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: steering
233 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Aug 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and electronic control unit (ECU) warning lights illuminated. The contact researched the issue and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. A dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Aug 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact recently purchased the vehicle. The contact researched and became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V113000 (Exterior Lighting), 15V100000 (Steering) and 20V061000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the repairs were unable to be completed because the required tools were unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Steering, Jul 7, 2026
I have gone to multiple Hyundai dealerships to remedy the open recall on my vehicle. None of them are able to accomplish it due to lack of equipment. My electronic power steering recently failed after multiple attempts to accomplish the recall. The most recent attempt was at the Hundai dealership at Doug's Hyundai, 22130 Hwy 99, Edmonds, WA 98026, in 2026. Previous attempts were at Hyundai dealership at 641 Orange Dr, Vacaville, CA 95687 in 2023, United States and the hyundai dealership near Macon Georgia in 2017.
Steering, Other or unspecified, May 1, 2026
Vehicle developed clunking noise in the steering. Was told it was coupler issue. The dealership, Nlorthbay Hyundai, in Petaluma, California, was negligent in the replacement, creating a grinding metal on metal noise, and damaged the steering column as well. The Dealership refused failed to correct the damage and attempted to defraud me over $3,000 for an entirely new steering column, and refuse to honor promised repair warranty despite their own negligence that created the damage. I found out that Hyundai models including mine have coupler issues involving recalls, years ago. I was not aware of this, and so not sure if my vehicle was part of the recall. However, Hyundai Motor America failed to notify me to take my vehicle in for a safety check for the vehicle coupler. And while I found that that my vehicle qualified for an extended warranty due to the recall, HMA so lacking in responsibility, sound business and moral ethics, let alone serious concern for my safety, claims that my vehicle is past the extended warranty by a completely insignificant mileage. As far as am concerned my vehicle is not safe to drive, and it remains at the dealership while I exhaust all avenues to have my car fixed. I have documents including clear repair notes and service request documents to support my complaint. Complaint being filed against both the dealership, Northbay Hyundai and the manufacturer, Hyundai Motor America.
Steering, Mar 27, 2026
EPS light came on and we changed the part and it came back on again I spent $350 for this service but I saw online that Hyundai is having a recall for my year and model car to reprogramming eps but my vin is not included. Is it possible they can include my vin ?
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 11, 2026
The EPS light started coming on intermittently back in Nov. 2025 and power steering became very difficult. I could get it to reset by turning off the car and turning steering wheel all the way to right and then left and then back to center and restart. The steering ability returned but the light eventually came back on. I had Firestone look at this in Nov. and they recalibrated but advised if problem returned that I should contact dealer due to recall for 2010 Elantras for same issue. The light came back on this weekend. I note the recall is for Elantras manufactured through April 30, 2010. My car was manufactured June 20, 2010…. 6 weeks after the dates of the recalled models. Clearly this issue is affecting my car also. I plan to call the dealer and try to get them to look at it and see if they will repair under the recall… but I wanted to report this to you also since is affecting models outside the original recall dates.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in direction with the ABS warning light illuminated. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but the failure reoccurred. Recently, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was restarted, but failed to self-correct. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 85,000. The VIN was not available.
Steering, Aug 18, 2025
The contact's mother owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Power Steering" warning light illuminated. The contact's mother had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering); in 2018, and the vehicle was no longer under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 12, 2025
I own a 2010 Hyundai Elantra that has experienced a sudden loss of power steering assist on multiple occasions. When this happens, the steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn, especially when maneuvering at low speeds or parking. The EPS light comes on and stays illuminated. This creates a serious safety hazard, particularly when driving with children or in traffic. I am aware of Hyundai Recall 127 (NHTSA Campaign 15V100000), which addresses the same issue, but my VIN is not included. I am requesting that Hyundai investigate and provide the same repair remedy for vehicles outside the initial recall VIN range that are experiencing identical failures.
Steering, Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering column had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,857.
Steering, May 31, 2025
The vehicle is subject to manufacturer recall #127. I brought it to two different dealerships for the recall repair after confirming in advance that they had the necessary parts. However, after dropping off my vehicle, I was informed a few hours later that the dealership did not actually have the parts needed for the repair. I contacted Hyundai’s service center to escalate the issue, but they refused to take further action. Instead, they repeatedly instructed me to reach out to other dealerships. After contacting several other dealers, I was told that they either did not have the parts or the system capabilities to perform the recall repair. Despite my efforts, Hyundai has refused to escalate this matter to upper management, leaving the issue unresolved.
Steering, Jan 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a turn, there was an abnormally loud thumping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the sound persisted over time. While the vehicle was parked, the contact turned the steering wheel and there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coupler steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,500.
Steering, Service brakes, Jan 1, 2025, fire
My car catched on fire after my steering wheel light keep coming on and off and my Abs and break light was on couple days before it catched fire .
Steering, Nov 10, 2024
When I was driving, the electronics steering light came on. The car started pulling hard to the right. Then stopped and drove normal but the light was still on. I park the car the next day the light was off drove fine Then it came back on and was doing the same thing.I brought it to the mechanic he recalibrated the steering. Worked for about a week , then it came on started doing the same. This is a very scary and not safe. When you're driving and you lose steering for no reason. It gets expensive, bringing it to the Mechanic trying to figure it out. This has happened two times and now the second time the car is going to the mechanic to fix this.
Steering, Aug 19, 2024
EPS Electric Power Steering warning and unable to steer to drive. I was quoted $3,200 to repair.
Steering, May 13, 2024
My 2010 Elantra just started making a clicking noise when slightly turning the steering wheel back and forth. Doing online research, I discovered it is a common problem on Hyundai, with the same symptoms as my problem, that there is a rubber star damper gear in the electronic motor system inside the steering column that fails, it completely falls apart, and is very common defect in these vehicles. No warning lamp was illuminated. I am now stuck without a car that I can not drive for fear the whole steering may fail. Because it involves the steering, Hyundai is putting all our safety at risk knowing there is a problem with this “cheap rubber” gear part that controls the steering and is prone to failing. The fix is around $800. Many people have complained on UTube comments. Hyundai should be made to recall and fix all these defective Hyundai vehicles. As a safety authority, NHTSA should stop unsafe vehicle production practices when uncovered and dealers force to fix them all.
Steering, Feb 26, 2024
I started my 2010 Hyndai Elantra and started backing out of parking space and the power steering failed. I could not move the car as steering was impossible. Restarted the car 2 minutes later power steering worked. Later that evening same thing happened while backing out of my driveway and now there is now power steering at all. Milage on the car is approximately 88,000
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 4, 2024
EPS fails, the steering wheel becomes very Hard.
Steering, Dec 18, 2023
Electronic Power Steering failure on a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. There is a recall bulletin issued for this defect on my same year and model, but Hyundai will not comply with it because my vehicles vin is not affective.
Steering, Dec 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the steering wheel was vibrating. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring more frequently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 13, 2023
After diagnose, DTC C1604 ECU hardware error and DTc C2412 motor short or open malfunctioning, recommended replace EPS system
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Nov 7, 2023
On July 25, 2023, I was driving in our town when I heard a noise coming from the rear of the car. I was very close to a repair facility that I sometimes use, so I slowly drove there. They looked at the car and showed me that the rear driver-side wheel was about to fall off. They then raised the car in the shop and told me that the rear upper-control arm had rusted through and broken, causing the wheel to break off. They showed me a photo of this. I was also told that had this happened on a highway at a higher speed, there could have been fatalities because control of the car would have been seriously affected. I contacted Hyundai about this and they told me to take to a dealer to be looked at. I refused to pay for this inspection and I now do not trust Hyundai.
Steering, Oct 26, 2023
The steering column makes clicking sounds when turning either way. Started approximately June. No lamps on. Noted previous recall on steering coupler. The contact stated after being told the coupler in steering column was replaced once records were picked up from dealership there was no mention of it. The dealership refused to fix problem and had to pay elsewhere for replacement.
Steering, Service brakes, Sep 25, 2023
As I was driving, the steering wheel and brakes locked up so I couldn't steer nor brake. Luckily I was in a parking lot so I cruised the vehicle to a stop without crashing. If I had been on a road or turning, I would have crashed. No indicator lights went on. I took the car to a Hyundai dealership where they couldn't find any problems and recommended I replace the steering column. I searched online and several others have reported a similar issue. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Aug 27, 2023
MY DEALER ALLEDGELY FIXED THE RECALL IN 2021 ALONG WITH 2 OTHER RECALLS. AT THAT TIME I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING. NOW 2 YEARS LATER MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND HASN'T WORKED SINCE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX BECAUSE THEY SAID MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HYUNDAI USA ALSO REVIEWED AND DENIED ME. ON THEIR WEBPAGE, IT DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A TIME LIMIT ON THEIR RECALL. IT IS A RECALL AND NOT A WARRANTY CONCERN. BELOW I SEND 2 PICS TAKEN OFF THEIR WEBPAGE. PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU.