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2001 Hyundai Elantra: common problems and reliability
An average Elantra year.
330 owner complaints, most about air bags. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2001 Elantra?The 2001 Hyundai Elantra has 330 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and suspension.
Safety record for the 2001 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2001 Hyundai Elantra vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Elantra years only. How we score it
Is 2001 a good year for the Elantra?
Across the 31 Elantra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 60 (1998) to 2,622 (2013). With 330 complaints, the 2001 Elantra sits above the model's median of 267.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2001 Elantra
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 08V533000HYUNDAI 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.
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 08V532000HYUNDAI 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. THE SPILLED LIQUID MAY CONTAMINATE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ITS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
suspension:front:control arm
Campaign 09V125000HYUNDAI 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 03V257000ON 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. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Show 2 more recalls
air bags:side/window
Campaign 00V332000VEHICLE 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 03V496000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Elantra. See the full Elantra owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Elantra listings typically run $9,966–$20,299.
Other Elantra model years
Compare every Elantra year side by side to see how 2001 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Elantra against its rivals
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