Model year
2003 Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 234 complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SUSPENSION (33), AIR BAGS (28), AIR BAGS:FRONTAL (15). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 25 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 197 complaints
- 2001 315 complaints
- 2002 342 complaints
- 2003 234 complaints
- 2004 182 complaints
- 2005 137 complaints
- 2006 155 complaints
- 2007 267 complaints
- 2008 314 complaints
- 2009 254 complaints
- 2010 380 complaints
- 2011 433 complaints
- 2012 654 complaints
- 2013 1,314 complaints
- 2014 386 complaints
- 2015 262 complaints
- 2016 293 complaints
- 2017 769 complaints
- 2018 284 complaints
- 2019 252 complaints
- 2020 254 complaints
- 2021 132 complaints
- 2022 102 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 55 complaints
- 2025 22 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
09V125000 · Apr 16, 2009
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,…
04V369000 · Jul 26, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED,…
04V178000 · Apr 9, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
03V496000 · Dec 3, 2003
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.
03V257000 · Jul 22, 2003
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…
Complaints
234 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 42, fire flag on 1, injury field 33, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE08017 | AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; AIR BAGS | Mar 10, 2008 | Jul 10, 2008 |
| PE09011 | FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM; SUSPENSION:FRONT | Feb 18, 2009 | Apr 21, 2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Elantra · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Elantra · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Hyundai Elantra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.