 milesPA

FILLED THE TANK ON SATURDAY APRIL 8 2005 TANK WAS NOT OVER FILLED CAR SAT THE REST OF SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ,JUST STARTED LEAKING SUNDAY AFTERNOON LEFT SIDE OF TANK .THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A GAS TANK TO JUST START LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, AFTER LESS THAN FOUR YEARS. CAR NEVER IN CRASH. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 27, 200666,758 milesSC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE MANIFOLD, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN AND TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED SOON. FOUR DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR WORK, THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 25 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND FLUID WAS LEAKING UNDER THE ENGINE. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED, PARTS WERE ON THE GROUND. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Feb 23, 200640,888 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 60MPH IN ICY CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL WITH MINOR DAMAGE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A WRITTEN REPORT WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND YARD TO AWAIT INSPECTION FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE LATCH SYSTEM, THE SEAT BELT COVERED THE LATCH BRACKET.

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jan 25, 2006AZ

I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AND/OR FLOOD LIGHTS 7 TIMES, WITHIN THE LAST 3 YEARS. I'VE QUESTIONED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE REPEATEDLY, BELIEVING THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE CAR. FINALLY, THE LAST SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT PARTICULAR TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. I'VE RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, AS I BELIEVED THIS WAS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. IF THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE TO THIS CAR WHAT GUARANTEE WAS THERE THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WON'T GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. FOUND SEVERAL REFERENCES TO OTHER OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE FOUND INFORMATION OF A RECALL.*AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 25, 2006NY

CONSUMER HYUNDAI ELANTRA CLUTCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WARRANTY. *TS THE PRIMARY REASON THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WAS FOR IT'S 10 YEAR/100000 MILE WARRANTY. *NM

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Jan 17, 2006PA

LUG NUTS FROZEN AND BOLTS HAVE TO BE BROKEN TO TAKE THE TIRE OFF. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN I TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. MY OTHER CAR IS A FORD AND I TAKE IT TO THE SAME PLACE AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS. I OWNED OTHER CARS AND NEVER HAD THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS CAR. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Wheel Cylinders
Filed Jan 3, 200613,794 milesFL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THIS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE CYLINDER, TURNED THE REAR DRUMS, AND ROUNDED OUT THE LETTER. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES THE DEALERSHIP ROUNDED OUT THE LETTER AGAIN. THIS WAS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION, AND THE NOISE CAME BACK EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsCrash
Filed Dec 27, 2005MS

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON MARCH 3, 2005, THE VEHICLE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V496000 ON AUGUST 10, 2005. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED THE BODY SHOP TO INSTALL AN AFTER MARKET AXLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALL REPAIRS MADE DUE TO THE AFTER-MARKET PARTS BEING INSTALLED, AND THE SENSORS WERE INSTALLED WRONGLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 23, 2005FL

AIRBAGS ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT DID NOT GO OFF WHEN I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A GUARDRAIL AT HIGH SPEED. NO INJURIES EXCEPT WHIPLASH, LUCKILY! *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and LinkagesCrash
Filed Nov 20, 200572,225 milesNM

ON 11/03/05 I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. I DID NOT REALIZE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT DID TELL THE POLICE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH EITHER THE BRAKES OR THE TIRES. I JUST HAD A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP! I FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WAS $1,385.00 AND I HAVE NO IDEA OF THE DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. I SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED, AFTER DUPLICATING THE INCIDENT, MY FOOT WAS ON BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. THE BRAKE PEDAL, ON THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA, IS 2.25 INCHES FROM THE ACCELERATOR. A SIMILAR INCIDENT RESULTED IN A 424,000 VEHICLE RECALL AND CORRECTION BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN THEIR CASE THE RELATIONSHIP WAS 1.95 INCHES THIS DISTANCE TO THE ACCELERATOR, ON THE ELANTRA, WAS NOT THE MAJOR ISSUE, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ONLY ONE INCH ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN FULLY BRAKING THE BRAKE IS ONE INCH BELOW THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN YOU COMBINE THE TWO THE END RESULT MAY BE DEVASTATING. I HAVE A SECOND VEHICLE, A HYUNDAI SONATA, IN THIS ONE THE BRAKE IS 3.25 INCHES FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND ALSO IS 2.25 INCHES ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR. UPON BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL REMAINS .50 INCHES ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR. NO PROBLEM! *NM

Wheels › Rim
Filed Nov 18, 2005MD

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AT 60-65 MPH NOTICED VIBRATION IN VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FOUND THREE RIMS WERE BENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED WITH NEW RIMS. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Nov 1, 200564,000 milesDE

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES SON PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND WHEN HE TRIED TO GET INTO THE CAR HE HEARD A LOUD BANG, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IS AT A DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED FOR FOUR RECALLS . THE RECALLS DID NOT INCLUDE AIR BAGS. NO CRASHES WERE INVOLVED TO MAKE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS BEING INVESTIGATED AS OF NOW.*AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB ABL.PCO

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 3, 200571,000 milesKY

2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA,4DR. NO PASSENGER, DRIVER OF ELANTRA CROSSED INTERSECTION & DID NOT SEE CAR COMING TO RIGHT OF HIM, PLYMOUTH MINI-VAN HIT SIDE OF ELANTRA TRAVELING BETWEEN 40 & 45 MPH, IMPACTED ELANTRA AT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF FRONT DOOR AND FRONT OF REAR DOOR, DIRECT SIDE HIT,ELANTRA ROLLED ONTO ITS TOP, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON ELANTRA, ALSO NO OTHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON ELANTRA, PLYMOUTH MINI-VAN STEERING WHEEL & PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG BOTH DEPLOYED. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Aug 19, 2005CA

DT: 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD TO BE ORDERED. WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE THE THROTTLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE PROBLEM. THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT STUCK EITHER. *NM *TT

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 12, 200529,550 milesMA

DT: CONSUMER'S MOTHER DROVE THIS VEHICLE. ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. ONE INCIDENT WAS IN A STORE PARKING LOT, THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT REVVED UP LIKE A JET ENGINE, AND DID 2 1/2 CIRCLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF TO STOP IT.*AK *JB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 12, 200560,000 milesMI

MY CLOCK IN THE DASHBOARD BLINKS AND LOSES TIME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING HARNESSES IN THE DOORS OF THE CAR HAD CORRODED AND CAUSED SHORTAGES OCCASIONALLY IN THE DASHBOARD. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD AFFECT THE CLOCK, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND POSSIBLY THE HEADLIGHTS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEADLIGHTS STAYING ON AFTER THEY WERE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE COST OF THIS JOB WOULD BE $900. I'M JUST VERY CONCERNED THAT I WILL BE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MY HEADLIGHTS OR DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL FAIL, CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 20, 200546,860 milesCA

(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED AT LOCAL STATION THE AFTERNOON OF 7/18/05. TEMPERATURE WAS 102 F. (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, AND CAR WAS AT WORK BETWEEN 7 AM AND 3 PM ON 7/19/05 WHERE IT SAT ALL DAY IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK LOCATION. TEMPERATURE WAS 107 F. I NOTICED THE BACK LEFT REAR CORNER LEAKING FUEL AT A FAST DRIP RATE. IT APPEARED THE FUEL HAD BEEN DRIPPING FOR SOME TIME SINCE THE SPILL WAS AROUND 1 FOOT IN DIAMETER. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AFTER LEAK NOTICED. (3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE TANK WAS OVERFILLED AND FUEL HAD FLOODED A CHORCOAL CANISTER THAT FILTERS EMISSIONS FROM THE GASOLINE. THE CANISTER REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE TANK HAD NOT BEEN OVERFILLED THE DAY PRIOR SINCE THE NOZZLE WAS LEFT WITH THE TRIGGER LOCKED BACK AND CLICKED OFF WHEN TANK WAS FULL. I HAVE USED THE SAME STATION AND REFILL STATION FOR MONTHS NOW AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE BEFORE.

Engine and Engine CoolingCrashFire
Filed Jul 20, 200534,796 milesOH

OIL PAN DRAIN PLUG STRIPPED. I HAVE BEEN CHANGING OIL BY MYSELF. I HAVE A TOYOTA CAMRY ALSO WHICH I CHANGE OIL MYSELF. SO THERE IS NO ABUSE REGARDING OIL PAN DRAIN PLUG. IT HAS STRIPPED COMPLETELY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE OIL PAN WHICH COST ALMOST $400.00.

Tires
Filed Jul 7, 200548,000 milesNY

DT: 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR AN INSPECTION, ON 6-20-05, AND MECHANIC ROTATED/ BALANCED TIRES, AND REPLACED TWO TIRES WITH NEW ONES. ALSO, REPLACED FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM/ REPLACED A GASKET/ FRONT WHEELS WERE ALIGNED/ STEERING WHEEL WAS CENTERED, AND THEY CHECKED CASTER AND CAMBER ANGLES. THEN MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE PASSED NY STATE INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER STARTED TRAVELING FROM NY TO VA ON 6-30, AND ON 7-2 VEHICLE STALLED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY STOPPED ALTHOUGH ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, OIL GAUGE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, IT WENT UP TO HIGHEST POINT. THIS WAS FIRST TIME VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT HE SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEN REPLACED RADIATOR AND RADIATOR PUMP. THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT WAS REASON FOR VEHICLE OVERHEATING AND STALLING. THIS WAS AFTER CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. SO CONSUMER TRAVELED BACK HOME, ROADS WERE WET AND IT WAS LATE IN DA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. AS SOON AS LIGHT CAME ON THE SPEED REDUCED BUT THE ENGINE ITSELF WAS STILL ON BUT, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE AT A SAFE SPEED AND STALLED. CONSUMER'S AND HIS FAMILY LIVES WERE IN DANGERED ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO ACTUAL ACCIDENTS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH TRANSMIS

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jul 1, 200530,048 milesNY

DT: THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THREE TIMES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER SAID A CODE CAME UP ON THE DIAGNOSTIC THAT SAID ?P1378 DSAB HIGH RESISTANCE?. DRIVER SEAT CONNECTOR WAS DISCONNECTED. DEALER SAID THEY FIXED THE CONNECTOR. BUT THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. THE SECOND TIME A CODE OF ?P1367 PSBP RESISTANCE TOO HIGH?. CHECKED HARNESS CONNECTOR AND FOUND IT TO BE OKAY. ALSO, AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED. CLEARED COMPUTER CODE AND RETESTED VEHICLE AND NO CODES WERE FOUND AT THIS TIME.*AK ABL.PCO

Tires
Filed Jun 22, 2005PA

3 COOPER TIRES - 19560 HR15- BLEW OUT ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WITHIN A PERIOD OF 1 MONTH. ALL THREE TIRES WERE PURCHASED NEW 1 YEAR AGO AND HAD LESS THAN 11,000 MILES ON THEM. THE FOURTH TIRE WAS REMOVED DUE TO THE HIGH PROBABILITY THAT IT WOULD FAIL AS WELL.

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jun 3, 2005NY

2002 ELANTRA HAS BEEN BLOWING BULBS SINCE THE CAR WAS 2WKS. I HAVE REPLACED ALL BULBS IN THE CAR APPOX. 40TIMES. HYUNDAI HAS REPLACED BULBS AND NOW EVEN CHARGES ME FOR BULBS I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FOR 3 YEARS NOW. HYUNDAI SAYS THERE IS NO SHORT. MEANWHILE MY TRUNK ALARM HAS NEVER WORKED. MANFREDIY WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW SAID THE FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM DOES NOT ALARM THE TRUNK. GUIFFRE HYUNDAI SAID THE TRUNK WAS ALARMED AND JUST DOESN'T WORK. GIVE ME A BREAK, IT DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A [XXX] SHORT IN THE CAR. THE REGIONAL OFFICE DID NOTHING AND DID NOT EVEN MEET WITH ME. I WAS TOLD TO CALL AN ARBITRATION COMP. MORE TIME LOST I SENT THEM 350.00 IN BILLS THAT I PAID ON THE OUT SIDE TO REPLACE BULBS AND THAT'S NOT COUNTING THE BULBS THAT HYUNDAI HAD THE NERVE TO CHARGE ME. NOW TODAY I GET A LETTER THAT MY CAR IS TOO OLD TO GO THROUGH ARBITRATION. HYUNDAI JUST JERKED ME AROUND AND I WILL BE STUCK WITH THE BILLS AND CONTINUE TO PAY FOR BULBS. I CANT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO DO EXCEPT GO TO THE MEDIA. IF YOU HAVE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.HYUNDAI ALSO EXPECTED ME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT EVERYTIME A BULB OR BULBS BLEW. THEY WOULD HAVE HAD THE CAR MORE THAN ME IF THAT WAS THE CASE. THEY HAVE INSULTED MY INTELLIGENCE. AND HAVE LOST ME FOR A FUTURE CUSTOMER. AND THE PROBLEM IS, I REALLY LOVE MY CAR AND THE WAY IT DRIVES. IF ONLY IT WOULD NOT KEEP SHORTING OUT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Seat Belts › Front1 injured
Filed May 19, 200538,096 milesVA

ACCIDENT ON 4/13/05 DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER CAUSING DRIVER TO SLAM INTO STEERING WHEEL HITTING HEAD FIRST AND THEN CHEST AREA. THE RESULTS WERE SEVERE BRUISING TO THE CHEST AREA. THE SEAT BELT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE HYUNDAI SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 2, 2005100,883 milesCT

MY 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK WHICH DRIPPED JUST BEHIND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. ASSOCISTED WITH THIS PROBLEM THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL AND DIE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM INVESTIGATED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE LEAK COULD HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF MY OVERFILLING THE FUEL TANK. I HAD JUST REFULED THE CAR BUT DID NOT "TOP-OFF" THE TANK DURING THE PROCESS. SINCE I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES, I FEEL THAT I KNOW HOW TO PUT GAS IN IT BY NOW. THE FOLLOWING HYUNDAI PART#S WERE REPLACED: 31420, 31430, 31453, 31135, 31155, 31190 (BASICALLY ALL OF THE FUEL VALVES/CANISTERS IN THE SYSTEM). WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, AFTER CALLING HYUNDAI CUSTOMER AFFAIRS, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE VALVES WERE REPLACED DUE TO FUEL SATURATION AND AS A PREVENATIVE MEASURE. HE ALSO INFORMED ME, DURING OUR CONVERSATION, THAT OVERFILLING OF THE FUEL TANK CAN AND HAS RESULTED IN SIMILAR FAILURES IN THE PAST. I FEEL THIS DAMAGE TO A FUEL SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF NORMAL FUELING OR COMPONENT FAILURE IS A EXTREME FIRE HAZARD AND SAFETY CONCERN.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 16, 200571,500 milesCA

I WAS REAR-ENDED AT HIGH SPEED AND STRUCK THE CAR TO MY FRONT WITH SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY FRONT END IS CRUMPLED IN HALF, BUMPER COMPLETELY TORN OFF AS WELL. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. OFFICERS AT THE SCENE AND OTHER CREDIBLE SOURCES SUGGEST IT SHOULD DEFINITELY DEPLOYED BASED ON THE DAMAGE. I SUFFERED COMPRESSED NECK VERTEBRAE.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Feb 1, 2005MD

ANY TIME IT IS VERY COLD, THE WASHER SOLVENT FREEZES IN THE LINES AND YOU CANNOT SQUIRT TO CLEAN THE WINDOWS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, BUT I GUESSED AT 5.*AK

Air Bags3 injured
Filed Jan 31, 2005DC

CONSUMER INQUIRY REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT ANY RESEARCH HAS BEEN DONE ON THE AIR BAG FAILURE IN THE 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash3 injured
Filed Jan 28, 200557,000 milesVA

HEAD ON COLLISION, DRIVERS SIDE, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THREE PEOPLE IN THE CAR ALL SUSTAINED INJURIES, DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL....DAMAGE TO THE CAR FROM THIS ACCIDENT IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.......MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS WHY DIDN'T MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY?*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 27, 2005UT

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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