The problem
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, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Road salt used during the winter months in these jurisdictions May result in internal corrosion and thinning of the steel in the front lower control arms. The corrosion May progress to the point where the lower control arm's upper and lower panels become perforated. A perforated front lower control arm May fracture between its ball joint attachment and the forward and rearward pivot attachments to the chassis.
The risk
The fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
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 incorporating additional holes in the upper and lower panels. If the front lower control arms do not require replacement, the dealer will add drainage holes to the front lower control arms and will treat the front lower control arms with rust-proofing materials to arrest the internal corrosion process. These procedures will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 17, 2009. Owners May contact the Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 09V-125 (09V125000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 091 |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Motor America |
| Component | Suspension › Front › Control arm |
| Report date | April 16, 2009 |
| Owners notified | July 17, 2009 |
| Vehicles affected | 160,904 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the suspension
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 09V-125 repair free?
Yes. Hyundai dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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 incorporating additional holes in the upper and…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 160,904 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.