Hyundai · Elantra · 2003
5
Recalls
234
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2003 Hyundai Elantra has 5 recalls and 234 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: suspension (38 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2003 Hyundai Elantra page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is suspension with 38 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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...
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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 ...
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*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. *...
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Driver and front passenger inside plastic handles for doors broke apart from normal use. Drivers side outside plastic door handle also broke off. Getting out of the car requires power windows to be energized and lowered to access outside handles. The problem first appeared abou...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM BECAME DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED SUPERIOR HYUNDAI SOUTH (238 W MITCHELL AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45232) WHERE S...
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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND TURNING RIGHT; A TIRE BLEW. ON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, THE FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM WAS BENT WITH RUST ON THE EXPOSED METAL. THE BENT CONTROL ARM ALLOWED THE TIRE TO RUB AGAINST THE INTERIOR FENDER, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO THE TIRE FAILING. THE TIRE WAS ...
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WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S METAL TO METAL, THE STEERING MAKES A FUNNY NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO CAR KEEPS SAYING 02 SENSOR BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BECAUSE OF IT.*DT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FUCCILLO LINCOLN HYUNDAI (518-379-0680, LOCATED AT 4101 STATE ST, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS...
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BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN WHEN IGNITION IS OFF. REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND TGE PROBLEM REMAINS.
MY LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO AWAY FROM THE BODY AND OTHER DRIVE COMPONENTS DUE TO RUST AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE. I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED HEARD A POP NOISE GOT OUT LOOKED AND THE TIRE WAS ALL THE WAY AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 234 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2003 Hyundai models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2003 Hyundai Elantra has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 234 owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra are suspension (38 reports), air bags (34 reports), engine and engine cooling (16 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.