NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
379 reports25,000 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10479555
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2012
Electrical System
2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FRAYED WIRE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT THE END OF APRIL, HIS WIFE BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT EACH TIME THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE INTERIOR, AND THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. SHE BROUGHT THE MATTER TO THE CONSUMER'S ATTENTION AFTER OBSERVING SCORCHED AREAS …
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2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FRAYED WIRE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT THE END OF APRIL, HIS WIFE BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT EACH TIME THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE INTERIOR, AND THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. SHE BROUGHT THE MATTER TO THE CONSUMER'S ATTENTION AFTER OBSERVING SCORCHED AREAS OF THE OVERHEAD MATERIAL, LINING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ROOF. ADDITIONALLY, SHE NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC OF THE OVERHEAD LIGHT FIXTURE WAS VISIBLY MELTED AND DISTORTED. THE DEALER STATED THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY FRAYED WIRING, BUT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY BURNT WIRES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10473385
32,000 miles · Aug 15, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
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.
NHTSA ODI #10470820
30,000 miles · Aug 10, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. ON MY 2010 ELANTRA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, IT IS AS THOUGH THE GEARS ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE THE ISSUE ARISES. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO 40 MPH I HAVE TO LITERALLY HIT THE GAS AND GET THE RPMS TO 5,000 OR ALMOST 6,000 BEFORE THE CAR WIL…
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THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. ON MY 2010 ELANTRA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, IT IS AS THOUGH THE GEARS ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE THE ISSUE ARISES. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO 40 MPH I HAVE TO LITERALLY HIT THE GAS AND GET THE RPMS TO 5,000 OR ALMOST 6,000 BEFORE THE CAR WILL SHIFT. THE CAR THEN SHIFTS BUT WHEN IT IS SETTLING INTO 1000-2000 RPM'S THE POWER JERKS AS IF IT HAS LOST POWER MOMENTARILY, THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. GOING UP A SMALL HILL THIS CAR WILL GO ABOUT 10-15 MPH FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT COMPLETELY WHILE THESE CARS ARE BEING DRIVEN. LOOSING THE ABILITY TO SHIFT SHOULD BE A CONCERN HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470154
21,304 miles · Jul 11, 2012
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THE FRONT TIRES WEAR PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THE FRONT TIRES WEAR PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,304 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 23,141. ...UPDATED 08-03-12 *BF UPDATED 7/25/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ALSO RECALIPBRATED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. UPDATED 08/06/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10465251
43,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARRANT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ALARM OFF BY ACTIVATING THE KEYLESS REMOTE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF ANY POSSIBLE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARRANT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ALARM OFF BY ACTIVATING THE KEYLESS REMOTE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF ANY POSSIBLE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10462459
5,000 miles · May 17, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS VERY CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY SINCE HE BELIEVED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IF HE WAS TO BE DRIVING AT A H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS VERY CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY SINCE HE BELIEVED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IF HE WAS TO BE DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600.
NHTSA ODI #10458825
11,500 miles · May 7, 2012
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
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.
NHTSA ODI #10457628
14,000 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10455711
30,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. 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 MILEAGES WERE 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10454679
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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