MYRModel Year Report

2003 Hyundai Elantra

● Typical for this model
2003 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Elantra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2003 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 251 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 432 complaints 2012: 651 complaints 2012 2013: 1310 complaints 2014: 382 complaints 2015: 261 complaints 2016: 292 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 281 complaints 2019: 247 complaints 2020: 247 complaints 2021: 129 complaints 2022: 99 complaints 2022 2023: 96 complaints 2024: 52 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026
2003: 234 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199478
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009251
2010379
2011432
2012651
20131310
2014382
2015261
2016292
2017764
2018281
2019247
2020247
2021129
202299
202396
202452
202521
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SUSPENSION 26%

26% of complaints: suspension — 62 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and control arm.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231021

Also filed under AIR BAGS and STRUCTURE

AIR BAGS 21%

21% of complaints: air bags — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180603

Also filed under STRUCTURE

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,...

NHTSA ODI report, 20140617

Also filed under STRUCTURE and SEAT BELTS

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB PH *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030522

STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

RECALL # 03V257000, 09V125000, 03V496000 SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION UNDER MY CAR WHICH THEY CLAIM WAS "FIXED" UNDER THE RECALLS. THEY DID NOT FIX THIS!

NHTSA ODI report, 20171129

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and emission control.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20031013 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

R 20040122 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

R 20040630 — fuel system, gasoline

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Campaign 04V178000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041005 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

Campaign 04V369000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080310 — PE (closed 20080710)

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

I 20090218 — PE (closed 20090421)

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING

R 20090717 — suspension

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

2003 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (62 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (49 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V257000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V496000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V178000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V369000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V125000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2017 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Hyundai Elantra is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Elantra?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.