2003 Hyundai Elantra: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed May 9, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 141,000 miles · NJ

In 2009, a recall was issued for rust/corrosion of the front lower control arms of these vehicles (recall 091 per hyundai). We found out about this and took it to our local dealer in 2011. Holes were drilled and the car "passed" without need to replace anything. A "protective coating" was applied. On saturday, may 3, my husband was driving and pulling out of a parking space. He heard a grinding noise as he backed out, then heard something break and the car wouldn't move. We couldn't even push the car back into the parking space, as the tire/arm appeared to be detached. We found out the right control arm had rusted through completely, also causing damage of the axle. The car was taken first to our mechanic and then the dealership and it was determined the same recalled part had rusted through, causing the break. The car was fixed by hyundai, including replacement of both control arms. I'm just very concerned that this could have occurred while driving and caused a crash and serious injury. We had no idea of the risk, although we did have a bad winter with a lot of road salt used so I'm not surprised. I am surprised, though, that it was never advised to return and have this re-checked. I called hyundai's care management dept and the person I spoke with ([xxx]) denied this issue was related to the recall and said it must have been repaired only as a courtesy. I strongly disagree by what I heard from the mechanic. I wanted to make you aware as I'm sure the safety of many is at risk if this a result of a recalled part and they are un-knowingly at risk after this bad winter. Thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 28, 2008 · Body, Suspension · 78,234 miles · PA

I was driving downhill to a stop sign (from about 20mph), and pressed the brake pedal, at which point I heard an awful crunch noise, and the front right corner of my car jolted, shook, and sounded like something was grinding together. I got out of the car to look at the front right wheel, and saw that it was turned in towards the center of the car, and bent under the front of the car, about 1/4" away from the back of the wheel well, while my other front wheel was aimed straight ahead. I drove the car 100 feet to a safe place off the street, during which trip the steering wheel tried to spin wildly in various directions, and the crunching, jolting noises and motions continued. The car was not drivable, so I called a flatbed tow truck, who towed it to my mechanic.. When the mechanic was able to look at the vehicle, he determined that the control arm had completely snapped in half, as a result of rust corrosion from the inside out. Visual inspection of the control arm confirmed that the metal it is constructed out of was corroded down to a thickness of approximately 5 or 6 sheets of paper. Water kicked up from wet roads by the tires had gotten inside the control arm (through a faulty seal) and, as there are no drainage holes in the control arm, it remained inside, eating away at the metal until finally the weight of the car snapped the arm in half. This failure of the control arm also wrecked the suspension of the car, as well as the cv shaft, the right front axle, and the sway bar links. The control arm, the cv shaft, and the sway bar links had to be completely replaced, and the car needed a realignment.

Filed Jan 29, 2007 · Brakes · 39,000 miles · TX

The brakes on my 2003 hyundai elantra began grinding at only 39k miles. I contacted the dealership and was told brakes were not covered by my extended warranty. I took the car to midas because of the lifetime warranty and the brakes were not failing due to normal wear and tear. The front pads had a metal plate on the outside which had come lose and was cutting into the hub. The mechanic said this was a defect in the brake pads that occurred when they got hot and the adhesive came loose. During the inspection, they also discovered that the cylinders on the rear brakes were leaking. I ended up with over $600 in brake repairs.

Filed May 4, 2004 · Brakes · 3,500 miles · LA

Rear drum brakes producd a squeaky noise. Dealer replaced the part five times, however the problem recurred.

Filed Mar 9, 2004 · Suspension · 10,201 miles · DE

Vehicle had whining/grinding noise coming from both front and rear begining in aug 04 @ 10200 miles. Car has been taken to dealer 9 times for this problem. Rear brakes began clicking as they were applied. Brake cylinders were replaced. Then rear wheel bearings were replaced. Front wheel bearings where then replaced. Car was okay after 13 nov 03, but the rear wheel bearings went out again in jan 04. Vehicle was submitted for lemon law, and hyundai would not re-purchase vehicle because only "two" actual attempts were made to repair(which is a crock of crap). Vehicle has been having numerous other minor issues that the dealer has failed to fix. Vehicle is scheduled to return for bearing replacement again this month(march 04)

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Brakes · 6,000 miles · KY · crash

While driving at 35 MPH, the consumer suddenly slammed on the brake pedal, but they failed to stop the vehicle, resulting in a rear end collision. Prior to this incident the brake squeaked. *ak the consumer feels that something should be done about her damaged vehicle. *cb