NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
WHEN TRAVELLING AT AROUND 45MPH, I NOTICED CRACK ON WINDSHIELD.I MMEDIATELY,WENT TO DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT IT'S NOT COVER IN WARRANTY.REPLACED ELSE WHERE.IT SEEMS THAT MY CAR PICKS UP LITTLE DEBRIS FORM ROAD ESPECIALLY DRIVEN ON BRIDGE /HIGHWAY.I AM AFRAID THAT MY WINDSHIELD WILL BROKE AGAIN AND I MAY GET HURT.*AK
BRAKES FAILED. UNABLE TO STOP. HAD TO INITIATE EMERGENCY MEASURES--EMERGENCY BRAKE, PUT CAR INTO PARK.
REAR CENTER SEATBELT WOULD NOT COME LOOSE, AND STARTED TO CHOKE CHILD'S NECK. POLICE HAD TO CUT SEATBELT IN ORDER TO GET LOOSE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.*AK
THE NEXT DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND THE FIRST TIME I USED THE AUTO IN REVERSE THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAKES. IT SOUND LIKE THE BRAKE SHOES WERE LOOSE AND THE RETAINING SPRINGS PULLED THE SHOES INTO PROPER ALIGNMENT WHEN THE SELF ADJUSTING BRAKES CAME INTO OPERATION. I WAS ON AN APPROCH RAMP AT 55 MILES AN HOUR TO MERGE AT 65 TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS LOOKING BACK FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC, I LOOK UP AND A CAR WAS STOPPED, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR FINALLY STOP INCHES FROM THE AUTO AHEAD. NO SKID MARK. THE WHEELS DIDNT LOCKUP. I BROUGT THE CAR IN. ON ADVISE OF THE FACTORU THE CLEAND UP THE ROTORS, REPLACED THE FRONT PADS. THIS A POSITIVE INDICATION THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF SUCH A PROBLEM. UPON A TEST DRIVE ON MY OWN I FOUND I COULD NOT LOCK UP THE BRAKES. LATER I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER TEST DRIVE THE CAR WITH ME. HE ALSO COULD NOT LOCK UP THE BRAKES. HE SAID HE TEST DROVE 2 OTHER ELANTRAS AND THEY REACTED THE SAME. POLICE MEASURE SPEED AT AN ACCIDENT BY THE SKID MARKS LEFT. IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THEY WOULD FIND NO SKID AN ASSUME I DIDNT EVEN APPLY THE BRAKES!!! THESE ARE NOT ANTI LOCK. I'M WORRIED. I NEED HELP BEFORE I'M KILLED AND THE ACCIDENT REPORT SAYS, HE DIDNT EVEN APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE WERE NOT SKID MARKS AND THE POLICE COULD ONLY SPECULATE AT WHAT SPEED HE MUST HAVE BEEN TRAVELING. H E MUST HAVE BEEN DRUNK, HAD A HEART ATTACK OR PASSED OUT.*AK
WHILE AIR SYSTEM IS CUT OFF OUTSIDE AIR STILL ENTERS VEHICLE. *AK OUT SIDE AIR ENTERS BOTH IN FRESH MODE AND RECIRCULATION MODE. *YH
CAR HESISTATES WHEN ACCELARATING, RPM LEVEL DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AIR BAG WAS REPLACED IN 2004. THE DAY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN AIR BAG SAFETY RECALL ONLINE, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALL WAS AVAILABLE. IN 2004, THE CONTACT ALSO INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE BACK DOOR FRAME WAS TOO SMALL. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER PUSHED THE WEATHER STRIPPING BACK ON THE DOOR. IN 2005, THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HOT WEATHER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. WHILE AT THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED OF A BRAKE LINE RECALL AND CLIPS WERE APPLIED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SQUEAKING WHEN SHE APPLIED AND RELEASED THE BRAKES. THE RECALL NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,448 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. ABL.PCO
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE DAY ONE. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. TCM MODULE REPLACED IN TRANSMISSION AT 3 MONTHS. ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED AT 10 MONTHS. ANOTHER POWER STEERING PUMP AT 40000 MILES. STEERING RACK AT 41K MILES. CAR HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY ALIGNED SINCE STEERING RACK WAS INSTALLED ALMOST A YEAR AGO. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP ON 14 SEPERATE OCCASIONS IN 10 MONTHS. SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL AT ALL SPEEDS. WAS TOLD THIS WAS TIRE RELATED. INSTALLED AND BALANCED NEW TIRES, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WHEEL SHAKES SO BAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT ARMS ARE SORE. ALIGNMENT IS NOT CORRECT AND STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE NOT WILLING OR ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS HAVE UNEXPECTEDLY BURNED OUT FOUR TIMES, PARKING LIGHTS REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, AND POWER CONTROLLED DOOR LOCKS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP INDICATED AFTER-MARKET PRODUCT WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE EXACT DETAILS IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 06/03/11
RIGHT FRONT END VIBRATION. DEALER CONTACTED. *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.
I HAVE HAD SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR. TRIED TO RESOLVE THESE WITH HYUNDAI BUT THEY SAID UNLESS THEY WERE CURRNETLY HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THE MIRROR WILL SOMETIMES MOVE ON ITS OWN AND SOMETIMES THE ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR WILL ALL GO ON WITHOUT THE CAR BEING ON. THE MALFUNCITON LIGHT LIGHTS UP HERE AND THERE ALSO. ALSO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT END SUSPENTION BEING VERY SHAKEY AND MY BRAKES SHAKE WHEN STOPPING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR A YEAR. ONE MORE PROBLEM THAT IT HAS IS A MAJOR BOLT IN THE FRONT SUSPENTION WENT BAD A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND SO THE DEALER FIXED THAT BUT THEY SAID IT CAME OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE THAT WAY. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STARTED A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I HATE MY CAR.*AK
LTR FROM CONGRESSMAN MURPHY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT WHO IS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION AN AUTOMOTIVE FAILURE WITH HER 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. *NJ WITHOUT WARNING, THE FRONT SUSPENSION BROKE APART; THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO SEPARATE SPOTS WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE END RESULT WAS THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL ONTO THE PAVEMENT. *JB
2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH SUSPENSION: FRONT CONTROL ARM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UP THE STREET. THE CONSUMER HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW DRIVER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FRONT CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED. HE ALSO TOLD THE CONSUMER A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE RECALL NOTICE ARRIVED IN THE MAIL TWO WEEKS LATER. *JB
THE HUBCAPS ARE SOLEY RETAINED TO THE RIMS BY A PLASTIC SPLIT RING RETAINING WASHER, UPON MAKING THE FIRST TIRE ROTATION THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE WASHERS HAD MELTED ON THE FRONT LUG NUTS, THE REMAINING UNMELTED SECTION FELL APART WHILE HANDLING, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE HIGH TEMPERATURE GENERATED BY THE FRONT BRAKES CAUSED THE WASHERS TO MELT. NLM
BRAKES ENGAGING AND OVERHEATING ON THE FREEWAY, INTERMITTENTLY; THIS MAY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO STOP QUICKLY ENOUGH IN AN EMERGENCY. DETAILS: SINCE THE BRAKES WERE FIRST SERVICED AT JUST UNDER 4,000 MILES, THERE IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES RANDOMLY ENGAGING BY THEMSELVES ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ITS NOT SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP, BUT THE CAR AT TIMES WILL LABOR TO MAINTAIN SPEED. THE CAR ALSO PRODUCES A LOW PITCH HUMMING SOUND AND A STIFF VIBRATION (SHIMMY) IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES WHEN BARELY TOUCHED (AT THE TIME THIS PHENOMENON IS OCCURRING). AFTER A NUMBER OF MILES THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEAR. THE FREQUENCY OF THIS EVENT IS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 100 TO 200 MILES. I BELIEVE THE HUMMING, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION, AND PULSATING FEELING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE IN AN OVERHEATED STATE DUE TO THE CALIPERS DRAGGING. HYUNDAI SERVICE IS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THIS PROBLEM, BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS BECAUSE OF THEIR FAILURE TO SUFFICIENTLY ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE; I.E., THEY MAY HAVE TO ROAD TEST THE VEHICLE FOR 2 HOURS IN VARYING CONDITIONS, HOT WEATHER, MOSTLY FREEWAY TO REPLICATE. HYUNDAI, AFTER BEING GIVEN THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEMS ON TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE CALLS, HAS NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE (OF COURSE, MEANING THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM REMAINS A MYSTERY). I HAVE VIDEOTAPED THIS PHENOMENON, WHICH HAPPENS ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO THE VIDEOTAPING SESSION. I AM WILLING TO MAKE COPIES AND SEND TO THOSE WHO FEEL VIEWING THE TAPE WOULD BE HELPFUL IN DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATE COURSE OF ACTION. PLEASE ADVISE IF YOUD LIKE A COPY OF THE VIDEOTAPE, AND IF SO, WHERE IT SHOULD BE SENT. PLEASE E-MAIL AT: JKUNST@SWIFTCOR.COM. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE FRONT END VIBRATION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PAINT DEFECT. MR SCC *JB
THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD NOISE. *JB
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD, THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *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.
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE WAS BEING RECALLED FOR BRAKE MALFUNCTION.*AK
CONSUMER HAD TO CONSTANTLY PUT BRAKE FLUID IN VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
THE LOW BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE VERY LITTLE ILLUMINATION. HEADLIGHTS SHINE DOWNWARD. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY VIBRATED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH SMOKE BEGAN TO COME INTO THE VEHICLE, THEN ENGINE DIED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC INDICATED A PISTON BROKE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE.*AK *MR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026