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Model Year Problem Record

Hyundai Elantra 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Hyundai Elantra: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

234Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
6Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
60Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Suspension62 complaints

62 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V125000.

Air Bags49 complaints

49 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes28 complaints

28 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 03V257000, 03V496000.

Engine22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System19 complaints

19 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V178000, 04V369000.

Steering16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V257000Reported July 22, 2003 - 312,292 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on July 22, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 312,292 vehicles across all affected models.

03V496000Reported December 3, 2003 - 1,993 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on December 3, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 1,993 vehicles across all affected models.

04V178000Reported April 9, 2004 - 263,968 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on April 9, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 263,968 vehicles across all affected models.

04V369000Reported July 26, 2004 - 919 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 26, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 919 vehicles across all affected models.

09V125000Reported April 16, 2009 - 160,904 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on April 16, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 160,904 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE08017Opened March 10, 2008 - Closed July 10, 2008

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08017Opened March 10, 2008 - Closed July 10, 2008

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08017Opened March 10, 2008 - Closed July 10, 2008

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09011Opened February 18, 2009 - Closed April 21, 2009

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING. Resulted in recall campaign 09V125000.

PE09011Opened February 18, 2009 - Closed April 21, 2009

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING. Resulted in recall campaign 09V125000.

PE09011Opened February 18, 2009 - Closed April 21, 2009

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING. Resulted in recall campaign 09V125000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20021
200326
200430
200519
20066
200711
200820
200926
201027
20118
20125
20139
201413
20158
20167
20172
20182
20196
20203
20211
20221
20233
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.