IllustrationWHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, I WAS REAR ENDED AND ALSO I REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
2010 Hyundai Elantra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Elantra years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
460–25K
5425–50K
5950–75K
4675–100K
47100–150K
22150K+
274 reports with mileage · 105 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 195 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
45 crash reports9 fire reports36 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
46 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
CPSC: 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE HUSBAND PASSED OUT AT THE WHEEL, DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, CROSSED THE ONCOMING LANE, HIT A LARGE CABLE BOX, THEN HIT A TREE WITH SUCH FOR…
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CPSC: 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE HUSBAND PASSED OUT AT THE WHEEL, DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, CROSSED THE ONCOMING LANE, HIT A LARGE CABLE BOX, THEN HIT A TREE WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE VEHICLE OVER TURNED. HE SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. HYUNDAI INVESTIGATED THE MATTER, AND DETERMINED THE AIR BAGS PERFORMED AS DESIGNED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIFTING AT ABOUT 20 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE COMPUTER REPORTED A CRASH BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SUFFER ANY BODY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIFTING AT ABOUT 20 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE COMPUTER REPORTED A CRASH BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SUFFER ANY BODY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 10-21-13 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR ON THE 23 OF FEBRUARY THE SALESMAN ASSURED ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THIS CAR HAD ONLY HAD ONE OWNER NOTICED THAT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR THERE WERE WATER RINGS AND A MOLD SUBSTANCE SALESMAN ASSURED IT WAS NOT MOLD TOOK IT BACK 2 DAYS LATER THEY REPLACED STRUTS AND AGAIN VOICED MY CONCERN ABOUT MOLD W…
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WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR ON THE 23 OF FEBRUARY THE SALESMAN ASSURED ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THIS CAR HAD ONLY HAD ONE OWNER NOTICED THAT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR THERE WERE WATER RINGS AND A MOLD SUBSTANCE SALESMAN ASSURED IT WAS NOT MOLD TOOK IT BACK 2 DAYS LATER THEY REPLACED STRUTS AND AGAIN VOICED MY CONCERN ABOUT MOLD WAS ASSURED AGAIN IT WAS NOT TOOK IT BACK ON 13 OF MARCH THE OWNER CALLED AND ADVISED ME TO PICK UP CAR STATED THEY HAD SOME ONE COME OUT AND INSPECT THE CAR AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS NOT MOLD WHEN ASK FOR A COPY OF DOCUMENT WAS TOLD INSPECTOR REFUSED TO LEAVE ONE. ESC LIGHT KEPT COMING ON SALES MANAGER INSTRUCTED SERVICE DEPT NOT TO TOUCH MY CAR GOT TEST RUN TO CHECK FOR REPORTS ON ESC IT CAME BACK WITH 2 CODE C1260(STEERING SENSOR)THE OTHER B1322(AIRBAG CONTROL)WAS TOLD IF IT CAME BACK ON TO BRING IT BACK.I HAVE TRIED TO GET THESE ISSUES CORRECTED ON MORE THAT 4 OCCASIONS THE OWNER DIDN'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY I WAS TREATED .MOLD IS A HEALTH HAZARD I USE MY CAR FOR WORK. I AM IN HOME HEALTH AND DRIVE THE ELDERLY AROUND THIS IS VERY UNHEALTHY AND I THINK THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD CORRECT THIS AT THEIR COST. *TR
2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS COLLIDED WITH SUV\TRUCK AT APPROX 60 MPH AT RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AREA - SUV\TRUCK MOVED LEFT STRIKING ELANTRA IN RIGHT FRONT BUMPER THEN CENTER OF BUMPER AS RADIATOR WAS CRUSHED, BENT ELANTRA'S FRONT FRAME BOTH FRONT SIDES FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AT ABOUT 45 DEGREE ANGLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FROM VIS…
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2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS COLLIDED WITH SUV\TRUCK AT APPROX 60 MPH AT RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AREA - SUV\TRUCK MOVED LEFT STRIKING ELANTRA IN RIGHT FRONT BUMPER THEN CENTER OF BUMPER AS RADIATOR WAS CRUSHED, BENT ELANTRA'S FRONT FRAME BOTH FRONT SIDES FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AT ABOUT 45 DEGREE ANGLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FROM VISUAL INSPECTION, BODY SHOP SAID THAT FRONT SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS WORKED. ELANTRA WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL CRASHING. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED INJURED AS A RESULT. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL CRASHING. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED INJURED AS A RESULT. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA HELICOPTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A CASE ON THE CONTACT'S BEHALF (CASE NUMBER: 4964343). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED YET THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED YET THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,500.
TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 35 MPH, VEHICLE T BONED MY CAR IN THE DRIVERS CENTER POST AND BOTH DOORS. NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. 2 WITH INJURIES. OVER $6000 IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *JS
ONE CAR ROLLOVER CRASH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AN ESTIMATED SEVEN TIMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE SIDES AND MOST OF THE REAR END WAS DAMAGED AS WELL. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT BIT SUFFERS FROM SEVERE WHIPLASH. LACERATIONS AND BROKEN LEFT WRIST. THIS WAS A RENTAL …
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ONE CAR ROLLOVER CRASH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AN ESTIMATED SEVEN TIMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE SIDES AND MOST OF THE REAR END WAS DAMAGED AS WELL. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT BIT SUFFERS FROM SEVERE WHIPLASH. LACERATIONS AND BROKEN LEFT WRIST. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR. THE SENSORS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL. *JS
Official recalls
320V061000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Feb 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.
15V100000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
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.
13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
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.
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.