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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Steering complaints

195 reports
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45,000 miles · Jul 12, 2020
Steering

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR RECALL 127 ON 4/24/2020. THE RECALL WAS TO FIX THE STEERING FAILURE. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED, MY STEERING HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT IS HARD TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, GETS IN A STUCK POSITION GOING STRAIGHT WHICH REQUIRES EFFORT TO "UNSTICK" AND THEN YOU OVER STEER. AT SLOW SPEEDS BA…

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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR RECALL 127 ON 4/24/2020. THE RECALL WAS TO FIX THE STEERING FAILURE. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED, MY STEERING HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT IS HARD TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, GETS IN A STUCK POSITION GOING STRAIGHT WHICH REQUIRES EFFORT TO "UNSTICK" AND THEN YOU OVER STEER. AT SLOW SPEEDS BACKING OUT AND TURNING OUT OF MY CARPORT THE STEERING IS WAY TOO TIGHT, THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONING THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AND ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO ISSUED. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM VERY CONCERNED.

NHTSA ODI #11338911

91,000 miles · Jun 18, 2020
Service BrakesSteering

EPS LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AGAIN AND LOCKED MY STEERING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND PARKING, CAN'T MOVE THE STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT. ISSUE HAS OCCURRED BEFORE AROUND THE INITIAL EPS RECALL, TOOK IT THEN TO THE SAME DEALER (SPORT HYUNDAI DODGE) WHERE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED TO UPDATE OR PATCH UP FIX. RECE…

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EPS LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AGAIN AND LOCKED MY STEERING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND PARKING, CAN'T MOVE THE STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT. ISSUE HAS OCCURRED BEFORE AROUND THE INITIAL EPS RECALL, TOOK IT THEN TO THE SAME DEALER (SPORT HYUNDAI DODGE) WHERE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED TO UPDATE OR PATCH UP FIX. RECENTLY WENT TO THE DEALER TO ALSO FIX THE ABS MODULE RECALL AND RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE EPS. THEY STATED IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A $2100 REPAIR, WHICH THEY WILL FILE WITH THE MANUFACTURE TO SEE IF IT'S COVERED. BY READING THESE REPEATING COMPLAINTS, SOMETHING TELLS ME THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM TILL IT'S IN HARMS WAY INSTEAD OF PREVENTING THE SAFETY ISSUES. CURRENTLY HAD TO GIVE UP WORKING HOURS AND IN FINANCIAL STRESS OVER A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED CORRECTLY IN THE BEGINNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329496

90,000 miles · Apr 28, 2020
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED TEXOMA HYUNDAI (2500 TEXOMA PKWY, SHERMAN, TX 75090) AND WAS PROVIDED AN E…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED TEXOMA HYUNDAI (2500 TEXOMA PKWY, SHERMAN, TX 75090) AND WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11322525

140,000 miles · Apr 24, 2020
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND QUICKLY DISAPPEARED. OVER TIME, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND QUICKLY DISAPPEARED. OVER TIME, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING). A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11322131

80,000 miles · Apr 12, 2020
Steering

I HAVE EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL/BUMPING/CLICKING, WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS CAUSES A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END WHEN BRAKING. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES SO FAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THERE IS NO EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. THERE I…

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I HAVE EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL/BUMPING/CLICKING, WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS CAUSES A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END WHEN BRAKING. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES SO FAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THERE IS NO EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. THERE IS EXCESS PLAY ANYTIME THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE SEVERAL INCHES WITHOUT MOVING THE FRONT WHEELS.

NHTSA ODI #11320892

130,000 miles · Mar 21, 2020
Steering

I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE TWO DOLLAR PART WITH VERY HIGH LABOR COST. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2015 PROBLEM WAS OBVIOUSLY MISS DIAGNOSIS IT IS THE STEERING COUPLING. IT CAN CAUSE A LOST IF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS A TOTAL CASE SPECIALIST FOR KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS THE COMPANY SHOULD BE TAKING …

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I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE TWO DOLLAR PART WITH VERY HIGH LABOR COST. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2015 PROBLEM WAS OBVIOUSLY MISS DIAGNOSIS IT IS THE STEERING COUPLING. IT CAN CAUSE A LOST IF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS A TOTAL CASE SPECIALIST FOR KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS THE COMPANY SHOULD BE TAKING CAR OF A LOT OF ISSUES THAT THEY TELL CUSTOMERS IT OUT OF WARRANTY OR YOU MISSED A OIL CHANGE SO THE WARRANTY IS VOID. I TOOK SEVERAL IF THE CALLS THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. NHTSA YOU SHOULD BE FOR CONSUMERS YOU HEAR THE SAME COMPLAINT OVER AND OVER FROM OWNERS OF KIA AND HYUNDAI . MOST OF THERE CARS ARE CRAP I GOT THE SAME CALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUES OVER AND OVER

NHTSA ODI #11318913

13,000 miles · Mar 11, 2020
Steering

IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM SO I WILL KEEP IT BRIEF. MY CAR HAS 150000 ON IT. THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE EPS. THE CLICKING HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED. AT ALL TIMES. I WENT INTO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW STEERING RACK. THE REPAIR COST MORE THAN THE CAR'S VALUE. I WENT I…

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IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM SO I WILL KEEP IT BRIEF. MY CAR HAS 150000 ON IT. THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE EPS. THE CLICKING HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED. AT ALL TIMES. I WENT INTO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW STEERING RACK. THE REPAIR COST MORE THAN THE CAR'S VALUE. I WENT IN TO HAVE REPAIRS FOR RECALLS IN 2018. I'M WONDERING IF THEY ACTUALLY FIXED IT BECAUSE THE EPS WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11317495

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2020
Steering

"EPS" ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LIGHT ON. DEALER WONT COVER IT. I WILL LOSE STEERING EVENTUALLY THEY SAID. HYUNDAI MAIN OFFICE SAID CAR IS TO OLD AND HIGH MILES 94,000 MILES 2010 ELANTRA. I DONT KNOW THE EXACT DATE BUT LESTER GLENN IN TOMSRIVER NJ KNOWS.

NHTSA ODI #11307841

155,456 miles · Jan 19, 2020
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MAKES CLICKING NOISE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT BACK IN 2015 NOT SURE IF IT WAS REPLACED THEN. I WAS TOLD THEY CANT FIX IT THE RECALL BACK FROM 2015.

NHTSA ODI #11300267

219,847 miles · Dec 11, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO STAR HYUNDAI (162-34 PIDGEON MEADOW RD, FLUSHING, NY 11358, (718) 353-0200) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO STAR HYUNDAI (162-34 PIDGEON MEADOW RD, FLUSHING, NY 11358, (718) 353-0200) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NEMET HYUNDAI (144-02 HILLSIDE AVENUE, JAMAICA, NY 11435, (718) 523-5858) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE LIGHT WAS DEACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE SEVERAL DEFECTS, INCLUDING THE EPS, WERE DISCOVERED UPON DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,847.

NHTSA ODI #11288465

Official recalls

3

20V061000 · 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

1

DP21003 · 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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