After braking, my elantra jerk, made and awful grinding sound, and was extremely difficult to steer. Upon visual inspection, I could see that a part had broken off. I had it towed to a local mechanic who said that the right front control arm was "rotted through" and that this is often seen in hyundais. The left side also shows signs of deterioration. The mechanic recommended replacing both sides, as the left side might only last a few months given the degree of deterioration. Parts are being replaced.
2002 Hyundai Elantra suspension complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 95 of 95, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I had to put on the brakes hard to stop from hitting a car that stopped short. The car jerked and when I began to proceed there was clearly something wrong with the front end. I got the car to our local dealer who is just a mile away from where this occurred and after the car was inspected was told that the front end came within 1/2" of corroded metal from breaking off. There was only 1/2" of metal left holding it in place. I was told the front control arms were both "annhilated" and were completed rusted out. I have to replace both of them at a cost of more than $1000. This car was purchased in new hampshire and spent 2002-2008 in new hampshire subject to the salt and winter conditions. It only has less than 85,000 miles on it and was treated well and serviced routinely. Like other consumers, who have reported this issue, I feel that this should not have happened and that there is clearly a defect on the front control arms which allows them to become subject to corrosion. Luckily I was able to drive just 1 mile to the dealer who will be performing service, but should this have happened while further away, I was told I was one pothole away from the whole front end falling off. It goes without saying that severe damage and potential personal harm could have occurred if the car had been in a collision or worse, if the control arms had broken free while on the highway or at increased speeds. This is clearly dangerous and I had no reason to think that a car that's 7 years old could suffer something like this under normal conditions.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 hyundai elantra. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the front driver's side of the vehicle collapsed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the front driver's side control arm fractured. The dealer made the replacement, including the tie rods at the cost of $700. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure and current mileages were 64,000.
2002 hyundai elantra has a rust problem with the left front lower control arm.
I was driving at around 40 MPH when the vehicle in front of me stopped short to let a police car cross our lane. I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting this car. I pulled over to the side of the road because I heard a strange sound, as though I had a flat tire. After being towed to my mechanic, I was told that the passenger side control arm had snapped because it was completely rusted out. I have about 40,000 miles on the car. I was also told that I was very lucky this didn't happen on the highway at high speed.
I stopped at a red light and something under my car snapped and the car swerved to the right. I had the car towed to a mechanic who determined the lower right control arm had rusted through and broke.
2002 hyundai elantra front right lower control arm snapped while driving. Dealer told us it was not covered under 10yr/100,000 warranty and that there is no recall. Called hyundai directly and told the same thing. Also left side lower control arm is rusted through and needs to be replaced also.
Lower left control arm rusted through and was very weak and had to be replaced on my wife's hyundai 2002 elantra gls.
The right lower control arm bent in half while stopping my 2002 hyundai elantra gt, and the left lower control arm on my wife's 2002 hyundai elantra gls began to sag. Both had to be replaced in the last 90 days.
I have a 2002 hyundai elantra gls that has been garage kept since I purchased it brand new off the dealer lot. I am currently having my mechanic repair a right (passenger side) suspension control arm for my from wheel. It was rusted almost completely through and according to my mechanic would have caused a catastrophic failure where I would not have been able to control my car. I noticed this yesterday while changing my oil in preparation for taking my wife and 2 young daughters on a 1400 mile round trip vacation from cincinnati to minneapolis. The chances of my entire family getting killed in a car wreck on this trip would have been extremely high. I checked some internet forums and found several people complaining about this same thing. Of course, hyundai claims no responsibility for this. I have 78k miles on my car.
On my way to work one morning, I applied the brakes for stopped traffic. I heard something crack, and the car swerved to the right. After backing, and checking under the car to see if I hit something, which I didn't I proceeded, and it seemed normal until I hit the brakes again to have the same thing happen. I called a tow truck, when he arrived he looked under and told me that my lower right control arm had broken. I had it towed in at a cost of $61.00. The repair shop called and told me I was lucky I hadn't been on the turnpike, as I could have had a serious accident. The lower control arm had completely rusted through, and they hadn't seen this before. The repair cost $324.85. I called hyundai, and they issued me a case#3271798. After faxing them the bills, I waited about a week, when they called me back, they denied the claim,saying (a) the car was some 30,000 miles and a year and a half out of warranty,and (b) that this was normal wear and tear. Imagine how I felt with that statement when my wife and son also are driving hyundai's. Until this happened I would have bought 10 more of them, they have been great cars, but I have searched other complaints , and I t seems to be a problem that hyundai has not addressed. When mine was repaired, they looked for a used part, and were told this they were all in the same shape, and when buying the part from the dealer they had several on the shelf, indicating a problem. I would have been satisfied if they had reimbursed me, but they chose to ignore the problem. Was this the only year it affects?or are there other potential accidents out there waiting to happen?
Tl*the contact called regarding a 2002 hyundai elantra. The contact is a professional mechanic and stated that the front passenger side lower control arm was rusting and corroding. The failure caused the suspension system to fail. He has repaired two vehicles with the same failure. He notified the manufacturer, but they would not acknowledge any failure. However, they offered to repair the vehicles as a free remedy. The contact has pictures of the failed component. The failure and current mileages were 40,000.
Backlick road in springfield va. I gently pressed on the brakes because of slowing traffic, my car immediately slid to the left and with out warning came to a sudden halt. Called 911 for police assistance in directing traffic and also aaa for towing. The car was towed to a service garage and was informed that the right control arm of my hyundai elantra 2002 was completely rusted through and broke off jamming itself into the wheel of my car causing it to not move at all. Ironically, my car was just serviced by my dealership 6 days prior to this happening for an oil change, tires rotated and alignment. They never mentioned a rusty control arm. Hyundai was going to charge $400 to have the control arm repaired. Then I asked them for pictures of the control arm and was told that they could not do that because the camera belonged to hyundai and they did know how to get pictures to me. I told them that I would like to come in and take pictures of the control arm myself. With in minutes - they told me not to worry about it because they are going to have it covered under warranty! They did cover it under good will warranty and the part was replaced. Never did the dealership acknowledge the severity this could have turned into had I been traveling on an interstate at that time. I picked up my car on monday 2/18. They brought out the rusted control arm from my car but they also brought out another one that was replaced on saturday, just as rusted through as mine had been. I took pictures of the one from my car. They would not let me keep the part because they said it had to be sent back to the manufacturer. When I called to report this problem to hyundai of america (via 800 #) they said they were closing my case because the dealership had resolved the problem and that I should be grateful for the goodwill service. I'm expecting a call from a supervisor w/in the next 24 hours.
Front right lower control arm rusted and broke . This caused the vehicle to become unable to steer. Vehicle was towed to local dealer and repaired. No charge to owner because we had purchased extended warranty at time of purchase.
2002 hyundai elantra hatchback, driver side control arm rusted through causing it break in half, no body was hurt, no collision with other vehicles occurred. The damage came to over $1,000.00. The control arm on a car should never under normal circumstances fail. It should last the life of the car. This is very dangerous. If we had been on a main highway when this happened it would have been very serious. The control arm metal is extremely thin making us think it may be a defect from hyundai.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 hyundai elantra. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost steering control and swerved left on a one way street. The failure was caused by the lower control arm. The contact was able to stop the vehicle without a crash. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the front lower control arm was completely rusted. The VIN and purchase date were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 95,000. Updated 02-01-08. *kb updated 02/01/08
I own a 2002 hyundai elantra. While driving in a neighborhood my daughter hit her brakes to avoid a dog. Upon braking the left lower control arm of the vehicles suspension broke and as a result the left front tire was thrown into the back of the wheel well. If this had happened on the highway my daughter would have most certainly died. Upon notifying hyundai I was told with 92,000 miles the car was out of warranty and they would do nothing to fix it. I then tried to present them with the failed part and was told that the hyundai representative would be at the dealership during the week of jan. 1 and I would receive a call. To this date (feb. 8) I have heard nothing. My calls to the dealership have gone unreturned. I am concerned that someone else driving a 4 year old vehicle may be killed by an unexpected rust through of a 4 year old part.
Dt: 2002 hyundai elantra, consumer took vehicle to a local garage for an inspection, on 6-20-05, and mechanic rotated/ balanced tires, and replaced two tires with new ones. Also, replaced fuel injection system/ replaced a gasket/ front wheels were aligned/ steering wheel was centered, and they checked caster and camber angles. Then mechanic told consumer that vehicle passed ny state inspection. The consumer started traveling from ny to va on 6-30, and on 7-2 vehicle stalled, check engine light came on, vehicle had completely stopped although engine was still running, oil gauge warning light came on, it went up to highest point. This was first time vehicle stalled. The consumer had the vehicle towed to a mechanic who ran a diagnostic test on the vehicle and told consumer that he should take it to a dealership because of the warranty. Dealership ran a diagnostic and then replaced radiator and radiator pump. They told consumer that was reason for vehicle overheating and stalling. This was after consumer was told by dealership that vehicle was safe to drive. So consumer traveled back home, roads were wet and it was late in da. The check engine light came on again. As soon as light came on the speed reduced but the engine itself was still on but, the vehicle was not able to move at a safe speed and stalled. Consumer's and his family lives were in dangered although there were no actual accidents. Vehicle was towed to the dealership. They told consumer that problem was with transmission. There was a hose not connected properly which caused vehicle to leak transmission fluid.
When braking consumer would hear a knocking noise coming from the rear end. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the dealer replaced many component attempting to alleviate the noise. The last repairs included the dealer replacing the right rear wheel bearing at 13250 miles.
Problems with vehicle severely pulling to the right. *mr there was a squealing noise, the tire in the right rear had worn, the left rear tire treads were gone (not wearing evenly), the belts squealed, the front wheel drive would cause the front to spin, but not in the rear, when the A/C was on high, the loud noise would be exhibited in the front, the vehicle pulled to the right, and the vehicle hesitated when the A/C was on. *sc
A couple months after I bought the car I began to hear a very annoying "howl" coming from the front left corner of the car. Soon after the car would vibrate after accelerating to a certain point. I finally couldn't stand driving the car because of the noise so I had it towed back to the dealer. They checked and said that something was wrong with the bearings in the front left tire. For a while, it was fine but now it's starting to do the same thing again a year later in the same location it seems like. I only have 38,000 miles on this car. I don't think it should have recurring problems like this. Also, recently I've noticed that it is jumping into gears rather than making a smooth transition like it used to.
While driving suspension broke. As a result, vehicle rolled over at least nine times. Driver sustained major injuries.
When driving at highway speeds steering wheel violently shook. Dealer attempted to repair vehicle eleven times by doing an alignment and changing the tires. Cause of the problem had not been determined.
The steering wheel and front end shakes at speeds over 65 miles/hr and the vibration can be felt in the car.
The steering wheel and front wheels shake above 65 MPH which can also be felt throughout the front of the car. I feel the excessive shake could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle.
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