2003 Hyundai Elantra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Hyundai Elantra: 5 recalls, 234 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #03V257000 · 2003 · 312,292 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 gearbox mounting brackets. On vehicles that are not equipped with ABS, the rear brake tubes May contact only the left mounting bracket. Contact…
Why it matters: Fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes so they do not contact the mounting brackets, install brake tube clips to control the location of the rear brake tubes, and apply anti-corrosion material to the tubes in the areas where contact with the mounting brackets May have occurred. Owner…
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #03V496000 · 2003 · 1,993 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
Why it matters: Contact between the rear brake tubes and the steering gearbox mounting brackets May result in rear brake tube wear and corrosion, increasing the risk of brake fluid leakage. Brake fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability, which could result in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes, install brake tube clips, and apply anti-corrosion material to the rear brake tubes. Owner notification began January 22, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai of puerto rico at 1-800-633-5151.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V178000 · 2004 · 263,968 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source May result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. Owner notification began on June 30, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V369000 · 2004 · 919 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, fuel spillage May occur.
Why it matters: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source May result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. The recall began on October 5, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai de puerto rico at 1-800-981-0188.
Suspension Vehicle recall #09V125000 · 2009 · 160,904 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 33 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (61): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (34), noise or vibration (9).
- Airbags (48): the most common themes are fails to deploy (22), warning light on (10).
- Body & structure (32): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (16), noise or vibration (10).
- Engine & cooling (21): the most common themes are warning light on (7), fire / smoke (6), stalls / loses power (5).
The 2003 Hyundai Elantra has 234 owner complaints, ranking #17 of 35 Elantra model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 249). Complaints peaked in 2004 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 61,100 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (342 complaints, 6 recalls), 2004 (182 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Hyundai Elantra problems?
Owners have filed 234 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (61), airbags (48), body & structure (32).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Hyundai Elantra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.