2010 Hyundai Elantra
Common Problems
Ranked from 304 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
31 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Failure with EPS Warning Light
126complaintsSafety riskSteeringThe EPS system intermittently fails, causing the steering wheel to become extremely difficult to turn. The EPS warning light illuminates, and restarting the vehicle may temporarily resolve the issue.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 15V100000
- 2
Air Bags Fail to Deploy During Collision
24complaintsSafety riskElectricalAir bags did not deploy during collisions or rollovers, even when impact speeds were moderate, resulting in injuries.
- 3
Transmission Slipping or Jerking
24complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe automatic transmission slips or jerks when shifting gears, particularly noticeable during acceleration or deceleration. This causes abnormal driving sensations and may require replacement.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Steering Coupling Failure
15complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe rubber coupling in the motor-driven power steering assembly fails, causing clunking noises, difficulty turning, and potential inspection failure due to safety concerns.
Related recall: 15V100000
- 5
Unintended Acceleration or Cruise Control Failure
12complaintsSafety riskOtherThe vehicle accelerated unexpectedly while braking or cruise control failed to deactivate, leading to crashes.
- 6
Electrical System Malfunction (Dashboard Lights, Ignition Issues)
11complaintsHigh severityElectricalDashboard lights flash intermittently, and the ignition may not fully shut off after turning off the engine.
- 7
Electrical System Malfunction / Warning Lights
10complaintsMedium severityElectricalVarious electrical issues including warning lights, battery failure, and alternator problems occur intermittently.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Engine Stalling and Starting Issues
10complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls while driving and may not restart immediately, requiring extended cranking or jump-starting.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Air Bag System Malfunction and Failure to Deploy
9complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe air bag warning light illuminates intermittently or fails to deploy during collisions, posing a risk of serious injury.
Related recall: 20V061000
- 10
Brake System Failure / Hydraulic Issues
9complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe brake pedal depresses to the floorboard without warning or the vehicle catches fire while parked due to hydraulic brake system failure.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V061000
- 11
Abnormal Steering Column Noise and Vibration
8complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering column emits abnormal knocking or clicking noises during operation, often accompanied by a loose or vibrating feel.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 15V100000
- 12
Airbag System Failure with Airbag Warning Light
7complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbag warning light remains illuminated, and airbags failed to deploy during collisions.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Clicking Noise and Excessive Play in Steering Column
7complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering column produces a clicking noise and has excessive play, causing a clunking sensation when turning the wheel, affecting steering control.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 15V100000
- 14
Vehicle Pulls to the Right Due to Steering Issues
7complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe vehicle pulls to the right while driving at various speeds, requiring constant correction and causing premature tire wear.
Related recall: 15V100000
- 15
Door Handle and Latch Failures
5complaintsMedium severityOtherDoor handles crack or become sharp, causing injury upon use, and door latches fail to hold securely, causing the trunk or doors to open unexpectedly.
$200–$600est. door lock/latch repair · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
ESC System Malfunction with Intermittent Warning Light
5complaintsMedium severityOtherThe ESC warning light illuminates intermittently or remains on, indicating a malfunction in the stability control system.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Suspension and Steering Creaking/Knocking Noise
5complaintsMedium severitySuspensionThe vehicle emits creaking or knocking noises when turning or driving over bumps, often attributed to suspension or steering components.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Electrical System Fires or Smoldering
4complaintsSafety riskElectricalElectrical system failures caused fires or burning smells, with smoke visible inside the cabin or engine compartment.
- 19
EPS Software/Control Unit Malfunction
4complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe EPS control unit malfunctions, causing intermittent loss of power steering and warning lights. Software updates or replacement of the control unit may be required.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 15V100000
- 20
ABS Module Short Circuit
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe ABS module experiences a short circuit, causing the ABS motor to run continuously and draining the battery. In some cases, this leads to brake failure.
$800–$2,000est. abs module replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Airbag and Horn Circuit Failure
3complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe airbag deploys unexpectedly or fails to deploy, and the horn does not work due to a faulty connection in the steering wheel assembly.
- 22
EPS System Malfunction Leading to Loss of Power Steering and Crash
3complaintsSafety riskSteeringFailure of the EPS system caused sudden loss of power steering while driving, leading to a crash. In some cases, the airbags did not deploy despite impact.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 15V100000
- 23
Suspension Causes Bouncing or Instability
3complaintsMedium severitySuspensionThe suspension causes excessive bouncing or instability while driving at higher speeds or over bumps.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 24
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Stem Failure
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe TPMS sensor stem breaks easily, often due to corrosion from road salt, causing flat tires and requiring costly repairs.
- 25
Trunk Lid Opens Unexpectedly
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe trunk lid opens while driving or parked, causing battery drain and potential safety hazards.
- 26
Engine Seizure and Transmission Shifting Issues
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine seizes unexpectedly while driving, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly. Transmission also exhibits delayed shifting and jerking.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Glass Shattering Without Apparent Cause
2complaintsMedium severityOtherRear or sunroof glass shatters unexpectedly while the vehicle is stationary or in motion.
- 28
Rear Lower Control Arm Detachment
2complaintsSafety riskSuspensionThe rear lower control arm detaches from the subframe while driving, causing loss of control and potential crash risk.
$300–$900est. control arm / ball joint replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 29
Rusted or Corroded Components (Lug Nuts, Rims, Rotors)
2complaintsMedium severityBrakesLug nuts, rotors, and rims rust prematurely, causing difficulty in removal and potential safety risks due to corrosion.
$250–$700est. brake pads + rotors (per axle) · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V061000
- 30
Steering Wheel Material Degradation and Cracking
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel material cracks and disintegrates over time, posing a risk of sharp edges and potential injury.
$250–$700est. egr valve replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 15V100000
- 31
Transmission Failure to Hold in Park on Incline
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to hold the vehicle in park on inclines, causing the car to roll away unexpectedly.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.