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, Seats, May 7, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING ON ROUGH ROAD ON HWY APPX. 59K MILES. HAD PASSENGER IN CAR APPX 200 LBS. TOOK TO DEALER AT 60,500 MILES. IS EITHER A FAULTY SEAT BRACKET $2500+ TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT OR DAMAGED SRS MODULE $1000+, OR POSSIBLY BOTH. DEALER RECOMMENDS BRING CAR IN FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TO REMOVE SEAT AN CENTER CONSOLE $300+ IN LABOR JUST FOR THAT. MY WARRANTY CONVENIENTLY EXPIRED AT 60K. DEALER COULD NOT GUARANTEE A 500 MILE EXTENSION TO MY WARRANTY SO I WILL NOT BE PROCEEDING WITH REPAIRS. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE FROM HYUNDAI, I DID NOTHING WRONG TO MY CAR, THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT.
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 11, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 13 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE CROSSED OPPOSITE LANES AND CRASHED THROUGH A GATE AND INTO A HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED LONG AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS MOMENTARILY AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 15V1000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED INFORMATION TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
Air bags, Mar 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,445.
Air bags, Feb 22, 2016, crash
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. ANOTHER DRIVER WAS TRAVELLING TOO FAST ON SNOW AND SLID INTO MY LANE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HIS AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MINE DID NOT. THIS WAS A 6 AIRBAG SYSTEM, WITH NO PASSENGERS IN CAR. I NEED ASSISTANCE PULLING OUT THE EVENT DATA RECORDER AND CRASH DATA BEFORE THIS CAR IS SALVAGED SO WE CAN GET HYUNDAI TO RECALL THIS SYSTEM.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Jul 2, 2015, crash
SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON 405 FREEWAY NEAR EXIT 52 GOING SOUTH TO WORK WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A 2013 NISSAN. BACK AND FRONT OF CAR FOLDED UP, I WAS EJECTED FROM THE SEAT BELT (OPENED UP AND FLEW INTO PASSENGER SEAT) AND NOT ONE AIR BAG OPENED. I COULD NOT MOVE, MY FOOT WAS FRACTURED, STOMACH HURT, NECK, BACK AND ARMS IN PAIN. CHP ON THE SCENE. CAR THAT RAN INTO THE BACK OF ME PUSHED ME INTO A LARGE TRUCK AND PUSHED THE TRUCK INTO A CAR. 4-CAR ACCIDENT. CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED AND I AM REPORTING THE FAILURE AND DEFECT WITH THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS. MA 10/5 UPDATED 11/06/2017*CN
Air bags, Jun 19, 2015, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY HYUNDAI 2010 I HIT A PARKED CAR DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED
Air bags, Dec 15, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air bags, Dec 13, 2014, crash
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER/OCCUPANT SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE AND DEBILITATING SPINAL INJURY........UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF *TR UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN
Air bags, Sep 22, 2014, crash
WHILE 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
Air bags, Feb 12, 2014
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.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2014, crash
THE HYUNDAI WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AND PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER CAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS BAD AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE STATE TROOPER INVOLVED STATED HE THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS WELL. *TR
Air bags, Dec 11, 2013
JUST WANT TO INDICATE THAT MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING IT WAS BROKEN. WHEN ASKED ABOUT WARRANTY THE DEALER SAID THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. NOW I HEAR THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEDAN FOR AIR BAG ISSUES AND THE NHTSA IS CONSIDERING INCLUDING THE TOURING MODEL IN THE RECALL. I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY VEHICLE TO THE LIST OF AFFECTED CARS WITH AN AIR BAG ISSUE! *TR
Air bags, Oct 22, 2013, crash
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.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2013
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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Mar 21, 2013
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
Air bags, Oct 10, 2012, crash
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
Air bags, Aug 15, 2012, crash
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.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jul 17, 2012, crash
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I85 SOUTH APPROACHING THE EXIT 17 WHERE I HAD PLANNED TO EXIT, AS I BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKE THE ENGINE WAS RACING, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, I TURNED RIGHT ONTO THE EXIT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN, I COULD NOT MAKE THE COMPLETE TURN, I FRACTURED MY LEFT THUMB, AND BROKE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO SOME TREES THAT WERE IN THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE, I CONTINUED TO TRY TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT IT KEPT GOING; I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT JUST A COUPLE OF FEET OFF OF THE RAMP ROAD ON I85 NORTH. UPON THE IMPACT OF THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO THE EMBANKMENT THE AIRBAG EXPLODED LIKE A BALLOON AND THEN DEFLATED, IT DID NOT PROTECT MY BODY FROM THE IMPACT, I EXPERIENCED BACK FRACTURES, HEMOPERITONEUM, AND BOWL PERFORATION FROM THE SEAT BELT, I FRACTURED MY LEFT THUMB WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE, I WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 9 DAYS, AND RECEIVED SURGERY ON MY BOWEL. THE BODY SHOP WHILE WRITING AN ESTIMATE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL STUCK (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL). I DID CONTACT HYUNDAI AND SENT THEM AUTHORIZATION TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER AFTER READING ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, AND THE PROBLEMS OF OTHER DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE COMPONENT, I DECIDED TO CONTACT YOUR OFFICE. I DON'T WANT HYUNDAI TO TAMPER WITH THE VEHICLE AND ALTER OR DESTROY THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE AND CHANGE THE STATUS OF THE ACCELERATOR IN ITS PRESENT STATE. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE? I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHER DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES MAY ENCOUNTER THE SAME PROBLEMS, I WAS BLESSED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AND HAD THE ON COMING VEHICLES ARRIVED SECONDS EARLIER THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MULTI A CAR CRASH. PLEASE CONTACT ME.[XXX], [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2012, crash
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.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2012, crash
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
Air bags, Mar 31, 2012, crash
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 16, 2012, crash
I WAS STOPPING MY 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON GRAVEL ROAD-MY RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKES THEY LOCKED AND CAR JUMPED TO ACCELERATION AND LANDED IN BUSHES KNOW DOWN PORTO POTTY WITH THE TOWN GOV.'T. *TR
Air bags, Feb 10, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND LEFT LEG. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURES TO THE NECK AND THE PASSENGER HAD INJURES . THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.
Air bags, Oct 14, 2010, crash
2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.... GOING HOME FROM WORK ON 9/16/10 AT 4:30 PM A DRUNK DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WAS TOTALED, THE SEAT BELT SAVED MY LIFE BUT NOT ONE AIRBAG WENT OFF. *TR
Air bags, Jul 20, 2010
AFTER ENTERING INTO A PARKING LOT FROM A 30 MILE PER HOUR STREET WITH A BRAND NEW CAR OF LESS THAN 48 HOURS, TURNED AND JAMMED THE BRAKES. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION, SO SCRATCH ON THE CAR AND NOTHING HIT EITHER UNDER OR ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR. *TR