2001 Hyundai ELANTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
315 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
73,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 197 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 315 complaints (16.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 48 | 15.2% |
| Steering behavior | 36 | 11.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 28 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 52 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 39 |
| Suspension | 35 |
| Suspension:Front | 20 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 19 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 17 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 13 |
Air Bags: 52; Air Bags:Frontal: 39; Suspension: 35; Suspension:Front: 20; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 19; Steering: 17; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 17; Air Bags:Side/Window: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 28 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 43 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 37 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 36 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 28; 50,000 to 74,999: 43; 75,000 to 99,999: 37; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 23
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 118 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2002 | 28 |
| 2003 | 45 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 21 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 19 |
| 2009 | 35 |
| 2010 | 33 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2001: 21; 2002: 28; 2003: 45; 2004: 31; 2005: 21; 2006: 6; 2007: 17; 2008: 19; 2009: 35; 2010: 33; 2011: 7; 2012: 13; 2013: 8; 2014: 9; 2015: 8; 2016: 4; 2017: 3; 2018: 5; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 28 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001696 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY HE APPLY HIS BRAKES TO STOP. BUT IN THE PROCESS HE A ATTACK AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034369 · 2003-08-22 (August 22, 2003)
ABS WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES ON AND STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD RESULT IN EITHER NONE DEPLOYMENT OR PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM UNDETERMINED. *AK ABL.PCO
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010329 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE VEHICLE HAS A MODERATE TO SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION THAT OCCURS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE VIBRATION CAN, AT TIMES, SHAKE YOUR HANDS BACK AND FORTH AS THE WHEEL IS GRIPPED. OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW THAT OWN ELANTRAS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE ANY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE DATE PROVIDED IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE CAR FOR THE VIBRATION. I FIRST REPORTED IT DURING THE 12 MONTH/12,000 FREE ADJUSTMENT …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,887 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015013 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD NOISE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012222 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILURE CAUSED AIR BAGS TO FAIL, POWER DOOR LOCKS TO JAM, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, RADIO AND CLOCK WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO EMITTED A BURNING SMELL AT TIMES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024355 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS, THEY FAILED TO COME BACK UP, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS BAD, AND THERE WAS EXTENSIVE ELECTRICAL WIRING DAMAGE WHICH HAD CORRODED OVER TIME. *PH ALSO THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THE DASH LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED AND THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT FLASH WHEN THE DOOR WAS LOCKED WITH THE KEY PAD.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024355 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015651 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050593 · 2003-12-16 (December 16, 2003)
WHEN CAR IS STARTED COLD AND PUT INTO REVERSE, FOOT APPLIED TO THE GAS, THERE IS A PERIOD OF HESITATION BEFORE IT GOES INTO GEAR. AFTER YOU REACH THE POINT TO PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT ONCE AGAIN HESITATES CAUSING A "JERKING" FEELING. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN TWICE A MONTH FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH CHRIS. HE WAS NO HELP EITHER. HE PROMISED ME OVER AND OVER THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE RESOLVED AND ONCE AGAIN NOTHING WAS DONE. I CONTACTED KEVIN AT THE F…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181356 · 2007-02-01 (February 1, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAD STALLING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. SHE STATED THAT IN JANUARY 07 WHILE DRIVING AFTER DARK THE VEHICLE JERKED HARD AND THE DASH OARD LIGHTS CAME ON AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE 'BARELY MISSED GETTING STRUCK BY A SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WILL NOT ALWAYS START.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10181356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009996 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
THE JACK COLLAPSED, AND CENTER STEM FELL OVER AND PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK WHILE IN USE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060635 · 2004-03-07 (March 7, 2004)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FIRST REPAIR WAS ENGINE MANIFOLD, SECOND REPAIR WAS OXYGEN SENSOR, THIRD TIME THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. DEALER PROBABLY UNPLUGGED THE LIGHT ALL REPAIRS WERE UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER SUGGESTED I GET THE SERVICE DONE SINCE THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP. BOTH SUN VISOR PLASTIC CLIPS THAT HOLD THE VISOR IN PLACE BROKE OFF AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE VISOR IS BROKEN AT THE SWIVEL ARM. ALL OF THE SMALL PLASTIC DOOR PLUGS HAVE FELL OUT. REMOTE GAS TANK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN ON COLD DAYS. VEH…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060635 at NHTSA ↗