Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
I turned out of parking lot heard a click or something next thing I know my car starting swaying back and forth car almost flipped with myself and minor child in it. I had to drive it to a save place almost flipped car few times. The car was swaying extremely hard to steer. Have it towed to a Hyundai dealer and they inspected it said it was subframe. Aren't willing to fix it eventhough that make a model was recalled for front subframe.I called consumer affairs was told by them they could fix it considering I almost died. Hyundai dealer isn't willing.telling me a I have to pay $1200 for. Subframe cuz mine rotted. I m getting a lawyer cuz I think this is terrible it was recalled on front I was told they would fix it now they wont. Safety issue what would of happened if I died or wrecked and killed someone.
I was making a u turn when I heard a loud noise, I was unable to control my car seem to be drifting to one side until I hit a curb... When I got out of the car to see what happen I notice that my wheel was turned inwards and the control arm was broken and the axle had popped out... No one was injured however my daughter was shaking up about what happen... I took several pictures of the wheel and rusty part.. It amazed me how metal could rust that bad and break in half... I thank god I was not on the highway when this happen no telling what could have happen...I called Hyundai dealership to explain what happen also to find out if there was a recall on that part and was told there was no recall on 2001 Hyundai Elantra...
Tl contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 25 MPH, the driver was unable to stop the vehicle. The driver's side of the vehicle crashed into a curb. There were no injuries. The contact noticed that the frame of the vehicle was rotted. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the lower front control arm was rusted. No repairs have currently been made to the vehicle. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that they would cover the repair costs. The failure mileage was 99,000.
While driving with my infant granddaughter I hit the brakes to avoid hitting a deer. I was going 35-40 miles and hour and the whole control arm in the front of my 2001 Hyundai Elantra snapped. It was all rusted out. I did some research and discovered this is a safety recall which I was never notified about. There are 26 other cars at the dealership with the same problem. We could have been killed had I been on the highway!! Hyundai failed to properly notify consumers of such a dangerous situation. I also had to have my car flatbed towed an hour away to the nearest dealership at my own expense where I am still waiting for the parts to come in from Hyundai. No eta on that. Hyundai wouldn't pay for a rental until I threatened to contact the media and the bbb. Two days later, I was approved for a rental. …
Check engine light came on three different times first repair was engine manifold, second repair was oxygen sensor, third time the dealer could not find the problem. Dealer probably unplugged the light all repairs were under warranty but dealer suggested I get the service done since they had it in the shop. Both sun visor plastic clips that hold the visor in place broke off and on the passenger side the visor is broken at the swivel arm. All of the small plastic door plugs have fell out. Remote gas tank door will not open on cold days. Vehicle pulls to the right and wheel shakes at speeds 35 and above. Small scratch in paint goes down to the primer.
The lower control arm to the sub-frame assembly completely detached from the wheel while driving the vehicle. Thankfully, the vehicle was only traveling at apprx. 15 MPH when this happened. The car came to an abrupt stop and had to be towed from the middle of the road. My husband was seconds from turning onto the highway and had decided to bring the car home to check for a problem, as the car seemed to be swaying. If this failure had happened on the highway at 65 MPH, he May have been killed. The detached wheel turned outward and wedged into the wheel well, there is damage to the wheel housing and quarter panel from the detached wheel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle had begun to fish tail. The contact inspected the rear sub frame and discovered that the frame was fractured and exhibited excessive corrosion. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 12/04/12 Hyundai agreed to pay for the parts only. The consumer paid for the labor. The consumer believed the corrosion was not normal, especially since the vehicle was garaged kept. Updated 12/05/12
Took 2001 Elantra to dealer as a result of low brake fluid. Dealer discovered vehicle unsafe to drive and irreparable due to corrosion of rear cross member and/or "spud". It is our understanding that this corrosion occurred in the area where brake fluid was leaking. It has been suggested that the problem is due to road salt. However, we also have a (lower-mileage) 2005 Elantra which we keep parked in the same garage as the 2001 Elantra and which, to the best of our knowledge, shows no sign of corrosion.
While traveling on the highway without prior warning the airbag light illuminated on the dashboard. Dealer is aware of the problem. Severe vibration in steering wheel after brakes are applied. Dealer found rotors were warped due to overheating and brake pads had to be replaced. However problem reoccured. Transmission did not shift properly and revved at a high RPM between 2nd and 3rd and bucked before shifting. Abl.pco
Body complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is body (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Hyundai Elantra body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 6 recalls 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 2001 Hyundai Elantra body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.