What are the most common problems with the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners have filed 380 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (195 complaints), followed by electrical system (48).

How many 2010 Hyundai Elantra complaints mention a crash or fire?

45 of 380 complaints report a crash and 9 a fire; 48 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2010 Hyundai Elantra recalls and problems

3 recalls and 380 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra.

recalls

380

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2010 Hyundai Elantra recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module

NHTSA campaign 20V061000 · reported February 4, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America · 476,111 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 fix: 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.

Steering: electric power assist system

NHTSA campaign 15V100000 · reported February 23, 2015 · Hyundai Motor America · 204,768 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 fix: 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.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V113000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Hyundai Motor Company · 1,712,336 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Steering195
Electrical system48
Air bags46
Power train32
Service brakes27
Structure22
Vehicle speed control22
Unknown or other19
Engine15
Electronic stability control (ESC)12

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 9, 2026 · Unknown or other
Two Hyundai Dealerships said they are unable to perform the recall. EPS SYS SW UPDATE/REP (TSB#15-01-019-1) software expired and is no longer available.

Aug 5, 2026 · 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…

May 27, 2026 · Air bags · crash reported
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…

May 19, 2026 · Unknown or other · crash reported
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…

May 1, 2026 · 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…

Elantra model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2007	6	267	21	13
2008	7	314	38	23
2009	4	254	28	11
2010	3	380	45	9
2011	5	433	17	8
2012	4	654	47	12
2013	4	1,314	93	31

Across all years, the 2013 Elantra has the most complaints (1,314). All Hyundai Elantra years →

Questions

Does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra, the most recent reported on February 4, 2020 (Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?: Owners have filed 380 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (195 complaints), followed by electrical system (48).
How many 2010 Hyundai Elantra complaints mention a crash or fire?: 45 of 380 complaints report a crash and 9 a fire; 48 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 9, 2026.