There are 12 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Elantrain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
CAR STARTED SWERVING DUE TO FRAME RUSTING AND REAR SUSPENSION BECAME DETACHED.
TOOK 2001 ELANTRA TO DEALER AS A RESULT OF LOW BRAKE FLUID. DEALER DISCOVERED VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IRREPARABLE DUE TO CORROSION OF REAR CROSS MEMBER AND/OR "SPUD". IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CORROSION OCCURRED IN THE AREA WHERE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO ROAD SALT. HOWEVER, WE ALSO HAVE A (LOWER-MILEAGE) 2005 ELANTRA WHICH WE KEEP PARKED IN THE SAME GARAGE AS THE 2001 ELANTRA AND WHICH, TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, SHOWS NO SIGN OF CORROSION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE REAR SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT APPRX. 15 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND WAS SECONDS FROM TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND HAD DECIDED TO BRING THE CAR HOME TO CHECK FOR A PROBLEM, AS THE CAR SEEMED TO BE SWAYING. IF THIS FAILURE HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, HE MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE DETACHED WHEEL TURNED OUTWARD AND WEDGED INTO THE WHEEL WELL, THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND QUARTER PANEL FROM THE DETACHED WHEEL. *TR
WATER IS LEAKING THROUGH THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT AND SOAKING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *LA
NAR 02/25/2003. THE CONSUMER HAD A SEZIURE WHILE DRIVING AND AS A REUSLT HE CRASHED INTO 2 TELEPHONE POLES, THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS PERFORMED AS DESIGNED, HOWEVER THE FIREWALL DEFLECTED 22CM INTO THE CONSUMER LEGS AND SHATTERED THEM. *JB
THE PLASTIC CAPS THAT THE MANUFACTURER USE TO COVER THE REAR DOORS BOLTS ARE POPPING OFF. CONSUMER HAD AN 18 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT WHO ALMOST CHOKED ON THE PLASTIC CAP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT HELPFUL. PH
CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE'S PAINT IS PEELING DOWN TO THE PRIMER. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED W/PAINT COMPONENTS.
THE REAR DOORS (MORE OFTEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR) BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-LOCKED POSITION DURING COLD WEATHER REGARDLESS OF PRECIPITATION. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE DOOR(S).*AK
BOTH REAR DOORS FREEZE SHUT WHEN TEMP IS BELOW 32 AND CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE TILL WARMED. CREATES SAFETY HAZARD SINCE REAR PASSENGERS MUST CLIME OVER FROM FRONT AND ARE TRAPPED IN THE REAR SEATS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE TEMP IS BELOW 32 REGARDLESS OF RAIN, CAN BE DRY FOR DAYS STILL HAPPENS. RETURNED TO DEALER THEY CAN NOT FIX. CALLED HYUNDAI THEY SAID THEY KNOW OF PROBLEM BUT CANT FIX IT.
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PAINT DEFECT. MR SCC *JB
WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE OWNER LOST BALANCE AND FELL AGAINST THE DOOR. THERE IS A BIG DENT IN THE DOOR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE IS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026