Model year record

2001 Hyundai Elantra recalls & problems

The 2001 Hyundai Elantra has 6 safety recalls and 315 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (125 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints315filed by owners

Crashes · fires71 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths59 · 1reported in complaints

2001 Hyundai Elantra in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SuspensionApr 16, 2009

Front › Control arm

Recall 09V125000160,904 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
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, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Air bagsOct 14, 2008

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 08V53200078,369 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001 ELANTRA VEHICLES. IF A LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE AREA OF THE CUPHOLDER ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, IT MAY SEEP THROUGH THE CONSOLE OPENING FOR THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER AND THEN DRIP ONTO THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE SPILLED LIQUID MAY CONTAMINATE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ITS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY AFFECT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. THE RECALL OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2008, AND LETTERS WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Air bagsOct 14, 2008

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 08V533000150,541 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT, MAY RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THAT WOULD CAUSE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2008, AND WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Service brakes, hydraulicDec 3, 2003

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V4960001,993 vehicles

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

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 22, 2003

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V257000312,292 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Air bagsOct 17, 2000

Side/window

Recall 00V332000972 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM SIDE AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS INSTALLED WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED, CAUSING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS TO NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Risk: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH WHERE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SATELLITE SENSORS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2001 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Elantra

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Elantra

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	125	54	1	52	62,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	86	10	1	3	85,956 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	28	6	0	4	90,000 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)	24	3	2	1	49,500 mi
Electrical systemWiring; 12v/24v/48v battery	21	1	0	2	71,756 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	21	6	1	2	34,597 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	20	0	1	0	64,500 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	19	0	0	0	67,198 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	16	3	0	3	27,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal › Switch	11	1	0	2	40,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Cables	10	4	0	1	40,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Storage › Tank assembly	8	0	1	0	40,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH POWER LOCKS. THE VEHICLE OVERALL IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE PROGRESSIVE MOTOR, ELECTRICAL, AND COMPLEX ISSUES EFFECTING THE BASIC USAGE OF MY CAR.
Jan 9, 2019 · 206,000 miles
Air bags
THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WHILE IN MOTION..
Jan 5, 2019
Service brakesFire
ALL 4 BRAKES STARTED TO RANDOMLY LOCK UP. I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO RUN IT ALMOST A 1/2 MILE FOR A SHOULDER TO PULL OVER AT. UPON STOPPING, THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING ALL AROUND THE CAR AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ACTUALLY CAUGHT FLAME. I'M GUESSING BRAKE BOOSTER IS THE CAUSE. ALSO FRONT CONTROL ARMS ARE ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE CARS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS AROUND 185,000 MILES ON IT. HAS VALVE COVER LEAK INTO SPARK PLUG PORT ON CYLINDER 3 AND HAS A VERY WEAK CLUTCH THAT SOMETIMES SLIPS.
Jul 18, 2018 · 185,000 miles
Electrical system1 injury
ALL FOUR WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT ONCE. RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM IN CASE WINDOWS ARE NEEDED TO ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE DUE TO ACCIDENT. THE TEMPERATURE OF VEHICLE CAN ALSO EXCEED SAFE DEGREE DUE TO WINDOWS NOT OPENING. NO WARNING WAS GIVEN BEFORE ALL WINDOWS CEASED TO FUNCTION. STARTED VEHICLE AND WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK FROM ANY CONTROL. HAD TO TAKE MOTHER TO DOCTOR FOR HEAT EXHAUSTION FROM EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES BUILDING UP IN CAR.
May 17, 2018 · 185,000 miles
Air bags
TAKATA RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON DASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET THE LIGHT IS ON. NOT SURE IF AIRBAGS WILL WORK IF AN ACCIDENT EVER DOES OCCUR. CANNOT HAVE FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE BECAUSE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. UNKNOWN WHY THIS FAILURE OCCURED.
May 19, 2018 · 180,000 miles
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EQUIPPED WITH DEXTERO TOURING DTR1 TIRES, SIZE I95/60R/15 88H (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES HAD CRACKS ON THE LOWER SIDEWALLS. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS TAKEN TO WALMART FOR REPLACEMENT. THE OTHER TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,285. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
May 5, 2018 · 97,285 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 18 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THE CONTROL ARM HAD DETACHED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. FREEHOLD HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 4065 ROUTE 9 NORTH, FREEHOLD, NJ, WHERE THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION) DUE TO HAVING TO WAIT FOR APPROVAL FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Mar 25, 2018 · 150,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE, WIRING, AND DOOR SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
May 1, 2017 · 200,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTINGClosedLed to recall 09V125000
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, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN.THE TOTAL THREE-YEAR PRODUCTION POPULATION FOR THE ELANTRA VEHICLES IS APPROXIMATELY 350,000. ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, ROAD SALT…
PE09011 · opened Feb 18, 2009 · closed Apr 21, 2009
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONClosedLed to recall 08V532000
HYUNDAI IS CONDUCTING TWO SAFETY RECALLS TO CORRECT TWO SAFETY DEFECTS DESCRIBED BELOW.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-532, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL A VINYL PROTECTIVE SHIELD/COVER TO PREVENT SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CAUSE BY SPILLS OF LIQUIDS THAT SEEP INTO THE MODULE CONNECTOR. THIS ACTION APPLIES TO 78,369 MY 2001 VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH 4/26/2001).THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR IN MY 2001 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 4/26/2001 IS COVERED BY THE CARPET.TO IMPROVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL NEW CLIPS AND REVISE THE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-533.THIS APPLIES TO 150,541 MY 2001 THROUGH MY 2002 VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH 12/18/2001).HYUNDAI UPGRADED THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING/CONNECTOR CLIP ON MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 12/18/2001.HYUNDAI DESIGNED THE SUBJECT…
EA08012 · opened Jul 10, 2008 · closed Nov 14, 2008
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONClosed
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 PRETENSIONER/AIR BAG INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENTS DUE TO LIQUID SPILLS.TO ADDRESS THE ABOVE ISSUES, ON 04/25/2001, HYUNDAI ADDED A CARPET COVER/SHIELD OVER THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AREA AND UPGRADED…
PE08017 · opened Mar 10, 2008 · closed Jul 10, 2008