NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
252 reports98,292 miles · Dec 29, 2012
Steering
DRIVING AROUND 45MPH, TRYING TO TURN LEFT AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE APS LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO PEARSON HYUNDAI AND HAD CHECKED OUT. PER PEARSON, THEY FOUND A CODE C1290, TORQUE SENSOR MAIN SIGNAL FAULT. WILL NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. APPR. COST OF $1600.00. PER PEARSON, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND VEHICLE SHOULDN'…
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DRIVING AROUND 45MPH, TRYING TO TURN LEFT AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE APS LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO PEARSON HYUNDAI AND HAD CHECKED OUT. PER PEARSON, THEY FOUND A CODE C1290, TORQUE SENSOR MAIN SIGNAL FAULT. WILL NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. APPR. COST OF $1600.00. PER PEARSON, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND VEHICLE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRED. NEED INFORMATION ON ANY AND ALL RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490429
37,000 miles · Dec 6, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON SUN NIGHT PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT WENT AROUND A CURVE AND CAR STARTED LOOSING CONTROL WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND HEADED HOME. NEXT MORNING WAS DRIVING VEHICLE NOTICED ESC LIGHT WAS ON AND WOULD NOT RESET EVEN AFTER SHUTTING CAR OFF.DRIVING DOWN ANOTHER ROAD AT APPROX. 40-45 MPH WENT TO NEGOTIATE …
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON SUN NIGHT PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT WENT AROUND A CURVE AND CAR STARTED LOOSING CONTROL WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND HEADED HOME. NEXT MORNING WAS DRIVING VEHICLE NOTICED ESC LIGHT WAS ON AND WOULD NOT RESET EVEN AFTER SHUTTING CAR OFF.DRIVING DOWN ANOTHER ROAD AT APPROX. 40-45 MPH WENT TO NEGOTIATE A SLIGHT TURN TO THE LEFT WHEN CAR STARTED SLIDING OUT FROM UNDER ME TAPPED BRAKES TRYING TO GET THEM TO GRAD AND CAR UNDER CONTROL BUT HAD NO RESPONSE CAR DID A 180 AND SLAMMED IN A TELEPHONE POLE ON PASSENGER SIDE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HIT WITH MORE FORCE THAN 40 MILES AN HOUR. THANKFULLY I HAD NO PASSENGER BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT HAVE MADE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487588
13,135 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HIT A CONCRETE WALL RESULTING IN $4,227.40 IN DAMAGES. IT WAS THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED THIS YEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HIT A CONCRETE WALL RESULTING IN $4,227.40 IN DAMAGES. IT WAS THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED THIS YEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FILLING UP WITH GASOLINE CAUSING THE SURGE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,135. ..UPDATED 11/09/12 *BF UPDATED 11/14/12
NHTSA ODI #10479586
300 miles · May 16, 2012
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING PULLED TOWARD THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES TO BE ALIGNED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING PULLED TOWARD THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES TO BE ALIGNED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 23,000. UPDATED 7/18/12 *CN UPDATED 07/25/12
NHTSA ODI #10458663
35,000 miles · May 1, 2012
Steering
DRIVING 25 MPH THE EPS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING SO I PULLED OVER AND AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF IT WORKED FINE. AFTER MANY MORE OF THE SAME DEALS THE STEERING WOULD NOT COME BACK.I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10456974
4,700 miles · Apr 26, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700.
NHTSA ODI #10456569
93,000 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION. UPON RESTART, THE CONTACT REGAINED STEERING AND MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION. UPON RESTART, THE CONTACT REGAINED STEERING AND MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 02/27/12*LJ UPDATED 02/28/12
NHTSA ODI #10444848
60,400 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Steering
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, COMING BACK FROM GYM, WHEN MY EPS LIGHT WENT ON--SECONDS AFTER THE LIGHT APPEARED, MY POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. I STRUGGLED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN RAN OFF THE ROAD AFTER PULLING WITH BOTH ARMS TO PULL THE CAR OVER. I EVENTUALLY DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH MY HAZARDS AT A VERY SLOW SPEED SINCE …
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, COMING BACK FROM GYM, WHEN MY EPS LIGHT WENT ON--SECONDS AFTER THE LIGHT APPEARED, MY POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. I STRUGGLED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN RAN OFF THE ROAD AFTER PULLING WITH BOTH ARMS TO PULL THE CAR OVER. I EVENTUALLY DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH MY HAZARDS AT A VERY SLOW SPEED SINCE I HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING THE CAR ETC. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED HYUNDAI (CUSTOMER CONNECT ) MY CASE NUMBER IS[XXX]. THEY HAVE ONLY RESPONDED THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME ANY OF THE 2400 DOLLARS IT COST TO REPLACE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443277
30,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THE RPMS ALSO INCREASED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10438620
6,000 miles · Nov 18, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000 . UPDATED 12/16/11*LJ UPDATED 01/20/12
NHTSA ODI #10436343
Official recalls
4Feb 4, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Feb 23, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Mar 15, 2011
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A WEIGHT SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE RIGHT FRONTAL AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPANTS OF CERTAIN WEIGHTS OCCUPY THE SEAT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY IN CRASHES IN WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WEIGHT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
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