10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 84,183 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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.
- East Brunswick, NJ, USA
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.
- Romulus, MI, USA
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.
- Goreville, IL, USA
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.
- Windsor, CO, USA
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.
- Waterbury, CT, USA
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.
- Oneonta, NY, USA
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.
- Waterbury, CT, USA
The rear axle came off of the car while driving due to corrosion from rust.
- Grand Rapids , MI, USA
I went to change oil and they advised me to change the front control alarms because they were very rusted and bad.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
2001 Hyundai Elantra. Consumer writes in regards to rear control arm problems. The consumer stated his son, had just come off the interstate, when the rear control arm broke away from the cross member, causing him to loose control of the vehicle.
- Oneonta, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle started to shake violently back and forth. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the rear cross members were corroded, causing the control arm to become detached from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 102,000...updated 12-26-13
- Oneonta, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph and attempting to make a U-turn, there was a loud screeching noise emitted outside of the vehicle with a sudden loss of power steering assist. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the front driver's side tire had become detached from the vehicle, causing the front end to collapse. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the front axle and lower control arm were both replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 09V125000 (suspension); however the contact's VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
- Capitol Heights, MD, USA
I was making a U turn when I heard a loud noise, I was unable to control my car seem to be drifting to one side until I hit a curb... when I got out of the car to see what happen I notice that my wheel was turned inwards and the control arm was broken and the axle had popped out... no one was injured however my daughter was shaking up about what happen... I took several pictures of the wheel and rusty part.. it amazed me how metal could rust that bad and break in half... I thank god I was not on the highway when this happen no telling what could have happen...I called Hyundai dealership to explain what happen also to find out if there was a recall on that part and was told there was no recall on 2001 Hyundai Elantra...
- Capitol Heights , MD, USA
Vehicle is garage kept in southwest Virginia, not a northern salty climate. Taken in for muffler repair and when put on lift the rear crossmember fell out. It had completely rusted through frame ! like I said this car is barely driven and we usually don't even get snow in the winter so there is not much salt if at all ! I have had my grandkids in the back of this car ! it's not just where the rear crossmember is that's rusted either ! talking about a rust bucket, you can peel layers and chunks of rusted metal off with your hands ! these cars should not even be allowed on the roads ! somebody is going to die from these ! after talking to some other Elantra owners they were not aware of this situation either but have found issues to be the same ! the front cradle was already replaced due to rust recall and crashes ! I guess Hyundai won't do anything cause our government won't make them ! I mean seriously think about it like this- would you put your kids or grandkids in this car ? I sure hope you don't have to ! I will never own another Korean vehicle as my Kia was the same way ! dangerously rusted and newer than the Hyundai ! please, please. Please save somebody's kids from failing through a rusty floor. Mine is so eaten up with rust I'm obligated to send it to the crusher. For gods sake if you own a Korean vehicle check more than your oil. I just wish we would have thought to !
- Bristol, VA, USA
Was exiting off of the parkway to the right traveling approx. 25- 30 mph when I lost control of the vehicles steering causing me to crash into the curb of the median. Resulting in both of the front tires to blow out and pushing the wheel on the drivers side back into the wheel well. The control arm was broken when we looked at the damage after. The vehicle which is a 2001 Hyundai Elantra had to be towed. Also the airbags did not deploy. I am looking into this recall for that vehicle. Mileage at time was 99,400.
- Salem, OR, USA
Lost control of the steering of the vehicle but was able to avoid an accident and stop on the side of the road. Upon visual inspection, noticed that front driver's side control arm was rusted through and disintegrated. Wheel was basically detached from the car and folding up under the wheel well. This is a recall item in all northern states because the material rusts when exposed to road salt. Because I'm in North Carolina, the recall doesn't apply to my car. However, I live in the mountains of nc where the vehicle is exposed to road salt throughout the winter season. This vehicle needs to be included in the recall, as it's a serious safety issue.
- Asheville, NC, USA
Car shimmies really bad at 35 miles an hour replaced front brakes and rotors front struts tie rod ends both inner and outer to no avail I am sick of putting money in this piece of junk.
- Pottsville, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact noticed that the vehicle had begun to fish tail. The contact inspected the rear sub frame and discovered that the frame was fractured and exhibited excessive corrosion. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 12/04/12 Hyundai agreed to pay for the parts only. The consumer paid for the labor. The consumer believed the corrosion was not normal, especially since the vehicle was garaged kept. Updated 12/05/12
- Johnstown, PA, USA
Driving down two lane secondary road making left merge into turning lane heard load bang then proceeded into a skid. Found front left wheel sticking out sideways, police arrived said that I was lucky not to have been on the highway, called aaa and the driver on the scene said I had broken my lower control arm. Came home googled issue and found recall campaign no. 09V125000 and called the Hyundai number to report incident. Called aaa to tow car from home to the dealer recommended by the Hyundai hotline. Did notice plenty of corrosion where the break was....scary situation, not hurt just shook-up.
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
- Union, MO, USA