The 2003 Hyundai Elantra has 234 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and air bags. Owners most often flag major engine failure (requiring replacement): reports of engines failing or needing replacement at low mileage (e.g., 50,000 miles/80,000 km). linked to oil consumption and rod bearing failures in certain engines (e.g., theta ii), though not all elantra engines are covered by related recalls. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Hyundai Elantra vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 17 Elantra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 60 (1998) to 2,616 (2013). With 234 complaints, the 2003 Elantra sits belowthe model's median of 315.
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.
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, M…
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 (…
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 04V178000SOME 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.
fuel system, gasoline:storage
Campaign 04V369000CERTAIN 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 …
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. Long-term owner reports for older generations (pre-2011) with specific engines like the Beta II describe exceptional, Corolla-like reliability with examples…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Elantra. See the full Elantra owner picture and every model year.
Used Elantra listings typically run $20,931–$22,651 across 2017 to 2026 model years.
Compare every Elantra year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.