2001 Hyundai Elantra
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 29 |
| 1993 | 24 |
| 1994 | 76 |
| 1995 | 112 |
| 1996 | 100 |
| 1997 | 115 |
| 1998 | 55 |
| 1999 | 128 |
| 2000 | 197 |
| 2001 | 315 |
| 2002 | 342 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2004 | 182 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 266 |
| 2008 | 314 |
| 2009 | 247 |
| 2010 | 378 |
| 2011 | 431 |
| 2012 | 649 |
| 2013 | 1307 |
| 2014 | 379 |
| 2015 | 258 |
| 2016 | 286 |
| 2017 | 759 |
| 2018 | 274 |
| 2019 | 242 |
| 2020 | 240 |
| 2021 | 128 |
| 2022 | 95 |
| 2023 | 90 |
| 2024 | 52 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
17% of complaints: air bags — 52 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: air bags — 39 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
THE CAR HIT HEAD ON AND THE FRONT END BUMPER HAS FALLEN OFF. DESPITE THIS BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR
NHTSA ODI report, 20021022
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TRIED REPEATEDLY TO TALK TO SOMEONE WITH THE ABILITY TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20010906
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WAS PUSHED ABOUT 400 FEET, SPUN AROUND AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER WITH PASSENGER FRONT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20010814
11% of complaints: suspension — 35 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY6% of complaints: suspension — 20 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY6% of complaints: air bags — 19 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM SIDE AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS INSTALLED WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED, CAUSING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SATELLITE SENSORS.
Campaign 00V332000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN A
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL T
Campaign 03V257000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT H
Campaign 03V496000 — check if this car was fixed
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER TH
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS. THE RECALL IS EX
Campaign 08V533000 — check if this car was fixed
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001 ELANTRA VEHICLES. IF A LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE AREA OF THE CUPHOLDER ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, IT MAY SEEP THROUGH THE CONSOLE OPENING FOR THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. THE RECALL OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2008, AND LETTERS WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS.
Campaign 08V532000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER
Campaign 09V125000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2001 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (52 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (39 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (35 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 00V332000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V257000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V496000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V533000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V532000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V125000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2001 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Hyundai Elantra is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.