Research · Compact Cars

2003 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 234 owner complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve suspension (61) and air bags (48). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2009
Owner complaints
234
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 26, 2004NHTSA 04V369000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Apr 9, 2004NHTSA 04V178000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

234 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2002 – Dec 2023
  1. Suspension61
  2. Air bags48
  3. Structure32
  4. Engine and engine cooling21
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic20
  6. Steering16
  7. Exterior lighting13
  8. Seat belts11
  9. Electrical system10

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
42
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
33
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

61 reports
“The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. Additionally, while attempting to complete a turn, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the driver's side brake pad and rotor were abnormally worn and needed to be replaced; however, the power train failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V125000 (Suspension) and 04V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2023Suspension, Fuel system, gasolineODI 11559695

Air bags

48 reports31 crashes
“Live in Indiana where the weather is super salty in the winters and all of the salt in Indiana has really really affected the whole underside of my car. The whole subframe is falling apart and the rust has gotten to everything under the car. I have spent about 4 thousand dollars into this car doing all the work myself to make this car run In pristine conditions. I am very very worried that my whole back end will just fall apart going down the road due to the rust.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2023Suspension, Air bags, StructureODI 11551132

Structure

32 reports2 crashes
“*The rear sub-frame assembly nearly rusted through. Steering and Handling noticebly effected with rear of vehicle feeling soft and sluggish in turns. *The vehicle is available for inspection and was brought to my attention when the mechanic was beginning rear brake maintenance. *The mechanic is a licensed mechanic and the Repair shop is a licensed service facility. *The mechanic called me and asked me to return to the shop to show me the extent of the rust damage, to which I did return to the shop to examine his findings. I did take photos. *There were no warning lamps or messages. The symptoms were as described above.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2023Suspension, StructureODI 11522292
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 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 10, 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, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
Elantra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
213025$2,500355
Elantra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, FFS · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$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, CLKUP
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, CLKUP
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, FFS
    22 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.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 2003 Hyundai Elantra as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4871
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

2003 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 2003 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 234 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (61), air bags (48), structure (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Hyundai Elantra at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026