2001 Hyundai Elantra recalls and problems

The 2001 Hyundai Elantra has 6 safety recalls and 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
315
Crashes / fires
71 / 4
Injuries / deaths
59 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Hyundai Elantra recalls

Recall 09V-125: Suspension

Reported Apr 16, 2009 · 160,904 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor Company

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.

Recall 08V-532: Air Bags

Reported Oct 14, 2008 · 78,369 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

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.

Recall 08V-533: Air Bags

Reported Oct 14, 2008 · 150,541 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

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.

Recall 03V-496: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Dec 3, 2003 · 1,993 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO

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.

Recall 03V-257: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Jul 22, 2003 · 312,292 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

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.

Recall 00V-332: Air Bags

Reported Oct 17, 2000 · 972 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

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.

2001 Hyundai Elantra problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags125
Suspension86
Structure28
Steering24
Electrical System21
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21
Engine and Engine Cooling20
Visibility19
Power Train16
Exterior Lighting11
Vehicle Speed Control10
Fuel System, Gasoline8

Most reported parts

  • Air Bags › Frontal — 39
  • Suspension › Front — 20
  • Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 19
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm — 17
  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 13
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 11
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm — 11
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 9

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 73,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Hyundai Elantra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 206,000 miles · reported Mar 18, 2019
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.
Service Brakes · at 185,000 miles · reported Jul 25, 2018
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.
Air Bags · at 180,000 miles · reported May 19, 2018
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.
Electrical System · at 185,000 miles · reported May 19, 2018
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.
Tires · at 97,285 miles · reported May 11, 2018
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…

Other Hyundai Elantra years

Compare all Hyundai Elantra years · All Hyundai models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra: 09V-125 (suspension), 08V-532 (air bags), 08V-533 (air bags), 03V-496 (service brakes, hydraulic), 03V-257 (service brakes, hydraulic) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners report air bags problems most often (125 reports), followed by suspension (86). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 73,000 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.