2010 Hyundai ELANTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
379 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
63,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 274 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 191 of 379 complaints (50.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 196 | 51.7% |
| Braking behavior | 60 | 15.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 28 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 191 |
| Electrical System | 46 |
| Air Bags | 42 |
| Power Train | 30 |
| Service Brakes | 27 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Structure:Body | 17 |
Steering: 191; Electrical System: 46; Air Bags: 42; Power Train: 30; Service Brakes: 27; Vehicle Speed Control: 21; Unknown Or Other: 18; Structure:Body: 17
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 46 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 54 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 59 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 46 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 47 |
| 150,000 and above | 22 |
Under 25,000: 46; 25,000 to 49,999: 54; 50,000 to 74,999: 59; 75,000 to 99,999: 46; 100,000 to 149,999: 47; 150,000 and above: 22
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (59). 105 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 30 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 32 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2019 | 36 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2010: 12; 2011: 13; 2012: 16; 2013: 19; 2014: 30; 2015: 35; 2016: 32; 2017: 33; 2018: 33; 2019: 36; 2020: 33; 2021: 28; 2022: 15; 2023: 23; 2024: 6; 2025: 9; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 196 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 28 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10365753 · 2010-11-15 (November 15, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCK FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AT FIRST AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SIT IDLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HER SON W…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378881 · 2011-01-31 (January 31, 2011)
2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRES. CONSUMER STATES DURING SNOW SEASON, NUMEROUS TIMES THE FRONT TIRES SWAYED TO THE LEFT AND THEN RIGHT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE DID NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT HAPPENED AND SHE WAS GOING 10-15 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE INSPECTION REVEALED THE FRONT AND REAR TOE WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10378881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319590 · 2010-03-14 (March 14, 2010)
WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET BETWEEN 40 AND 50MPH INSTEAD OF BEING SET AT THAT SPEED/MPH THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING TO 70MPH, ONLY WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES DID IT SLOW DOWN. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, AND I TESTED IT OUT AND IT HAPPENS MAYBE 5% OF THE TIME BUT NOT IN ANY RANDOM INCREMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344240 · 2010-07-20 (July 20, 2010)
AFTER ENTERING INTO A PARKING LOT FROM A 30 MILE PER HOUR STREET WITH A BRAND NEW CAR OF LESS THAN 48 HOURS, TURNED AND JAMMED THE BRAKES. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION, SO SCRATCH ON THE CAR AND NOTHING HIT EITHER UNDER OR ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470154 · 2012-08-10 (August 10, 2012)
THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. ON MY 2010 ELANTRA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, IT IS AS THOUGH THE GEARS ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE THE ISSUE ARISES. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO 40 MPH I HAVE TO LITERALLY HIT THE GAS AND GET THE RPMS TO 5,000 OR ALMOST 6,000 BEFORE THE CAR WILL SHIFT. THE CAR THEN SHIFTS BUT WHEN IT IS SETTLING INTO 1000-2000 RPM'S THE POWER JERKS AS IF IT HAS LOST POWER MOMENTARILY, THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. GOING UP A SMALL HILL THIS CAR WILL GO A…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10358600 · 2010-10-01 (October 1, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LIFT GATE CAME OPEN. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO IMMEDIATELY STOP IN THE STREET AND CLOSED THE LIFT GATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FOUR TIMES AND THEY REPLACED AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WHICH THE CONTACT COULD NOT IDENTIFY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,400.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10373198 · 2010-12-28 (December 28, 2010)
AM THE OWNER OF A 2010 ELANTRA WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN THE SPRING AND HAVE EXPERIENCED MY TRUNK OPEN SUDDENLY MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS - EITHER WHILE DRIVING AND/OR IN THE GARAGE. ONCE WHERE IT WAS PARKED FOR 4 DAYS AND RESULTED IN THE BATTERY DISCHARGING FULLY BECAUSE THE TRUNK LIGHT WAS LEFT ON. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT I MUST SOMEHOW BE PRESSING THE FOB BUTTON TO OPEN THE TRUNK, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN THE CASE. THE ACTUAL FOB BUTTON REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10373198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454679 · 2012-04-10 (April 10, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454679 at NHTSA ↗