10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,805 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Hyundai Elantra body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 212023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Live in Indiana where the weather is super salty in the winters and all of the salt in Indiana has really really affected the whole underside of my car. The whole subframe is falling apart and the rust has gotten to everything under the car. I have spent about 4 thousand dollars into this car doing all the work myself to make this car run In pristine conditions. I am very very worried that my whole back end will just fall apart going down the road due to the rust.

- Jonesboro, IN, USA

problem #12

May 152023

Elantra

  • miles
rear sub-frame assembly nearly rusted through. Steering and Handling noticebly effected with rear of vehicle feeling soft and sluggish in turns. vehicle is available for inspection and was brought to my attention when the mechanic was beginning rear brake maintenance. mechanic is a licensed mechanic and the Repair shop is a licensed service facility. mechanic called me and asked me to return to the shop to show me the extent of the rust damage, to which I did return to the shop to examine his findings. I did take photos. *There were no warning lamps or messages. The symptoms were as described above.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #11

Apr 102019

Elantra

  • miles
My rear subframe is rusting so badly the rear suspension is falling apart.

- Indiana, IN, USA

problem #10

Feb 222019

Elantra

  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our 2003 Hyundai Elantra is suffering from severe corrosion on the subframe/unibody, a problem for which a class action settlement was approved (see the following link saltbeltcorrosion.hyundaiusa.com/ for details regarding the cirulli V. Hyundai motor America settlement, which reached final approval on May 25, 2011). The settlement provided reimbursement for repairs. Although Hyundai performed a "rustproofing/wax" repair in 2010 on this car, as well as a subframe repair/replacement in 2015 (which is considered by Hyundai to have solved the problem as originally described in the class action lawsuit), we believe that the defect as described in the class action settlement was in fact not rectified, and thus consists of a failure of recall repair. In fact, it would seem that although Hyundai did replace all or a portion of the subframe is 2015, the exact same problem has re-occurred on the car within less than 5 years, and is a serious safety issue (if the subframe collapses under the weight of the car, there would be serious risks of injury to any passengers on board). The deep subframe corrosion itself was only noticed and photographed by a local mechanic more than a year after purchasing this vehicle from its second owner and is evidenced by the attached pictures. In summary, although Hyundai motor America considers that the corrosion problem as described in cirulli V. Hyundai motor America settlement was repaired successfully in 2015 on the car corresponding to the VIN number attached to this complaint, we believe that it consisted of a failed recall repair, and that it is the responsibility of Hyundai motor America to rectify the situation at their expense. Also attached is a pdf showing a description of the corrosion within a larger estimate, which was authored by the same shop that took the photos of the vehicle's corroded subframe.

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 032018

Elantra

  • 200,000 miles
I had a wreck today on a highway where I was traveling at 40 mph and I slammed on my brakes and hit the car in front of me when the vehicle in front of me stopped suddenly. My chest rammed into the steering wheel and the bags did not deploy.the car was totally smashed in the front and the door had a hard time opening. I was rushed to the er and had contusions to my sternum area of my chest. Did wear seat belts.

- Waxahachie, TX, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #8

Nov 292016

Elantra

  • 208,000 miles
The whole rear metal beam holding the rear suspension rusted out and fell off while driving sent csrd into a spin before we got it stopped could have been killed driving on interstate 70 from warrenton to wentzville mo yesterday mourning at 5:30 am.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #7

Sep 012014

Elantra

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My daughter was driving home from school and the strut/axle broke and caused her to skid off the rode, luckily she was not injured and was able to come to a stop in an empty lot. The tire was ruined and the fender was also damaged. We were able to get this fixed at the repair shop, for just under $500, however now the vehicle will not pass inspection due to the subframe being deteriorated. Upon researching the cost to replace this, I found that the vehicle has had several recalls, and wow both of these were on the list. My concern is that the vehicle is 2003 and we are not the original owners. I am concerned now that the other recalls may also affect their vehicle. The safety of my daughter and grandson is top priority. What can you help me with. Can we still use the recall to have the vehicle repaired?

- Bloomsburg, PA, USA

problem #6

Jun 022014

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 57,465 miles
I had a low speed accident approximately 10-20mph in a parking lot where I hit a cement surrounding of a pole on the driver side and the airbag deployed on the passengers side causing significant damage to the windshield, busted the dash vents, locked my drivers seatbelt and shattered windshield glass all over the car.

- Stanardsville, VA, USA

problem #5

Jun 012005

Elantra

  • miles
The car continues to make whistling sound when travel at sppeds in excess of 50 mph. The noise is distracting

- Auburn, NY, USA

problem #4

Dec 152003

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Clear coat on trunk and hood cracking.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #3

Oct 222003

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Recently I had taken an interstate trip. There is a loud noise coming from somewhere at the front of the vehicle at higher speeds of 60-75 mph, which sounds like this noise is in the wheels" the front grill" happens on both front sides of the vehicle.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #2

Apr 012003

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When traveling on highway at speeds of 65 mph or greater there is a very loud humming type noise at the corners of the windshield. I noticed it is greatly enhanced when there is a strong headwind.

- Champlin, MN, USA

problem #1

Dec 012002

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving from 45 mph or greater with a cross wind across the car (left to right) the car will howl or whistle. The sound is so loud that it drowns out the radio and the road noise. Opening the window seems to stop the sound but you can't drive for 8 hours with the windows down in the rain or heat. I have tried the dealers suggestion of using tape on the vents to quiet the noise but to no solution.

- Bossier City, LA, USA

Not what you are looking for?