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
454 reports, newest first.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Oct 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPORT DURST HYUNDAI IN DURHAM, NC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V10000 (STEERING), ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Steering, Sep 30, 2017
TOOK MY 2010 TO DEALERS FOR CLUNKING NOISE EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE 2 WEEKS LATER THE EPS LIGHT TURNED ON THEY WON'T LOOK AT IT UNLESS I PAY 150 FOR DIAGNOSIS PRIOR TO THIS THEY HAD A EPS RECALL
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.
Service brakes, Sep 14, 2017, crash
WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 25 MPH, TRAFFIC STOPPED ABRUPTLY ON THE ACCESS ROAD. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT THE CAR SEEMED TO ACCELERATE. I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME EVEN THOUGH I HAD 2 CAR LENGTHS OF SPACE BETWEEN US. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF DAMAGE.
Service brakes, Sep 14, 2017, crash
WHILE IN HEAVY, SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, A CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT MY CAR SEEMED TO ACCELERATE. I HAD LEFT SPACE BETWEEN OUR VEHICLES BUT THE CAR KEPT MOVING FORWARD AND I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF DAMAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE.
Steering, Sep 12, 2017
APPARENTLY, THERE WAS A RECALL ON HYUNDAI CARS AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I BOUGHT MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2010 IN DECEMBER 2014. THE RECALL WAS PUT OUT IN FEB 2015. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ,MULTIPLE TIMES FOR SERVICING AND NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS EVER A RECALL ON HYUNDAI MODELS. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM FAYETTEVILLE NC WHEN I WAS STATIONED AT FORT BRAGG. I AM NOW IN GERMANY. THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING ALL WOBBLY. I TOOK IT TO 2 GERMAN SHOPS AND I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. SO I TOOK IT IN. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HYUNDAIS BUT I MISS THE DEADLINE AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY AROUND 4000 EUROS TO GET IT FIXED. SO IS THERE A WAY AROUND THIS SITUATION? I WASN'T NOTIFIED. NOBODY NOTIFIED ME. IS THERE A WAY TO GET AROUND THIS OR GET MY MONEY BACK?. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HERE IN KAISERSLAUTERN GERMANY. THE SHOP ORDERED THE PARTS AND WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE SO THEY CAN START WORKING ON THE CAR.
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.
Suspension, Aug 18, 2017
I WAS DRIVING TOWARD THE BON TON , SHOPPING CENTER IN CARLISLE, PA. IT WAS PULLING LEFT AND RIGHT, IT APPEARED TO BE FIGHTING ME IN STEERING.
Wheels, Aug 10, 2017
THE TIRES WEAR OUT ON THIS VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER BEING PROPERLY ALIGNED! I HAVE HIM THROUGH 4 COMPLETE SETS OF TIRES AND HAVE 110,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE KEPT THE AIR PRESSURE AS IT SHOULD BE AND HAVE ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 3000 MILES. ALL 4 SETS OF TIRES WORE OUT THE EXACT SAME WAY, WHICH WAS INNER EDGE TREAD WEAR. THE ALIGNMENTS WERE DONE BY HYUNDAI TWICE AND TWO SEPARATE BUSINESSES AFTER THAT. ALL SAID THE ALIGNMENT WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO ADJUSTMENTS FOR CASTER AND CAMBER ON THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CAN APPARENTLY BE REMEDIED WITH AN AFTERMARKET CASTER CAMBER KIT WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY $200. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI, AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET AND LEARNING THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS INCLUDING THE ELANTRA. HYUNDAI ADVISED ME THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR A RECALL. I AM AVERAGING APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES PER SET OF TIRES!!! MY HYUNDAI CASE #10494797.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2017
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON NOT WORKING
Steering, Aug 7, 2017
EPS GOES OUT AT LOW SPEED. NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. ACTS RIGHT AFTER ENGINE RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN LAST 2 WEEKS. BOTH TIMES IN A PARKING LOT. I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE ELANTRA TOURING BUT NOT THE LS, SAME PROBLEM.
Steering, Aug 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE DEALER (FAIRFAX HYUNDAI, 10925 FAIRFAX BLVD, FAIRFAX, VA 22030, (703) 352-0444) UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND STATED THAT THE EPS CONTROL UNIT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER THE DEALER'S REPAIR, THE EPS RANDOMLY FAILED AND MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14.
Steering, Aug 5, 2017
FROM PARKED POSITION, I TURNED THE CAR ON BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE EPS LIGHT WAS ON. THE STEERING WOULD NOT WORK IN MANUAL MODE EITHER, IT WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HYUNDAI SERVICE WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED NEED FOR NEW STEERING COLUMN. (COST $2400!) THE CAR HAD ONLY ABOUT 83,000 MILES. THE PREVIOUS STEERING RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE IN 2015 (SOFTWARE PROBLEM?) LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED. ONLINE I SEE OTHER DRIVERS WHO HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IT CAUSED A CRASH.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 2, 2017, crash
AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHEN SLOWLY (<10 MILES/HR) TURNING INTO A PARKING PLACE IN A PARKING LOT OF A STRIP MALL PERPENDICULAR TO THE SIDE WALKS (DOUBLE SIDEWALK SEPARATED BY A RAILING) IN FRONT OF THE STORES, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED THRU THE PARKING SPACE AND UP ON THE FIRST SIDEWALK (IT DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE TO SLOW) AND KNOCKED DOWN THE RAILING SEPARATING THE FIRST AND SECOND SIDE WALKS. THE DRIVER PULLED UP ON THE HANDBRAKE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE IT CROSSED THE SECOND SIDE WALK AND CRASHED INTO THE BARBERSHOP THUS PREVENTING FURTHER DAMAGE AND NO INJURY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
WHENEVER I TURN ON THE A/C (SUMMER) OR HEATER (WINTER) A REALLY BAD ODOR COMES OUT FROM THE VENTS. ODOR SMELLS LIKE MOLD, MILDEW AND CAUSES ME TO COUGH AND GET BAD HEADACHES. I HAVE CHANGED THE CABIN FILTER THINKING IT WAS IT BUT ODOR PERSISTS WHEN THE A/C, HEATER OR FAN ARE BEING USED. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 1 YEAR AND IT HAS NOT GONE AWAY AND ACTUALLY GOTTEN WORSE.
Steering, Jul 24, 2017
THE EPS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 3 DAYS AGO. THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED TO BE RESET. CAME BACK ON TODAY AND NO POWER STEERING. BUT NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. REALLY CONCERNED SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IT.
Steering, Jul 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE EPS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,798. ...UPDATED 08/08/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/10/2017*JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 1, 2017
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON UPON RESEARCH I FOUND OUT IT COULD BE THE EVAP EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM PRES SENSOR LOW IT IS UNKOWN AS TO WHAT ELSE THIS ENCOMPASSES
Interior lighting, Jun 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD DOME LIGHT FAILED TO TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-633-5151 AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 10339622. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Power train, Jun 12, 2017
TRANSMISSION FAILS EVERY 35,000 TO 45,000 MILES. REPLACED TWICE UNDER 90,000 MILES. STARTS AS THE CAR HESITATES TO SHIFT OR DOES NOT SHIFT FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.
Steering, Jun 10, 2017
EPS LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS CORRECTED BY TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING IT. IT OCCURRED DRIVING ON INTERSTATES AND DURING LOCAL DRIVING FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE TAKING IT TO A DEALER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMELBACK HYUNDAI, PHOENIX, AZ FOR EVALUATION. WRITE UP FROM DEALER SUMMARIZED: EPS LIGHT IS ON, CODE C1290 TORQUE SENSOR MAIN SIGNAL FAULT WAS DISCOVERED. DTC FOUND, EPS C1290 TORQUE SENSOR MAIN SIGNAL FAULT. SEARCH FOR TSB AND FOUND TSB 12 ST 001, ATTEMPTED EPS REFLASH AND FOUND THAT IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO VEHICLE DUE TO ECU FOR THE MDPS ID DIFFERENT. CURRENT ROM ID #4HDASH02. TECHLINE CASE # 2017051202870. PER DIAGRAM FLOW CHART THE TORQUE SENSOR IS INSIDE THE MDPS/COLUMN. HIGH RESISTANCE INSIDE THE TORQUE SENSOR WHICH IS BUILT IN INSIDE THE MDPS COLUMN. REPLACED MDPS COLUMN AND PERFORMED CALIBRATION. RECHECK FOR CODES AND NO OTHER DTC FOUND? DEALER CONTACTED HYUNDAI ABOUT REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT WAS APPROVED. NOT SURE IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BASED ON THE DEALER NEEDING TO CALL FOR APPROVAL.
Steering, Seat belts, May 19, 2017
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN SPEED IS LOW AND IT IS TURNING WEIRD. ALSO THE SEAT BELT DOESNT RESTRAIN PROPERLY
Steering, Apr 16, 2017
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING SOUNDS AS IT TURNS, SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS BREAKING OR ALREADY BROKEN INSIDE. I LOOKED UP THIS ISSUE AND IT APPEARS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON IN MANY HYUNDAI VEHICLES. IT IS,AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPAIR BUT APPARENTLY BASED ON COMPLAINTS I'VE READ, THEY DO NOT. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT THIS CAN LEAD TO STEERING FAILURE IF I'M UNDERSTANDING WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THIS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR SO I'M HOPING IT WILL EVENTUALLY BE A RECALL. THIS CLICKING TAKES PLACES CONTINUALLY AS I DRIVE AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE ABOUT 53,000 MILES ON MY CAR.
Steering, Apr 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL INADVERTENTLY SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Steering, Mar 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE PARKING IN A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.