2003 Hyundai Elantra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 4%of 234 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of the 234 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times because it was not stopping when braking. On 9/9/2003, while trying to stop at a stop sign, the brakes failed. The vehicle hit a truck and the front air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained injuries to the pelvic area and bruises on the upper legs. Front passenger's head broke the windshield, and passenger suffered seizures. Child in the rear, age 11, sustained arm bruises. Driver and passengers were transported to the emergency room for treatment. …”
NHTSA complaint #10057677, filed 2004-04, 12,333 miles“Consumer stated that while she was on the freeway driving at about 65-70 MPH, she witnessed an object flying by. She stated she looked down and all of her gages were fine, then suddenly she saw smoke, she states she pulled to the side and got herself and her child out of the vehicle. She then looked under the vehicle and saw pieces were hanging from the engine. She states by this time all of the smoke that she had seen was gone. She stated that she called the tow truck and had her vehicle towed to a dealer. She states she could have been killed, along with her infant. …”
NHTSA complaint #10091494, filed 2004-12, 6,115 miles“Issues with pumping fuel, I don't know what to call it, but while pumping gas I can pump 15 +/- cents and the handle cuts of ass if the tank is full, takes forever to put $10 in. 2nd issue is the electrical, each time I bump the dash at the radio area the lights either comes on or goes out and 2 weeks ago the radio quit working (not the fuse) I have also had to replace both front axles, motor mount broken, these issues have been since day one that I purchased the vehicle , I have also had to replace the plastic piece behind the brake pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #10917818, filed 2016-10“Headlights burning out. I have replaced 10 driver side headlights and 2 passenger headlights since I bought the car in 2003. The dealer says they do not know what is going on.”
NHTSA complaint #10323629, filed 2010-04“The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. While activating the turn signals in either direction, the signal lights would either work intermittently or not work at all. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10994200, filed 2017-06, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day…
- 10170883Jan 16, 2020This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common…
- 10018184Aug 1, 2005Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 17 | 30% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 19 | 19% |
| 2021 | 31 | 23% |
| 2020 | 27 | 11% |
| 2019 | 37 | 15% |
| 2018 | 43 | 15% |
| 2017 | 112 | 15% |
| 2016 | 22 | 8% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 47 | 12% |
| 2013 | 155 | 12% |
| 2012 | 126 | 19% |
| 2011 | 51 | 12% |
| 2010 | 48 | 13% |
| 2009 | 24 | 9% |
| 2008 | 31 | 10% |
| 2007 | 32 | 12% |
| 2006 | 16 | 10% |
| 2005 | 10 | 7% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 21 | 7% |
| 2000 | 33 | 17% |
| 1999 | 18 | 14% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 10 | 9% |
| 1996 | 14 | 14% |
| 1995 | 14 | 13% |
| 1994 | 16 | 21% |
| 1993 | 3 | 13% |
| 1992 | 9 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2003 Hyundai Elantra
61 complaintsAir bags
48 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology