Hyundai Elantra 2001–2006 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation · XD (facelift XD2 from 2004)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,365 complaints, 952 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2001 Hyundai Elantra
Close- Median failure report
- 73,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 315
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2001
- Airbag system118 reports · median 62,000 mi
- Suspension81 reports · median 86,000 mi
- Body structure28 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front · Air bags — frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2002 Hyundai Elantra
Close- Median failure report
- 72,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 342
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2002
- Suspension95 reports · median 93,000 mi
- Airbag system70 reports · median 71,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit32 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front · Air bags — frontal · Fuel system, gasoline — storage
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2003 Hyundai Elantra
Close- Median failure report
- 61,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 234
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2003
- Suspension61 reports · median 95,000 mi
- Airbag system48 reports · median 46,000 mi
- Body structure32 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front · Fuel system, gasoline — storage · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 Hyundai Elantra
Close- Median failure report
- 30,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 182
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2004
- Airbag system114 reports · median 17,000 mi
- Seat belts12 reports
- Engine and its cooling system11 reports
Recall areas Air bags · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Hyundai Elantra
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 137
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2005
- Airbag system71 reports · median 36,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control14 reports
- Electrical system10 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting · Air bags · Steering — linkages
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Hyundai Elantra
Close- Median failure report
- 68,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 155
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2006
- Airbag system56 reports · median 68,000 mi
- Exterior lighting38 reports · median 86,000 mi
- Brakes23 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2001; earliest: the 2004, and the 2001 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2001–2006 Hyundai Elantra reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 65,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 138,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 952
- Recalls
- 15
Most reported
- Airbag system34.9% of complaints · median 50,000 mi
- Suspension18.2% of complaints · median 92,000 mi
- Body structure7.7% of complaints · median 80,000 mi
Owners filed 1,365 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001–2006 Hyundai Elantra; the airbag system leads with 34.9% of them, and half of the 952 that record an odometer reading came by 65,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 29,000 to 100,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2001–2006 Hyundai Elantra last?
On the 2001–2006 Hyundai Elantra, half of the 952 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 65,000 miles and 90% by 138,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
68 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 15 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Elantra reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Elantra 2001–2006 · 952 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 124 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 15 complaints (1.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,000
- 25%
- 29,000
- Median
- 65,000
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 138,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 124 | 13.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 59 | 6.2% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 59 | 6.2% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 62 | 6.5% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 57 | 6.0% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 71 | 7.5% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 76 | 8.0% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 82 | 8.6% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 63 | 6.6% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 56 | 5.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 46 | 4.8% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 38 | 4.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 38 | 4.0% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 32 | 3.4% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 21 | 2.2% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 17 | 1.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 13 | 1.4% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 8 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 13 | 1.4% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 15 | 1.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Elantra problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Hyundai Elantra 2001–2006
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Hydraulic brake circuit96 reportsmedian 21,000middle half 10,000–51,000
- Airbag system477 reportsmedian 50,000middle half 16,000–92,000
- Engine and its cooling system72 reportsmedian 50,000middle half 16,000–73,000
- Electrical system76 reportsmedian 72,000middle half 40,000–113,000
- Exterior lighting88 reportsmedian 74,000middle half 50,000–103,000
- Body structure105 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 57,000–120,000
- Suspension249 reportsmedian 92,000middle half 67,000–127,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 477 | 34.9% | 50,000 | 16,000–92,000 |
| Suspension | 249 | 18.2% | 92,000 | 67,000–127,000 |
| Body structure | 105 | 7.7% | 80,000 | 57,000–120,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 96 | 7.0% | 21,000 | 10,000–51,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 88 | 6.4% | 74,000 | 50,000–103,000 |
| Electrical system | 76 | 5.6% | 72,000 | 40,000–113,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 72 | 5.3% | 50,000 | 16,000–73,000 |
| Steering | 70 | 5.1% | 88,000 | 32,000–125,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 68 | 5.0% | 46,000 | 18,000–72,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 64 | 4.7% | 48,000 | 26,000–78,000 |
Known problems with the 2001–2006 Elantra
Engine Management
Crankshaft position sensor and ignition coil failures causing stalling and misfire.
Emissions
Premature catalytic converter and oxygen sensor failure driving check-engine complaints.
Before you buy a 2001–2006 Elantra: the 3-minute check
Generated from 952 mileage-tagged complaints, 15 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 15 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine management. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check emissions.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Elantra problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi45% below | At 90k mi69% below | At 120k mi83% below | At 150k mi93% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 16,000–92,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 67,000–127,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 57,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 10,000–51,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 50,000–103,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 40,000–113,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 16,000–73,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Hyundai Elantra 2001–2006 · 952 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 45% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 69% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 83% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2001–2006 Hyundai Elantra recalls (15)
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (6), the fuel system (4), the hydraulic brake circuit (2) (why one area can repeat).
Jul 2009 · 2005–2006 · Exterior LightingAny of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
The defect. Hyundai is recalling 3,011 model year 2005-2007 Elantra, tucson, sonata, azera and accent vehicles. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain…
What can happen. Any of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on september 2, 2009. Owners may contact Hyundai of puerto rico customer service at 1-787-999-4310.
Apr 2009 · 2001–2003 · SuspensionThe fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that may increase the risk of a…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Oct 2008 · 2001–2002 · Air BagsThis condition only relates to the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bags and may prevent…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001-2002 Elantra vehicles. Movement of the side impact air bag wiring harness mounted under each front seat, possibly caused by contact from materials placed under the seat, may result in an electrical resistance that would…
What can happen. This condition only relates to the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bags and may prevent seat mounted side impact air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should…
The free fix. Dealers will install new side impact air bag wiring harness connector clips and revised side impact air bag wiring harness attachments under the driver's and front passenger's seats. The recall is…
Oct 2008 · 2001 · Air BagsThis condition may affect the driver and passenger frontal air bags and may prevent air bag deployment during…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001 Elantra vehicles. If a liquid is spilled in the area of the cupholder on the center console, it may seep through the console opening for the parking brake lever and then drip onto the air bag control module electrical…
What can happen. This condition may affect the driver and passenger frontal air bags and may prevent air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the srs air bags may…
The free fix. Dealers will install a protective cover over the vehicle's air bag control module connector. The recall owner notification began on november 30, 2008, and letters will be sent out in six mailings.…
Oct 2005 · 2004–2005 · Air BagsThe possibility of misclassification of a crs as an adult may allow the right front airbag or side impact…
The defect. Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (crs) as an adult. This may occur if the crs is installed after an…
What can happen. The possibility of misclassification of a crs as an adult may allow the right front airbag or side impact airbag to deploy in a crash and could result in injury to the right front occupant.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit (ECU) to remove the feature that may cause the crs to be recognized as an adult. The recall began on november 15, 2005. Owners may…
Sep 2005 · 2004–2005 · Air BagsThe possibility of misclassification of a crs as an adult may allow the right front airbag or side impact…
The defect. Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (crs) as an adult. This may occur if the crs is installed after an…
What can happen. The possibility of misclassification of a crs as an adult may allow the right front airbag or side impact airbag to deploy in a crash and could result in injury to the right front occupant.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit (ECU) to remove the feature that may cause the crs to be recognized as an adult. The recall began on october 31, 2005. Owners may…
Apr 2005 · 2005 · SteeringIf the inner ball joint assembly was to break as a result of the internal crack, the tie rod end assembly…
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with threaded portions of the steering gearbox assembly's left and right inner ball joint assemblies that contain internal cracks in the material structure.
What can happen. If the inner ball joint assembly was to break as a result of the internal crack, the tie rod end assembly would not longer be attached to the steering gear box. This would prevent steering control of…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the steering gearbox assemblies on these vehicles free of charge. Owners were contacted by telephone beginning on april 8, 2005, and instructed not to drive their vehicles.…
Jul 2004 · 2004 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The defect. During an insurance institute for highway safety (iihs) offset frontal barrier impact test, it was determined that fuel tan damage could occur. On certain passenger vehicles, a vapor tube hose clamp that is located near the fuel tank may not be positioned…
What can happen. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the position of the vapor tube hose clamp ears and correctly position the clamp, if necessary. The recall began on october 5, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai de puerto rico…
Jul 2004 · 2002–2003 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The free fix. 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.
May 2004 · 2004 · Fuel System, GasolineIn the event of a crash, damage to the vehicle could cause the mispositioned clamp to puncture the fuel tank…
The defect. During an insurance institute for highway safety (iihs) offset frontal barrier impact test on certain passenger vehicles, fuel spillage occurred as a result of fuel tank damage caused by contact between a vapor tube hose clamp ear and the fuel tank. The vapor…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, damage to the vehicle could cause the mispositioned clamp to puncture the fuel tank causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the position of the vapor tube hose clamp and correctly position the clamp, if necessary. Owner notification began on may 24, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai at…
Apr 2004 · 2002–2003 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The free fix. 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.
Dec 2003 · 2001–2003 · Service Brakes, HydraulicContact between the rear brake tubes and the steering gearbox mounting brackets may result in rear brake tube…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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…
Aug 2003 · 2004 · Air BagsIn the event of a vehicle crash, the air bag may not deploy, possibly resulting in serious injury to the…
The defect. On certain vehicles, if the front passenger seat is unoccupied or is occupied by someone lighter than 56.4 Pounds, the passenger air bag is deactivated and will not deploy if a crash occurs. However, the occupant classification sensor may incorrectly…
What can happen. In the event of a vehicle crash, the air bag may not deploy, possibly resulting in serious injury to the right front passenger.
The free fix. The occupant classification sensor will be reprogrammed.
Jul 2003 · 2001–2003 · Service Brakes, HydraulicFluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Oct 2000 · 2001 · Air BagsNon-deployment of the side air bags could increase the risk of injury during a crash where side air bag…
The defect. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The supplemental restraint system side air bag satellite sensors installed were improperly manufactured, causing the air bag warning light to illuminate and the side air bags to not deploy as intended in the event of a…
What can happen. Non-deployment of the side air bags could increase the risk of injury during a crash where side air bag deployment is intended.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the two satellite sensors.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,365 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 253 (18.5%)
- Fires
- 14
- Injury reports
- 161
- Fatality reports
- 3
Elantra problems by model year
The 2002 drew the most complaints of this generation, 342, most of them about the suspension, and the 2005 the fewest, 137. A typical year drew about 208.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 315 | 196 | 73,000 | Airbag system (118) | 6 |
| 2002 | 342 | 243 | 72,000 | Suspension (95) | 6 |
| 2003 | 234 | 168 | 61,000 | Suspension (61) | 5 |
| 2004 | 182 | 112 | 30,000 | Airbag system (114) | 5 |
| 2005 | 137 | 107 | 50,000 | Airbag system (71) | 4 |
| 2006 | 155 | 126 | 68,000 | Airbag system (56) | 1 |
What Elantra owners reported
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…
2003 · 132,000 miles · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and released; however, the brake light remained illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V280000 (Exterior Lighting). Additionally, while driving at an…
2005 · 185,000 miles · Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact was made aware of various recalls for similar vehicles. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in…
2005 · 200,000 miles · Airbag system
Went for an inspection and was told my front sub frame was rusted and rotted. They told me it was under recall, but upon further research i found there have been recalls on this same part for other years of this car but apparantly the 2006 was not included, even though i have the same issues, and they charged me for…
2006 · 130,000 miles · Body structure
Built from 952 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Elantra generations
- Elantra 1996–2000 163 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Elantra 2007–2010 940 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Elantra 2011–2016 1,973 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Elantra 2017–2020 505 reports with mileage, most about the engine