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ProblemsByVin File / 2010-HYUNDAI-ELANTRA
2010 · hyundai

hyundai Elantra problems

2 safety recalls. 447 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
229 reports · avg $700
critical
airbags
42 reports · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
38 reports · avg $850
severe
powertrain
28 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
body
18 reports · avg $1,500
severe
brakes
17 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
15 reports · avg $600
severe
engine
12 reports · avg $3,100
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2010 Elantra · brakes
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE AUTO FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY PULSATED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION HE FOUND THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE RUSTED AND PITTED. THE REAR ROTORS ARE WORST THAN THE FRONT. HE ALSO…
12/30/2012 · NHTSA ODI #10490511.0
2010 Elantra · powertrain
VEHICLE HAS 85,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. DOES NOT MATTER IF THE WEATHER IS WARM OR COLD OR IF ENGINE IS WARM OR COLD. REOCCURRING PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
12/29/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385478.0
2010 Elantra · body
BACK SEAT DOOR BEHIND DRIVER WILL NOT OPEN OR SHUT. THE DOOR HANDLE BECOMES STUCK. THIS DOOR HASN'T BEEN USED MUCH SO THIS ISN'T NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS WE CAN'T ACCESS THE DOOR FOR MY CHILD.
12/28/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385202.0
2010 Elantra · steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED…
12/28/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10937970.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 15V100000 23/02/2015

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

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.

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.
severe NHTSA 20V061000 04/02/2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles

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.

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.

Common questions

Is the 2010 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 447 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Hyundai Elantra has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 229 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Hyundai Elantra has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Hyundai Elantra?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 447 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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