Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
460–25K
5425–50K
5950–75K
4675–100K
47100–150K
22150K+
274 reports with mileage · 105 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 195 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
45 crash reports9 fire reports36 injury reports
What owners actually said
379 reports
130,000 miles · Apr 13, 2020
Service BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH WHILE GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE, THE BAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND LOCKED AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT ENDED UP CRASHING INTO THE GUARDER RAIL. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH WHILE GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE, THE BAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND LOCKED AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT ENDED UP CRASHING INTO THE GUARDER RAIL. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN NECK, BACK, SHOULDER, AND KNEE INJURY AS WELL AS A FRACTURED TOE WHICH MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *LN*JB
NHTSA ODI #11320940
80,000 miles · Apr 12, 2020
Steering
I HAVE EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL/BUMPING/CLICKING, WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS CAUSES A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END WHEN BRAKING. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES SO FAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THERE IS NO EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. THERE I…
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I HAVE EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL/BUMPING/CLICKING, WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS CAUSES A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END WHEN BRAKING. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES SO FAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THERE IS NO EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. THERE IS EXCESS PLAY ANYTIME THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE SEVERAL INCHES WITHOUT MOVING THE FRONT WHEELS.
NHTSA ODI #11320892
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2020
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HYUNDAI REGARDING MY 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. A RECALL RELAY IN THE VEHICLES MAIN JUNCTION BOX. FOR THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. IT WAS RECALL FEB 2020.RECEIVED THE LETTER APRIL 6,2020. THEY WAITED TO LONG TO SEND THE LETTER.
NHTSA ODI #11320754
100,000 miles · Apr 7, 2020
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11320420
130,000 miles · Mar 21, 2020
Steering
I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE TWO DOLLAR PART WITH VERY HIGH LABOR COST. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2015 PROBLEM WAS OBVIOUSLY MISS DIAGNOSIS IT IS THE STEERING COUPLING. IT CAN CAUSE A LOST IF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS A TOTAL CASE SPECIALIST FOR KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS THE COMPANY SHOULD BE TAKING …
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I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE TWO DOLLAR PART WITH VERY HIGH LABOR COST. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2015 PROBLEM WAS OBVIOUSLY MISS DIAGNOSIS IT IS THE STEERING COUPLING. IT CAN CAUSE A LOST IF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS A TOTAL CASE SPECIALIST FOR KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS THE COMPANY SHOULD BE TAKING CAR OF A LOT OF ISSUES THAT THEY TELL CUSTOMERS IT OUT OF WARRANTY OR YOU MISSED A OIL CHANGE SO THE WARRANTY IS VOID. I TOOK SEVERAL IF THE CALLS THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. NHTSA YOU SHOULD BE FOR CONSUMERS YOU HEAR THE SAME COMPLAINT OVER AND OVER FROM OWNERS OF KIA AND HYUNDAI . MOST OF THERE CARS ARE CRAP I GOT THE SAME CALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUES OVER AND OVER
NHTSA ODI #11318913
13,000 miles · Mar 11, 2020
Steering
IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM SO I WILL KEEP IT BRIEF. MY CAR HAS 150000 ON IT. THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE EPS. THE CLICKING HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED. AT ALL TIMES. I WENT INTO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW STEERING RACK. THE REPAIR COST MORE THAN THE CAR'S VALUE. I WENT I…
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IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM SO I WILL KEEP IT BRIEF. MY CAR HAS 150000 ON IT. THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE EPS. THE CLICKING HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED. AT ALL TIMES. I WENT INTO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW STEERING RACK. THE REPAIR COST MORE THAN THE CAR'S VALUE. I WENT IN TO HAVE REPAIRS FOR RECALLS IN 2018. I'M WONDERING IF THEY ACTUALLY FIXED IT BECAUSE THE EPS WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #11317495
112,826 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Electrical System
THE CAR ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF WITHOUT ANY ACTIVITY ( PARKED AND LOCKED IN MY DRIVE WAY). I HAVE LOOKED THE CAR OVER BUT SO FAR I SEE NO REASON FOR THE ALARM TO BE TRIGGERED.
NHTSA ODI #11311151
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2020
Steering
"EPS" ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LIGHT ON. DEALER WONT COVER IT. I WILL LOSE STEERING EVENTUALLY THEY SAID. HYUNDAI MAIN OFFICE SAID CAR IS TO OLD AND HIGH MILES 94,000 MILES 2010 ELANTRA. I DONT KNOW THE EXACT DATE BUT LESTER GLENN IN TOMSRIVER NJ KNOWS.
NHTSA ODI #11307841
40,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Air Bags
MY RED AIR BAG NOTIFICATION ON MY DASHBOARD STAYS ON. WAS TOLD THIS MEANS NO AIR BAG COVERAGE. ALSO THAT IT IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. I AM DRIVING THIS BUT ONLY BECAUSE DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD NEED TOO PAY FOR INSPECTION TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THEN PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE I AM A SENIOR DRIVER AND NE…
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MY RED AIR BAG NOTIFICATION ON MY DASHBOARD STAYS ON. WAS TOLD THIS MEANS NO AIR BAG COVERAGE. ALSO THAT IT IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. I AM DRIVING THIS BUT ONLY BECAUSE DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD NEED TOO PAY FOR INSPECTION TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THEN PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE I AM A SENIOR DRIVER AND NEVER HAD A TICKET BUT AM WORRIED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING. AS A SAFETY ISSUE I FEEL THIS NOT BE A CHARGE THAT I NEED TO COVER. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A POWER STEERING RECALL. ONLY TOLD ABOUT IT SOME TIME AFTER I PAID TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. NOW I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A SAFETY ISSUE BY THE DEALER NOT ME. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS REGARDING THE RED LIGHT ALERT HAPPENING AND NOTHING BEING DONE.
NHTSA ODI #11301551
155,456 miles · Jan 19, 2020
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MAKES CLICKING NOISE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT BACK IN 2015 NOT SURE IF IT WAS REPLACED THEN. I WAS TOLD THEY CANT FIX IT THE RECALL BACK FROM 2015.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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 number is 110.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.