2001 Hyundai Elantra Suspension Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 18, 2019 · 81 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, 26% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 85,956 miles. The words owners use most often: “control arm” (64% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Control arm: mentioned in 52 of 81 complaints (64%)
  • Suspension front: mentioned in 10 of 81 complaints (12%)
  • Side lower: mentioned in 9 of 81 complaints (11%)
  • Rusted through: mentioned in 8 of 81 complaints (10%)

At what mileage do suspension problems happen?

Based on 65 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles4 · 6%
10k–25k miles5 · 8%
25k–50k miles1 · 2%
50k–75k miles12 · 18%
75k–100k miles16 · 25%
100k–150k miles18 · 28%
150k+ miles9 · 14%

How serious are the reports?

Of 81 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury.

Hyundai Elantra suspension complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 99 complaints
1995: 719951996: 21997: 21998: 319981999: 22000: 62001: 8120012002: 952003: 612004: 720042005: 32006: 22007: 2620072008: 112009: 22010: 1120102011: 662012: 452013: 992013992014: 142015: 92016: 1020162017: 122018: 52019: 120192020: 32021: 22022: 120222023: 12024: 22025: 12025

n = 592 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearSuspension complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Elantra15%—
2024 Elantra24%1,100
2023 Elantra11%—
2022 Elantra11%—
2021 Elantra22%—
2020 Elantra31%45,000
2019 Elantra10%—
2018 Elantra52%5,200
2017 Elantra122%32,000
2016 Elantra103%21,000
2015 Elantra93%21,900
2014 Elantra144%14,000
2013 Elantra998%18,500
2012 Elantra457%47,569
2011 Elantra6615%76,500
2010 Elantra113%8,625
2009 Elantra21%300
2008 Elantra114%102,000
2007 Elantra2610%102,000
2006 Elantra21%84,000
2005 Elantra32%—
2004 Elantra74%99,597
2003 Elantra6126%94,533
2002 Elantra9528%92,909
2001 Elantra8126%85,956
2000 Elantra63%80,000
1999 Elantra22%128,900
1998 Elantra35%—
1997 Elantra22%141,000
1996 Elantra22%100,000
1995 Elantra76%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2010, with 18 complaints
2002: 1200212003: 882004: 2200422005: 222007: 4200742008: 552009: 172009172010: 18182011: 2201122012: 552013: 5201352014: 222015: 5201552016: 112017: 2201722018: 22

n = 81 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Suspension:front:control armApr 16, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V125000 · 160,904 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that may increase the risk of a crash.

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 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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 front control arms are…

Received Jul 25, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11113663

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. Freehold hyundai…

Received Mar 26, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11081221

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 manufacturer was not…

Received May 22, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10990976

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2001 Hyundai Elantras have suspension problems?

No. NHTSA has 81 owner complaints about suspension for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra (26% of the 315 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra suspension?

Yes: 1 safety recall list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do suspension problems start?

The median reported mileage is 85,956 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about suspension problems on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?

The most frequent phrase is “control arm”, in 52 of 81 complaints, followed by “suspension front” (10).

Other 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems

See all 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems or suspension problems across all Elantra years.