VehicleVerdict

2010 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 501 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Elantra year — the 2010 model ranks #6 of 37 Elantra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 62 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 195 reports (39% of the total).

501

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

71

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

62

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted1,858 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 179 complaints1996: 138 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 75 complaints1999: 183 complaints2000: 259 complaints2001: 445 complaints2002: 431 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 209 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 209 complaints2007: 365 complaints2008: 424 complaints2009: 316 complaints2010: 501 complaints2011: 588 complaints2012: 917 complaints2013: 1,858 complaints2014: 548 complaints2015: 352 complaints2016: 387 complaints2017: 1,070 complaints2018: 397 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 324 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 135 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering19539%
Electrical System6212%
Airbags469%
Brakes388%
Transmission326%
Speed Control224%
Body & Structure224%
Engine204%
Other184%
Suspension112%
Seat Belts71%
Tires & Wheels71%
Fuel System61%
Lighting51%
Latches & Locks41%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Driver Assistance10%
Seats10%

Does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V061000BrakesFebruary 4, 2020 · 476,111 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

15V100000SteeringFebruary 23, 2015 · 204,768 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I EXPERIENCED A CRASH WITH THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING FAILED (AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CODE 15V100000). I COMMUNICATED THIS FAILURE TO HYUNDAI AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED BUT THEY DENIED THAT THERE WAS ANY ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. HYUNDAI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 3, 2012 · crash

“So I was driving my vehicle like normal and all of a sudden the driver airbag light came on on the dash and as I’m getting closer to home my check engine light came on my ABS came on as well as my EPS and my TPS , was losing power to the vehicle. I made it home, put it in park and smoke started…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 11, 2023 · fire

“DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS VEHICLE RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WHY? THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE WAS SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WITH SUCH VIOLENT FORCE, HER STERNUM WAS FRACTURED AND HER HEART MUSCLE BRUISED. HYUNDAI DOES NOT APPEAR ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 6, 2016 · 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 13, 2017 · crash

“WHILE INCHING INTO MY GARAGE WITH MY FOOT NOT ON THE GAS, MY 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO MY GARAGES BACK WALL BEFORE I COULD BREAK. *KB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 21, 2011 · crash

2010 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2010 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 501 complaints put the 2010 model at #6 of 37 Elantra years. It is one of the Elantra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (195 complaints), electrical system (62 complaints), airbags (46 complaints).

Does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.