NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra; the most frequently affected component is service brakes, hydraulic — hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Owners filed 234 complaints, most often about suspension. Among the 27 model years of this model in the database, 2003 ranks #6 for number of recalls.
Suspension — Control armCampaign 09V125000 · 16 Apr 2009
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.
Remedy: 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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic — Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCampaign 03V496000 · 03 Dec 2003
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.
Remedy: 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, hydraulic — Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCampaign 03V257000 · 22 Jul 2003
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.
Remedy: 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.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Suspension21 · 52%
Structure9 · 22%
Air bags8 · 20%
Electrical system6 · 15%
Steering5 · 12%
Fuel/propulsion system5 · 12%
Service brakes4 · 10%
Power train3 · 8%
When complaints were filed
20147
20158
20167
20172
20182
20196
20203
20211
20221
20233
From owner complaints
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 rusted. The technician stated that…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the front driver side tire. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed of nhtsa campaign number: 09v125000…
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 driver’s side of the…
Right front lower control arm and right front axle, broke while driving, causing loss of control. This was a previous recall, which was done at the dealership. Replacement of the control arms were not required at the time. Inspection, undercoating and ,drilled drainage holes were the fix. While stranded on the road, a…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.