2010 Hyundai Elantra
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 29 |
| 1993 | 24 |
| 1994 | 76 |
| 1995 | 112 |
| 1996 | 100 |
| 1997 | 115 |
| 1998 | 55 |
| 1999 | 128 |
| 2000 | 197 |
| 2001 | 315 |
| 2002 | 342 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2004 | 182 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 266 |
| 2008 | 314 |
| 2009 | 247 |
| 2010 | 378 |
| 2011 | 431 |
| 2012 | 649 |
| 2013 | 1307 |
| 2014 | 379 |
| 2015 | 258 |
| 2016 | 286 |
| 2017 | 759 |
| 2018 | 274 |
| 2019 | 242 |
| 2020 | 240 |
| 2021 | 128 |
| 2022 | 95 |
| 2023 | 90 |
| 2024 | 52 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
50% of complaints: steering — 190 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181024
12% of complaints: electrical system — 46 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
vehicle caught on fire under apt complex carport causing extensive damage to property and 2 other vehicles.
NHTSA ODI report, 20241218
11% of complaints: air bags — 42 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
On Sept 12th of this year I was involved in a multiple rollover with my Hyundai elantra and not one single airbag deployed nor did my seatbelt tighten up to keep me from moving around as much. Due to this I suffered a fractured vertabrae.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231005
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181024
TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 35 MPH, VEHICLE T BONED MY CAR IN THE DRIVERS CENTER POST AND BOTH DOORS. NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. 2 WITH INJURIES. OVER $6000 IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *JS
NHTSA ODI report, 20120418
8% of complaints: power train — 30 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: service brakes — 27 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I'M REQUESTING NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE FAILURES OF SEVERAL SYSTEMS OF HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2010: SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED/UNRESPONSIVE BRAKING, LURCHING/ACCELERATION DESPITE TRYING TO PUSH BRAKE PEDAL, &FAILED POWER STEERING CAUSING UNSAFE SITUATION AND...
NHTSA ODI report, 20181202
SAFETY TIMELINE
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, 2008-2
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 13V113000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 15V100000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 20V061000 — check if this car was fixed
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2010 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (190 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (46 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (42 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V100000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V061000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2010 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Hyundai Elantra is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.