2001 Hyundai Elantra
The Verdict
The 2001 Hyundai Elantra has 327 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (128 complaints) and body (122 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 41/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Hyundai Elantra, consider the 2025 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 93% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Hyundai Elantra dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 6
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 A...
Risk
NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH WHERE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SATELLITE SENSORS.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 A...
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 MATERIA...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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, MAR...
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 LOW...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 LEV...
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 INC...
Remedy
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...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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...
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 OCC...
Remedy
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...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 CO...
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 CONTAC...
Reported Mar 12, 2003
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 62 | 6 | 61 | 55 | 19 |
| 2001 | 122 | 25 | 128 | 35 | 17 |
| 2002 | 162 | 33 | 93 | 43 | 16 |
| 2003 | 107 | 25 | 55 | 38 | 9 |
| 2004 | 30 | 8 | 118 | 19 | 7 |
| 2005 | 31 | 10 | 79 | 11 | 6 |
| 2006 | 26 | 31 | 82 | 8 | 7 |
| 2007 | 136 | 30 | 70 | 22 | 8 |
| 2008 | 102 | 46 | 61 | 82 | 24 |
| 2009 | 166 | 24 | 63 | 18 | 8 |
| 2010 | 257 | 42 | 92 | 28 | 31 |
| 2011 | 192 | 42 | 101 | 105 | 17 |
| 2012 | 214 | 74 | 192 | 152 | 30 |
| 2013 | 507 | 218 | 261 | 258 | 34 |
| 2014 | 81 | 58 | 44 | 174 | 11 |
| 2015 | 76 | 43 | 27 | 98 | 9 |
| 2016 | 102 | 10 | 41 | 117 | 15 |
| 2017 | 315 | 39 | 89 | 293 | 23 |
| 2018 | 72 | 9 | 30 | 154 | 9 |
| 2019 | 32 | 5 | 73 | 128 | 4 |
| 2020 | 52 | 9 | 41 | 106 | 31 |
| 2021 | 68 | 8 | 30 | 16 | 4 |
| 2022 | 54 | 6 | 17 | 10 | 5 |
| 2023 | 37 | 6 | 23 | 20 | 4 |
| 2024 | 24 | 2 | 17 | 8 | 1 |
| 2025 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2001 Hyundai Elantra stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
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.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WHILE IN MOTION..
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.
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.
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.
TL* 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 VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 18 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THE CONTROL ARM HAD DETACHED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. FREEHOLD HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 4065 ROUTE 9 NORTH, FREEHOLD, NJ, WHERE THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION) DUE TO HAVING TO WAIT FOR APPROVAL FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE, WIRING, AND DOOR SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE MADE A RUMBLING NOISE AND JERKED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO SERVICE THE BRAKE SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE UPPER OR LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REFUEL IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO WAIT AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME DURING REFUELING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT OR MAKING RIGHT TURNS. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V532000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
CAR STARTED SWERVING DUE TO FRAME RUSTING AND REAR SUSPENSION BECAME DETACHED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SECURE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT OF THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT TO PROPERLY SECURE THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY 2001 ELANTRA HAD A RECALL ON FRONT CONTROL ARMS.THIS RECALL WAS LIMITED TO SNOWBELT STATES.THE RECALL SAYS CONTROL ARMS MAY CORRODE DUE TO WATER AND SALT BEING TRAPPED INSIDE CONTROL ARM AND MAY BREAK.THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE IF NEEDED OR DRILL DRAINAGE HOLE TO ALLOW WATER TO ESCAPE AND TREAT TO PREVENT FURTHER CORROSION.MY CAR HAD THE DRILL AND TREAT SOLUTION BUT THE CONTROL ARM BROKE ANYWAY.LUCKILY THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN THE BREAK OCCURRED,IF THE CAR WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT.HYUNDAI ADMITS TO THE DEFECT BUT IS SAYING THAT SINCE THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED IT IS NO LONGER AN ISSUE.THE CONTROL ARMS SHOULD HAVE REPLACED FROM THE BEGINNING BUT INSTEAD THEY TOOK THE CHEAP WAY OUT.I WILL REPAIR THE CAR AND TRY TO RECOVER THE MONEY FROM HYUNDAI AS A REPEAT RECALL.HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE ALL THE CONTROL ARMS ON CARS THAT ARE AFFECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION DUE TO MOISTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
I DROPPED MY GRANDSON AT HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE. AS I EXITED HER DRIVEWAY MY CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND STRUCK THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET.
I TURNED OUT OF PARKING LOT HEARD A CLICK OR SOMETHING NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR STARTING SWAYING BACK AND FORTH CAR ALMOST FLIPPED WITH MYSELF AND MINOR CHILD IN IT. I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO A SAVE PLACE ALMOST FLIPPED CAR FEW TIMES. THE CAR WAS SWAYING EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. HAVE IT TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY INSPECTED IT SAID IT WAS SUBFRAME. AREN'T WILLING TO FIX IT EVENTHOUGH THAT MAKE A MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR FRONT SUBFRAME.I CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS TOLD BY THEM THEY COULD FIX IT CONSIDERING I ALMOST DIED. HYUNDAI DEALER ISN'T WILLING.TELLING ME A I HAVE TO PAY $1200 FOR. SUBFRAME CUZ MINE ROTTED. I M GETTING A LAWYER CUZ I THINK THIS IS TERRIBLE IT WAS RECALLED ON FRONT I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX IT NOW THEY WONT. SAFETY ISSUE WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED IF I DIED OR WRECKED AND KILLED SOMEONE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTING AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,120.
327 total