Page 4 of 5 · complaints 151–200 of 234

2003 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 2003 record →

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jan 25, 200766,001 milesNY

01/10/07 WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD WHEN USING THE WIPERS TO CLEAR SNOW FROM WINDSHIELD, THE MIDDLE OF BOTH WIPERS WOULD NOT CLEAR SNOW ENOUGH TO SEE OUT IN CERTAIN SPOTS. WINTER BLADES HAD JUST BEEN INSTALLED. I STOPPED THE CAR AND WIPED THEM OFF. BLADES CONTINUED TO SKIP OVER CERTAIN SPOTS ON WINDSHIELD. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I AGREE WITH OTHERS STATEMENT THAT MAYBE THIS CAR IS NOT MEANT TO BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW, OR AT LEAST WIPERS NOT MEANT TO CLEAR OFF SNOW AS IT LANDS ON WINDSHIELD. I TOO, HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLETELY CLEARED BUILDUP OF WINDSHIELD BEFORE STARTING OUT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 14, 200757,600 milesPA

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY APPROX 65 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD POP, LOOKING AT THE DASH BOARD ALL GAUGES REPORTED NOTHING WRONG. SUDDENLY A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, BLINDING HER VISIBILITY AND CARS BEHIND HER. SHE WAS ABLE TO VEER OFF TO THE MEDIAN AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. THE REPAIR SHOP NOTED THAT A PLASTIC RESERVOIR TANK EXPLODED AND DRAINED ALL COOLANT AND DAMAGED THE RADIATOR AND RECOMMENDED CALLING HYUNDAI SINCE CAR IS IN WARRANTY AND SUGGESTS THAT ENGINE DAMAGE (SEAL DAMAGE MAY RESULT IN COMPLETE DAMAGE OF ENGINE AND NEED REPLACEMENT) THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A SIMILAR REPORT AS LISTED AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH DUE TO SMOKE DISABLING DRIVERS VIEW. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 17, 200650,644 milesRI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HAD A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ANOTHER DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE DOING ALL THE WORK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Wheel Cylinders
Filed Nov 3, 200629,470 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE BRAKES FAILING, AN ODOR OF BRAKE FLUID WAS NOTICED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS LEAKAGE OF THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, WHICH WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN OUT OF STATE SERVICE DEALER FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE BRAKES NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING AGAIN, AFTER ONLY 8118 MILES AND 13 MONTHS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jul 14, 200646,000 milesCT

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. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 11, 200660,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LENSES ON THE HEADLIGHTS CLOUDED OVER IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT. BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAMS ARE AFFECTED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ALERTED AND DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED.

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Mar 9, 200680,000 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 03V257000 CONCERNING THE SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC: HOSE, PIPES AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 5/24/2006 - *NM THE VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO REPAIR ON NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY OF THE SAME BRAKE ISSUES EACH TIME, MOST OF WHICH HAVE EXACERBATED TO THE POINT TO MAKE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO OPERATE. HYUNDAI PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND FOUND IT TO BE MORE THAN COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. UPDATED 06/01/ 2006. *AK UPDATED 07/17/2006. *AK UPDATED *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 6, 2006OH

I PURCHASED A USED 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4 DOOR SEDAN IN FEBRUARY 2005. IN JUNE 2005 I HAD TO HAVE BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS REPLACED. NOW IT IS JANUARY 2006 AND I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH AGAIN. *NM

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 21, 200540,450 milesFL

MY VEHICLE, A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER STRUCK A JEEP CHEROKEE IN THE REAR TEARING THE WHEEL COMPLETELY OFF AND MOST OF THE REAR FENDER, AT 40 MPH. *NM

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Dec 14, 2005MA

CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION OF FAILURE IN MCHELIN RADIAL XSE TIRES. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, SIDEWALL FAILED AND REAR AXLE BROKE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED IF THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR IF THERE WAS A CRASH AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE. *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Dec 7, 200558,800 milesPA

I STARTED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND LET THE CLUTCH OUT NORMALLY AND THE CAR JUST ROARED IN REVERSE, DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND AT ONE POINT I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH AND NOTHING WOULD SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I HOPPED THE 8 INCH CURB ACROSS THE STREET AND SLAMMED INTO A 12 FT HIGH BUSH AND THEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THE CAR IS REALLY IN BAD SHAPE. THERE ARE SKID MARKS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE STREET. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 28, 2005PA

I PURCHASED MY 2003 ELANTRA IN OCTOBER 2003, SINCE THEN HAVE NEEDED THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED TWICE, MECHANIC CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY THE REAR BRAKES GO SO QUICKLY. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 19, 2005PA

ONLY 10,000 MILES CLEAR-COAT ON HOOD AND ROOF STARTED TO CRACK. NOW AT 24,000 MILES, PAINT IS COMING OFF HOOD AND ROOF. CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE AND IS WASHED AT LEAST EVERY TWO WEEKS AND HAND WAXED ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS. DEALER KEEPS CLAIMING AIR POLLUTION. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2005NY

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EVAP SYSTEM HAD A SMALL LEAK, FOUND PURGE CONTROL. *TS THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATE DUE TO THE SYSTEM DETECTING A SMALL EVAP LEAK. THE DIAGNOSIS WOULD BE GAS CAP WAS LOOSE, SECURE THE CAP, CLEARED CODE/OPERATING TO SPECIFICS AND FOUND FUEL CAP HARDLY THREADED/VERY LOOSE, FOUND FAULT CODE FOR LARGE VAPOR LEAK, PURGE VALVE TO HAVE INTERNAL DAMAGE, AND EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED (SMALL LEAK). THE CONSUMER WOULD ENSURE THAT THE GAS CAP FITTED TIGHTLY. THE PURGE VALVE HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 26, 2005GA

CONSUMER 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS A DESIGN FLAW, IN THE POSITIONING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ITS PROXIMITY TO THE GAS PEDAL. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE CURBSIDE MAILBOX. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE BUCKED AND HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. THE CONSUMER NOTICED HOW THE PEDAL WAS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER AND NOT AS CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. *SC

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Oct 11, 200525,000 milesTX

THE AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR HAVE FAILED TO OPEN EVEN THOUGH THIS CAR HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 COLLISIONS IN WHICH CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE BUMPERS AND FRONT QUARTER PANELS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ALL THREE CASES. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Sep 1, 2005WY

MY FUEL PUMP WENT OUT ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 40 MILES FROM HOME ON THE HIGHWAY ON A DAY THAT WAS NEAR 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE. WHEN PICKING MY CAR UP 4 DAYS LATER (BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK) I FIND OUT THAT THE PART WAS A RECALLED PART ON MY CAR. I ASKED THE SERVICE PERSON WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS AND HIS RESPONSE WAS THAT THE RECALL WAS "ONLY IN COLORADO". KEEP IN MIND THAT CHEYENNE WYOMING IS ONLY 10 MILES FROM COLORADO AND OFTEN DEALERS IN CHEYENNE GET THEIR CARS FROM COLORADO. I AM A CONSULTANT AND I TRAVEL ACROSS THE STATE OF WYOMING-MY CAR IS MY EMPLOYMENT. THIS PUT ME IN A SITUATION WHERE I COULD HAVE LOST MY JOB. I HAD TO BORROW A FRIENDS CAR, TRANSFER ALL MY EQUIPMENT FROM MY CAR TO THEIRS. ALSO, I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE ON A VERY HOT DAY, NOT ONLY IS IT DANGEROUS TO BE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT OUTSIDE AND THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED AHEAD OF TIME OF THIS, IT WOULD HAVE SAVED ME AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF TROUBLE. ALSO, MY CAR WAS FULL OF GAS FUMES AFTER THE REPAIR--I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL BECAUSE OF HOW THE REPAIR IS DONE AND THAT IT WOULD BE GONE IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. IT TOOK OVER A WEEK FOR THE STENCH IN MY CAR TO DISAPPEAR. I HAD TO USE MY CAR IMMEDIATELY TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE STATE-I HAD TO DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WINDOWS OPEN IN ORDER TO NOT GET SICK. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT/RECALL-BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. I WAS VERY F

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 23, 20051,461 milesNM

DT: CONTACT STATED ON 10-16-2002 HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SOMEONE HIT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT IT ALSO AFFECTED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHICH WAS WHERE THEIR HANDICAPPED SON WAS SITTING AND WAS INJURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAME OUT, BUT IT WAS NOT INFLATED, IT WAS TORN. HYUNDAI SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. EVERYONE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THERE WERE PICTURES, AND A POLICE REPORT. *AK THE AIR BAG DISPLAYED A 4-5 INCH GASH. IT DEPLOYED BUT IT WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 14, 2005NY

EVER SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA NEW 2 YEARS AGO, I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD SERIOUS EXHAUST PROBLEMS, AND HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS. I HAVE BEEN REALLY SICK, BREATHING IN THE FUMES FROM THE CAR. MY CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL IS HIGH, AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING FOR A LONG TIME NOW. THE DEALER REFUSES TO SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE DRIVE IN MY CAR, AND SMELL THIS EXHAUST. THE EXHAUST SMELLS LIKE A SKUNK, AND BACKS UP THROUGH THE FRONT INSIDE VENTS, IT SMELLS BEHIND THE CAR, AND I CANNOT OPEN THE WINDOWS, BECAUSE THE SMELL IS SO STRONG IT COMES THROUGH THE WINDOWS WHEN OPENED TO. THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING THEY DON'T SMELL ANYTHING. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER, AND IT AMAZES ME THAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT MONEY, INSTEAD OF SOMEONE'S HEALTH AND SAFETY. *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 29, 2005ME

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONTACT STATES THERE WAS A RIGHT SIDE FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISION THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER OR CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 27, 2005NY

THE CAR CONTINUES TO MAKE WHISTLING SOUND WHEN TRAVEL AT SPPEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. THE NOISE IS DISTRACTING

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 25, 200534,000 milesPA

I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT FROM A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE UNTIL 3/10/05 I HAD BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO MOTOR WORLD (WILKES-BARRE, PA) FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON".ONE TIME THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME TO JUST PUT BLACK TAPE OVER THE LIGHT AND I WILL NOT SEE THE LIGHT .THROUGHOUT MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR I HAD IT SERVICE EVERY 3,000 MILES FOR OIL CHANGES AND 1 TIME FOR TIRES / BRAKES. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION FOR ALL SERVICES. ON SUNDAY NIGHT 3/20 I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHER AND 10 YEAR OLD BROTHER HOME WHEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR.MONDAY MORNING 3/21 I HAD TO TAKE THE DAY OFF WORK AND ARRANGE FOR TOWING DOWN TO MOTOR WORLD (HYUNDAI CO. IN WILKES BARRE, PA THAT HAS BEEN SERVICING THE CHECK ENGINE PROBLEMS).I RECEIVED THE CALL ON 3/22 THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AS I DID NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT IT IS RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE FLUID CHANGED AT 30,000 MILES IF NECESSARY, IT WAS NOT NECESSARY. THE CAR HAS 34,000 MILES, THERE WAS NO SIGNS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. I HAVE MADE CONTACT SEVERAL TIMES WITH MOTOR WORLD AND THE HYUNDAI REP. WHO MADE THE DECISION AND THEY WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME AS I HAVE A CASE WITH THE LEMON LAW. I HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE CAR PICKED UP FROM THERE LOCATION , HOWEVER I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION ENGINE) AND PAY $ 300 A MONTH. TH

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Mar 31, 2005NJ

WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD POPOED UP. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THEN, DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HOOD LEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Feb 26, 200541,500 milesFL

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. *AK *SC *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 28, 2005CA

MY HUSBAND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE HE REAR ENDED A DODGE TRUCK. THE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF UNTIL THE CAR HAD STOPPED. WHEN THE AIRBAG WENT OFF, IT WENT OFF TO THE SIDE INSTEAD OF FULL FACE. MY HUSBAND BROKE HIS CLAVICLE AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS PER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. MY CAR WAS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.*AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 10, 200532,500 milesFL

SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Jan 5, 2005OH

THE CONSUMER'S SON'S BRAKES FAILED AND LOST STEERING CONTROL WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN EXIT RAMP. *SC RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10004464. CAMPAIGN 061 PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES FOR REPOSITIONING THE REAR BRAKE TUBES TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER'S STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. THE VEHICLE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING. EARLIER IN THE WEEK THE CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION AT 60 MPH. *TC

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Dec 30, 2004FL

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON SLAMING ON THE BRAKES GEAR AUTOMATICALLY PUT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. ALSO,THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages
Filed Dec 27, 2004OH

AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES DURING A SNOW STORM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER QUIT WORKING. THE WIPER WOULD NOT MOVE. OF COURSE I COULD NOT SEE TO DRIVE IN THE HEAVY SNOW STORM. THIS ALSO HAPPENED LAST WINTER DURING A HEAVY SNOW STORM. BOTH WIPERS QUIT WORKING DURING THAT STORM. LAST YEAR THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE WIPERS SAID THEY WERE FROZEN. THIS YEAR ANOTHER DEALER STATED IT WAS A BOLT DESIGNED TO POP SO THE MOTOR TO THE WIPERS WOULDN'T BURN UP. THE CAR WAS HEATED UP BOTH TIMES, AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS CLEANED OF SNOW AND ICE BOTH TIMES BEFORE EVEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE DURING THE SNOW STORMS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO HAVE HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. VISIBILITY IS ZERO. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING, IN WHICH THERE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF THE DEALER IS SAYING IT'S DUE TO DESIGN, THEN THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN. THE DEALER IS MORE OR LESS SAYING THIS CAR IS NOT DESIGNED TO DRIVE WHEN SNOWING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND A BOLT WAS REPLACED.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 20, 2004WI

POOR GENERAL PERFORMANCE OF THE TIRE, WET WEATHER AND WINTER CONDITIONS, POOR BRAKING, POOR ACCELLERATION, EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR FOR A 400 RATED TIRE. SIGNIFICANTLY CONCERNED ABOUT TIRES ABILITY TO DISPLACE WATER AND BRAKE UNDER SLIPPERY CONDITIONS, WATER OR ICE.*AK

Air Bags
Filed Dec 11, 200424,000 milesWA

DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. HAVE NOT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AS OF 12/11/04. *JB ABL.PCO

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Dec 1, 20046,115 milesCA

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH, SHE WITNESSED AN OBJECT FLYING BY. SHE STATED SHE LOOKED DOWN AND ALL OF HER GAGES WERE FINE, THEN SUDDENLY SHE SAW SMOKE, SHE STATES SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE AND GOT HERSELF AND HER CHILD OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW PIECES WERE HANGING FROM THE ENGINE. SHE STATES BY THIS TIME ALL OF THE SMOKE THAT SHE HAD SEEN WAS GONE. SHE STATED THAT SHE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK AND HAD HER VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. SHE STATES SHE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, ALONG WITH HER INFANT. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*TC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Oct 27, 200414,800 milesOH

BRAKES FAILED, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 35 MPH. STEERING FAILED, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. RECALL 03V496000 WAS ISSUED. *AK

Structure › Body › Trunk Lid1 injured
Filed Oct 5, 2004TX

THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED VIA E-MAIL. "I HAVE BEEN HURT ON 4 OCCASIONS BY THE TRUNK LID OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN THE TRUNK LID DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY UP AND BACK. THIS IS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THE LOCK ON THE LID STICKS OUT (PROTRUDES). THIS IS THE PIECE THAT HAS HIT THE TOP OF MY HEAD WHEN I FORGOT ABOUT IT AND TRIED TO PUT OR TAKE THINGS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK. I AM 5 FEET 6 INCHES TALL. I DON'T SEE HOW ANYONE OF MY HEIGHT CAN AVOID IT IN IT'S CURRENT CONFIGURATION. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM TRIED OF GETTING INJURED.*AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 7, 200417,000 milesKS

2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TRAVELING AT 70MPH HIT A LARGE DEER ON HIGHWAY. OVER $6200 DAMAGE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE IMPACT. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND A SUDDEN DECELERATION OCCURED BUT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP SAID THE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY IN SUCH A MAJOR IMPACT BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THEY DID NOT. HYUNDAI WILL NOT RETURN CALLS OR OFFER ANY HELP. I FEEL THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THE IMPACT WAS QUITE SUBSTANTIAL AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THEIR COMPANY.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle AssemblyCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 3, 200413,000 milesVA

RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER ONCE. PRIOR TO ROLL OVER, DRIVER AND PASSENGER WORE SEAT BELTS. . HOWEVER, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DISCONNECTED AND FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED FROM HEAD AND NECK PAIN. BOTH WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL. BOTH OCCUPANTS SURVIVED.*AK

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Aug 26, 2004AZ

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATED AND SLOWED DOWN, THEN IT STALLED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Aug 10, 200412,000 milesMD

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE LOCATION OF THE CUP HOLDER POSED A PROBLEM. LIQUID FROM A DRINK LEAKED INTO AIR BAG HARNESS, AND RENDERED THE AIR BAGS INOPERATIVE.*AK ABL.PCO

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 5, 2004TX

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER, NO WARNING LIGHT APPEARED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. *AK *SC *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 29, 200410,000 milesFL

THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO FILE A CLAIM WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE FLOOR MAT BEING UNDER THE BRAKE/CLUTCH. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF GEAR OR REVERSE BECAUSE A BOLT HAD LOOSENED AND TRAVELED UP THROUGHOUT THE GEARS AND WAS REMOVED BY THE DEALER. *SC *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jun 14, 200460,000 milesAZ

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *AK *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed May 26, 20043,500 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER MADE A SUDDEN STOP. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN EITHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT A BELT, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash2 injured
Filed May 24, 200428,000 milesNC

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AT 45 MPH BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. . THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, BUT IDLING. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY . AS A RESULT, PASSENGER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDOW, AND HIS SIDE HIT THE CONSOLE. ALSO, DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AND BRUISES.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 21, 200436,000 milesPA

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 THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDES REPLACEMENT. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 18, 200430,820 milesNH

CAR WAS COMING UP TO SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THEN THERE WAS A SENSATION OF SUDDENLY BEING PUSHED FORWARD. THE CAR SPEED SEEMED TO INCREASE EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE BEING FORCEFULLY APPLIED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TIRES LEAVING SKID MARKS ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR DID NOT COME TO A STOP BEFORE REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT, WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER OF OUR CAR BEING CAUSED BY THE OTHER VEHICLES TOW HITCH MOUNT. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE DID NOT COMPLAIN OF ANY INJURIES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BY THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed May 11, 2004OH

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER'S DID. THE DEALESHIP TELLS ME THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE I HAD MY SEATBELT ON AND THERE WAS NO WEIGHT ON THE SEAT AND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE WAS NO SEATBELT ON AND THERE WAS WEIGHT ON THE SEAT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THER WAS NOTHING OR NO ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS DRIVING AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SO I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Drum
Filed May 4, 20043,500 milesLA

REAR DRUM BRAKES PRODUCD A SQUEAKY NOISE. DEALER REPLACED THE PART FIVE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Seat BeltsCrash3 injured
Filed Apr 20, 200412,333 milesTX

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS NOT STOPPING WHEN BRAKING. ON 9/9/2003, WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE HIT A TRUCK AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE PELVIC AREA AND BRUISES ON THE UPPER LEGS. FRONT PASSENGER'S HEAD BROKE THE WINDSHIELD, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED SEIZURES. CHILD IN THE REAR, AGE 11, SUSTAINED ARM BRUISES. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ASSESSED BY A REPAIR MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED AIR BAG SENSORS WERE IMPACTED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD TREMBLE, THE A/C DID NOT WORK, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT (GO ON AND OFF), AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. (WHICH OCCURRED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE) *SC *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 11, 2004NY

CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WA SINVOLVED IN A COLLISION. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Mar 9, 200410,201 milesDE

VEHICLE HAD WHINING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH FRONT AND REAR BEGINING IN AUG 04 @ 10200 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 9 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. REAR BRAKES BEGAN CLICKING AS THEY WERE APPLIED. BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED. THEN REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WHERE THEN REPLACED. CAR WAS OKAY AFTER 13 NOV 03, BUT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT AGAIN IN JAN 04. VEHICLE WAS SUBMITTED FOR LEMON LAW, AND HYUNDAI WOULD NOT RE-PURCHASE VEHICLE BECAUSE ONLY "TWO" ACTUAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR(WHICH IS A CROCK OF CRAP). VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS OTHER MINOR ISSUES THAT THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO FIX. VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN FOR BEARING REPLACEMENT AGAIN THIS MONTH(MARCH 04)

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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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