49 of the
310 complaints about the 2003 Hyundai Elantra are about the
airbag system — 16% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
45,500 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11551132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesWaxahachie, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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. *I DID WEAR SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #11099449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesGarland, TX
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG SIGN ON, I TOOK DEALER MECHANIC SAID IT IS MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10926332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
AIR BAGS
REPLACED SENSORS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, NOW THE CAR WON'T PASS INSPECTION. THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WON'T READ ANY MALFUNCTION AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF
NHTSA complaint #10904542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,785 milesAthens, AL
AIR BAGS
I HAD TO REPLACE STRUTS IN FRONT
NHTSA complaint #10875977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesScottdale, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES. ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN FROM THE ACCIDENT BY AMBULANCE TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED FOR NECK AND LOWER BACK PAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
NHTSA complaint #10776610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesFort Pierce, FL
AIR BAGS
DRIVING AT 45MPD AIR BAG LIGHT ACTIVATED. WENT TO MY REPAIR SERVICE RAM AUTO(FT. PIERCE,FL. TECH TESTED WITH CAR DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE. COULD NOT FIND ISSUE. TRIED TO DELETE CODE FOR AIR BAG, LIGHT COMES BACK ON. SUGGESTED I SEE IF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE- NO REPORTS OF AIR BAG RECALLS FOR A HYUNDAI 2003 GLS.
NHTSA complaint #10724339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,465 milesStanardsville, VACrash
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10599046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesPeoria, AZ
AIR BAGS
A FEW MONTHS BACK I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WOULD TAKE 10- 15 MINS TO FILL UP GAS TANK. SENSOR WAS TRIGGERED EVERY FEW SECONDS, SUGGESTING GAS TANK WAS FULL, BUT IT WAS NOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WITH IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT REAR AUTOMATIC LOCKING SEAT BELT IS NOT STAYING LOCKED. CHILD CAR SEATS DO NOT STAY SECURED. CAR OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN STARTED, AND AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE TO DETERMINE IF AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10546099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesValley Stream, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. HE STATED NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON CONSTANTLY SINCE FEBRUARY 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,500.
NHTSA complaint #10393843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ambridge, PA 15003, PACrash
AIR BAGS
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, TOTALING SAID VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE AS THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HOWEVER, HYUNDAI MOTORS NEVER CAME TO INSPECT THE CAR, DESPITE BEING GIVEN AMPLE NOTICE. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN SCRAPED.
NHTSA complaint #10370754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesWakefield, MACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH AND SWERVED IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING A DEER. WHEN THE CONTACT SWERVED, HE CRASHED INTO A ROCK HEAD ON; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OVER TIME THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMING APART AND THAT THE AIR BAG WAS EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85000. UPDATED 01/12/11*LJ UPDATED 03/28/11
NHTSA complaint #10361753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ambridge, PACrash
AIR BAGS
2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY *TGW THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10358695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesWakefield, MA1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD BOUT 25-30 MILES SWERVED (VERY SHARP) DIDN'T THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUCH A SHARP TURN- ANYWAY SWERVED FROM HITTING A DEER- SO I DID ACCELERATE AND ENDED UP WITH A DIRECT FRONT HIT- CAR IS TOTALED- ACTUALLY LOST A PIECE OF WHAT HOLDS THE ENGINE UP THE BOLT IS BROKEN IN HALF-HOOD OF CAR CAN NOT BE OPENED - IMPACT THROUGH MY NECK AND BACK OUT- NO AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #10358424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesPortsmouth, RI
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN CABLE WITHIN THE ONE OF THE FRONT SEATS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THIS WAS NOT A KNOWN FAILURE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10345920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,500 milesBoerne, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS. I WAS IN A T-BONE COLLISION WITH A LARGE SUV (SUBURBAN) TOTALING MY CAR. THE HIT WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED SUBURBAN WAS TRAVELING 35-40 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10280192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,700 milesStraford, PA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MODULE FAILED AND WOULD COST OVER $600 TO REPAIR. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD BURN OUT EVERY 3-6 MONTHS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 36,700. UPDATED 9/1/09 *CN UPDATED 09/02/09.
NHTSA complaint #10278128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,486 milesBellflower, CA
AIR BAGS
I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE IN APRIL 09 FOR OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCING. I HAD TO RETURN IT BECAUSE CAR WAS VEERING TO THE LEFT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP THE 2ND TIME THE THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. ON 5/1/09 I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CAUSE IS "PPD SENSOR OPEN" WHICH THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $390 TO FIX. SINCE THE ELANTRA OF 2001-2002 HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH AN AIRBAG LIGHT THIS MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE 2003S AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10268170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSyracuse, NMCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND HIT BLACK ICE ON INTERSTATE 81S AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT SPUN AND HIT THE CENTER GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS UNHURT, BUT I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE POSTED AT VARIOUS SITES. BUT IT SEEMS THAT HYUNDAI IS NOT TAKING ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10265562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesSumterville, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/21/09
NHTSA complaint #10251076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesLongview, WA
AIR BAGS
MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT & THE AIRBAG MODULE WENT OUT & AM TOLD IT WILL COST OVER 800.00 TO FIX & IT WON'T DEPLOY IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HYUNDAI EXTENDED COVERAGE PLAN OF 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES & WAS TOLD IT COVERS 'EVERYTHING BUT THE SINK' THEY TELL ME IT WON'T COVER THIS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10250776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,825 milesFayetteville, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
A DEER LEAPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE DIVIDER ON HIGHWAY - NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10236233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clifton, NJ
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, I IT REPLACED. I HAVE NO IDEA IF IT WILL WORK, IF IT WILL GO OFF AND KILL SOMEONE DRIVING THE CAR. PLEASE RECALL THE CARS AND HAVE HYUNDAI REPLACE OR REPAIR THIS SITUATION BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10225866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesJacksonville, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. ON AUGUST 15, 2006, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED (T-BONED) INTO THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST PAINS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL PRESSING INTO HER CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10196304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesRockville, UT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED IT AS THE AIR BAG SENSOR. APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES LATE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, CURRENTL YTHE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO ACTIVATED AUTOMATICALLY, THE VOLUME INCREASED, AND CERTAIN LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLLER LIGHTS, FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED . IN ADDEITION, THE TIRES WERE CONSTANTLY WEARING OUT, AND SHE WAS ABOUT TO PURCHASE FOURTH SET IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73,000 .AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 45,000. *AK ABL.PCO
NHTSA complaint #10189043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesWindsor, CTCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 7/7/06 AND MY AIRBAG IN MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT DID NOT ACTIVATE. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE CAR IS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10162402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,450 milesMolino, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY VEHICLE, A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER STRUCK A JEEP CHEROKEE IN THE REAR TEARING THE WHEEL COMPLETELY OFF AND MOST OF THE REAR FENDER, AT 40 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10145842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesKaty, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR HAVE FAILED TO OPEN EVEN THOUGH THIS CAR HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 COLLISIONS IN WHICH CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE BUMPERS AND FRONT QUARTER PANELS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ALL THREE CASES.
NHTSA complaint #10139343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,461 milesAlbuquerque, NMCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: CONTACT STATED ON 10-16-2002 HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SOMEONE HIT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT IT ALSO AFFECTED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHICH WAS WHERE THEIR HANDICAPPED SON WAS SITTING AND WAS INJURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAME OUT, BUT IT WAS NOT INFLATED, IT WAS TORN. HYUNDAI SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. EVERYONE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THERE WERE PICTURES, AND A POLICE REPORT. *AK THE AIR BAG DISPLAYED A 4-5 INCH GASH. IT DEPLOYED BUT IT WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10130809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winslow, MECrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONTACT STATES THERE WAS A RIGHT SIDE FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISION THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER OR CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10127074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.