Sourced from both NHTSA (US) and Transport Canada. 4 of these are critical and require prompt attention. All recall repairs are free at an authorized Hyundai dealer — bring your VIN to confirm which apply to your vehicle.
Critical safety notice — contact your dealer immediately.
On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), road salt can collect in the outboard portion of the front lower control arm and may result in internal corrosion leading to thinning of the steel in the lower control arms. In severe cases, 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. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front lower control arms. Should the control arms not require replacement, drainage holes will be added, as well as treatment with rust-proofing material to arrest the corrosion process.
2009121 · 45,759 units · Transport Canada
Free repair at an authorized dealer
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.
THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
09V125000 · 160,904 units · NHTSA
Free repair at an authorized dealer
Critical safety notice — contact your dealer immediately.
On certain non- ABS vehicles located in Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, after sustained exposure to temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius, the power brake booster diaphragm may lose elasticity. After the first application following a sustained period of non-operation at temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius, the reduced elasticity of the diaphragm prevents the brake booster vacuum valve from fully closing. Therefore, the booster is unable to replenish vacuum and braking assist is reduced. The brakes operate, but require higher than normal brake pedal application effort, which may result in increased stopping distances. Normal brake booster operation returns as the brake booster diaphragm becomes warmer, approximately 10 minutes after the engine is started. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake booster assembly.
2004293 · 19,930 units · Transport Canada
Free repair at an authorized dealer
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 SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
04V369000 · 919 units · NHTSA
Free repair at an authorized dealer
Critical safety notice — contact your dealer immediately.
On certain vehicles, the fuel tank assembly valve may not close properly. If a vehicle with a fuel tank assembly valve that is not properly closed were to roll over, fuel spillage could occur. Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Correction: Dealer will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve.
2004130 · 37,126 units · Transport Canada
Free repair at an authorized dealer
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 SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
04V178000 · 263,968 units · NHTSA
Free repair at an authorized dealer
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
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.
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.
03V496000 · 1,993 units · NHTSA
Free repair at an authorized dealer
Critical safety notice — contact your dealer immediately.
On certain vehicles, the rear brake tubes may contact the steering gear box mounting brackets resulting in rear brake tube wear and corrosion. Severe rear brake tube wear and corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage reducing braking capability. Correction: Dealer will reposition the rear brake tubes, install clips to control the position of the tubes and apply anti-corrosion material where contact with the steering gear box mounting brackets may have occurred.
2003173 · 50,662 units · Transport Canada
Free repair at an authorized dealer
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 BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
03V257000 · 312,292 units · NHTSA
Free repair at an authorized dealer
2003 Hyundai Elantra recall questions
The 2003 Hyundai Elantra has 9 known safety recalls. 4 are classified as critical and may require immediate attention. We recommend checking with your dealer using your specific VIN for the most accurate information.
Yes, all manufacturer safety recalls for the Hyundai Elantra are repaired completely free of charge at any authorized Hyundai dealership. This includes parts, labor, and any related expenses regardless of your vehicle's current mileage or whether you're the original owner.
The best way to check is to enter your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in our search tool above. You can also contact any authorized Hyundai dealer directly with your VIN. Some recalls only affect vehicles manufactured during specific date ranges or with certain equipment configurations.
Contact your nearest authorized Hyundai dealership to schedule a repair appointment. For critical recalls marked "Do Not Drive," park your vehicle safely and arrange for service immediately. Bring your recall notice or VIN to the appointment. Parts availability may vary, so schedule early.
It depends on the specific recall. Your vehicle has 4 critical recalls that may advise against driving until repaired. Always read the recall details carefully. For critical safety issues, park the vehicle and contact your dealer immediately.
Safety recalls for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra remain open indefinitely - there is no expiration date. Even if your vehicle is many years old or has high mileage, authorized Hyundai dealers must perform the recall repair free of charge whenever you bring it in.
Recall repairs must be performed at an authorized Hyundai dealership. Any Hyundai dealer in the US or Canada can perform the repair, regardless of where you purchased the vehicle. Contact your preferred dealer to schedule an appointment.
Manufacturers are required to notify registered owners by mail when new recalls are issued. However, if you've moved or bought the vehicle used, you may not receive notices. We recommend checking periodically using your VIN and registering with NHTSA for recall alerts.
Related recall checks
Compare recall history with competitors and alternatives to the 2003 Hyundai Elantra.