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2003 Hyundai ElantraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 234 owner complaints about the 2003 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

2003 Hyundai Elantra
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Elantra median · #14 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints23468 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage94kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 12, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Hyundai Elantra has problems

234 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension610
Air bags4832
Structure323
Engine and engine cooling211
Service brakes, hydraulic208
Steering163
Exterior lighting130
Seat belts115
Electrical system101
15 other systems647

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2003 Hyundai Elantra recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: control arm

Recall 09V-125 · Apr 16, 2009 · 160,904 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V-496 · Dec 3, 2003 · 1,993 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V-257 · Jul 22, 2003 · 312,292 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

94kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 50 suspension complaints. 52% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles26under 100k miles24100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Elantra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Elantra median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings

2003 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Hyundai Elantra side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Hyundai Elantra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONPE08017 · closed Jul 10, 2008
    No recall
  2. FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTINGPE09011 · closed Apr 21, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-125
In owners' words

What Elantra owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. Additionally, while attempting to complete a turn, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front…
Complaint 11559695 · Dec 12, 2023 · 132,000 miles
Live in Indiana where the weather is super salty in the winters and all of the salt in Indiana has really really affected the whole underside of my car. The whole subframe is falling apart and the rust has gotten to everything under the car. I have spent about 4 thousand dollars into this car doing…
Complaint 11551132 · Oct 21, 2023
*The rear sub-frame assembly nearly rusted through. Steering and Handling noticebly effected with rear of vehicle feeling soft and sluggish in turns. *The vehicle is available for inspection and was brought to my attention when the mechanic was beginning rear brake maintenance. *The mechanic is a…
Complaint 11522292 · May 16, 2023

Own a 2003 Elantra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.