2003 Hyundai Elantra Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 14%of 234 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,117miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Hyundai Elantra, 14% of the 234 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,117 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. My chest rammed into the steering wheel and the bags did not deploy.the car was totally smashed in the front and the door had a hard time opening. I was rushed to the er and had contusions to my sternum area of my chest. *I did wear seat belts.”
NHTSA complaint #11099449, filed 2018-06, 200,000 miles“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, locked my drivers seatbelt and shattered windshield glass all over the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10599046, filed 2014-06, 57,465 miles“In 2009, a recall was issued for rust/corrosion of the front lower control arms of these vehicles (recall 091 per Hyundai). We found out about this and took it to our local dealer in 2011. Holes were drilled and the car passed without need to replace anything. A protective coating was applied. On saturday, may 3, my husband was driving and pulling out of a parking space. He heard a grinding noise as he backed out, then heard something break and the car wouldn't move. We couldn't even push the car back into the parking space, as the tire/arm appeared to be detached. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587451, filed 2014-05, 141,000 miles“I was driving downhill to a stop sign (from about 20mph), and pressed the brake pedal, at which point I heard an awful crunch noise, and the front right corner of my car jolted, shook, and sounded like something was grinding together. I got out of the car to look at the front right wheel, and saw that it was turned in towards the center of the car, and bent under the front of the car, about 1/4 away from the back of the wheel well, while my other front wheel was aimed straight ahead. …”
NHTSA complaint #10229138, filed 2008-05, 78,234 miles“My daughter was driving home from school and the strut/axle broke and caused her to skid off the rode, luckily she was not injured and was able to come to a stop in an empty lot. The tire was ruined and the fender was also damaged. We were able to get this fixed at the repair shop, for just under $500, however now the vehicle will not pass inspection due to the subframe being deteriorated. Upon researching the cost to replace this, I found that the vehicle has had several recalls, and wow both of these were on the list. My concern is that the vehicle is 2003 and we are not the original owners. …”
NHTSA complaint #10640172, filed 2014-09, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235566Apr 24, 2023Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 7 | 3% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 15 | 5% |
| 2017 | 134 | 17% |
| 2016 | 18 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 5% |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% |
| 2013 | 51 | 4% |
| 2012 | 16 | 2% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 22 | 6% |
| 2009 | 11 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 20 | 7% |
| 2006 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 32 | 14% |
| 2002 | 27 | 8% |
| 2001 | 28 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 9 | 8% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 7 | 6% |
| 1994 | 7 | 9% |
| 1992 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Hyundai Elantra
61 complaintsAir bags
48 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 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 29, 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