Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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. …
My 2001 Elantra had a recall on front control arms.this recall was limited to snowbelt states.the recall says control arms May corrode due to water and salt being trapped inside control arm and May break.their solution was to replace if needed or drill drainage hole to allow water to escape and treat to prevent further corrosion.my car had the drill and treat solution but the control arm broke anyway.luckily the car was being driven at a slow speed when the break occurred,if the car was at highway speed, serious injury or death could have been the result.Hyundai admits to the defect but is saying that since the recall was repaired it is no longer an issue.the control arms should have replaced from the beginning but instead they took the cheap way out.I will repair the car and try to recover the money from Hyundai as a repeat recall.Hyundai should replace all the control arms on cars …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a snow bank. The passenger sustained minor injuries by striking her head on the passenger door. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair shop where the contact was advised that the drivers side lower control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V125000 (suspension: front: control arm) and was taken to the dealer for repairs one year prior to the crash. The contact stated that the technician did not replace the lower control arm but applied a corrosion treatment and added a wax application instead. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure was 78,800.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the sub frame broke on the vehicle a year ago. The failure also caused the front driver side axle and the front driver side wheel well to break. The left front fender was also damaged. The contact stated that after this work was done, the front right axle and the wheel well broke off while driving 55 MPH. The contact lost control and a crash occurred because of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that recall 09V125000, front control arm was related to the failure. There was additional damage to the vehicle because the control arm failed. The contact didn't mention if there were any injuries. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.
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* the contacts owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was emitting a loud humming noise from the front passenger side when driving straight or making right turns. When making a left turn, the noise went away. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the control arm and ball joint failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 09V125000 (suspension); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 18 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard. The contact stated upon inspection they noticed the control arm had detached from the driver side wheel well. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. Freehold Hyundai located at 4065 route 9 north, freehold, nj, where they refused to perform NHTSA campaign number: 09V125000 (suspension) due to having to wait for approval for the recall repair from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
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.
Related recalls
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…
NHTSA investigations
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…
Suspension complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, 26% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is front (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Hyundai Elantra suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-125 (control arm, Apr 16, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Elantra suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to suspension 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.