2003 Hyundai Elantra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 234 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of the 234 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 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.
“Car would not go in gear. Was towed to the dealer. Dealer said transmission was shot. Would not fix it under warranty because they claim it was because of the wheels spinning in the snow. The car was never spun as it was on cleared roads. They said tires show spinning wear. This is the second time we had transmission problem. Dealer replaced under warranty with a rebuild tranny. I think we are getting the run around on this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10310895, filed 2010-02, 35,000 miles“I own a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. While stopped at a traffic light with the brakes on the rpms increased and the car surged forward. This has happened about 4 times in the last year. I was able to stop the car by breaking again. The current mileage is approximately 97000. I had a 90000 mile check up and maintenance about 2 months ago. This has occurred once since then. If I was any closer to the car in front than 1 car length I would have hit it. I am getting it checked by the dealer this friday.”
NHTSA complaint #10295643, filed 2009-12, 97,000 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 miles“I own a 2003 Hyundai Elantra gt from a month after purchase until 3/10/05 I had brought the car back to motor world (wilkes-barre, pa) for service 4 times for the same problem check engine light was constantly on .one time the service guy told me to just put black tape over the light and I will not see the light .throughout my ownership of this car I had it service every 3,000 miles for oil changes and 1 time for tires / brakes. I have all documentation for all services. …”
NHTSA complaint #10118404, filed 2005-04, 34,000 miles“Front passenger side control arm fractured, allowing wheel to turn 90 degrees to the right resulting in an uncontrolled slide down the highway. This also blew out the tire and separated the axle from the transmission, spilling transmission fluid. Vehicle was uncontrollable, and once stopped immovable, and so stranded in the middle of the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10598495, filed 2014-06, 200,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10196546May 21, 2021Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
- 10082455Aug 9, 2016"the pcm or tcm contains logic to adjust solenoid duty and line pressure as needed to compensate for normal clutch wear over the life of the transaxle. This bulletin provides the…
- 10032908Oct 1, 2009Hyundai: ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes p0740, p0741, p0742, p0743, p0746, p0748, p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0770. Incorrect operation of the transaxle solenoids may…
- 10030984Jul 1, 2009Hyundai: automatic transaxle range switch diagnostic trouble codes p0705 (range switch signal problems), p0707 (range switch open circuit), and p0708 (range switch short circuit…
- 10025083May 1, 2008Automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed upshift or downshift - gds analysis.
- 10022618Aug 1, 2007Automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed engagement into drive or reverse.
- 10020912Dec 1, 2006Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) list.
- 10015877Mar 1, 2006Resetting automatic transaxle adaptive values. *sc automatic transaxle control module - reset and relearn adaptive values.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 9 | 9% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 47 | 19% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 8% |
| 2017 | 62 | 8% |
| 2016 | 31 | 11% |
| 2015 | 18 | 7% |
| 2014 | 22 | 6% |
| 2013 | 57 | 4% |
| 2012 | 40 | 6% |
| 2011 | 21 | 5% |
| 2010 | 32 | 8% |
| 2009 | 8 | 3% |
| 2008 | 29 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 4% |
| 2006 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 16 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 11% |
| 1999 | 41 | 32% |
| 1998 | 13 | 24% |
| 1997 | 31 | 27% |
| 1996 | 20 | 20% |
| 1995 | 19 | 17% |
| 1994 | 9 | 12% |
| 1993 | 5 | 21% |
| 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 complaintsElectrical system
10 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 31, 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