2003 Hyundai Elantra
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.
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
14% of complaints: suspension — 33 distinct reports on file.
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
12% of complaints: air bags — 28 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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
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
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
6% of complaints: steering — 15 distinct reports on file.
CRASH6% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB PH *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030522
6% of complaints: suspension — 13 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
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
2003 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (28 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (15 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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 14% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra have?
5 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.