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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING THE LOCAL DEALER GLENDALE HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 411 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE AND NO SERVICE APPOINTMENTS WERE AVAILABLE. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT NO RECALL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS COULD BE PLACED DUE TO AN INOPERABLE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 12, 2021, fire
2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA: RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A VEHICLE FIRE. IT OCCURRED ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020. . I PARKED MY VEHICLE ON THE STREET PER USUAL AND MAYBE 15 MINUTES AFTER ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY MOTHER BEGAN YELLING THAT WAS MY VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES! I OPENED THE FRONT DOOR AND SAW IT WAS INDEED IN FLAMES AND POPPING AND SMOKING. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 WHOM SENT OUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AFTER THEY WERE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE FIRE, THEY DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE CONSIDERING THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I HAVE THE CASE NUMBER AS WELL. MY VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED AND RANDOMLY CAUGHT FIRE. THANKFULLY I WASNT IN IT WHEN IT HAPPENED OR THINGS COULD HAVE BEEM ALOT WORSE. BUT I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND ON TOP OF THAT I HAD TO PAY TO GET THE VEHICLE REMOVED FROM MY APARTMENTS PROPERTY.
Power train, Dec 29, 2020
VEHICLE HAS 85,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. DOES NOT MATTER IF THE WEATHER IS WARM OR COLD OR IF ENGINE IS WARM OR COLD. REOCCURRING PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
Structure, Dec 28, 2020
BACK SEAT DOOR BEHIND DRIVER WILL NOT OPEN OR SHUT. THE DOOR HANDLE BECOMES STUCK. THIS DOOR HASN'T BEEN USED MUCH SO THIS ISN'T NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS WE CAN'T ACCESS THE DOOR FOR MY CHILD.
Steering, Dec 2, 2020
MY CAR HAS ALREADY HAD THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL ISSUE COMPLETED IN 2015 BUT IT NOW MAKES A AWFUL CLICKING NOISE WHEN IT IS BEING TURNED.
Electrical system, Nov 22, 2020
MY CAR CONTINUALLY WILL NOT START. I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY JUMPED SEVERAL TIMES VIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I COULD DRIVE IT ONE DAY AND THE NEXT DAY, ITS DEAD. I EVEN BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY THINKING THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTS. I THINK THIS MAY BE A MAJOR ISSUE. THE CAR WAS ALWAYS PARKED. MY CAR INSURANCE POLICY ATTACHED HAS THE RECORD OF HOW MANY TIMES I'VE HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO JUMPSTART THE CAT.
Steering, Nov 17, 2020
THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD, IT WAS NOT TURNING, RISKING TO HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT
Steering, Nov 16, 2020
THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT IN STEERING COLUMN THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO HYUNDAI,THE DEFECT IS CAUSED BY A SUBSTANDARD RUBBER BUSHING THAT HAS DETERIORATED AND FALLEN OUT OF A UNIVERSAL JOINT IN STEERING MECHANISM,EACH TIME THE STEERING IS TURNED EITHER WAY THERE IS PLAY AND A CLUNKING NOISE,I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAS CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS OR NOT BUT ANY DEFECT IN STEERING IS SOMETHING ALL DRIVERS SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT,AS FOR MYSELF I'M ALWAYS CONCERNED WHEN DRIVING KNOWING THAT SOMETHING IS MISSING FROM STEERING MECHANISM
Steering, Service brakes, Nov 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATED AS DESIGNED WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ALEXANDRIA HYUNDAI (1707 MT VERNON AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22301) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DISAGREED WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC AND HE INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE FUSE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE HE PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND HAD DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INDEED RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE FUSE. THE CONTACT THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AFTER DISCOVERING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING) AND HAD THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE EPS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2020
THE FRONT WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING FIRST THEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS STOPPED LOCKING CONSISTENTLY USING A REMOTE AND FINALLY THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF DAILY WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT ON. DIRECT SUNLIGHT WAS A FACTOR FOR THE ALARM AS THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO NOT HAPPEN ON RAINY CLOUDY DAYS. THERE WAS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE ALARM. TOOK TO THE DEALER IN ANNAPOLIS MD AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE ALL ELECTRICS IN THE DOORS, THE HOOD SENSOR SWITCH, AND THE KEY IGNITION BEFORE THE PROBLEM STOPPED. THIS WAS OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD AND WAS FIXED IN SUMMER OF 2020.
Power train, Oct 26, 2020
2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HESITATES AND JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY AFTER A YEAR OR TWO AFTER BUYING IT BRAND NEW. AT 160,000, IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY. THIS HAPPENS AT ABOUT 30 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR (SOMETIMES HIGHER WHILE ON HIGHWAY). IT HAPPENS ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL.
Steering, Oct 23, 2020
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I HAD SQEAKING NOISES WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL.ALSO SHIMMERING OVER SLIGHTEST BUMPS. DEALER ESTIMATE FOR NEW STEERING COLUMNS WAS ABOUT $2000.00 . I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN IT FROZE. AFTER I TUNED OF THE CAR IT WORKED. HOWEVER I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS THAT THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS INCLUDING HIGHWAYS. I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 11, 2020
THE LIGHT EPS , (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING) RANDOMLY TURNS ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE STIFF AND I NEED TO PUT GREAT EFFORT TO TURN. SOMETIMES I'LL STOP AND TURN OFF AND ON THE CAR TO REMOVE THE EPS. NOW ON 10/11/2020 THE EPS LIGHT STAYS ON. I MIGHT HAVE A CAR THAT HAD A RECALL FOR 127. ITS DANGEROUS TO HAVE MY CAR LIKE THIS.
Steering, Sep 26, 2020
THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ON WHILE DRIVING. AND THEY IS A A GILDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL LIKE ITS LOOSE, AND SOMETIMES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN.
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT GARVEY HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 271 TOM MILLER RD, PLATTSBURG, NY 12901, (518)-324-7007, HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE DEALER WAS CALLED BACK AND THE MANGER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE OBSERVED FOR AN HOUR OR MORE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO A CRACKED HEADLIGHT COVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
Steering, Aug 2, 2020
I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING WITH 16,605 MILES. IT HAS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT NO COST TO ME TWICE BEFORE. HOWEVER NOW IT NEEDS ANOTHER STEERING REPAIR AND THE PARTS ALONE COST ME $1,446.89 AND LABOR WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $300. THE PART IS COMING FROM KOREA AND MAY TAKE ONE TO TWO MONTHS TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE NO CAR TO DO MY ERRANDS. I AM ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND RESTITUTION FOR MYSELF AND A GUARANTEE THAT THIS STEERING PROBLEM WILL NOT REOCCUR .
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?
Steering, Jul 21, 2020
POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING AND ECU LIGHT CAME ON.
Steering, Jul 12, 2020
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR RECALL 127 ON 4/24/2020. THE RECALL WAS TO FIX THE STEERING FAILURE. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED, MY STEERING HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT IS HARD TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, GETS IN A STUCK POSITION GOING STRAIGHT WHICH REQUIRES EFFORT TO "UNSTICK" AND THEN YOU OVER STEER. AT SLOW SPEEDS BACKING OUT AND TURNING OUT OF MY CARPORT THE STEERING IS WAY TOO TIGHT, THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONING THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AND ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO ISSUED. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM VERY CONCERNED.
Steering, Service brakes, Jun 18, 2020
EPS LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AGAIN AND LOCKED MY STEERING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND PARKING, CAN'T MOVE THE STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT. ISSUE HAS OCCURRED BEFORE AROUND THE INITIAL EPS RECALL, TOOK IT THEN TO THE SAME DEALER (SPORT HYUNDAI DODGE) WHERE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED TO UPDATE OR PATCH UP FIX. RECENTLY WENT TO THE DEALER TO ALSO FIX THE ABS MODULE RECALL AND RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE EPS. THEY STATED IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A $2100 REPAIR, WHICH THEY WILL FILE WITH THE MANUFACTURE TO SEE IF IT'S COVERED. BY READING THESE REPEATING COMPLAINTS, SOMETHING TELLS ME THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM TILL IT'S IN HARMS WAY INSTEAD OF PREVENTING THE SAFETY ISSUES. CURRENTLY HAD TO GIVE UP WORKING HOURS AND IN FINANCIAL STRESS OVER A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED CORRECTLY IN THE BEGINNING. *TR
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
Steering, Apr 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED TEXOMA HYUNDAI (2500 TEXOMA PKWY, SHERMAN, TX 75090) AND WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2020
INSIDE DOOR OPENING HANDLE ON DRIVER SIDE METAL COVERING IS PEELING OFF AND IS SHARP.