VehicleVerdict

2001 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 445 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Elantra year — the 2001 model ranks #7 of 37 Elantra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 78 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 125 reports (28% of the total).

445

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

100

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

78

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags12528%
Suspension8619%
Brakes307%
Body & Structure286%
Steering245%
Engine245%
Electrical System235%
Visibility & Wipers194%
Transmission164%
Fuel System143%
Lighting112%
Tires & Wheels112%
Speed Control102%
Other102%
Seat Belts72%
Latches & Locks31%
Seats31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V125000SuspensionApril 16, 2009 · 160,904 units

Defect

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, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.

Consequence

THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

08V532000AirbagsOctober 14, 2008 · 78,369 units

Defect

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 AND THEN DRIP ONTO THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE SPILLED LIQUID MAY CONTAMINATE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ITS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY AFFECT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

08V533000AirbagsOctober 14, 2008 · 150,541 units

Defect

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 THE SEAT, MAY RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THAT WOULD CAUSE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

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 EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2008, AND WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V496000BrakesDecember 3, 2003 · 1,993 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Consequence

CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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 HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V257000BrakesJuly 22, 2003 · 312,292 units

Defect

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 ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE REAR BRAKE TUBES COULD CONTACT BOTH STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence

FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

00V332000AirbagsOctober 17, 2000 · 972 units

Defect

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 THE SIDE AIR BAGS TO NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence

NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH WHERE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SATELLITE SENSORS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON A SERVICE ROAD RAMP AND WITHOUT WARNING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, CAUSING A COLLISION AND A CHAIN REACTION OF MULTIPLE VEHICLE PILE UP ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 6, 2003 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB THE REAR STRUTS HAD GONE OUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 18, 2002 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO STOP,AND IT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER TO VERIFY IF NHTSA RECALL 03V25700 CONCERNING ABS FAILURE APPLIED TO HER VEHICLE. DEALER DENIED IT. THREE WEEKS AFTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 30, 2003 · crash

“UNABLE TO CONTROL FRONT WHEEL DIRECTION WHEN CAR STARTED TO SLIDE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR TO TURN IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION, HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. RECEIVED MOTOR VEHICLE RECALL ON 3/9/2010 ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF THIS HAPPENING. HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2001. ALSO SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 2, 2010 · crash

“I DROPPED MY GRANDSON AT HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE. AS I EXITED HER DRIVEWAY MY CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND STRUCK THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 22, 2015 · crash

2001 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2001 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 445 complaints put the 2001 model at #7 of 37 Elantra years. It is one of the Elantra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (125 complaints), suspension (86 complaints), brakes (30 complaints).

Does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.