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 almost rusted through. The cars been well maintained and has around 185,000 miles on it. Has valve cover leak into spark plug port on cylinder 3 and has a very weak clutch that sometimes slips.
2001 Hyundai Elantra suspension problems
81 complaints (26% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,956. 10 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 81
- of this car's complaints
- 26%
- typical mileage
- 85,956
- crashes
- 10
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Front20
- Front: control arm17
- Front: control arm: lower arm11
- Rear1
- Front: control arm: upper ball joint1
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Hyundai Elantra suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 09V125000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Front lower control arms rusting
On april 14, 2009, hyundai motor corporation submitted to odi a defect information report indicating that it would recall a salt-belt population of approximately 155,317 model year (my) 2001 through 2003 hyundai elantra vehicles to remedy a defect that can result in loss of vehicle control with an increased risk of a crash while driving (09v‑125).the affected vehicles cover all my 2001, my 2002, and my 2003 through january 13, 2003 production.these include elantra vehicles that were originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin.the total three-year production population for the elantra vehicles is approximately 350,000. According to hyundai, 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.the corrosion may progress to the point where the lower control arm 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 affect the driver's control over the tire and wheel assembly.hyundai's recall procedure instructs dealers to measure the thickness of the steel in the front lower control arms.if specified levels of corrosion damage have occurred, the front lower control arms will be replaced with new front lower control arms with additional holes in the upper and lower panels. Odi's analysis of front lower control arm complaint and warranty data shows 220 complaints and 1,033 warranty claims for the total approximately 350,000 subject vehicles sold throughout the united states, resulting in a complaint rate of 62.82 per 100,000 vehicles and a claim rate of 0.3 percent.odi's analysis found 7 complaints and 90 warranty claims in 132,475 vehicles sold in non-salt belt states, resulting in a complaint rate of 5.3 per 100,000 vehicles and a claim rate of 0.1 percent. Odi's analysis further found 196 complaints and 943 warranty claims in 155,317 vehicles sold in salt belt states, resulting in a complaint rate of 126.2 per 100,000 vehicles and a claim rate of 0.6 percent.odi identified 34 incidents of lower control arm fracture related to corrosion, all of which occurred in salt belt states.the data do not show a defect trend in vehicles outside the region covered by hyundai's recall. This preliminary evaluation is closed.
PE09011
What 2001 Hyundai Elantra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 located at 4065 route 9 north, freehold, nj, where they refused to perform the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000 (suspension) due to having to wait for approval for the recall repair from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000. The VIN was not available.
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 to service the brake system. In addition, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle associated with the upper or lower control arms. The check engine and air bag warning indicators remained illuminated. Also, the vehicle failed to refuel in a reasonable time frame, which caused the contact to have to wait an extended period of time during refueling. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
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 mechanic who diagnosed that the control arm and ball joint failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000 (suspension); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
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 water to escape and treat to prevent further corrosion.my car had the drill and treat solution but the control arm broke anyway.luckily the car was being driven at a slow speed when the break occurred,if the car was at highway speed, serious injury or death could have been the result.hyundai admits to the defect but is saying that since the recall was repaired it is no longer an issue.the control arms should have replaced from the beginning but instead they took the cheap way out.I will repair the car and try to recover the money from hyundai as a repeat recall.hyundai should replace all the control arms on cars that are affected before someone gets hurt.
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 be driven and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
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 it towed to a hyundai dealer and they inspected it said it was subframe. Aren't willing to fix it eventhough that make a model was recalled for front subframe.I called consumer affairs was told by them they could fix it considering I almost died. Hyundai dealer isn't willing.telling me a I have to pay $1200 for. Subframe cuz mine rotted. I m getting a lawyer cuz I think this is terrible it was recalled on front I was told they would fix it now they wont. Safety issue what would of happened if I died or wrecked and killed someone.
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 control arm was rusting as well. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 150,120.
The rear axle came off of the car while driving due to corrosion from rust.
Questions about the 2001 Hyundai Elantra suspension
Does the 2001 Hyundai Elantra have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 81 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, 26% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Elantra suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,956 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 09V125000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Hyundai Elantra have bad suspension?
The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most suspension complaints are 2013 (99 complaints), 2002 (95 complaints) and 2001 (81 complaints).
Other 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems
Airbags 118Brakes 30Body 28Steering 24Engine 23Electrical 22Visibility 17Transmission 16Fuel system 14Lights 11Acceleration 9Seat belts 7Wheels 7Tires 4Locks 3Seats 3Driver assistance 1
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