Most common 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems
Share of the 315 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Elantra complaints by model year
Best Elantra years: 2025. Years to avoid: 2013, 2017, 2012, 2018, 2011. Compare all years →
2001 Hyundai Elantra recalls (6)
Suspension › Front › Control arm
Hyundai is recalling 160,904 my 2001-2003 elantra and my 2003 tiburon vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front lower control arms for corrosion damage. If specified levels of internal corrosion damage are found, the front lower control arms will be replaced with new front lower control arms…
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001 elantra vehicles. If a liquid is spilled in the area of the cupholder on the center console, it May seep through the console opening for the parking brake lever and then drip onto the air bag control module electrical connector.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the vehicle's air bag control module connector. The recall owner notification began on November 30, 2008, and letters will be sent out in six mailings.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001-2002 elantra vehicles. Movement of the side impact air bag wiring harness mounted under each front seat, possibly caused by contact from materials placed under the seat, May result in an electrical resistance that would cause supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light illumination.
Remedy: Dealers will install new side impact air bag wiring harness connector clips and revised side impact air bag wiring harness attachments under the driver's and front passenger's seats.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
Remedy: Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes, install brake tube clips, and apply anti-corrosion material to the rear brake tubes. Owner notification began January 22, 2004.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear brake tubes pass behind the front suspension crossmember. Two steering gearbox mounting brackets are welded to the crossmember. On vehicles equipped with an antilock brake system (ABS), the rear brake tubes could contact both steering gearbox mounting brackets.
Remedy: Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes so they do not contact the mounting brackets, install brake tube clips to control the location of the rear brake tubes, and apply anti-corrosion material to the tubes in the…
Air bags › Side/window
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The supplemental restraint system side air bag satellite sensors installed were improperly manufactured, causing the air bag warning light to illuminate and the side air bags to not deploy as intended in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the two satellite sensors.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2001 Hyundai Elantra:
Front lower control arms rusting
On April 14, 2009, Hyundai motor corporation submitted to odi a defect information report indicating that it would recall a salt-belt population of approximately 155,317 model year (my) 2001 through 2003 Hyundai elantra vehicles to remedy a defect that can result in loss of vehicle control with an increased risk of a crash while driving (09v-125).the affected vehicles cover all my 2001, my 2002, and my 2003 through…
Air bag light illumination
In certain model year (my) 2001 and 2002 vehicles, the air bag system is susceptible to air bag light illumination and air bag non-deployment or inadvertent deployment from liquid contamination of the air bag control module.the control module is located beneath and near center console cup holders.odi is also aware of complaints regarding air bag light illumination due to loss of proper air bag electrical integrity…
Air bag light illumination
Hyundai is conducting two safety recalls to correct two safety defects described below.under safety recall 08v-532, Hyundai will install a vinyl protective shield/cover to prevent short circuits in the air bag control module cause by spills of liquids that seep into the module connector.
What 2001 Hyundai Elantra owners say
Air bags all 118 →
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
This vehicle is hazardous to be on the road. It has front end steering and suspension problems. It has a terrible vibration from 35 MPH and up. If traveling on the highway the wheel shakes so badly that your hands go numb. I have had the vehicle in for service and repeated time over a two and a half year period, and the dealership has done nothing. I have also spoken with the manufacturers on several occasions, and have done nothing. It has gotten to the point that I had an accident, because of these problems. I now have a permanent injury that I will live with for the rest of my life, and they still do not care. I have 2 small children, and I am afraid every time I leave the house that something will happen with this vehicle, and one of my children get injured. Fortunately, with my accident I was alone. …
Suspension all 81 →
All 4 brakes started to randomly lock up. I was driving and had to run it almost a 1/2 mile for a shoulder to pull over at. Upon stopping, the brakes were smoking all around the car and the front driver side actually caught flame. I'm guessing brake booster is the cause. Also front control arms are almost rusted through. The cars been well maintained and has around 185,000 miles on it. Has valve cover leak into spark plug port on cylinder 3 and has a very weak clutch that sometimes slips.
This vehicle is hazardous to be on the road. It has front end steering and suspension problems. It has a terrible vibration from 35 MPH and up. If traveling on the highway the wheel shakes so badly that your hands go numb. I have had the vehicle in for service and repeated time over a two and a half year period, and the dealership has done nothing. I have also spoken with the manufacturers on several occasions, and have done nothing. It has gotten to the point that I had an accident, because of these problems. I now have a permanent injury that I will live with for the rest of my life, and they still do not care. I have 2 small children, and I am afraid every time I leave the house that something will happen with this vehicle, and one of my children get injured. Fortunately, with my accident I was alone. …
Brakes all 30 →
All 4 brakes started to randomly lock up. I was driving and had to run it almost a 1/2 mile for a shoulder to pull over at. Upon stopping, the brakes were smoking all around the car and the front driver side actually caught flame. I'm guessing brake booster is the cause. Also front control arms are almost rusted through. The cars been well maintained and has around 185,000 miles on it. Has valve cover leak into spark plug port on cylinder 3 and has a very weak clutch that sometimes slips.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The brakes were pumped several times before the vehicle came to a complete stop. A small amount of smoke appeared underneath the hood. The air bag and engine warning lights illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact exerted more effort to turn the steering wheel as if there were no power steering. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they replaced the power steering hose. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 98,000.
2001 Hyundai Elantra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 30 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Hyundai Elantra a good car?
Based on 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Elantra rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Elantra at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?
The air bags — 118 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the suspension (81) and brakes (30).
How many recalls does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, the most recent from April 16, 2009 (control arm). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Elantra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2017, 2012, 2018 and 2011. See the full Hyundai Elantra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.