Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Car continues to overheat. This is the fourth time it has happened; sometime the problem can not be duplicated and I am sent on my way even though it has happen before. The cylinder heads, water pump, thermostat, sensor and many others are only a few of the things that have been replaced on this problem. The car shuts-off without warning, and drives like a desiel engine (rough), you almost have to floor it to make the car stop and the dealer says it is normal; even though I hit another car going about 5mph because the car jerked foward and smashed my hood (I hit a Ford:excrussion so he had no damage) and the transmission does not shift correctly. Sure the dealer ship tries to fix the problem but there have been times I have been out of my car for a long as 7 to 8 weeks and many times there don't even know whats wrong. …
In December, 2000, with only 5000 miles on the car, the transmission locked up and needed to be towed back to the dealer. Since then, the car has had nothing but transmission troubles. The transmission has gotten stuck in 2nd gear while out on the high way. When slowing down, it has suddenly jerked into first gear, causing the car to not accelerate. It has jerked into 2nd gear, feeling like the car has been rear ended. Each time it has been back to the dealer, they can find nothing wrong with the car. Presently, at 45,000 miles, it is getting another new transmission.
Nar 2/10/2003. The vehicle required transmission replacement after only 32,000 miles. When the vehicle was service at 29,566 the mechanic noted that oil was in the transmission and therefore they would not honor the warranty. The consumer had the repairs done by a independent mechanic who found that the bearing on the transfershaft was falling apart, burning the transmission fluid which caused the brown color. The left front window would not roll up.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Hyundai Elantra. While driving between 25-40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle began to accelerate after 4-5 seconds. The dealer stated that there was internal failure with the transmission's fourth gear. The current and failure mileages were 81,000. *updated 12/12/2007
1) when slowing down at an intersection vehicle downshifts with a thumping noise and the car jerks violently. When accelerating from an intersection the vehicle upshifts with a violent jerk. 2) check engine light is on and dealer states the gear 4 ratio is incorrect. 3) dealer unable to perform replacement unless car owner covers cost.
The passenger window will not roll down. The switch went out 2. Dealership replaced once. The horn was bad. The car doesn't want to shift right. Went through 3 transmissions. Dealership says it fine. It still doesn't want to shift right. It doesn't want to take gas. Want to get rid of car.
Shift lock sticks in a 2000 auto Elantra with around 99,600 miles. I lock up in park in will not get out of park out u put pencil down shift lock hole. Or hit shifter hard forwarded it doesn't always work. Have not took to get serviced yet or looked at .
The transmissions on these cars fail and get stuck in gears causing dangerous driving situations and breakdowns. I had several of these cars as company transportation and they all have the same problem.
I t started around October 25,2001,while driving on the expressway.I was driving in 5th gear around 65 MPH when suddenly the stick jumped out of gear into neutral by its self, I looked down to see what had happened,. Ther e was nothing attached to the stick, in other words nothing was hanging (no garbage bag or anything.this has happened at least 6 times.the car growls and I have to put it back in gear, now I'm anervous wreck.I took it into the the dealer twice and they couldn't find the problem.it has happened 3 more times since. I'm afraid to drive past 40mph or take the expressway. It seems to be a problem with the gear-shift\gas pedal\cluth, you can feel when its going to happen because th pedal moves under your foot and the shift gear moves if you put your hand on it.
Brakes would pulsate when applied. Took to dealership 6 times for problem. Rotors needed to be resurfaced. Then, took to different dealerships for repairs. Currently, has steady banging. Problem not repaired. Representative sent, but nothing solved. Had contacted mr. Grato and manufacturer . Informed not repairing brakes for seventh time. The vehicle had brake and transmission leaking problems. The consumer considered the vehicle lemon, and declined to take it to the dealer for repair.
Transmission complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Hyundai Elantra, 11% of the model year's 197 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.