Check a VIN

2003 Hyundai Elantra steering problems

16 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 102,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
102,000
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Column locking: anti-theft device
    1

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 steering problems in other years

1994200020052010201520202025

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Hyundai Elantra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 26, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 41,000 miles · CA

When pressing the brakes it sounds like it's metal to metal, the steering makes a funny noise when you turn the steering wheel. Also car keeps saying 02 sensor but there's nothing wrong with it and the check engine light keeps coming on because of it.

Filed Jun 18, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 160,000 miles · KY

My lower control arm broke in two away from the body and other drive components due to rust and I'm not sure what else. I was driving at a slow speed heard a pop noise got out looked and the tire was all the way against the wheel well.

Filed Dec 8, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 105,735 miles · NY

Right front lower control arm and right front axle, broke while driving, causing loss of control. This was a previous recall, which was done at the dealership. Replacement of the control arms were not required at the time. Inspection, undercoating and ,drilled drainage holes were the fix. While stranded on the road, a cross country driver stopped. He informed me that he is seeing this same problem across the country with the 2002 and 2003 elantras. It looks as if the recall fix only postponed the problem. The arms should have been replaced, not holes drilled to let the water drain, the damage was already in the works, and now with so many of these cars still on the road,, we are looking at a disaster waiting to happen. I had just exited from a main highway, onto a local road when the incident happened, no one was injured. A few moments earlier would have been a very different scene. Pictures are available, as well as aaa repair shop , invoice for the repair.

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 220,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she noticed the suspension malfunctioned which caused her to lose control of the vehicle without warning. Also, the contact mentioned that the steering wheel became hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated the passenger side front lower control arm fractured between the ball joints due to excessive corrosion. The contact notified the manufacturer and they informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 220,000...updated 08-28-14 *bf the vehicle was repaired. Updated 09/11/14

Filed Jun 16, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 200,000 miles · VT

Front passenger side control arm fractured, allowing wheel to turn 90 degrees to the right resulting in an uncontrolled slide down the highway. This also blew out the tire and separated the axle from the transmission, spilling transmission fluid. Vehicle was uncontrollable, and once stopped immovable, and so stranded in the middle of the highway.

Filed Feb 7, 2014 · Steering · 109,682 miles · NY

Power steering line wore hole in line where line crosses over frame. Power steering line should have been protected from frame and elements of road salt and water to keep from wearing out. Very much of a safety matter, should be recalled & fixed properly to prevent an accident.

Filed Jul 24, 2013 · Steering · 78,000 miles · MA

When daughter was driving her 2003 hyundai, she had difficulty steering (very difficult to turn wheel)...we took it to a local repair shop who replaced the power steering pressure hose that had deteriorated. We are wondering if others have had this issue as well. It was very dangerous for her. Could this be related to other issues under the car related to corrosion???

Filed Apr 29, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 102,000 miles · VA

During a rapid stop at low speed the passenger side control arm snapped rendering the vehicle unsteerable. Had this occured at higher speed it is likely that serious personal injury would have also occured.

Filed Feb 9, 2011 · Steering · 38,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle pulled to the right into the next lane. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for wheel alignments but the failure continued. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the roads were causing the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2010 · Steering · 125,000 miles · NC

Wife was driving elantra, made hard brake for red light. Control arm failed resulting in loss of control of the vehicle, approximate speed at failure was 35 MPH. Luckily no accident resulted from this incident, total damage to vehicle was approximately 800. Researched issue and learned there is a recall out for 2001-2003 elantra control arms, however never received notice of this recall or heard about it. Local mechanic and dealership both confirmed severe rust through of control arms. Vehicle is driven in nc and not subject to salt, control arms rusted through anyways. This issue needs to be publicized before more people die from high speed control arm failure. I have researched issue online and believe that many elantra fatal crashes attributed to "driver error" actually resulted from control arm failure.

Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Elantra steering

Does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra have steering problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Hyundai Elantra, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Elantra steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 102,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Hyundai Elantra steering?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Hyundai Elantra have bad steering?

The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most steering complaints are 2013 (272 complaints), 2010 (195 complaints) and 2009 (134 complaints).

Other 2003 Hyundai Elantra problems

Suspension 61Airbags 48Body 32Brakes 27Engine 22Fuel system 18Lights 13Seat belts 11Electrical 10Acceleration 9Transmission 9Tires 8Visibility 4Wheels 3Locks 1Seats 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Hyundai Elantra?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history