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Research · Compact Cars

2001 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 329 owner complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve air bags (118) and suspension (82). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2009
Owner complaints
329
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: control arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Apr 16, 2009NHTSA 09V125000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

HYUNDAI 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 bagsReported Oct 14, 2008NHTSA 08V533000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

HYUNDAI 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.

Air bagsReported Oct 14, 2008NHTSA 08V532000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

329 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2001 – Mar 2019
  1. Air bags118
  2. Suspension82
  3. Structure28
  4. Electrical system25
  5. Steering25
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic21
  7. Engine and engine cooling21
  8. Power train19
  9. Visibility17

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997118
199856
1999133
2000200
2001329
2002348
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007267
2008316
2009287
2010455
2011461
2012676
20131,330
2014387
2015262
2016293
2017770
2018284
2019252
2020254
2021132
2022102
2023101
202456
202522
20263
Crashes reported
72
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
59
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

118 reports50 crashes1 fire
“ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH POWER LOCKS. THE VEHICLE OVERALL IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE PROGRESSIVE MOTOR, ELECTRICAL, AND COMPLEX ISSUES EFFECTING THE BASIC USAGE OF MY CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2019Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11189697

Suspension

82 reports10 crashes1 fire
“ALL 4 BRAKES STARTED TO RANDOMLY LOCK UP. I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO RUN IT ALMOST A 1/2 MILE FOR A SHOULDER TO PULL OVER AT. UPON STOPPING, THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING ALL AROUND THE CAR AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ACTUALLY CAUGHT FLAME. I'M GUESSING BRAKE BOOSTER IS THE CAUSE. ALSO FRONT CONTROL ARMS ARE ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE CARS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS AROUND 185,000 MILES ON IT. HAS VALVE COVER LEAK INTO SPARK PLUG PORT ON CYLINDER 3 AND HAS A VERY WEAK CLUTCH THAT SOMETIMES SLIPS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2018Steering, Suspension, Service brakesFire reportedODI 11113663

Structure

28 reports6 crashes
“I TURNED OUT OF PARKING LOT HEARD A CLICK OR SOMETHING NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR STARTING SWAYING BACK AND FORTH CAR ALMOST FLIPPED WITH MYSELF AND MINOR CHILD IN IT. I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO A SAVE PLACE ALMOST FLIPPED CAR FEW TIMES. THE CAR WAS SWAYING EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. HAVE IT TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY INSPECTED IT SAID IT WAS SUBFRAME. AREN'T WILLING TO FIX IT EVENTHOUGH THAT MAKE A MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR FRONT SUBFRAME.I CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS TOLD BY THEM THEY COULD FIX IT CONSIDERING I ALMOST DIED. HYUNDAI DEALER ISN'T WILLING.TELLING ME A I HAVE TO PAY $1200 FOR. SUBFRAME CUZ MINE ROTTED. I M GETTING A LAWYER CUZ I THINK THIS IS TERRIBLE IT WAS RECALLED ON FRONT I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX IT NOW THEY WONT. SAFETY ISSUE WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED IF I DIED OR WRECKED AND KILLED SOMEONE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2015Suspension, StructureODI 10705957
All 2001 Elantra problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Elantra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213025$2,500355
Elantra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213025$2,500355
  • Elantra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 4348
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 329 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (118), suspension (82), structure (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Hyundai Elantra at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026