Chafing brake pipes, corroding front arms and steering ball joints on the Elantra (2001–2006)

Engine / equipment

Third-generation Hyundai Elantra (XD), petrol and diesel

Period mentioned

2000–2006

Symptoms

A brake pedal that sinks or brake-fluid loss; knocks and vague steering at the front; in serious cases, a broken suspension arm or steering ball joint.

Possible cause described

In the US, NHTSA logged several recalls for this Elantra: the rear brake pipes run behind the front crossmember and chafe against the steering-rack brackets until they wear, corrode and leak (model years 2001–2003, 312,292 cars); road salt corrodes the front lower arms from the inside, so they can perforate and break (2001–2003, in states that salt their roads); and some 2005 steering racks were fitted with cracked inner ball joints.

Check for the garage

On a lift, look at the brake pipes next to the front crossmember and at rust on the lower arms; check the steering ball joints for play; ask whether the campaigns were done.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database