NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
379 reports48,000 miles · Dec 20, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
NHTSA ODI #10556841
40,140 miles · Nov 27, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
CAR POWER GOES OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SUCH AS WHEN TURNING LIGHTS ON OR SIGNAL AND ALL LIGHTS ON DASH GO OUT. CAR HAS ALSO LOST POWER WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE AND HAD TO RESTART IT. ITS AN AUTOMATIC SO SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. ALSO AUTO LOCKS AREN'T AT TIMES. HYUNDAI HAS ALREADY REPLAC…
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CAR POWER GOES OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SUCH AS WHEN TURNING LIGHTS ON OR SIGNAL AND ALL LIGHTS ON DASH GO OUT. CAR HAS ALSO LOST POWER WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE AND HAD TO RESTART IT. ITS AN AUTOMATIC SO SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. ALSO AUTO LOCKS AREN'T AT TIMES. HYUNDAI HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE RADIO AND LOCKS THINKING THIS WAS THE FIX AND CLEARLY ITS NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554048
60,641 miles · Nov 19, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
DRIVING TO WORK TODAY THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING LANES. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DO A BIT OF SWERVING. MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE. PRIOR TO ALL THIS, I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE EPS AS IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS HAPPENING BEFORE. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE VEHICLE WOULD LO…
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DRIVING TO WORK TODAY THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING LANES. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DO A BIT OF SWERVING. MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE. PRIOR TO ALL THIS, I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE EPS AS IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS HAPPENING BEFORE. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK UP AND UPON TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD RESET ITSELF. I WENT AND SAW A MECHANIC , THEY ALLEGED TESTING THE VEHICLE FOR THE EPS PROBLEM HOWEVER NOTHING CAME UP AND THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. , I CALLED HYUNDAI WARRANTY DEPARTMENT AND FILED COMPLAIN SINCE I JUST RUN OUT OF WARRANTY AND PRIOR TO THIS I HAD MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE AND LEFT WITHOUT REPAIRS BEING DONE DUE TO NO CODE SHOWING .I WAS TOLD I SHOULD GET THE ISSUES FIXED AND HOPE I MID BE REFUNDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND A DEFECT ON THEIR PART WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND AT THE EXPENSE OF HYUNDAI. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT AS I EXPECTED MORE FROM THEM AND HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING BESIDES BILLS LEFT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING HYUNDAI KNEW WAS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE THEY HAD BEEN SELLING. WITH THE EXCUSE THEY CANT WORK ON A CAR UNLESS THE CODE IS SHOWING. WELL DEAR HYUNDAI THE LIGHT SHUTS OFF WHEN U TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE TO AN DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOCK AT THE ISSUE AND IT IS RIDICULES TO HAVE A RUN AROUND FOR A WELL KNOW ISSUE ON YOUR PRODUCT THAT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552951
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury
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.
NHTSA ODI #10549163
75,000 miles · Oct 1, 2013
StructureInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FINGERS FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FINGERS FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10546408
52,000 miles · Aug 22, 2013
Electrical SystemFire
I PUT MY 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN THE GARAGE ABOUT 11:00 PM ON SUNDAY NIGHT AUGUST 11, 2013. AT ABOUT 01:00 AM ON AUGUST 12, 2013 I WAS AWAKENED WITH MY ENTIRE GARAGE ON FIRE. THE FIRE APPEARED TO COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE ELANTRA, AS BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE COMPLETELY BURNED WITH ONLY STEEL WIRES WRAPPED AROUND WHEELS. ENGINE I…
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I PUT MY 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN THE GARAGE ABOUT 11:00 PM ON SUNDAY NIGHT AUGUST 11, 2013. AT ABOUT 01:00 AM ON AUGUST 12, 2013 I WAS AWAKENED WITH MY ENTIRE GARAGE ON FIRE. THE FIRE APPEARED TO COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE ELANTRA, AS BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE COMPLETELY BURNED WITH ONLY STEEL WIRES WRAPPED AROUND WHEELS. ENGINE IS WARPED AND BURNED. ENTIRE FRONT END MELTED. I LOST MY GARAGE AND CONTENTS ALONG WITH KAYAKS ON KAYAK TRAILER PARKED BESIDE GARAGE. BOTH NEIGHBORS' PRIVACY FENCES WERE BURNED DOWN BEHIND AND BESIDE MY GARAGE. THE ELANTRA BURNED COMPLETELY FROM THE FIRE. NO STEERING WHEEL OR UPHOLSTERY LEFT. ALL ALUMINUM PARTS MELTED. RADIATOR MELTED. WIRES MELTED. EVEN THE BATTERY WAS MELTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536612
55,000 miles · Aug 19, 2013
Air Bags
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.
NHTSA ODI #10536018
71,109 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
RETURNING FROM SOUTH JERSEY WITH MY MINOR SON, THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING LANES. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DO A BIT OF SWERVING. MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR HELP. PRIOR TO ALL THIS, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI IN PARAMUS, NJ FOR A RECALL FOR SO…
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RETURNING FROM SOUTH JERSEY WITH MY MINOR SON, THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING LANES. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DO A BIT OF SWERVING. MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR HELP. PRIOR TO ALL THIS, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI IN PARAMUS, NJ FOR A RECALL FOR SOME OTHER PART. AT THIS TIME, I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE EPS AS IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS HAPPENING BEFORE. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK UP AND UPON TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD RESET ITSELF. AT HYUNDAI, THEY ALLEGED TESTING THE VEHICLE FOR THE EPS PROBLEM HOWEVER NOTHING CAME UP AND THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. THIS TIME ON 8/10/13, THE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT REST ITSELF. I TRIED CALLING HYUNDAI FOR THIS DEFECT AND WAS PUT ON HOLD INDEFINITELY. I THEN SENT AN EMAIL TO THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY REFUSED TO RESPOND. IN MY EMAIL TO THEM, I EXPRESSED THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND A DEFECT ON THEIR PART WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND AT THE EXPENSE OF HYUNDAI. STILL NO RESPONSE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT AS I EXPECTED MORE FROM THEM AND HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534902
58,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Steering
WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND EPS LIGHT CAME ON AND ELECTRONIC STEERING WENT OUT. CAR BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON, THE VEHICLE OPERATED FINE UNTIL 5 MONTHS LATER. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. FINALLY ON JUNE 30, 2013, IT HAPPENED …
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WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND EPS LIGHT CAME ON AND ELECTRONIC STEERING WENT OUT. CAR BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON, THE VEHICLE OPERATED FINE UNTIL 5 MONTHS LATER. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. FINALLY ON JUNE 30, 2013, IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND HAVE FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND ONE OF SAFETY. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522919
119 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN SUDDENLY AND INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED OVER FIFTEEN TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE A PROBLEM WITH THE LATCH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN SUDDENLY AND INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED OVER FIFTEEN TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE A PROBLEM WITH THE LATCH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521927
Official recalls
3Feb 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.
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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