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Hyundai · NHTSA safety record

2010 Hyundai Elantra

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

379

Complaints

45

Crashes

9

Fires

48

Injuries

1

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have filed 379 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2010 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 195 of them (51%). The typical failure was reported at 63,750 miles, the median across the 274 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 9 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 6 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

20V061000 · February 4, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 476,111 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

15V100000 · February 23, 2015

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 204,768 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

13V113000 · April 1, 2013

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
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.

Hyundai Motor Company · up to 1,712,336 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

DP21003

Closed defect petition · opened November 12, 2021 · closed June 20, 2023

vehicle speed control

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 379.

STEERING 195 51%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 48 13%
AIR BAGS 46 12%
POWER TRAIN 32 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 27 7%
STRUCTURE 22 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 22 6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18 5%
ENGINE 15 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 12 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12 3%
SUSPENSION 11 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 36.

2010 2019 2026
2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STEERING

1 death · crash · towed

2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA (RENTED). CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WERE THERE ANY RECALLS ISSUED RELATED TO DEFECTS IN THE STEERING, ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS, SUSPENSION PROBLEMS OR BRAKE PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH. UPDATED 01/15/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO STRIKE A POLE. THE CONSUMER THEN CROSSED THE MEDIAN, AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, KILLING THE OTHER DRIVER. UPDATED 01/28/13 UPDATED 02/07/13 UPDATED 12/23/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 42 MPH. WHEN THE VEHICLE SWERVED, HE HIT THE BRAKE, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGED, INSTEAD THE VEHICLE INCREASED IN SPEED.

NHTSA complaint 10484202, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

5 injured · crash · 25,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 10479555. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 injured · crash · towed · 164,000 miles

The contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle first hit a pothole in the road, then crashed into a guardrail, pole and tree. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact's daughter and grandson were passengers in the vehicle. The fire department had to cut the roof of the vehicle and rear passenger door, removed all of the windows and windshield in order to extract the contact's son, daughter and grandson from the vehicle. All parties were transported by ambulance to the hospital for injuries sustained. The contact's son suffered a head injury with a brain bleed and a broken right hand. The

NHTSA complaint 11438263, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 112,099 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 10837593. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
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.

NHTSA complaint 11755010. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed

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.

NHTSA complaint 11740444, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · crash · towed

Upon arriving at my condo after work, pulled into the driveway that goes to 2nd floor underground. Had my foot on the brake and when the garage door started to rise, I put foot on gas pedal to inch forward and the gas pedal went all the way down. Braking did not stop the car. The car crashed through the garage door but that did not stop car. It continued till the car hit a cement boulder which finally stopped it. After car hit the cement boulder it continued to try and run. Obviously a huge risk factor when your car accelerates and can't be stopped. If that had happened on the street, I can't even imagine what could have happened. The car was totaled so I doubt if it has been checked by

NHTSA complaint 11738725, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
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

NHTSA complaint 11735156, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
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 ?

NHTSA complaint 11727532. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
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

NHTSA complaint 11710269, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Hyundai Elantra

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 52 1
2023 93 2
2022 97 5
2021 129 5 1
2020 242 3 2
2019 246 1 1
2018 280 0 1
2017 762 4
2016 290 2
2015 261 3
2014 381 2 2
2013 1,310 4
2012 651 4
2011 432 5

Other 2010 Hyundai models

Every Hyundai on this site — 201 vehicles, 276 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst