10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,666 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.

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problem #12

Mar 152010

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 64,638 miles
My concern with my 2003 Elantra is with the safety of rear braking system on the car. On Oct 23, 2003 I had the service performed for the recall 31B03R1 brake campaign 061. At 10,834 miles. On Oct 7, 2007 I had regular scheduled maintenance performed complete brake system flush at 45,072 miles. On July 8, 2008 both rear wheel cylinders were leaking an had to be replaced as well as the complete brake system flush again. At 51887 miles. On March 13, 2010 both rear wheel cylinders were found again to be leaking and had to be replaced at 64,638 miles. I have had my car serviced at regular 3,000 mile intervals with all required maintenance done at my dealership. My concern is the safety of the brake system on this car, leaking wheel cylinders that need to be replaced at 13,000 mile intervals seems like a serious safety issue to me.

- Patchogue, NY, USA

problem #11

Dec 172005

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,344 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. Beginning on December 17, 2005 the brake pedal extended to the floor when depressed. The failure occurred intermittently. When the vehicle was inspected by the manager at the dealer, the contact was informed that the brakes should not do that, but there was nothing wrong. The vehicle was towed a month and a half after it was purchased because the contact smelled brake fluid and the brake pedal was extending to the floor. The dealer initially believed that the brake cylinder failed. Currently, the front brakes are scraping and still extending to the floor. On October 1, 2007 and October 2, 2007, the vehicle was thoroughly inspected by the dealer and they found no failures. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 38,000 and failure mileage was 21,344.

- Summersfield, FL, USA

problem #10

Jun 132007

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,831 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. The contact had to depress the brake pedal down to the floor in order to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred while driving 35 mph. While at the dealer for an oil change, they tested her power brakes while the engine was running. The brake failure occurred after the test was completed. The front brakes were replaced. The current mileage is 55,000 and failure mileage was 54,831. There was an evap leak. Updated 08/06/07. The consumer provided multiple repair invoices pertaining to the defect. Updated 08/09/07 updated 08/28/07 the dealer stated the transmission was fine but the motor lacks performance. Updated 09/06/07

- Kansas City , MO, USA

problem #9

Sep 122006

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,644 miles
: the contact stated while driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle had a longer stopping distance. The vehicle was driven to the dealer on several occasions, however no problems were found. After many attempts to correct the problem, another dealer was contacted and determined the rear brakes were inoperable and the front brakes were doing all the work. The dealer replaced the front brake pads and adjusted the rear brakes.

- Charlestown, RI, USA

problem #8

Nov 282005

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I purchased my 2003 Elantra in October 2003, since then have needed the rear brakes replaced twice, mechanic cannot explain why the rear brakes go so quickly.

- Bangor, PA, USA

problem #7

Jan 012005

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer's son's brakes failed and lost steering control when driving down an exit ramp. Recall campaign: NHTSA item number: 10004464. Campaign 061 provides the procedures for repositioning the rear brake tubes to prevent contact with the front suspension crossmember's steering gear box mounting brackets. The vehicle hit the back of another vehicle as a result of loss of brakes and steering. Earlier in the week the consumer felt a vibration at 60 mph.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #6

Sep 092003

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,333 miles
The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times because it was not stopping when braking. On 9/9/2003, while trying to stop at a stop sign, the brakes failed. The vehicle hit a truck and the front air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained injuries to the pelvic area and bruises on the upper legs. Front passenger's head broke the windshield, and passenger suffered seizures. Child in the rear, age 11, sustained arm bruises. Driver and passengers were transported to the emergency room for treatment. The vehicle was assessed by a repair mechanic, who determined air bag sensors were impacted, and the brakes failed. The vehicle would tremble, the A/C did not work, the engine light was intermittent (go on and off), and the seat belts were inoperative. (which occurred 2 weeks after purchase)

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 282004

Elantra

  • miles
Driver received NHTSA recall 03V496000 concerning brake failure. Consumer contacted the dealer for an appointment, but mechanic told consumer that the dealer did not have the machinery to do repairs.

- Bayamon, PR, USA

problem #4

Jan 022004

Elantra

  • miles
While driving 55 mph driver applied brakes and pedal went to the floor. Vehicle skidded into a parked vehicle. Both airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 102003

(reported on)

Elantra 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
While driving at 35 mph, the consumer suddenly slammed on the brake pedal, but they failed to stop the vehicle, resulting in a rear end collision. Prior to this incident the brake squeaked. The consumer feels that something should be done about her damaged vehicle.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #2

Oct 082003

(reported on)

Elantra

  • miles
Defective windshield-2003 Hyundai Elantra gls. There was a terrible glare from the sun hitting the windshield which made it extremely hard to judge the distance of objects. The dealer was notified and stated that the glare was a characteristic of the car. The vehicle experienced brake noise. The dealer did some work on the car but is was still noisy. The defroster took 15-20 minutes to clear the windows and heated mirrors. When it rained the water was on the inside the vehicle on the underside of the car door.

- Deptford, NJ, USA

problem #1

Aug 272003

(reported on)

Elantra

  • 2,200 miles
While driving at 50 mph and brake pedal was depressed it went to the floor and hesitated to engage. This also occurred while parking, and vehicle ran into a building.

- Escanaba, MI, USA