2003 Hyundai Elantra: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 1, 2020 · Suspension, Transmission · 153,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that the passenger's side control arm became defective which caused difficulty to steer the vehicle at various speeds. The contact then called superior hyundai south (238 w mitchell ave, cincinnati, oh 45232) where she made an appointment and was informed to check if there were any recalls on her vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000 (suspension) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact also stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled without warning upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective o2 sensor which was then replaced. Despite the o2 sensor being replaced, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failures. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2020 · Suspension · 92,000 miles · WA

Driving on highway and turning right; a tire blew. On inspection by a mechanic, the front passenger control arm was bent with rust on the exposed metal. The bent control arm allowed the tire to rub against the interior fender, eventually leading to the tire failing. The tire was in great condition before the sudden failure. On researching: there was a recall on 2003 hyundai elantra for front control arm problems. The federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000. This recall cites that road salt used in certain jurisdictions can cause internal degradation of the front control arms: leading to failure. Looking back through this car's history: it was originally registered in ohio, one of the states using road salt. I don't know why this car escaped recall, but it's having the same problems as other 2003 elantras.

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 Jan 7, 2019 · Suspension · 68,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai elantra. While driving 20 MPH, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle. The contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front passenger lower control arm was rusted from the inside out and the axle detached from the transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to columbia hyundai (10981 montgomery rd, cincinnati, oh 45249, (513) 489-2000) where it was diagnosed that the front passenger lower control arm was completely safe and had a small amount of rust. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2018 · Body, Suspension · PA

2003 hyundai elantra. Consumer writes in regards to passenger side control arm corrosion recall reimbursement. *smd

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 Jan 21, 2015 · Suspension · 36,573 miles · VA

As my wife was exiting our driveway the right front lower control arm broke. The vehicle was not operable. It was taken to malloy hyundai in woodbridge, va. I was not advised of any recalls. The vehicle was repaired for $1353.52 out of pocket. I recently learned about the recall on the suspension. Excluding northern virginia drivers places us at risk. It was fortunate my wife was not on interstate 95 and was not injured.

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 27, 2014 · Suspension · 147,000 miles · VA

The right side lower control arm suddenly complete broke in half close to the ball joint causing the tire to dangle and loss of steering and movement. This happened at a very low speed pulling out of our driveway. There was visible rust and corrosion on the inside of the boxed stamped steel control arm near the ball joint. This failure was exactly like the federal safety agency action number : pe09011 described. This vehicle was registered in va so the car was not subject to that specific recall although other states around us were. We received no notice of this recall in the mail or the potential problem even though we use and travel often to the states that did have the recall and they do put a lot of salt on northern va roads.

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 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 Apr 2, 2014 · Suspension · 94,032 miles · NJ

On april 1st 2014 the front right lower control arm broke off when I applied the brakes in order to avoid hitting a canadian goose that was sauntering majestically across the road (the goose was unhurt). The right front wheel was rotated about 60 degrees to the horizontal and was moved backwards enough to damage the right fender. Some two years ago, hyundai recalled this model to inspect for possible corrosion in the front suspension components. At that time the local hyundai dealer stated that there was no corrosion detected in this vehicle. While it is easy to blame this break on potholes, I would like to state that I am meticulous about avoiding them and I wonder if the suspension components were not weakened by poor quality corrosion protection and gave way when I braked. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).