2003 Hyundai Elantra complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE PARKED THE RPM'S INCREASED TO 7000 AND WOULD NOT DECREASE UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP, AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77246.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE RUST AND A CRACK. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V125000, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 09V125000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM) AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2009, SINCE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,000.

2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS HAD ISSUES WITH HYUNDAI SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: 09V125000: FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT 21 ST AND ASHLAND IN CHICAGO, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AWAY . THE CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED CLOSE TO THE SCENE , AS THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE; AND HAD TO BE TOWED BY ALLSTATE MOTOR CLUB TO THE NEAREST SHOP. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR THE TOW AND THE REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, HE EXPERIENCED SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ALSO HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL #09V125000 (SUSPENSION;FRONT;CONTROL ARM). HOWEVER, HIS CONTROL ARM HAS FAILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,00.

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BUT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IS 40 MILES AWAY. *NJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. NHTSA RECALL# 09V125000, COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS. I WAS IN A T-BONE COLLISION WITH A LARGE SUV (SUBURBAN) TOTALING MY CAR. THE HIT WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED SUBURBAN WAS TRAVELING 35-40 MPH. *TR

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.

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

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELECTRA I LOST POWER STEERING. I BROUGHT IT TO AMECHANIC SHOP THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE HAD CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING POWERSTERRING FLUID FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP THEN HAD IT TOWED HOME I NOTIFIED MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THEY RESPONDED BY INFORMING ME THEIR WERE SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED I WISH THE E NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WOULD LOOK INTO THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS 69,173 MILES & HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT. THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENTS DIDN'T EVEN LAST 1,000 MILES. 7/27/09 - LEFT HEADLIGHT- 69,173 (MILEAGE) 7/5/09 - BOTH HEADLIGHTS - 68,670 (MILEAGE) 5/6/08 - LEFT HEADLIGHT- 57,921(MILEAGE) 11/5/07 - RIGHT HEADLIGHT- 52,428(MILEAGE) 9/5/07 - LEFT HEADLIGHT- 50,633(MILEAGE) 4/9/07 - RIGHT HEADLIGHT- 45,223(MILEAGE) 6/3/06 - LEFT HEADLIGHT- 36,405(MILEAGE) 10/21/05 - 29,192(MILEAGE) I TALKED TO A MECHANIC- HE SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN KEEP REPLACING THE BURNED OUT LIGHTS. I FIND THIS AN UNACCEPTABLE SOLUTION - IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME ON 7/5/09 & BOTH HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT. HE HAD TO DRIVE HOME ON HIGH BEAMS. THERE IS NO REASON FOR A CAR TO KEEP BURNING OUT HEADLIGHTS. *TR UPDATED 08/04/09.8JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MODULE FAILED AND WOULD COST OVER $600 TO REPAIR. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD BURN OUT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 36,700. UPDATED 9/1/09 *CN UPDATED 09/02/09.*JB

THE CALIPERS ON THE REAR BRAKE DO NOT RELEASE WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. IN SOME CASES THE BRAKE WAS ON SO TIGHT THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL DRAGGED ON THE ROAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET THE ISSUE CORRECTED. THE ISSUE IS MUCH WORSE IN THE WINTER BUT EVEN NOW IN THE SPRING WHEN I PUT THE BRAKE ON THERE IS NO RESISTANCE FOR THE FIRST 4 INCHES SO I KNOW IT IS STILL NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. *TR

I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE IN APRIL 09 FOR OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCING. I HAD TO RETURN IT BECAUSE CAR WAS VEERING TO THE LEFT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP THE 2ND TIME THE THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. ON 5/1/09 I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CAUSE IS "PPD SENSOR OPEN" WHICH THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $390 TO FIX. SINCE THE ELANTRA OF 2001-2002 HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH AN AIRBAG LIGHT THIS MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE 2003S AS WELL. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND HIT BLACK ICE ON INTERSTATE 81S AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT SPUN AND HIT THE CENTER GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS UNHURT, BUT I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE POSTED AT VARIOUS SITES. BUT IT SEEMS THAT HYUNDAI IS NOT TAKING ACTION. *TR

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

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

2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. BROUGHT IN TO TIRE DEALER TO HAVE SNOW TIRES REMOVED, WAS SHOWN THAT BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND FRONT FRAME WERE DANGEROUSLY ROTTED. TOOK VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI. THEY SAY IT IS PARTIALLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WILL INCUR $250 OUT OF POCKET COSTS. CAR HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

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 ADULTS AND 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN VEHICLE). OTHER DAMAGE- FRONT AXLE BROKE, DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL, FRONT BUMPER, WIPER FLUID RESERVOIR AND OTHER INCIDENTAL PARTS. ALL FIXED BY HYUNDAI INCLUDING BODY DAMAGE AND PAINT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TO HAVE EXAMINED DRIVERS SIDE ARM AND STATED IT WAS "FINE". WE DO NOT TRUST THIS AND ARE HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY ANOTHER MECHANIC. *TR

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

I PURCHASED MY CAR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASE, THE ENGINE LINE LIT UP. I NOTICED WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE RPM'S DROPPED AND THE CAR WOULD SPUTTER. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. HE CHECKED THE CAR BY COMPUTER AND FELT IT NEEDED 2 SENSORS. I LET HIM REPLACE THESE. 2 DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR THE SAME ISSUE BEGAN OCCURRING AGAIN. THIS TIME, WHEN I STOPPED AS FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR WOULD STALL, ALL WARNING LIGHTS WOULD GO ON, AND IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF TRIES TO START. ALSO, I PURCHASED THIS CAR AT ARNOLD HYUNDAI IN ROSEVILLE, MI. THEY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS NOT LONG AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK THE CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY THOUGHT A GUIDE WIRE HAD COME LOOSE AND REPAIRED IT. A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE CAR WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DECEMBER 22. THEY DID A THOROUGH INSPECTION AND SAID THERE IS A LEAK IN THE VACUUM SYSTEM? ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST. I'M WONDERING HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS SYSTEM OR DO HAVE SOME SORT OF RECOURSE? *TR

I'VE OWNED THIS 2003 ELANTRA SINCE JULY AND HAVE HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED. THIS IS UNCOMMON. THE CAR HAS ONLY 33,000 MILES. SOMETHING IS WRONG THE LIGHTS SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THAT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/21/09

DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. GAUGE READS NORMAL TEMPERATURE WITH NO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE. *TR

MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT & THE AIRBAG MODULE WENT OUT & AM TOLD IT WILL COST OVER 800.00 TO FIX & IT WON'T DEPLOY IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HYUNDAI EXTENDED COVERAGE PLAN OF 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES & WAS TOLD IT COVERS 'EVERYTHING BUT THE SINK' THEY TELL ME IT WON'T COVER THIS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. *TR

HEAD LIGHTS - I HAVE A 2003 ELANTRA AND HAVE TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS EVERY TWO TO SIX MONTHS. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP ONLY CLAIMS THAT EVERYONE IS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING, BUT OFFER NO EXPLANATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER MASTERCRAFT SENSYS 01 TIRES, SIZE 195/60/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY ROTATED THE TIRES FOUR TIMES. A TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE TIRES AND CONCLUDED THAT THE BELTS WERE BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

SINCE HAVING THE CAR, I BOUGHT IT USED A YEAR AGO, WHILE NOT NOTICING ANY MAJOR ISSUES, I STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT. I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS CHANGED THREE TIMES NOW WITH ALTERNATING SIDES GOING OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS. I CANNOT IMAGINE THIS BEING A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. *TR

HEAD LIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY CAR ABOUT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN OCT 2002. AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THEM, GARAGES REPLACE THEM, A NEIGHBOR WHO IS A MECHANIC AND MYSELF SO IT'S NOT THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE CORRECTLY. I HAVE STARTED BUYING THE 2 PACK OF BULBS BECAUSE ALMOST LIKE CLOCKWORK ONCE THE ONE BULB GOES THE OTHER GOES WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD. I HAVE PUT ABOUT 10-15 BULBS IN EACH HEADLIGHT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT HAVE NEVER REPLACED THE HIGHBEAM BULBS ONLY THE LOW BEAM. *TR

I PURCHASED NEW TIRES FOR MY VEHICLE IN 2006, I DRIVE ONLY ABOUT 8000 MILES A YEAR. I HAVE HAD TWO FLAT TIRES THIS YEAR, ONE ON 5/21/08 AND THE OTHER ON 8/31/08 AND BOTH WERE CAUSE BY FAULTY VALVE STEMS. WITH THE INCIDENT ON 8/31/08, MY TIRES WERE ALL INFLATED PROPERLY WHEN LEFT I THE HOUSE TO RUN ERRANDS. I LEFT ONE PARKING LOT, TURNED ON THE MAIN STREET AND WITHIN SECONDS I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND I HAD A FLAT. IT HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE FLAT WAS FIXED (ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE) AND I THEN WENT BACK TO SEARS WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE TIRES. I HAD THE ROADSIDE HAZARD AGREEMENT. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE AUTO CENTER SAID THERE HAD BEEN A PROBLEM WITH VALVE STEMS. I SAW SOMETHING ON TV ABOUT A HORRIBLE CRASH THAT HAPPENED WHEN THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED TO SOME MAN. I WAS LUCKY, I HAD ONLY TURNED ONTO THE MAIN STREET AND WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST. *TR

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

A DEER LEAPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE DIVIDER ON HIGHWAY - NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS INCIDENT. *TR

2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA DEFECTIVE SEAT AND HEAD RESTRAINT. CONSUMER SENT IN A STATEMENT FROM A COURT PROCEEDING. ***NAR*** *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT FROM A DEFECT RELATED TO THE SEAT AND HEAD RESTRAINT. *JB

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

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 IT WAS FOUND THAT THE A-FRAME HAD RUSTED AND SNAPPED. I HAD THE A-FRAME REPLACED, AND THE MECHANIC ALSO CHECKED OUT THE A-FRAME ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO RUST OR DAMAGE ON THAT SIDE. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, I IT REPLACED. I HAVE NO IDEA IF IT WILL WORK, IF IT WILL GO OFF AND KILL SOMEONE DRIVING THE CAR. PLEASE RECALL THE CARS AND HAVE HYUNDAI REPLACE OR REPAIR THIS SITUATION BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. THANKS *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN ENERGY MXV4 PLUS, SIZE P/195/60R15 (NA) TIRES. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE TREAD AND SEAM COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CANVAS WAS VISIBLE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000. UPDATED 03-18-08 *BF

TL*THE 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, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND PAUSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 31,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BUCKING FROM THE REAR. UPDATED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 17, 2005 THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD NOT DO THAT, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A MONTH AND A HALF AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE THE CONTACT SMELLED BRAKE FLUID AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EXTENDING TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER INITIALLY BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE CYLINDER FAILED. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT BRAKES ARE SCRAPING AND STILL EXTENDING TO THE FLOOR. ON OCTOBER 1, 2007 AND OCTOBER 2, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS THOROUGHLY INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO FAILURES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,344.

I OWN A 2003 ELANTRA GT AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT ANY OF THE RECALLS LISTED ON THIS SITE. *TR

ON MARCH 4, 2006 I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 33,855 MILES FROM BUHLER & BITTER DODGE LOCATED ON ROUTE 35 IN HAZLET, NEW JERSEY. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WAS ADVISED THAT ALL USED CARS ARE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLES AND ARE PUT THROUGH A 135 POINT CHECK PRIOR TO BEING PUT ON THE LOT. THE HYUNDAI THAT I PURCHASED PASSED THIS 135 POINT CHECK AND STILL HAD THE REMAINDER OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY WHICH WAS 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. THE BALANCE OF THIS WARRANTY WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW OWNER. THE CAR RAN GREAT AND LIKE ALL OF OUR CARS IN THE PAST IT WAS GARAGE KEPT AND SERVICED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SERVICE SCHEDULE ISSUED TO US FROM THE DEALER UPON PURCHASE. ON AUGUST 22, 2007 I DROVE TO STATEN ISLAND FOR A DOCTOR?S VISIT. ON MY WAY HOME- WHILE TRAVELING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY-THE CAR APPEARED TO BE LOSING POWER AS IT RELATED TO MY ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. FOR MY SAFETY I BEGAN TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND PROCEEDED TO SHUT OFF THE CAR. UPON RESTART NOTHING OCCURRED SO I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AGAIN. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF TROUBLE ASIDE FROM THE LACK OF POWER (I.E. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, NO SMOKE OR NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CAR), IT JUST WOULDN'T START AND THEN SLOWLY EVERYTHING APPEARED TO SHUT OFF INCLUDING THE ELECTRICAL POWER. AT THAT POINT, I SAT AND WAITED FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. A GENTLEMAN FROM JULIAN?S GARAGE NAMED SCOTT ARRIVED WITH A TOW-TRUCK AND AFTER TRYING TO START THE CAR HIMSELF STATED THAT THE EITHER TH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY TESTED HER POWER BRAKES WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE TEST WAS COMPLETED. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,831. THERE WAS AN EVAP LEAK. UPDATED 08/06/07. *JB THE CONSUMER PROVIDED MULTIPLE REPAIR INVOICES PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT. UPDATED 08/09/07 *TR UPDATED 08/28/07 *TR THE DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE BUT THE MOTOR LACKS PERFORMANCE. UPDATED 09/06/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. ON AUGUST 15, 2006, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED (T-BONED) INTO THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST PAINS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL PRESSING INTO HER CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

TL*THE 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 ACTIVATED AUTOMATICALLY, THE VOLUME INCREASED, AND CERTAIN LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLLER LIGHTS, FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED . IN ADDEITION, THE TIRES WERE CONSTANTLY WEARING OUT, AND SHE WAS ABOUT TO PURCHASE FOURTH SET IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73,000 .AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 45,000. *AK ABL.PCO

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 GET IT FIXED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE CARS IT SHOULDNT HAPPEN THAT MANY TIMES. *AK

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 SIDE LAMP IS THE ONE THAT BLOWS. I HAVE SAVED THE LAST LAMP REPLACED. IT IS A SYLVANIA SILVERSTAR. THIS IS THE THIRD BRAND OF BULB / LAMP. MY WIFE IS NIGHT BLIND. SHE TRIES TO AVOID DRIVING AFTER DARK. THE UNDEPENDABLE LIGHTING SYSTEM POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN HER CASE AND I AM SURE IN SENIORS WHO REQUIRE MORE LIGHT TO SEE CLEARLY. *NM

THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BEGAN GRINDING AT ONLY 39K MILES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS BECAUSE OF THE LIFETIME WARRANTY AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT FAILING DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE FRONT PADS HAD A METAL PLATE ON THE OUTSIDE WHICH HAD COME LOSE AND WAS CUTTING INTO THE HUB. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE PADS THAT OCCURRED WHEN THEY GOT HOT AND THE ADHESIVE CAME LOOSE. DURING THE INSPECTION, THEY ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE CYLINDERS ON THE REAR BRAKES WERE LEAKING. I ENDED UP WITH OVER $600 IN BRAKE REPAIRS. *NM

2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA : CLUTCH / TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 28,000 MILES. WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER. HYUNDAI HAS ISSUE WITH HIGH FAILURE RATES ON STANDARD CLUTCHS 2003 2004 MODELS. *NM