2010 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 454 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 49 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 53 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleFeb 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V061000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemFeb 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V100000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Forward collision avoidance, May 27, 2026, crash
I am submitting this complaint regarding a possible airbag/SRS system failure involving a Hyundai vehicle. On May 26, 2026, the vehicle was involved in a severe front-end collision resulting in major structural damage to the front end, including the hood, bumper reinforcement, radiator support, and engine compartment. Despite the significant impact damage, none of the airbags deployed, including the driver or passenger frontal airbags. The collision was serious enough that the occupants could have suffered severe injury or death. Based on the extent of the damage, I believe the airbag system, crash sensors, or airbag control module may have malfunctioned or failed to operate properly. Photos documenting the damage are available. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this incident for potential safety defects involving: * Airbag non-deployment * Crash sensor failure * SRS system malfunction * Airbag control module defects I am also requesting review of whether similar complaints or investigations exist involving this Hyundai model or related vehicles.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2023, crash
On Sept 12th of this year I was involved in a multiple rollover with my Hyundai elantra and not one single airbag deployed nor did my seatbelt tighten up to keep me from moving around as much. Due to this I suffered a fractured vertabrae.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2023
I have a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. On Saturday, July 22, 2023, after the car was put into park in my fathers driveway and the emergency brake put on, the front driver and passenger bags deployed. The force of it's deployment cracked the windshield in several places on the passenger side. There were no warning lights or indications that this would occur. The car was in park. The seatbelts are in a locked (not able to retract) form, so the car is not drivable. The two individuals in the front seat were disoriented for a short time. All 4 passengers in the car experienced ringing in the ears for approximately 3 hours, but are ultimately, physically alright, however, not mentally. If this had occurred in another setting, the risk of accident or other safety measures would have been grand, but luckily it happened at the home of a family member. The airbag malfunction needs to be eligible to be fixed and not at the expense of me the owner. The car has a camera located in it and it captured all items listed above. The video may be provided. The Hyundai corporate office has been contacted and an incident file opened. The insurance company has been contacted, as well. Nothing has been done with the car, as the corporate office noted that they may need to see it in it's original state.
Air bags, May 22, 2023, crash
The contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his wife was driving downhill in the rain at 45 MPH, she failed to apply the brakes and crashed into a vehicle. The impact of the crash caused a three-vehicle pile up. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Due to the failure, his wife hit her right arm and chest on the steering column. The authorities arrived at the scene and rendered aid by the EMT. The driver of the vehicle that his wife crashed into sustained neck injuries. The contact later took his wife to a hospital where she was treated for bruising to her right arm and chest. A police report was filed(2023-17095). The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer nor the dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 7, 2023
Clockspring has failed . Hyundai has extended the clockspring warranty for 2011 to 2014 Elantras to a 15-year unlimited mileage but has excluded the 2010 models for some reason. I would like Hyundai to extend the warranty to all affected vehicles as it is a safety hazard.
Air bags, Jun 23, 2022
I pulled up to my house, turned the ignition off, and the airbag deployed in my face.
Air bags, Oct 27, 2021
My daughter was parked sitting in this car before going into work when all the airbags but the front ones deployed. The driver side one hit her arm very hard. The car was on but in park. Nothing hit the car.
Air bags, Apr 20, 2021
MY 2010 ELANTRA HAS A FAULTY AIRBAG MODULE. MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED AND I ONLY HAVE AROUND 47,000 IN MILEAGE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE A CODE B1620. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1100 TO FIX, WHICH SEEMS LIKE AN OUTRAGEOUS COST TO ME FOR A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE CAR. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I BELIEVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.
Air bags, Feb 3, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SAN LEANDRO KIA (1066 MARINA BLVD, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577, (510)347-3000) WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
Air bags, Jul 25, 2020
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA MODELS. MANY OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR AIRBAG DEFECTS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY MODEL. CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVING WONDERING IF AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS BUT BOTH STATED MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. WHY?
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 15, 2020
THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON AND WOULD GO ON AND OFF, BUT WOULDN'T TELL ME WHETHER IT IS FOR THE PASSENGER LIGHT (WHICH HAS BECOME FAULTY SOMETIMES HAVING A FALSE POSITIVE OR FALSE NEGATIVE TO WHETHER THE PASSENGER IS THERE), BUT MOST RECENTLY HAS STAYED ON PERMANENTLY WITH THE PASSENGER LIGHT CORRECTLY READING OFF - IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THAT MEANS THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE OR IF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT DEPLOY. IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG OVERALL AND IF THE CAR HAS SWITCHED OFF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS SWITCHED OFF A FEW TIMES SEEMINGLY INDICATING EVERYTHING IS FINE, HOWEVER IT NOW STAYS ON REGARDLESS OF WHERE DRIVEN. *TR
Air bags, Apr 20, 2020, crash
HYDROPLANED HEAD ON INTO A GUARDRAIL AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY DOING 23+ MPH. HIGHWAY GOING AROUND A TURN.
Air bags, Jan 24, 2020
MY RED AIR BAG NOTIFICATION ON MY DASHBOARD STAYS ON. WAS TOLD THIS MEANS NO AIR BAG COVERAGE. ALSO THAT IT IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. I AM DRIVING THIS BUT ONLY BECAUSE DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD NEED TOO PAY FOR INSPECTION TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THEN PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE I AM A SENIOR DRIVER AND NEVER HAD A TICKET BUT AM WORRIED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING. AS A SAFETY ISSUE I FEEL THIS NOT BE A CHARGE THAT I NEED TO COVER. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A POWER STEERING RECALL. ONLY TOLD ABOUT IT SOME TIME AFTER I PAID TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. NOW I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A SAFETY ISSUE BY THE DEALER NOT ME. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS REGARDING THE RED LIGHT ALERT HAPPENING AND NOTHING BEING DONE.
Steering, Air bags, Oct 2, 2019
THE EPS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON ONE DAY. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR, SO I WENT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC FIRST. HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY STEERING COLUMN AND AN OPEN RECALL FOR MY VIN. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF THE RECALL WAS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING ISSUE. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE EPS LIGHT CAME BACK ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I PARKED THE CAR FOR FEAR OF A POSSIBLE INCIDENT. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER INITIAL DIAGNOSTICS, I WAS INFORMED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE TECHNICIAN WANTS TO START THE AIRBAG FIX BY REPLACING THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. EACH REPAIR WAS OVER $2,000 WITH MY GRAND TOTAL BEING JUST OVER $4,800 AND NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE AT THAT POINT. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES AND PEOPLE WITH UNDER 60,000 MILES DEALING WITH $2,000+ DOLLAR REPAIRS. IF THE STEERING GOES OUT, IT HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. THAT COUPLED WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT, WHICH NOTIFIES THE WHOLE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED, MAKES THIS CAR TOTALLY UNSAFE TO OPERATE. EVEN OUT OF THEIR WARRANTY PERIOF NOW, THESE WERE REPORTED ISSUES THAT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2013. I CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND MADE MY COMPLAINT. WHEN I RECEIVED A CALLBACK, I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER THE MILEAGE WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS, NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO HELP ME. THE $4,800+ REPAIR BILL IS MINE AND MINE ALONE.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND WON'T SHUT OFF. AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY EVEN IN A CRASH WITH THIS LIGHT ON.
Air bags, Jun 9, 2019, crash
AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING FRONT END CRASH AT 35-40 MPH
Steering, Air bags, Oct 24, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED A SECOND VEHICLE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND NECK INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND AND HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Air bags, Aug 20, 2018
REQUEST EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AIRBAG LIGHT THAT CONTINUALLY STAYS ON. REQUEST EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FREE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND CHECK OF CLOCK TIMER.
Air bags, Aug 2, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A UTILITY POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000.
Air bags, Sep 25, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" TODAY 9/25/17, I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PAD IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. IT IS NOT MAKING CONTACT TO MAKE THE HORN WORK. HE STATED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. I NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE OF THERE BEING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO TEST THE HORN UNDER THE HOOD OF CAR, HOWEVER WHENEVER I NEED TO BLOW THE HORN IT DOES NOT WORK.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2017
AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MINUTES WITH MY KIDS IN THE BACK I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED BODY TO GET SOMETHING OUT CENTER CONSOLE, ENGINE WAS OFF KEYS WHERE IN MY HAND AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYS.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2017
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON NOT WORKING
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Dec 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE, AIR BAG, AND ADDITIONAL UNSPECIFIED WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALER TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Air bags, Sep 30, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON. CLOCK SPRING ISSUE.
Air bags, May 16, 2016, crash
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS VEHICLE RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WHY? THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE WAS SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WITH SUCH VIOLENT FORCE, HER STERNUM WAS FRACTURED AND HER HEART MUSCLE BRUISED. HYUNDAI DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE TAKATA RECALL LIST. WHOM DOES HYUNDAI UTILIZE FOR ITS AIRBAGS?