Hyundai Elantra Complaints (2002)

342 consumer complaints on file.

#10265136April 13, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTY IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, IT FELT AS IF THE PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT SEE ANY VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED STEERING, GRINDING, AND RUBBING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE RUSTED CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263586March 30, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, STRUCTURE
2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 69,692 MILES, ORIGINAL OWNER; DRIVING IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER-SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO, SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION SHOWS IT TO HAVE ROTTED THROUGH. TIRE WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE VEHICLE. TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALER IN NATICK, MA. HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM DEALER YET, BUT OBVIOUSLY NEED A NEW LOWER CONTROL ARM AND AT LEAST AN INSPECTION OF PASSENGER-SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. I EXPECT THIS TO BE COVERED UNDER 100,000 MILE TRANSAXLE WARRANTY; WE'LL SEE. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR UPDATED 04/22/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262173March 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FEBRUARY 2009 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2002-THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND THEY DID THE RECALL WORK AND NO PROBLEM. NEXT MORNING, I GO OUT TO MY CAR AND TURN THE KEY AND IT IS DEAD!!! NOTHING !!! SO I GAVE IT THE ALL OR NOTHING JIGGLE OF THIS THAT AND THE OTHER THING-AND ALAS! IT STARTED. I BRUSHED IT OFF AS A FLUKE-THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A MONTH AND TODAY IT IS STILL SITTING WHERE I PARKED IT THIS MORNING. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALER TWICE TODAY JUST TO PICK HIS BRAINS AND GIVE ME SOME IDEA AS TO WHAT IT MIGHT BE CAUSING THIS-THE BATTERY IS NEW, TRIED JUMPING IT EARLIER TODAY. THE SHIFTER DOES NOT SEEM LIKE IT WANTS TO MOVE AT ALL EVEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL-THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT MIGHT BE THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH FOR THE SHIFTER-THIS MADE SENSE SINCE THE WIRING CORRECTION IS LOCATED IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA. PERHAPS OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME THING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261691March 12, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
AFTER BRAKING, MY ELANTRA JERK, MADE AND AWFUL GRINDING SOUND, AND WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, I COULD SEE THAT A PART HAD BROKEN OFF. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THE RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS "ROTTED THROUGH" AND THAT THIS IS OFTEN SEEN IN HYUNDAIS. THE LEFT SIDE ALSO SHOWS SIGNS OF DETERIORATION. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING BOTH SIDES, AS THE LEFT SIDE MIGHT ONLY LAST A FEW MONTHS GIVEN THE DEGREE OF DETERIORATION. PARTS ARE BEING REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260970March 6, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAD TO PUT ON THE BRAKES HARD TO STOP FROM HITTING A CAR THAT STOPPED SHORT. THE CAR JERKED AND WHEN I BEGAN TO PROCEED THERE WAS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END. I GOT THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL DEALER WHO IS JUST A MILE AWAY FROM WHERE THIS OCCURRED AND AFTER THE CAR WAS INSPECTED WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT END CAME WITHIN 1/2" OF CORRODED METAL FROM BREAKING OFF. THERE WAS ONLY 1/2" OF METAL LEFT HOLDING IT IN PLACE. I WAS TOLD THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS WERE BOTH "ANNHILATED" AND WERE COMPLETED RUSTED OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH OF THEM AT A COST OF MORE THAN $1000. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SPENT 2002-2008 IN NEW HAMPSHIRE SUBJECT TO THE SALT AND WINTER CONDITIONS. IT ONLY HAS LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS TREATED WELL AND SERVICED ROUTINELY. LIKE OTHER CONSUMERS, WHO HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE, I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AND THAT THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT ON THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO BECOME SUBJECT TO CORROSION. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE JUST 1 MILE TO THE DEALER WHO WILL BE PERFORMING SERVICE, BUT SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED WHILE FURTHER AWAY, I WAS TOLD I WAS ONE POTHOLE AWAY FROM THE WHOLE FRONT END FALLING OFF. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT SEVERE DAMAGE AND POTENTIAL PERSONAL HARM COULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THE CAR HAD BEEN IN A COLLISION OR WORSE, IF THE CONTROL ARMS HAD BROKEN FREE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT INCREASED SPEEDS. THIS IS CLEARLY DANGEROUS AND I HAD NO REASON TO THINK THAT A CAR THAT'S 7 YEARS OLD COULD SUFFER SOMETHING LIKE THIS UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260209February 27, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPLACEMENT, INCLUDING THE TIE RODS AT THE COST OF $700. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260092February 20, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS A RUST PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. *NJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257786February 7, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS FOGGED UP CAUSING THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LAMP TO DIMINISH TO THE POINT WHERE I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HYUNDAI AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL AND THEY BASICALLY SAID THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE ASSEMBLY AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AT MY EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AS WITH OTHER ELANTRA OWNERS I HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY NEEDING REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256700January 29, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MY 02 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS TWO BAD CRACKS IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I KNOW THAT OTHER 02 ELANTRA'S HAD A RECALL, AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL THE BAD MANIFOLDS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT CAN LEAD TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, OR STUCK IN WINTER CONDITIONS CARBON MONOXIDE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE VEHICLE LEADING TO DEATH OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256553January 28, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
BRAKE ROTORS FEEL AS IF THERE WARPED WHEN VEHICLE SITS FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS WITHOUT DRIVING. WHEN DRIVEN AFTER THAT TIME PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE, WHEN BRAKES ARE PRESS TO STOP VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE GETS A VERY NOTICEABLE PULSATING FEEL IN THE FOOT PETAL. POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP. A DEFINITE STOPPING CONTROL HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255798January 21, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY CAR (I BOUGHT IT NEW), IT HAS A PROBLEM IN WHICH IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW ABOUT 35 DEGREES FAHR), THE BRAKES ARE VERY TIGHT AND DO NOT WORK PROPERLY FOR THE 1ST 2-3 MINUTES. AS THE CAR WARMS, BRAKE FUNCTION RETURNS TO NORMAL. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED MULTIPLE OWNERS OF HYUNDAI'S AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, AND YOUR OFFICE ISSUED A RECALL OF SATURN SKY AND PONTIAC SOLSTICE VEHICLES IN 2008 FOR AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM (RECALL NUMBER PE08016). PLEASE INVESTIGATE--IT APPEARS TO ME THAT HYUNDAI ELANTRAS SUCH AS MINE SHOULD RECEIVE A SIMILAR RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254264January 8, 2009
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CLUTCH FAILURE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND AT 42,196 MILES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT, DEALER CLAIMS NORMAL WEAR. THE CAR NOW HAS 73,026 MILES AND AGAIN THE CLUTCH NEEDED REPLACED. THIS STARTED WHEN THE REPLACED CLUTCH HAD LESS THEN 29,000 MILES ON IT. AGAIN THEY CLAIM NORMAL WEAR. THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS NO PRESSURE WHEN ENGAGED AND THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT. CUSTOMER SERVICE OR DEALER WILL DO NOTHING AND I HAD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER CLUTCH. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM IT HAS TO BE A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH OR TRANSMISSION. I HAD OVER 130,000 MILES ON MY OTHER CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. I ALSO TAUGHT DRIVING AND KNOW HOW TO OPERATE A CLUTCH. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254172January 7, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254018January 6, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. TWO YEARS LATER, HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V533000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED A NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS, CONNECTOR CLIPS, REVISED THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS, AND BECAUSE THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPADTED 02/24/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253819January 5, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, WHEELS
I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SHORT TO LET A POLICE CAR CROSS OUR LANE. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THIS CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND, AS THOUGH I HAD A FLAT TIRE. AFTER BEING TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD SNAPPED BECAUSE IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAVE ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253661January 3, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE CAR HYUNDAI 2002 ELANTRA USED TO BE VERY GOOD CAR .IT DID NOT GIVE ME COMPLAIN DURING 4 YEARS. BUT WHEN 80,000 MILES COVERED THE AIR BAGS LIGHTS KEEP ON AND OFF DURING HIGH SPEED. BUT THEN PROBLEM COME TO NORMAL AND ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT GO AWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253072December 29, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS ACTIVATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE MALFUNCTION SINCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V53300 (AIR BAG FRONTAL SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) RECALL WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252372December 21, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND SOMETHING UNDER MY CAR SNAPPED AND THE CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE LOWER RIGHT CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251851December 15, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ALREADY A RECALL ON 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, BUT THE 2002 ELANTRA THAT I HAVE IS PAST THE RECALL DATE OF JAN. 31, 2002. MY CAR, # WAS BUILT IN MARCH 2002 SO NOT COVERED ON RECALL CAMPAIGN #05-01-001-1. CRACK BETWEEN PORT #3 AND #4 ON THE MANIFOLD. THE PART HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON THE CAR SO I EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED COST OF PART AND LABOR TO INSTALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249439November 20, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V533000 (AIR BAGS, FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 12/10/08 *CN UPDATED 12/16/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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