2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS from North America - Comments

I got mixed feelings about my Elantra and it has durability issues. I think it will last 60,000 with no problem, but I'm anxious to see what is happening in the longer run. Does it make economic sense to buy these cars?

I don't know and I think it depends on it's intended use. As a cheap second car that will only run let's say 10,000 miles a year it's OK, but used for commuting I'm not so sure.

My preliminary conclusion is that this car makes no economic sense compared to a Malibu which is our other car. The price difference is only $3,000 on the road and besides that Malibu is larger, quieter and a better drive the Malibu seem to be much more durable. Both cars have been more or less trouble free, but the Elantra is already showing considerable signs of wear compared to the Malibu and the Malibu has now covered more mileage since this is now our primarily commute car. The Elantra has developed a lot of rattles, interior wear and the front end seems worn and is noticeable in corners.

We also have more outside warranty work on the Elantra too. But it's better on gas compared to the Malibu. I'm not really sure what kind of car will give overall economy.

My cheapest car ever must have been my old 93 LeSabre that lasted 230,000 with little repairs. Finally the transmission slipped and they wanted more than $2500 for a new one so it had to go.

I don't think the Elantra ever will see that kind of mileage and if it lasts maybe 120,000 without many repairs I'll be very glad. You know everything is disposable these days even the cars.

I have a 2000 Hyundai Elantra. I didn't start having major problems until it hit 100,000 miles. While it was under warranty, I've had 3 oxygen sensors replaced, 2 pulse generators, all 4 window assemblies, door handle, my glove compartment. All of this led me to believe that the engine was good, but the other parts of the car were very poorly built.

Then my car hit 100,000 miles. Now all of a sudden, my transmission needs to be replaced. I think it's ridiculous that my transmission needs to be replaced at this point. My dealer just said well it'd be 2100.00 or you can buy a new elantra. AS IF!! I would never suggest buying a Hyundai to anyone. Spend the extra money and get something that lasts for 10+ years instead of 6.

The funny things is on a hyundai forum I saw that people were having the same problems with their hyundais even though they were 2004, 2005 models. If a company can't fix their problems in 4 years... they shouldn't be trusted, obviously they don't care.

I have a 2001 Hyundai Elantra with about 85000km.

While the car was under warranty, I had the wiper arms replaced.

Recently my check engine light came on and the car started to hesitate on initial take off in the morning, and the check engine light also came on. It had an O2 sensor code and 2 transmission codes. I replaced the O2 sensor MAF sensor, VSS sensor and a transmission flush.The problem is still there; it is getting very expensive.

I have a friend with the same car who has the same problems, and nothing he does is working also. Has anyone seen this problem and do they know how to fix it?

First, I've owned/own a total of 7 Hyundai in the past 12 years. THis is about my 2001 Elantra GLS, I noticed a lot of people complaining about not starting issues not related to the MAF sensor, I found out its usually due to incorrect wire fittings IN the fuse/relay box under the hood. I had taken mine in 3 times for the problem before I fixed it myself in 20 minutes right in the dealers lot (I am experienced in wire chasing, I've been a ATC avionics tech for 14 years now) My clutch gave out at the 170K mile mark and I replaced it easily and not at the 182K mark my wheel bearings are shot in the front, all in all I've found the Hyundai's reliable (I not going into what my POS Chevy Cavalier put me through). And they are one of the easiest cars I've found to do most mid range maintenance on.

We bought our first Elantra new in 96. Replaced a clutch arm, O2 sensors and had the manifold crack problem. Loved the car! it had 200,000 miles on it when we hit the deer at 60 mph. Totalled the car.....airbags did not go off ?????? Bought a 2005 elantra brand new, love it, no problems at all yet except the transmission code recall fix and the wiper motor recall and the passenger sensor recall . bought a 2001 elantra in 2005, commuter car 60,000 miles a year, having a pulse generator problem right now, mechanic says 300 to 600 bucks. I will report later. bought a kia sedona in 2006 because hyundai didn't have a van at that time. going thru brakes with the van unfortunately.

Check engine light came on one day and then car began hesitating and having poor acceleration. Some times the car would run fine and other times the acceleration and RMP would be higher than normal. Got the speed sensors replaced for $300 total. Now when I go a little past 20mph and the car goes to shift into the next gear, the car shifts very hard and you can feel it, but the engine light does not come on and the acceleration isn't as poor. I have had many problems with this 2001 hyundai elantra gls and it has about 67,000 miles. Now I am being told I might need a new transmission. It shouldn't need a new transmission with little miles like this. Hyundai cars are junk in my opinion, I would not buy another one.

If starting problems are intermittent in that you get absolutely nothing when you turn the key sometimes and other times it starts right up - read on. I have a 2004 Elantra with a standard tranny and have the same issues. First, check the battery - a hand held tool costing about $10 will tell you if it's dead. Batteries don't go dead overnight, you should notice it cranking slower over months. If battery is okay - a safety feature of the car is that the shifter must be in neutral and the clutch pedal completely pushed in. Behind the clutch up on the firewall is a standard push-in button switch. If the clutch does not engage and push that switch completely in or the switch is bad or a wire is loose - you get nothing when you turn the key. The starter circuit is not completed. Checking this out is complicated because the button is in such a place that it is hard to locate without getting out of the car and looking up under there. Once you see it though you can figure out a way to manually push that button in and turn the key normally - takes two people. Also, see if you can start the car by old-fashioned push start method.

I own a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. I bought it in Sept of 2006. It has 115000 miles, and has been relatively dependable.

My only big complaint is the headlights. They burn out about every 2 months. I can't figure out why, but it's VERY frustrating and costly, not to mention how hard they are to install, especially the driver side one!

For those of you hating to change your headlights, I have the solution. After numerous times of removing the battery and trying to put in the passenger side one around the washer fluid, my boyfriend realized that you can remove the whole assembly and replace them from the outside. All you have to do is remove the screws holding the assembly in. They are underneath the hood, but easier to get to, and it is a lot easier to put that stupid paper clip thing that holds the bulb back in.