2001 Hyundai Elantra GSL from North America - Comments

Black paint started to get small perfectly round spots on just about every panel down to the bare metal at approximately 5000 miles.

Dealer was called and I was told to call corporate to get a work order number. I got a number and went to the dealership where a very rude man took pictures of the spots and claimed each one was birds#*t! He could have used better language! I was told they would paint certain panels and I had to pay 50% to get the rest painted. I don't believe bird-do can etch the side of a car. Another black car was there at the same time with the same problem and they were told the same thing! This is not a bird problem, but a paint problem!

I am not having a paint issue, but I am having some issues. First, I brought the car brand new and 2 weeks, if that, after I had it the car would not idle down. (this happens in the summer) Of course I took it to the dealership where they could never find the problem. Sometimes it seems the car gets stuck when changing gears. Now it is raining in my car on the drivers side! I am getting pretty disgusted.

My 2001 Hyundai Tiburon--black is experiencing the same paint problems. After getting the run around for 9 months, I FINALLY met with a Hyundai Rep that said that the paint problems were caused by Bird Stuff or tree sap and or insects. Hyundai Rep refused to accept responsibility under warranty. I am going to have my car completely repainted by a body shop out of my own pocket. Then I will see about getting my money back through the courts. Is there anyone out there who is having the same problem and getting the same lame excuses? Do I need to go to small claims court, or are there enough people out there that this could become a class action lawsuit like the one Chrysler had to pay up for because of the same paint problems? The problem starts as what looks like a small water spot, then blisters into a bigger spot and delaminates. It happens all over my car. Is this what happens with water based automotive paint? If you are having this same problem please respond to this comment with your experience with Hyundai paint. Lets get together and fight for the warranty that was given to us with the purchase if this car.

I have a black 2002 elantra, same paint problem, same customer service problem. I am talking to a regional rep tomorrow, if they are unhelpful I will be contacting the BBB. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Paint Job Sucks!

We are experiencing the same problem right now with our 2003 black elantra GT, our 5 month old new car looks like a piece of used crap!

Frustrated!!!

I have been having a problem with unusual dents and scratches, paint chips, wheel rusty too soon, something is wrong with this cars finish. My antennae was stolen too, but that is another problem. Has anyone had problems with vandalism?

Hi.

I wanted to mention that I am having the same problem with my black 2002 Elantra. I have a small rust spot developing on the hood and the paint is cracking on the roof in about 5 places. I just wrote Hyundai Canada today and will see what their response is. I don't really know how to use this site properly, but I would really like to be kept informed as to what has worked and what has not with this car.

Thanks,

I have a 2001 Sante Fe that has the same paint problem. Going to take it in today... will let you know what they say. Looks like a crusty water spot and keeps growing.

I have a 2003 Elantra and experienced this paint problem in August. I took the car in for the 15,000 mile service and they washed the car. I got home and saw water spots all over. I went back and it took over a month for the problem to be resolved. They said it wasn't the paint. They sanded the car to get the spots out. I am wondering what we can all do about this same problem many people have had? I thought I was the only one!

I feel your pain. Not only does the paint scratch easily and crack exposing the metal in droplet-sized spots, but the Hyundai service personnel is completely unsympathetic to my plight. I experienced the paint cracking problem three months after the purchase of my black 2004 Hyundai Elantra.

When I went to the dealership, I spoke to a man who had told me that a week or two earlier a woman had come in with the same car, same color, same problem, and her work was fixed under warranty as mine should be. Over the past nine months, I called about a dozen times and drove there to speak to them in person about half a dozen times with no resolution. Finally, I decided to contact the Hyundai headquarters in California, and they got me an appointment (today) to assess the damages at the dealership. After months of believing this was warranty work, the manager at the service center, who I had spoken to on numerous other occasions, told me that the cracks were not a defect, but rather due to acid rain, bird droppings or tree sap which are not covered. Furthermore, I was told that the afore mentioned woman had her car repainted out of the kindness of their hearts because she was a good customer, and that they would not do the same for me because I get my maintenance done by my mechanic and not by the service center.

I may not know much about cars, but I know that I never saw bird droppings or tree sap covering the entirety of my car nor would I let it remain there long enough to eat holes in my paint. As far as the acid rain is concerned, I drive under the same sky as every other Hyundai owner yet somehow this problem is unique to my car - as if a black cloud of acid rain follows my car alone.

I then called the headquarters again to log a complaint about the dealership (the gentleman I had on the phone was very nice). I currently have an appointment with a different dealership more than half an hour from my home to get a second opinion on the matter. If they do not resolve this, I intend exhaust the following steps:

1. Speak to a Hyundai representative face to face (currently the headquarters refuses to oblige this request)

2. Filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau

3. Obtain an attorney and file a civil lawsuit.

I feel that I have been more than patient with this matter, but my patience has run out. I can't imagine that I would ever recommend buying a Hyundai to anyone. If you're having the same problem and would like to know the outcome or current status of situation, feel free to contact me: proctoro@shu.edu.

I have a 2002 Elantra GT in black and I am too experiencing the same issue and had the same excuse here in Canada. Let me know about a Class Action Lawsuit though this page.

The black paint on our 2004 Hyundai Elantra is developing bad spot where the paint is coming off.

It appears Hyundai has a black paint problem or a general paint problem. We contacted the dealer about the paint coming off in spots and we too got the story the paint coming off is due to bird dropping, tree sap, etc. It is funny our 2003 Hyundai Elantra is not having the paint problem and both at exposed to the same environment.

We contact Hyundai’s office that is to arrange their factory representative to review paint damage, but for the last two weeks have not had a response.

A class action sounds good. If you had any luck please contact me at kirbyd45502@yahoo.com. Thank You.

Hi guys, I'm planning to buy hyundai in the next few days.

I think the only problems you got only happen to the owner of a black painted hyundai. Am I rite? Just want to know is there any problem with the other color?

Thanks.

From what I have read, it's only the black paint that's having the fading issues.

Hey Guys.

Just an update. I probably should have posted it before, but only thought about it until now. After getting the run-around for what seemed like an eternity, I had a lawyer friend send a letter to Hyundai HeadQuarters. They sent a Hyundai rep to come take a look at the car to take pictures and such. My local dealership continued to refuse to repaint it so HQ offered to cut me a check if I did the leg work and found a couple of repainting quotes (natually I found the highest prices possible). After all my troubles, I guess a little money in the bank is comforting.

Proctoro@shu.edu.