VehicleVerdict

2000 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2000 Hyundai Elantra sits mid-pack among Elantra years: 259 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 212, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 43 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (54), airbags (40), and electrical system (36), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

259

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

43

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

43

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted1,858 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 179 complaints1996: 138 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 75 complaints1999: 183 complaints2000: 259 complaints2001: 445 complaints2002: 431 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 209 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 209 complaints2007: 365 complaints2008: 424 complaints2009: 316 complaints2010: 501 complaints2011: 588 complaints2012: 917 complaints2013: 1,858 complaints2014: 548 complaints2015: 352 complaints2016: 387 complaints2017: 1,070 complaints2018: 397 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 324 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 135 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5421%
Airbags4015%
Electrical System3614%
Visibility & Wipers2911%
Transmission228%
Seat Belts166%
Brakes114%
Tires & Wheels93%
Speed Control73%
Fuel System73%
Body & Structure73%
Latches & Locks62%
Suspension62%
Lighting42%
Steering21%
Other21%
Seats10%

Does the 2000 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V259001Electrical SystemSeptember 11, 2000 · 165,977 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“2000 HYUNDAI ELANTRA - NEW------------7/05 W/ 17,923 MILEAGE ON THE CAR. I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ON THE PASS. FRONT WINDOW & BOTH BACK WINDOWS. IT IS NOW 12/07 AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE SAME MOTORS IN ALL 3 WINDOWS , MY CAR NOW HAS 29,420 MILEAGE ON THE CAR. THE WINDOW THAT I WOULD USE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 16, 2008

“I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 4/22/01. MYCAR STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE AT A SPEED OF 20-25 MPH AND SUSTAINED HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE AND A BROKEN FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF ON EITHER SIDE. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 22, 2001 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF A PARKING LOT TRAVELING SPEED OF 10MPH AND SHE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, WAS GOING INTO NEXT INTERSECTION. SHE PROCEEDED FORWARD, AND VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS HALFWAY THROUGH THE STREET AND ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HER BECAUSE OF STALLING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 19, 2000 · crash

“DURING THE PAST 18 MONTHS, ALL FOUR WINDOWS IN MY 2000 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS HAD THE WINDOW REGULATOR GO BAD AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THESE WINDOWS WERE ENGINEERED TO FAIL. THE TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THEM WAS NEAR $1500. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THE REAR WINDOW ROLLED DOWN DURING A RAINSTORM HERE IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 3, 2006

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AFTER 4-5 SECONDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THE TRANSMISSION'S FOURTH GEAR. THE CURRENT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2007

2000 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2000 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra: 259 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2000 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (54 complaints), airbags (40 complaints), electrical system (36 complaints).

Does the 2000 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2000 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.