2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra. This model year has 330 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
Before you buy — check the actual VIN
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2001 Hyundai Elantra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Suspension Failures
Brake System
Considering a 2001 Hyundai Elantra?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 118 | 50 | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 82 | 10 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 29 | 8 | 2 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 28 | 6 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 25 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 25 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 25 | 4 | 2 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 21 | 6 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 19 | 3 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 4 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 4 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 330 most recent complaints
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.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WHILE IN MOTION..
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 FRO…
ALL FOUR WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT ONCE. RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM IN CASE WINDOWS ARE NEEDED TO ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE DUE TO ACCIDENT. THE TEMPERATURE OF VEHICLE CAN ALSO EXCEED SAFE DEGREE DUE TO WINDOWS NOT OPENING. N…
TAKATA RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON DASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET THE LIGHT IS ON. NOT SURE IF AIRBAGS WILL WORK IF AN ACCIDENT EVER DOES OCCUR. CANNOT HAVE FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE BECAUSE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN LIGHT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EQUIPPED WITH DEXTERO TOURING DTR1 TIRES, SIZE I95/60R/15 88H (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES HAD CRAC…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 18 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THE CONTROL ARM HAD DETACHED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHIC…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE MADE A RUMBLING NOISE AND JERKED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACED. THE MAN…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC T…
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT OR MAKING RIGHT TURNS. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V532000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNIN…
CAR STARTED SWERVING DUE TO FRAME RUSTING AND REAR SUSPENSION BECAME DETACHED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SECURE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT OF THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT TO PROPERLY SECURE THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…
MY 2001 ELANTRA HAD A RECALL ON FRONT CONTROL ARMS.THIS RECALL WAS LIMITED TO SNOWBELT STATES.THE RECALL SAYS CONTROL ARMS MAY CORRODE DUE TO WATER AND SALT BEING TRAPPED INSIDE CONTROL ARM AND MAY BREAK.THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE IF NEEDED OR DRILL DRAINAGE HOLE TO ALLOW WATE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION DUE TO MOISTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO B…
I DROPPED MY GRANDSON AT HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE. AS I EXITED HER DRIVEWAY MY CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND STRUCK THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET.
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 …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER C…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra.
Recalls for 2001 Hyundai Elantra
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2001 Hyundai Elantra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2001 Hyundai Elantra reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2001 Hyundai Elantra has 330 NHTSA owner complaints, 72 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (118 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (118 complaints). #2: Suspension Failures (82 complaints). #3: Brake System (29 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?▾
The 2001 Hyundai Elantra has 72 crash-related complaints and 5 fire reports out of 330 total NHTSA complaints. 59 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?▾
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2001 Hyundai Elantra. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2001 Hyundai Elantra?▾
The 2001 Hyundai Elantra has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Elantra reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2001 Hyundai Elantra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.