2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA Structure Problems

CAR STARTED SWERVING DUE TO FRAME RUSTING AND REAR SUSPENSION BECAME DETACHED.

Mileage: 120,000

I TURNED OUT OF PARKING LOT HEARD A CLICK OR SOMETHING NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR STARTING SWAYING BACK AND FORTH CAR ALMOST FLIPPED WITH MYSELF AND MINOR CHILD IN IT. I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO A SAVE PLACE ALMOST FLIPPED CAR FEW TIMES. THE CAR WAS SWAYING EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. HAVE IT TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY INSPECTED IT SAID IT WAS SUBFRAME. AREN'T WILLING TO FIX IT EVENTHOUGH THAT MAKE A MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR FRONT SUBFRAME.I CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS TOLD BY THEM THEY COULD FIX IT CONSIDERING I ALMOST DIED. HYUNDAI DEALER ISN'T WILLING.TELLING ME A I HAVE TO PAY $1200 FOR. SUBFRAME CUZ MINE ROTTED. I M GETTING A LAWYER CUZ I THINK THIS IS TERRIBLE IT WAS RECALLED ON FRONT I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX IT NOW THEY WONT. SAFETY ISSUE WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED IF I DIED OR WRECKED AND KILLED SOMEONE. *TR

Mileage: 201,000

TURNING ONTO MAIN STREET WHEN A LARGE OAK TREE FELL FROM LEFT SIDE OF ROAD, CATCHING LOWER DRIVERS SIDEFRONT FIBERGLASS BUMPER AND TOW BAR. MAKING THE CAR STOP ABRUPTLY. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, PASSENGER SIDE SHATTERED WINDSHIELD AND RIPPED DASH AREA ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE BAG HIT MY WIFE'S RIGHT ARM AND SHATTERED ALL THE BONES FROM HER ELBOW TO HER FINGERS. WE ARE 74,AND 75 YRS OF AGE. AS DRIVER MY LIP WAS SPLIT OPEN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO MY HOME 5 BLOCKS AWAY LOOKING THROUGH A SHATTERED WINDSHIELD. BUT THE WIFE HAD TO SPEND 5 DAYS IN HOSP. AND TWO SURGERIES TO PUT HER ARM BACK TOGETHER. THE AIR BAG DID ALL OF THE BAD DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND MY WIFE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE LEGAL HELP HAS BEEN TURNED DOWN SAYING NOT ENOUGH TO TAKE TO COURT. CAN YOU HELP. THE AIR BAG ALMOST KILLED HER. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP NOT MAME...THANKYOU *TR

Mileage: 161,000

TOOK 2001 ELANTRA TO DEALER AS A RESULT OF LOW BRAKE FLUID. DEALER DISCOVERED VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IRREPARABLE DUE TO CORROSION OF REAR CROSS MEMBER AND/OR "SPUD". IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CORROSION OCCURRED IN THE AREA WHERE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO ROAD SALT. HOWEVER, WE ALSO HAVE A (LOWER-MILEAGE) 2005 ELANTRA WHICH WE KEEP PARKED IN THE SAME GARAGE AS THE 2001 ELANTRA AND WHICH, TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, SHOWS NO SIGN OF CORROSION. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE REAR SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

I WAS MAKING A U TURN WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL MY CAR SEEM TO BE DRIFTING TO ONE SIDE UNTIL I HIT A CURB... WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAPPEN I NOTICE THAT MY WHEEL WAS TURNED INWARDS AND THE CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN AND THE AXLE HAD POPPED OUT... NO ONE WAS INJURED HOWEVER MY DAUGHTER WAS SHAKING UP ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN... I TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE WHEEL AND RUSTY PART.. IT AMAZED ME HOW METAL COULD RUST THAT BAD AND BREAK IN HALF... I THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPEN NO TELLING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPEN...I CALLED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPEN ALSO TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA...

Mileage: 147,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEGUN TO FISH TAIL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE REAR SUB FRAME AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 12/04/12*LJ HYUNDAI AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS ONLY. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE LABOR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE CORROSION WAS NOT NORMAL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGED KEPT. UPDATED 12/05/12

Mileage: 80,000

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 NOT INFLATE. *TR

Mileage: 950,004

EXTREME CORROSION LED TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE LEFT-SIDE WHEEL CONTROL ARM. RIGHT SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS ALSO CORRODED. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BOTH OF THE CONTROL ARMS SNAPPED TOOK TO DEALER TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR,(7 YEARS) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD IT HAPPEN AT A GREATER SPEED. HYUNDAI CANADA HAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE IT HAPPENS, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY INFANT GRANDDAUGHTER I HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A DEER. I WAS GOING 35-40 MILES AND HOUR AND THE WHOLE CONTROL ARM IN THE FRONT OF MY 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SNAPPED. IT WAS ALL RUSTED OUT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT. THERE ARE 26 OTHER CARS AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY!! HYUNDAI FAILED TO PROPERLY NOTIFY CONSUMERS OF SUCH A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY CAR FLATBED TOWED AN HOUR AWAY TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AT MY OWN EXPENSE WHERE I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN FROM HYUNDAI. NO ETA ON THAT. HYUNDAI WOULDN'T PAY FOR A RENTAL UNTIL I THREATENED TO CONTACT THE MEDIA AND THE BBB. TWO DAYS LATER, I WAS APPROVED FOR A RENTAL. I STILL FEEL THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE TO THE PUBLIC SO ANYONE ELSE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE KNOWS TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE SO YOU DON'T GET STRANDED AT NIGHT OR ALMOST KILLED LIKE WE DID!! *TR

Mileage: 99,000

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT APPRX. 15 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND WAS SECONDS FROM TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND HAD DECIDED TO BRING THE CAR HOME TO CHECK FOR A PROBLEM, AS THE CAR SEEMED TO BE SWAYING. IF THIS FAILURE HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, HE MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE DETACHED WHEEL TURNED OUTWARD AND WEDGED INTO THE WHEEL WELL, THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND QUARTER PANEL FROM THE DETACHED WHEEL. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED. NO REPAIRS HAVE CURRENTLY BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Mileage: 99,000

ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THERE HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION (LOWER CONTROL ARM) FOR MY 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ONE INCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT CAUSING IT TO SNAP, HAPPENING ABOUT 7 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT HAPPENING LAST NIGHT. THE CAR THEN SPUN IN THE ROAD CAUSING ENDANGERING TO TRAFFIC AND A NEAR HEAD ON ACCIDENT. THIS NEW INCIDENT, (SAME PROBLEM) THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF THE ROAD. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING AND NEARLY EXPERIENCED A ROLL OVER WHILE DRIVING. FROM RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE NHTSA HAS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION ON THE HYUNDAI SONATA FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, LOWER CONTROL ARM SUSPENSION FAILURE WITH RUST CORROSION. I AM AFRAID THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI AND IS GOING TO CAUSE SOMEONE TO GET SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED WITH A RECALL OF BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS. *TR

WATER IS LEAKING THROUGH THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT AND SOAKING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *LA

Mileage: 32,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FIRST REPAIR WAS ENGINE MANIFOLD, SECOND REPAIR WAS OXYGEN SENSOR, THIRD TIME THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. DEALER PROBABLY UNPLUGGED THE LIGHT ALL REPAIRS WERE UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER SUGGESTED I GET THE SERVICE DONE SINCE THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP. BOTH SUN VISOR PLASTIC CLIPS THAT HOLD THE VISOR IN PLACE BROKE OFF AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE VISOR IS BROKEN AT THE SWIVEL ARM. ALL OF THE SMALL PLASTIC DOOR PLUGS HAVE FELL OUT. REMOTE GAS TANK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN ON COLD DAYS. VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND WHEEL SHAKES AT SPEEDS 35 AND ABOVE. SMALL SCRATCH IN PAINT GOES DOWN TO THE PRIMER. *JB

Mileage: 17,000

THE REAR DOORS (MORE OFTEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR) BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-LOCKED POSITION DURING COLD WEATHER REGARDLESS OF PRECIPITATION. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE DOOR(S).*AK

Mileage: 6,000

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM, THE DEALER WOULD JUST RESET THE CODE WITHOUT IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF, THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER SWITCH, THE BLACK RUBBER STRIPPING WAS MISSING FROM THE DOOR, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED *JB *NM ABL.PCO

WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE OWNER LOST BALANCE AND FELL AGAINST THE DOOR. THERE IS A BIG DENT IN THE DOOR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE IS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PAINT DEFECT. MR SCC *JB

NAR 02/25/2003. THE CONSUMER HAD A SEZIURE WHILE DRIVING AND AS A REUSLT HE CRASHED INTO 2 TELEPHONE POLES, THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS PERFORMED AS DESIGNED, HOWEVER THE FIREWALL DEFLECTED 22CM INTO THE CONSUMER LEGS AND SHATTERED THEM. *JB

THE PLASTIC CAPS THAT THE MANUFACTURER USE TO COVER THE REAR DOORS BOLTS ARE POPPING OFF. CONSUMER HAD AN 18 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT WHO ALMOST CHOKED ON THE PLASTIC CAP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT HELPFUL. PH

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SEVERE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AFTER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER FOUND ROTORS WERE WARPED DUE TO OVERHEATING AND BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER PROBLEM REOCCURED. TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND REVVED AT A HIGH RPM BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD AND BUCKED BEFORE SHIFTING. *TT ABL.PCO

Mileage: 42,000

THE CAR HIT HEAD ON AND THE FRONT END BUMPER HAS FALLEN OFF. DESPITE THIS BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR

CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE'S PAINT IS PEELING DOWN TO THE PRIMER. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED W/PAINT COMPONENTS.

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS HAVE UNEXPECTEDLY BURNED OUT FOUR TIMES, PARKING LIGHTS REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, AND POWER CONTROLLED DOOR LOCKS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP INDICATED AFTER-MARKET PRODUCT WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL IS ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND DETERMINED AN UNKNOWN FLUID FROM CUP HOLDER CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN AN UNKNOWN COMPONENT FOR AIR BAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK ABL.PCO

BOTH REAR DOORS FREEZE SHUT WHEN TEMP IS BELOW 32 AND CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE TILL WARMED. CREATES SAFETY HAZARD SINCE REAR PASSENGERS MUST CLIME OVER FROM FRONT AND ARE TRAPPED IN THE REAR SEATS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE TEMP IS BELOW 32 REGARDLESS OF RAIN, CAN BE DRY FOR DAYS STILL HAPPENS. RETURNED TO DEALER THEY CAN NOT FIX. CALLED HYUNDAI THEY SAID THEY KNOW OF PROBLEM BUT CANT FIX IT.